The Steam Plant

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Our Wedding

Charles and Michael met on Tinder in October of 2024. After Charles gave Michael multiple first date options -- Indian Food, Coffee, etc., they settled on the "Michael safe" choice of Bob Evans. After a few more dates, they made their relationship official on November 16, 2024..A month later, in December, Charles was ready to express his feelings to Michael and officially say "I love you" and planned to do so at Winterfest at Kings Island. They hopped in the car, prepared for a fun, romantic night, when things took a turn for the worst. After a car accident and Michael's impromptu introduction to Charles' mom, the "I love yous" were shared later that evening at home rather than under the Christmas lights at Winterfest..Charles and Michael continued their relationship for the next year, enjoying playing board games, cooking, baking, and mastering sourdough. They enjoyed trips to Hocking Hills, New York and Washington DC. The ultimate adventure was a friend group, all inclusive trip to Cancun, Mexico where Charles planned to ask Michael to marry him. In true Michael and Charles fashion, something had to go awry..After their layover flight to Charlotte was delayed, meaning they wouldn't make their connection, they had to book a later flight to arrive in Cancun a day late. After arriving to their connection in Dallas and checking into a comped hotel room and eating a super fancy hotel dinner, Charles finally popped the question in the hotel room on October 21, 2025. (Spoiler alert - Michael said yes, and for the record, they did make it to Cancun and had a great time!).Since their engagement. they made the crazy decision to pack up and move across the country while planning a wedding! With plans to move to Albuquerque by wedding day and leaving Dayton behind, they are super excited to come together as one and eventually start their own family one day.

Our Story

Photos

Beth is Michael's youngest sibling. Michael had to pleasure of naming Beth after he mistakenly remembered Miley Cyrus' birth name. Despite a 10 year age difference, Michael and Beth have always been super close. When they were younger, they would do "dog shows" with Michael's webkinz - which meant they had the stuffed animals play survivor. They would enjoy playing outside together and taking trips to the library and for ice cream. Now as adults, they remain close. In adulthood, they enjoy getting together for dinner, playing games and laughing about childhood memories.

Beth Davis

Kristin and Charles have known each other since their primary school days, and their friendship started how any best friendship starts -- through loathing. Kristin interrupted Charles' attempt to read, Charles got annoyed, and they've practically been family ever since. The list of memories could be its own novel -- One Direction concerts, family vacations (where Charles almost got abandoned), late night adventures, to hockey games. Kristin has become the sister that Charles never had growing up, and they continue to find new life experiences together.

Kristin Eklund

Sam and Michael originally met at soccer camp the summer before 2nd grade where they both initially didn't like each other. After being put onto the same soccer team where Sam's dad was the coach, they grew closer and became best friends. They played soccer for together for a few years before separately making the choice to quit playing, but their friendship remained. They continued to join similar sports and after school activities (handbell choir, track, cross country). Despite Sam moving to a new school after freshman year and then each separately going away to college, they have always made an effort to be apart of each other's lives.

Sam Brumfield

Nicole and Charles first met through work, and they often like to tell the story of how Charles was part of the panel that selected Nicole for the job. They quickly bonded over the insanity of being support members to the  C-Suite team of their organization, and the fact that Charles quickly learned that Nicole couldn't be trusted with food. Their work connection quickly expanded into an amazing friendship -- from board games, berry picking, holiday baking, to attending family gatherings together. They've continued to stay close over relocations and are constantly exchanging life updates.

Nicole Feliciano

Erik and Michael originally met in 5th grade, but became close friends the year after, working the afternoon shift together at the school store. They conveniently were in nearly all the same classes and got to know each other well. The years to follow, they remained close in and out of school. Despite life leading them in different directions, you could always catch them at their favorite reunion spot- B-Dubs. They enjoy getting together to play card games and board games. After nearly 20 years of friendship, they are grateful to still be in each other's lives.

