Patrick & Ed in Edgerton, KS

You can always count on a good martini to break the ice, especially when the menu describes it as being “on the dark side of good behavior.” That was enough to intrigue two patrons at a new martini bar in Columbus, Ohio. Both Patrick and Ed ordered the cocktail and struck up a conversation that led to love. The Groom Patrick Smith, 49, vice president of Harley-Davidson The Groom Ed Seaberg, 48, director of IT operations The Date October 18 They dated for more than two years before Ed proposed at Patrick’s family’s annual Christmas party. The couple soon began planning a four-year-long celebration, including a series of cocktail parties across the United States, then a private wedding ceremony in Big Sur in 2007, and ending with a traditional reception near Patrick’s hometown in Kansas.

MORE PHOTOS LIKE THIS

Joey & Stephen in Sedona, AZ

Corrine & Dan in Milwaukee, WI

Suzanne & Sandon in San Francisco, CA

Liz & Luke in Ronda, NC

Margo & Jonathan in Corpus Christi, TX

Jewlie & Simon in Napa, CA

Morgan & Stefan in Saddlestring, WY

Shannon & Kayu in Ann Arbor, MI

Jennifer & Brian in Belleville, IL

Caitlin & Scott in Knoxville, IL

Andrea & Jason in Olema, CA

Elizabeth & Jake in Slade, KY

Heidi & Beau in Lake Lanier Islands, GA

Kerrie & Cory in Dallas, TX

Mara & Tyson in Ann Arbor, MI

Jacqueline & Graeme in New Preston, CT

Jennifer & Joe in Jackson Hole, WY

Stephanie & Paul in Cincinnati, OH

Dana & Kevin in Chagrin Falls, OH

Kim & Mike in Winter Park, FL

Allison & Stephen in Oklahoma City, OK

Jenn & Jim in Austin, TX