Winnie & Stephen in New York City, NY

A bad-boy reputation initially kept Winnie from Stephen, despite having a friend in common. But persistent -- and creative -- Stephen eventually won Winnie over: He called my family's workplace under the pretense of drumming up business. We wound up talking about everything but business, says Winnie. The Bride Winnie Mak, 33 The Groom Stephen Chang, 35, investment management The Date June 7 Though Winnie wanted a chaperone on their first dates, they were going out alone soon after. Six months later, the couple flew to Italy for a friend's wedding. Stephen planned to propose on the Ponte Santa Trinita, a quiet bridge over the River Arno in Florence, but it was occupied. Stephen couldn't wait any longer, so he popped the question along the river instead.