Cicely & Devard in Houston, TX

From the time Devard Darling first laid eyes on a photo of Cicely Clinkenbeard, he knew she was the one. Unfortunately for him, Cicely was taken. Still, that couldn’t stop Devard from noticing Cicely everywhere he went -- and Cicely definitely noticed all of his noticing! Devard finally got up the nerve to talk to her, but, still, it was another three years before the two officially became a couple. The Bride Cicely Clinkenbeard, 27, kindergarten teacher The Groom Devard Darling, 24, professional football player The Date April 7 After a year or so of dating, the two were on a picnic at the beach in the Bahamas when Devard suggested they go swimming again. Cicely headed straight for the sea, but she noticed Devard had stayed on shore, rummaging through their bag. “He said, ‘Go ahead, I’ll be right down,’” Cicely remembers. “Immediately, I became suspicious…. This boy loves water more than air!” They had talked about marriage, but as Devard continued to take his time, Cicely decided a proposal wasn’t in the plan. After a while, he finally called her back up onto the beach, and just as she reached the blanket Devard dropped to one knee and proposed. “No tears, just excitement and love. He made that moment absolutely perfect and ours to tell for generations to come!” she says.

MORE PHOTOS LIKE THIS

Gray Formalwear

Malika & James in Kansas City, MO

Keisha & James in Fisher Island, FL

Mariel & Wide in Miami, FL

Danielle & Devin in Philadelphia, PA

Dami & Niyi in Houston, TX

Danielle & Kyle in Leipers Fork, TN

The Accessories

Heather & Jonathan in Rock Hill, SC

Cynara & Philip in Palmetto, GA

Kimberly & Kenny in Atlanta, GA

Rielle & Bobby in Washington, DC

Carissa & Andrew in Boston, MA

Tiffany & Clarence in Atlanta, GA

Bridal Hair Comb

The Hair

Alicia & Ashford in Covington, KY

Erin & Gavin in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Sarah & Harold in Boston, MA

Monique & Chris in Washington, DC

Samantha & Andrew in New York City, NY

Kelly & Hugh in Greesboro, NC