Amy & Matt in Raleigh, NC

For years Matt just saw Amy as his best friend’s little sister. But after a Lake Tahoe ski trip in 2002, the two began dating, and four years later they returned to Tahoe for another vacation. The Bride Amy Smith, 26, procurement analyst The Groom Matthew (Matt) Mercer, 31, systems analyst The Date April 21 On their first day, the couple stopped on the mountainside to photograph the breathtaking views. There, in the snow, Matt asked Amy to marry him and presented her with a ring. Instead of a blinding sparkler, all Amy saw was a big ball of red ribbon! “Matt had tied the ribbon on the ring because he was afraid we might drop it in the snow,” Amy explains. They married in a colorful celebration the following spring.

MORE PHOTOS LIKE THIS

Cari & Steve in Fallbrook, CA

Cara & Brian in Orange, CA

Erin & Jamie in Villanova, PA

The Ceremony

Blue Outdoor Reception

Jenny & Matt in Columbus, OH

The Ceremony

Kate & John in Asheville, NC

Caren & Jesse in Montecito, CA

Shannon & Jake in Temecula, CA

Nicole & Eric in Los Gatos, CA

Jordan & Benny in Glen Ellen, CA

Courtney & Hugh in San Francisco, CA

Theresa & Mike in Lawrence, KS

The Reception Decor

Lauren & Matt in Valle Crucis, NC

Nichole & John in Wrightsville, PA

The Ceremony

Deanna & Julian in Geyserville, CA

Caroline & Daniel in Menlo Park, CA

Andrea & Grant in Belpre, OH

Staci & Joe in Washington, MO