Whitney & Michael in Windermere, FL

Once Mike Phillips decided to propose to Whitney Bridges -- his high school sweetheart, who he’d even “gone out” with in third grade -- there was no stopping him. “One day I just couldn’t wait any longer,” he says. On his way home from work, he called Whitney’s father to ask for his permission, then headed to his jeweler to pick up a ring. “I was so excited I knew there was no way I was waiting to arrange an elaborate proposal,” says Mike. “As soon as I opened the door, I was shouting, ‘Whitney, will you marry me?’” The Bride Whitney Bridges, 24, mortgage closing coordinator The Groom Michael (Mike) Phillips, 24, pool tiler The Date April 9 Though Mike managed to pull off the proposal in the span of a few hours, it took he and Whitne a little over a year to plan their springtime nuptials. They chose the season because of Whitney’s love of tulips, and quickly decided on a theme based on their monogram and a pink palette.