Erik Smith

Brittany and Charles met when Charles first started at the Air Force Research Lab as an intern and developed a genuine bond over the chaos that was their workplace -- to this day they still laugh over the great watercooler feud. From there they continued to bond over their love of board games, even joining a skeeball league together! Brittany and Charles have continued to grow their friendship over the last decade, always finding time to get together for game nights. 

Brittany Osborne

Zach and Michael met online through their shared interest of reality competition shows. Zach played and won Michael's online Big Brother game (twice) and then joined his production team. Their friendship grew through running the game together, eventually meeting in person. Over the past few years, they have taken many trips together, visiting Orlando, Chicago and the infamous Cancun all inclusive.

Zach Graulich

Chris and Charles met through their partners and quickly became good friends. They connected over their mutual interest in Pokemon, often sending updates about new games and their own experiences back and forth. While it may never top the infamous Cancun all inclusive, Chris and Charles continue to plan opportunities for them and their  partners to visit new places together.

Chris Sciulli

Hailey and Michael met working together in childcare. Eventually, they convinced the boss to let them co-teach in the pre-k classroom. Over the two years working together, they dubbed themselves the "mean girls" with another coworker (Hailey being Regina, Michael being Gretchen). Hailey was responsible for getting Michael to put himself back out into the dating pool and to redownload tinder, leading to him matching with Charles.

Hailey Gilpen

Wedding Party

We're aiming for a polished cocktail look! Feel free to wear a tailored suit, a dress, or a dressy jumpsuit. If you choose a dress, midi, tea-length, or knee-length styles are perfect. Ties are optional, so wear one if you'd like, but there's no pressure.

Dress Code

Q + A

Please use this link to book within our hotel block. You must book by Oct. 6th for the discounted rate of $159 per night. Hotel blocks are from Nov 6th to Nov 8th. <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1780154363950&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink&amp;_branch_match_id=1514113011110103550&amp;_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MtNLCrKzC8p0UvOz9UvSi3OyczLtgdK2ALZZSCOWmaKraG5hYGhqYmxmbGlqYFadmqlrXtQgFpdUWpaKlB3Xnp8UlF%2BeXFqka1zRlF%2BbioA6P3CsmAAAAA%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Davis/Harding Hotel Block</a>

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Dayton Downtown

Travel

There are so many fun things to do in Dayton, Ohio! Charles and Michael love to get out and explore the city of Dayton. We have provided a list of a few of our favorites for you to enjoy!

Get brunch at Another Broken Egg Cafe! Charles and Michael love to stop and eat brunch at this spot in Beavercreek. Michael recommends the cinnamon roll french toast. Charles recommends the Chorizo &amp; Avocado Omelette.

Another Broken Egg Cafe

Stop and get a coffee or energy drink from Charles and Michael's favorite place - 7 Brew! Michael recommends a Gummy Bear 7 Energy. Charles recommends a 7 energy with Lavender, Cherry and Coconut! If you are feeling a coffee vibe, they recommend a blondie with banana, cupcake, pineapple and caramel drizzle.

7 Brew Coffee

Enjoy a day learning about the history of the United States Airforce at the Airforce Museum. Michael enjoys seeing the presidential planes - including the plane where President Lyndon B. Johnson was inaugurated after the Kennedy assassination.

National Museum of the US Air Force

Stop for a drink, play some duck pin bowling, or play a classic arcade game or pin ball machine! Charles and Michael love to hang out with friends, grab a drink and enjoy the fun atmosphere of Pins Mechanical. Pins is within walking distance of the local hotels and the wedding venue!

Pins Mechanical Co.

While there are many beautiful metro parks in the Dayton area, Wegerzyn Gardens holds a special place in Charles and Michael's hearts as it is where they took their beautiful engagement photos. Take a walk on the trail and enjoy the beautiful scenery at Wegerzyn!

Charles & Michael

Charles & Michael

Travel

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Dayton Downtown