Wedding Day

Ceremony

Bella Sera Event Villa

Cocktail Hour

Dinner & Reception

Our Wedding

We grew up in homes that were 4 minutes apart from each other, worked at the same small-town grocery store as our first jobs, and graduated from the same high school, but somehow still went 20 years without our paths ever crossing! It wasn't until one day, June 2nd, 2018 to be exact, that Garrett was on his way to a Kenny Chesney concert and he decided to stop into his local Giant Eagle to pick up a few concert essentials. He was sure to get 12 items or fewer because he saw that Madison was the cashier at the express lane that day, and his order consisted of three Power-Ades and, in true Garrett fashion, a giant bag of buttered popcorn. He also needed a bag of ice, but couldn't decide between a small or a large bag, when he asked his cute cashier she shrugged and replied, "I don't know that's a really tough choice." A super unhelpful reply, but Garrett thought it was cute and ended up choosing the large bag (probably to show off his muscles in his "never forget" Harambe tank top). He made the right choice because his total came out to be a lucky $10.00 even! Madison remembers thinking how adorable his smile and how nice he was. He paid and left without asking for her number or making any move, unfortunately, but he brought up to one of his friends later that evening at the concert that he had met a really cute girl at the grocery store that day. Luckily, we live in a time where Instagram exists. Garrett found Madison on Instagram and followed her. She followed back and waited patiently for a message from Garrett, but one never came. She decided to take matters into her own hands and messaged him first, and, well, the rest is history.

Our Invisible String

We went on our first "pre-date" to test the waters on a walk in South Park with Madison's dog, Oreo (Garrett's dog, Tinker, was invited, but he didn't want to bring her, poor pup). Our first "real" date was to Burgatory in the Waterfront where Garrett accidentally ordered gouda cheese on his burger (he hates gouda cheese). So, Madison couldn't finish her burger even though she wanted to, because she didn't want to eat more than her date, who couldn't finish his burger because he didn't like the cheese he got on it, haha.

Our First Date(s)

Garrett asked Madison to officially be his girlfriend on June 20, 2018. Madison remembers being dropped off after a date sitting in Garretts car in her parents driveway for what felt like 20 minutes of him nervously trying to get the words out. He stumbled around saying things like I think you know what Im about to ask, so can you just give your answer? and Well, its been a while since Ive done this... (For the record, Garrett had never asked anyone to be his girlfriend before, these are just things a Grade A B.S.-er, like himself, says). Madison did not let him off easy and made him spit out the words Will you be my girlfriend? I think you all know what her answer was... Flash forward 6 years, May 14, 2024, Madison and Garrett are on vacation with her family in St. George Island, Florida. Everyone was getting ready to take a family photo on the beach and Garrett decided to pull Madison out privately on the beach-front balcony to pop the question. He cleverly chose to use his line of Its been a while since Ive done this but... this time ending it with Will you marry me? Again, if youre sitting her reading this, I think you all know what her answer was!

The Proposals

Our Story

Registry

Photos

Madison's childhood best friend and other half 🩷

Annie Schoedel

Madison’s fellow swiftie, hiking, camping, super funny and endearing pod school friend

Rachel Kubiak

Madison’s pod med school study buddy bestie

Samantha Atkinson

Zia Angell

Emma Bowser

Garrett’s sister and Madison’s (soon-to-be) sister-in-law

Nicole Shimek

Ashley Weidner

Cora Shimek

Sean Stoner

Mike Warchol

Donald Fakner

Josh Baker

Madison’s brother and Garrett’s (soon-to-be) brother-in-law

Christian Bowser

Russell Shimek

Garrett’s brother-in-law (he’s British)

Dave Weidner

Carson Shimek

Wedding Party

Polished and stylish. A little less formal than black-tie, not overly dressy or casual. Colors are welcome, just don't wear white!

Dress Code

You can make reservations no later than March 18th, 2026 by phone by asking for the Bowser Bellis wedding OR on the website using our code. Standard rooms have either one king bed or two queen beds; all rooms come with a sofa bed. The hotels breakfast buffet is included in the room rate. This is a Hyatt Place hotel and is connected to the Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Hollywood Casino at The Meadows

Travel

We will be having our afterparty at the casino attached to the hotel! Bring money, if youre feeling lucky ;)

Things to Do

Shuttle Schedule: 2:30 pm - hotel to church 4:30 pm - church to reception venue 8:50 pm - first shuttle back to hotel 9:40 pm - final shuttle back to hotel

Madison & Garrett

Madison & Garrett

Dress Code

SEMI-FORMAL