Abby & Matt in Baltimore, MD

Although Abby and Matt grew up in the same county in Maryland, they didn’t meet until years later. Matt was living in Richmond and Abby was home from Boston for the holidays when the two first encountered each other at a New Year’s Eve party. The Bride Abigail (Abby) Canter, 27, occupational therapist The Groom Matt Murphy Jr., 27, associate at an investment bank The Date May 26 Abby caught Matt’s eye immediately, but he assumed she was taken. “Little did I know that our friend Sarah had convinced her to come to the party so she could meet some of her boyfriend Brian’s single friends,” says Matt. The two had their first kiss at midnight and more on the deck where everyone was celebrating with sparklers -- “sparks were flying both figuratively and literally,” remembers Matt. A little over a year later, he surprised Abby with a special dessert after a casual lunch at home -- four cupcakes that read “Will you marry me?” with a ring box placed in the middle.