by Lisa Marie Rovito

   Katey Brunini never really saw herself as the girl-next-door type. That is, until she started dating Johnny Marotta, the guy next door - - - literally. "Our driveways were separated by a white picket fence, and that's where we met," she laughs. But sparks soon flew between the San Diego neighbors - - - Katey owns a fine jewelry design business and Johnny is a builder - - - until, just three months after their first "official" date, Johnny proposed. "My mom likes to say that I traveled the world, only to end up marrying the neighbor," says Katey.

   The rings were an issue - - - Katey's a jewelry designer, remember. "I brought home some loose diamonds for Johnny to choose from, and made drawings of a few possibilities. We came to the final decisions on both our rings together," say Katey, who also created South Sea pearl necklaces and bracelets for her bridesmaids (for info on her line, see www.kbrunini.com).

   Where to wed? Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, fit the beachy bill for this bride-to-be, who loves warm weather and the sea. Plans worked like a charm: After exchanging their vows at sunset on a private pool deck, Katey and Johnny led their 65 guests - - - and a mariachi band - - - along a petal-strewn beach path to a villa owned by close friends, where the reception was held. "Having the wedding out of town made it more intimate," says Katey, "Everyone became friends."

   The wedding was just the culmination of a four-day fiesta that began with a make-your-own margarita contest at the Cabo Surf Hotel, where guests were staying. Coming in first place, with a mango-and-guava concoction, was fashion designer Nark Montano, as assisted by bridesmaid Shaye Strager. Montano was the mastermind behind the bridesmaid dresses, in hues to match Mexico's tequila-sunrise skies. "I envisioned dresses with movement, that would catch the ocean breezes," says Montano.

   After a couple of days of south-of-the-border surfing, sunning and partying, everyone was in just the right spirit for the Saturday evening wedding and reception. La Picazon catering provided a delectable Mexican-fusion menu featuring taquitos of smoked mahi-mahi, shrimp and octopus ceviche.

   "One of the best parts of the night were the speeches and toasts made by my best friend, Andrea, and Johnny's two children - - - Corey, who is 21, and Nicole, who's 25," says Katey. "Corey and Nicole told the story of a big rock in the Colorado River that they love to jump off of. They'd been going there with their dad for years, and no woman Johnny has ever brought would jump, except me. They made me cry when they said they'd finally found the person who would jump with them."

   The next morning, the couple flew to Spain for their honeymoon. And when they got home? "I moved next door, into Johnny's house," Katey says. After all, she has the best view she could ask for right through her window: the driveways on which they met.

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