Living in a small town has its perks—one being that everyone knows everyone, and if they don’t, they can probably introduce you. For Stephanie Colon and Gregory Revollo, meeting in the one-square-mile New Jersey town where they both grew up was a matter of being introduced by mutual friends. The two hit it off and began an on-again-off-again relationship that seemed a matter of timing. But when they were finally ready for one another—and something lasting—they began seriously dating in 2014.

Six years later, Greg knew he wanted Stephanie to be in his life forever—but again, timing came into play. “Greg wanted to propose in April of 2020 on a trip we planned for Spain, but COVID delayed the proposal,” says Stephanie, who works as a speech language pathologist, while Greg serves as a police officer. “Greg had to hold and hide the ring until later that summer. We finally took a trip to Ocean City in August with my sisters and their families, and Greg felt it was the right time to do it. He waited until the sun began to set, and in the middle of taking pictures with everyone, Greg snuck up behind me and popped the question. Even though it was not how he envisioned it, neither of us could have been happier.”

Just over a year later, on November 5, 2021, Stephanie wore an ivory ballgown with all-over lace detailing and cutouts on the bodice as she exchanged vows with Greg at the Hacienda Siesta Alegre in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico with 88 of their loved ones around them. After being pronounced married, the couple joined their guests for an on-site reception. Sent off with wishes for a beautiful future, the couple honeymooned on a small Puerto Rican island called Vieques before returning to their home in Arlington, VA.