Couple Reschedules Wedding Ceremony to Be First in Line to Adopt Dog: 'Love at First Sight' (Exclusive)

The Virginia newlyweds went straight from their ceremony to a branch of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter

A Virginia couple concluded their wedding with "I do" and a dog.

On Oct. 26, Eduardo Del Pozo and Regan Mast visited the main campus of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter a few days ahead of their wedding to look for a rescue puppy.

Del Pozo, 21, grew up with German shepherds, he tells PEOPLE. So when a shelter employee told the couple that a 4-month-old German shepherd puppy named Daisy would soon be available for adoption, they were interested. The employee explained to the pair that the pup was among the animals slated to be up for adoption at the grand opening of the shelter's new branch in Lorton.

To have the best chance of adopting the dog, Del Pozo and Mast were told to be at the shelter's grand opening ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28.

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Unfortunately, the couple's wedding ceremony was also scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Set on adopting Daisy, the couple asked their officiant, close friends, and family if they could move the wedding to 9 a.m. The group obliged.

"I was in my suit, and she was still in her dress," says Del Pozo of how he and Mast arrived at the grand opening.

The couple, both sergeants in the Marine Corps serving as military police at Quantico, exchanged their vows and snapped a few photos before rushing to the shelter.

They were first in line, says Rebecca Cavedon, the shelter's communications manager. Shelter staff members were cutting the ceremonial ribbon at the new facility when the bride and groom walked in.

As expected, the couple became enamored with Daisy moments after meeting her.

"It was love at first sight," says Mast, 22, now Regan Del Pozo. "She's so sweet."

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The animal lovers were elated to follow up their wedding with a dog adoption. The shelter was smitten with the match, too.

"Pets are part of our family," says Cavedon. "To see that they got married literally that morning and then added to their family — and the joy that brought them, just made us all smile and made our day — it made a really special day for us even better."

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The newlyweds say they look forward to all the furry fun ahead and are already making cherished memories with their new puppy.

After adopting Daisy, Eduardo and Regan surprised friends and family by bringing the puppy to the wedding reception.

"It symbolized us starting our own family," Eduardo says. "My wife and I are beyond excited."

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