JoAnn & Alan in Madison, NJ

For years JoAnn and Alan roamed in the same social circles and visited the same summer pool in their hometown of Madison. After sitting poolside just a foot away from one another on quite a few occasions, the couple was finally introduced by mutual friends. It did not take long for me to realize that JoAnn was the woman of my dreams, says Alan. The Bride JoAnn Hansen, 41, personal trainer and fitness instructor The Groom Alan Reid, 44, managing director of U.S. financial institutions The Date June 15 He proposed the night before Christmas Eve -- phoning her parents for permission beforehand -- with a three-carat diamond ring. Since both of their families would be moving into a new home together, the pair decided to plan an intimate wedding right in their own backyard.