Claire & Preston in Lake Lure, NC

When a mutual friend dragged Claire to Preston's CD release party, she thought she'd hear some good music -- not meet her soul mate. But Claire was so impressed with Preston's tunes (and good looks) that she was almost too shy to shake his hand when the friend introduced them. Her nerves subsided long enough for her to start a conversation-one that lasted until six the next morning. “Within a week we'd said, 'I love you,'” says Claire. The Bride Claire McKay, 31, freelance film and video editor The Groom Preston Clarke, 35, singer/songwriter The Date May 29 Four years later, Preston asked Claire to listen to his newest song. As he played it in their living room, Claire cried when she realized it was about her and the recent fights they'd had over his reluctance to commit to marriage. After he finished, a tearful Preston asked Claire to be his wife.