What is the story of how you met?

Eddie was the president of a LGBT tennis club in DC (Capital Tennis Association). Michael was a new member and they met at a holiday social. Michael introduced himself as a new member and they spent the night talking about movies and tennis and found a fun connection. Eddie followed up with a Facebook friend request and that led to a first date!

Who popped the question and how?

Michael popped the question at Christmas of 2014. He gift wrapped a set of bespoke cufflinks of two grooms and asked the question as we opened up Christmas gifts.

Favorite part of your wedding day?

Being able to spend time with all of friends and family. We were blessed to share the day with so many friends at such a beautiful location. The toasts from our close friends over the years were incredibly special and heartfelt and captured our relationship, personalities and friendships with so many.

What were your connection to Friday’s location and officiant?

Joe was the first openly gay federal judge appointed by President Clinton in 1996. We met Joe a few years back at wedding of another friend that he officiated. We got to know Joe the year better leading up to the wedding and found him to be such a loving, charming and generous person. He loves marrying people and was so gracious in offering his time and chambers for the ceremony for our direct family members.

Did you wear anything specific or meaningful on your wedding day?

We had a couple of special items for our wedding day. Our suits were designed by Jill Lynn from Trunk Club and we had some fun details in the suits like “I do” embroidered underneath our collars and the date of the ceremony embroidered inside the jacket. Jill also helped design custom matching vests and ties for both the ceremony and the reception. Lastly, my cousins Staci and Alex had “equal” sign tie tacks made special for the day as a wedding gift using pieces of my grandmothers wedding ring. They were such a surprise and such a lovely gift.