Nikki & Tommy in Lancaster, PA

As seen on theknot.com

One year just before heading home to Lancaster for Christmas, Nicole (Nikki) and Tom (Tommy) decided on one last “date night” out. Nikki was not in the mood after a bad day at work, but Tommy’s enthusiasm led her to play along. The ambience of the restaurant helped too. “There were private rooms all around us with people celebrating holiday parties,” Nikki remembers. “Out of one eye I noticed what looked like a security camera.” She pointed it out to Tommy, who laughingly changed the subject.

The Bride Nicole (Nikki) Riehl, 26, campaign coordinator
The Groom Tom (Tommy) Walker, 27, systems architect
The Date April 21

A few minutes later, Tommy asked Nikki if she wanted to open an early Christmas gift. She was excited to see it was a picture frame—but even more so when she realized it framed the words “Will you marry me?” The moment Nikki said yes, the doors to one of the private rooms flew open, and the two were surrounded by their families, who had caught the whole thing on tape with their “security camera.”

-- Kate Wood

Yoko & Sean in Lancaster, PA

As seen on theknot.com

At first, Yoko wasn’t attracted to Sean when they met while both studying jewelry and metals at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. It took Sean a while to work up the courage to start a conversation with Yoko; but once he did, minutes of talking turned into hours and soon Yoko was hooked. The two became inseparable.

The Bride Yoko Tazaki, 26, a bench jeweler
The Groom Sean McMullen, 29, a blacksmith
The Date August 30

For their four-year anniversary, Sean took Yoko to the Japanese restaurant they often go for special occasions. When dinner arrived, Yoko spotted a tiny box on the sushi tray. The ring inside had been custom-made by the professor Yoko admires the most. Yoko immediately started crying as Sean knelt down on one knee and proposed.

-- Jaimie Dalessio

Alison & David in Lancaster, PA

As seen on theknot.com

Mutual friends thought Alison and David would hit it off on their first date. They were wrong. “Alison thought I was pompous and self-centered, and I thought she was emotionally stonewalling,” says Dave. Several months and accidental run-ins later, the two chatted at a friend’s house party, which led to a second date and, eventually, a relationship.

The Bride Alison Fairbairn, 28, outpatient therapist
The Groom David Pidgeon, 30, freelance journalist
The Date April 4

After a year together, the subject of marriage had come up, but Dave didn’t seem especially into it. That’s why Alison was shocked when Dave proposed at the Pinnacle, a rock outcrop overlooking the Susquehanna River. Once she said yes, the couple met Alison’s parents who were waiting in the parking lot.

-- Meredith Bodgas