Meagan & Ben in Sundance, UT

When they were kids, Ben Coates pursued his neighbor Meagan Chesrown, but she only saw him as a “big-brother type.” Years later, when Meagan was on break from graduate school, she finally agreed to go out with Ben. Ben’s years of persistence paid off when Meagan finally felt the same way after their first date. The Bride Meagan Chesrown, 25, community development manager The Groom Benjamin (Ben) Coates, 27, team liaison The Date May 3 The couple dated long-distance for a year while Ben went to school in Boulder and Meagan finished her degree in Austin. After graduation, Ben was offered a job in Wisconsin and Meagan decided to make the move with him. A few months later, while on a camping trip, Ben suggested they walk to the beach just before dawn, and he proposed to Meagan at sunrise. Meagan happily accepted and the couple planned a spring wedding with whimsical woodsy accents.