Jen & Neil in Pittsboro, NC

Out with some friends but wary of the pickup scene, Neil and Jennifer struck up a conversation at a bar one night. Nothing came of their meeting at the time, but a few months later, Jen found herself still thinking of the amiable stranger to whom she’d so enjoyed talking. As she tried to muster up the nerve to “casually” drop into the running store where she knew he worked, Neil, having the same thoughts, tracked down her email address and asked her to dinner. This time, their bond stuck. The Bride Jennifer Modliszewski, 25, graduate student The Groom Neil Jacobs, 32, atmospheric scientist The Date April 9 Two years later, while watching the sun set at Wrightsville Beach on their anniversary, Neil asked Jen if she loved him enough to spend the rest of her life with him. Jen had suspected Neil might be plotting a proposal, but she was still overcome when he got down on one knee -- she managed a “Yes!” and the planning began.