Michael Sortwell, 26, of Green Tree, and Stephanie Page, 24, of Pleasant Hills, wed on May 1, 2009, at St. Germaine's Church in Bethel Park and honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii. They now reside in Bethel Park. Their wedding announcement ran in the Post-Gazette on Tuesday, June 16.

Q: How did you meet?

Mike: We were both attending a work social and literally bumped into each other. I think she was on her way to the pool table, but I got in the way.

Steph: I was heading to the pool table to say goodbye to some co-workers, and he just jumped in front of me and started talking. It was definitely his sense of humor that kept me from leaving. I couldn't stop laughing.

Q: Where did you each grow up?

Steph: I was born and raised in Pleasant Hills and attended Thomas Jefferson High School.

Mike: I was born and raised in Green Tree and attended Keystone Oaks High School. We both had black and gold school colors.

Q: Who proposed? How?

Steph: He invited me to his newly purchased home, which he had let me help select, for a taco night. We had the Steelers game on the radio, and after we cleaned up dinner, we sat on the couch in the study and just talked about the future. Before I knew it, he was on one knee asking for my hand in marriage. I couldn't have been happier!

Q: Where were you married? Why did you choose that site?

Mike: We were married at St. Germaine Church in Bethel Park. Our new home is in Bethel Park about three minutes away, and after attending the church we knew it was meant to be our permanent church.

Steph: It is the church where we intend to raise our children in, so it was very special that we were able to be married at St. Germaine. Also, our priest, Father John Baver, was very accommodating to our ceremonial needs. We were able to have my childhood pastor, Reverend David Biondi, co-officiate in our ceremony. We are very grateful to our church for allowing us to have such a unique, yet still formal, ceremony.

Q: Where was the reception and honeymoon? Why did you choose those sites?

Mike: Our reception was held at The Georgetown Centre in Pleasant Hills. The owner, Leslie George, was very accommodating and helpful. Also, since we bought our home in Bethel Park, it was important to us to hold our ceremony and reception locally.

Steph: I wanted to go somewhere far away for our honeymoon, and Mike wanted to stay in America. The logical solution was Maui, Hawaii.

Q: What was the best part? The worst?

Mike: The best part was that I didn't get to see Steph before the ceremony. In fact, she hadn't told me any details about her gown or veil, so I was blown away when I saw her walking down the aisle.

Steph: I thought the best part was Mike's kilt. My husband is a bagpiper, so it was very special that he got to wear his personal kilt. I would say the worst thing about our wedding day was that it went so fast. Also, the cake top fell off and slide down one side of the cake. It was actually pretty funny.

Q: What was the funniest thing that happened?

Steph: The funniest thing that happened might have been when the best man told me during his speech that he really liked my dress, and then proceeded to say he also liked my husband's "dress!"

Q: Who was your favorite wedding vendor? Why?

Mike: I think my favorite wedding vendor was our photographer, Prints Charming Photography. They were very helpful, and let us have control over the shots we took and allowed us to customize our photography package.

Steph: We were also very fortunate to have an amazing DJ for our reception. We hired DJ Greg McAtee through Entertainment Unlimited. Greg kept us on schedule and kept the party going until midnight.

Q: What's the best marriage advice you received?

Steph: Compromise, compromise, compromise. Also, communicate, build a firm foundation and always give 100%. Multiply 100% by 100% and you get 100%. If you each only give 50%, then you only come out with 25% (50% x 50% = 25%.) We're engineers, so we really like this metaphor.

Q: What is one thing that you do solely because you love your spouse?

Steph: I get creative in the kitchen. I am constantly trying new recipes.

Mike: I wash dishes when needed, even though I don't like doing it. Also, I redesigned our master closet for Steph. She has lots of clothes, and I wanted to surprise her with more closet space. She loved it.