An emotional groom was brought to tears when his best man, who he thought was on deployment overseas, turned up to surprise him on his wedding day in full military attire. The tear-jerking moment, caught on video, saw Steven Marec and his new wife, Lauren, walking along for wedding photos, when someone shouted out, “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Marec!” Steven, 27, suddenly froze and his jaw dropped as out of the bushes his best man, AJ, appeared with a huge smile on his face. The groom was unable to hold. Back the happy tears, as he started to bawl hysterically while AJ, 27, approached. The best friends then embraced as Steven cried uncontrollably on his best man’s shoulder. AJ and Steven met nine years ago, and despite AJ’s work with the US Army, the pair have remained close friends ever since. Steven’s wedding day was set for a date that AJ could attend – but ahead of the big day, in Fallbrook, California, on January 5, AJ got the news that he would be deployed overseas for between 10 and 12 months. A heartbroken Steven accepted the situation. But a few days before the wedding, AJ, whose full name is Anthony White, found out that his deployment had been pushed back a couple of days and he would not be working on the base where he was stationed. Having checked with his superiors, AJ – whose deployment details and location are classified – then planned the surprise with Steven’s friends and family.