Love: Weddings: Marissa McKinney & Greg Markus

Growing up in across-the-street developments and attending the same Cherry Hill middle and high schools hadn't sparked friendship, but it did mean instant recognition when Marissa and Greg spotted each other years later in Philadelphia.

Greg was amused to hear that Marissa taught special education at Beck Middle School - their shared alma mater. Marissa was amused by nearly everything Greg said. "He's a really funny guy, with lots of energy," she said of Greg, who had begun his career at Auto Lenders, where he's now vice president of the wholesale division.

Whenever their big group of friends went out, the two enjoyed their friendship. Then their early 20s gave way to mid 20s, late nights out dropped off, and they lost touch but for the occasional appearance on each other's Facebook feed.

Fast-forward to July 2014. Greg was tooling around online, happened upon Marissa's picture, and had a thought that had never occurred to him in their postcollege days, when both were dating other people. "I did some research," he said.

His message to Marissa was something like: "Hey, I know you're single. Want to get a drink?"

Marissa hadn't ever considered dating him, either. But she figured they'd at least have fun.

"I had no expectations," Marissa said.

"I'm always an optimistic person," Greg said. "Every date I ever went on was with my future wife."

He got to a.kitchen early, and when he told the bartender he was waiting for a first date, she said she had a really good feeling about it.

Marissa arrived right at 8 p.m., and immediately, she and Greg had a good feeling, too. "We were laughing, catching up. It was all very natural," she said. Not wanting the night to end, they had Irish coffees at the Dandelion, then hit Pub & Kitchen.

"We were out until 2!" Greg said.

Dinner followed days later, and since then they've been together as much as possible.

"Marissa is the sweetest person in the world," Greg said. "She's just so likable to everyone, and I was struck by how warm she is, how nice she is, and what a good person she is."

"Sometimes, I'm a little serious," Marissa said. "He makes me laugh - a lot. He brings out the goofy side of me."

This was not funny: Five months into their relationship, Greg tore a ligament and needed surgery. Marissa helped out during his downtime. They could not make their Thanksgiving plans with family and friends just two days later. "Her mom brought over plates of Thanksgiving dinner," he said. "We stayed on the couch and watched the Eagles win in our sweatpants."

"Everyone felt sorry for us, but we had such a good time," Marissa said.

"We had the best Thanksgiving ever," Greg agreed.

Greg, who is now 35, told Marissa, 33, that he had a business meeting. Actually, he was meeting her sister, Diandra, in New York. Diandra hacked into Marissa's Pinterest account, printed Marissa's pinned pictures of engagement rings, and they were off to see a jeweler.

A few weeks later, in July 2015, Marissa was psyched to be on the cusp of their Cabo trip and planned an evening of packing. She was less than thrilled when Greg requested her company at a fancy work dinner that night. But then they were walking through Fitler Square on a warm and pretty evening, and all she felt was happy.

Greg had felt nervous. Then, just as they entered the park, a butterfly landed on his shoulder and lingered. It felt like a blessing, and Greg couldn't wait to tell Marissa. But then other things that had to happen first.

Greg knelt in front of Marissa - on both knees - and spoke of how much he loved her. "I got so flustered, I don't think I even let him ask the question before I said yes," Marissa said.

He presented her dream ring. His parents, Gail and Steve; her sisters Diandra and Alexa; and Marissa's mom, Deborah, and stepdad, Nick, emerged from the bushes. After many hugs, the group walked not to a business dinner, but to meet more friends and family who were waiting to celebrate.

Packing was rushed, but Cabo was amazing. At dinner one night, Greg told Marissa about the pre-proposal butterfly. "I think it was probably my dad," Marissa said. Her dad, Edward, had died unexpectedly when she was 23. "I think he was encouraging Greg, telling him that he approved."

The couple, who live in Fitler Square with their puggle, Bogey, agreed Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia was the perfect place to marry. She's not much of a golfer, but she was smitten with the grounds and views of the Philadelphia skyline. A view like that required an outdoor ceremony, beneath a tent for some protection from the elements. But no tent would keep anyone dry in the downpour happening on their wedding day, and calls from guests still traveling were all about truly stormy weather.

Marissa outsourced the decision to Greg, who consulted the radar and took a leap of faith: There appeared to be a dry 20-minute window approaching. The raindrops stopped. The groom said go. Staff wiped down the seats and hustled to fill them with their 200 guests.

The perfect double rainbow that just then colored the sky felt like a smile from Marissa's dad. Her trip down the aisle required a traipse through train-destroying puddles, but she was far too happy to care.

As the rabbi began the ceremony that included both his Jewish and her Catholic traditions, "There was lightning all around us, but it was not raining where we were," Greg said. "It was so cool."

Immediately after they were pronounced husband and wife, the couple and their guests dashed inside. As a wedding coordinator bustled up Marissa's train, the skies opened up again, and so did the dance floor.

At one point, the groom crowd-surfed. Mostly, he danced with the bride.

The moments after they were married are Greg's favorite memory. Someone handed him a drink, and he realized the stressful parts were all done, they were married without anyone getting soaked, and they were about to have a fantastic party with everyone they love. "I felt calm, happy, and lucky, and it was such a great feeling," he said.

Dancing with friends, family, and each other was Marissa's favorite part. "All I could think was how much fun the night was, and how much fun the rest of our lives together were going to be," Marissa said.

A bargain: Marissa's best friend's aunt fulfilled her wildflower wishes. "Because of her connections and our friendship, we got an amazing deal on unbelievable flowers," Marissa said.

The splurge: Their 15-piece band, L.A. Stars, played the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with no breaks. "As soon as guests walked into the reception, the place was booming," Greg said. "It was worth every single dime."

Ten days in Italy, split among Positano, a Tuscan villa outside Florence, and Rome.

Officiant: Rabbi Bradley Bleefeld, Dresher
Venue: Trump National Philadelphia, Pine Hill, N.J.
Food: Trump National Philadelphia
Photography: Alyssa Maloof Photography, Philadelphia
Flowers: Debbie Riggs, Creative Eye, LLC
Dress: Pronovias, purchased at Philadelphia Bridal Company
Music: LA Starz, EBE Events and Entertainment, Philadelphia

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