Poynter Institute

Wedding Day

Poynter Park

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

Once upon a time, in the digital realm of Tinder, fate intervened and brought together two souls destined to find each other—Steven and Chad. Their story began with a missed connection, as their paths briefly crossed before diverging. But destiny had other plans, and two years later, they re-matched, reigniting a spark that would soon ignite into a flame of love. From the moment Steven swiped right, he was captivated by Chad's handsome profile and gentle soul. And Chad, equally intrigued, eagerly awaited their first encounter. Their first date, set against the backdrop of Bavaros Pizza in the Edge District of Downtown St. Petersburg, was a magical affair. Sitting side by side at the pizza counter, they shared intimate conversations and exchanged knowing glances, unaware of the sweet serenade of fate about to unfold. As their relationship blossomed, Chad and Steven discovered shared interests and passions, from cozy Netflix mornings to romantic strolls on St. Pete Beach. Weekends became a ritual of watching "I Love Lucy" over coffee, a tradition that would endure through the years, serving as a reminder of the simple joys of togetherness. Their journey together was punctuated by milestones of love and commitment. On day #50 of dating, Chad officially asked Steven to be his boyfriend, sealing their bond with a resounding "yes." Little did they know, their love story was just beginning to unfold. When it came time to take the next step, Steven had an elaborate plan to propose at the St. Pete Pier, surrounded by their families. But fate had other plans. On July 5th, 2021, as Steven popped the question, Chad, too, reached into his pocket, revealing a ring of his own. In a moment of pure serendipity, they both asked the same question, sealing their fate with a resounding "yes" and reaffirming the cosmic bond that had brought them together. Their wedding, set to unfold this fall, is more than just a celebration of love—it's a testament to the power of perseverance and the belief in second chances. For Steven, who had once conceded to the idea that love might elude him, meeting Chad was a revelation. From the early days of their relationship, he knew that Chad was the one he would spend forever with. Their wedding is not just a union of two souls but a celebration of family, friendship, and the enduring power of love. As they exchange vows and embark on the journey of marriage, Chad and Steven eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead. From purchasing their first home together to the dream of starting a family through adoption or surrogacy, their future is filled with endless possibilities, all rooted in the foundation of their unwavering love. Join us as we celebrate love, laughter, and happily ever after. Chad and Steven's wedding is not just a day but a testament to the timeless truth that love always finds its way.

Our Story

Photos

John Mingione

Shawn Clawson

Joey Mingione

Ryan Clawson

Kristie Koshler

Alyssa Kline

Ashley Garrett

Sarah Knapp

Melissa Maddox

Leonardo "Leo" Mingione

Wedding Party

Questions?If you have any additional questions, please email: <a href="mailto:ChadAndSteven2024@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ChadAndSteven2024@gmail.com</a>.

Q + A

Hotels & Lodging

We currently have a block of 25 rooms at the Hilton St. Petersburg/Bayfront at a discounted rate of $202/night. Hotel tax for the area is 13%. Note that overnight parking is charged separately at a rate of $35/night. This is walking distance to the venue. (12 min) Walking map shown above. Any rooms not reserved by September 9th, 2024 will be released for other guests.

Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront

In addition to the Hilton St. Petersburg, there are numerous other boutique hotels and larger hotel chains in the area. The Hilton St. Petersburg is the only hotel we have a room block for. There are many AirBNB's and VRBO's available as well.

Airports

Tampa International Airport

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport

Travel

St. Pete Pier

The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)

St. Pete Beach

Things to Do

Registry

There have been some major delays with the USPS delivering our invitations for reasons unknown to us. Across the country it appears some people have received their invitation in the mail, while others have not. We wanted to post an electronic copy of our invitation on the website just in case you never received a printed copy in the mail.

Invitation