Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

With New Year’s Eve almost upon us, we can’t help but wonder how many revelers will “ring” in 2012 with a sparkly new bauble on their finger.

This season of mistletoe and midnight kisses brings out the romance more than any other time of year. December remains the most popular month to get engaged, hosting 16% of all proposals, according to TheKnot. That tops even February, with all of its “Will you be my Valentine?” wishes. In fact, our very own Jen Pepper said “Yes!” to her man on Christmas Eve last year amid twinkling holiday lights.

Many of 2011’s freshly betrothed couples won’t actually walk down the aisle until 2012, however. TheKnot reports that the average engagement lasts 14 months these days, and brides in the Northeast wait even longer, averaging 15.5 months. A girl needs time to plan, right?

As we recently heard in the news, a girl also needs the kindness of strangers. Katelyn Peckham of Massachusetts accidentally left her half-carat engagement ring on the Haverhill commuter train earlier this month, after taking it off to apply hand sanitizer. Only after she arrived at work did she realize the family heirloom was missing. Luckily, a pure-hearted conductor found the ring and returned it to a greatly relieved Katelyn. Phew.

It’s the kind of story we love to hear as we enter a new year full of hope and anticipation. With that small act of kindness still warming our hearts, we sign off for 2011. We hope you’ll all be back in 2012, and can’t wait to welcome the newest would-be brides and grooms out there. Wishing you all the best!