Rachel & Ephraim in San Diego, CA

Rachel and Ephraim met through a mutual friend but believe it was actually fate that brought them together. Once they started talking, the two realized they had a million little things in common -- even their families were from the same town in the Philippines! The Bride Rachel Quizon, 27, marketing and public relations coordinator The Groom Ephraim Maniago, 31, information technology specialist The Date October 20 After four years of dating, Ephraim decided to propose. He enlisted the help of Rachel's best friends to whisk her away to Hawaii. Ephraim told a little white lie and said he had to stay behind and work. Even though they'd be apart for their fourth anniversary, Ephraim urged Rachel to go. While Rachel and her friends were having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the sea, Ephraim appeared. Rachel thought it was an anniversary surprise until Ephraim proposed. They spent the rest of the vacation together and 16 months later wed in an early morning ceremony in Casa Del Rey Moro Gardens in Balboa Park.