Real Pittsburgh Weddings: When Patrick Met Jaden

Patrick Carr and Jaden Gage first met in 2017 through Duquesne University's study abroad program in Rome.

1 hour ago

Charlotte Shields-Rossi,

PHOTOS BY LEEANN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Patrick Carr and Jaden Gage first met in 2017 in a class on Renaissance art during their time in Duquesne University’s Study Abroad program in Rome. After returning to the States, the two found themselves together again and again at hangouts with mutual friends and in the classroom.

In 2022, the two reconnected once more when they began working for the same company; the friendship soon turned romantic. That year, Patrick asked Jaden out to Stinky’s, a dive bar in Lawrenceville. When it came time to pay for the drinks, Patrick’s expired credit card was declined — and Jaden had to pay.

She Said Yes.

The couple got over the minor hiccup of their first date and soon moved in together. In January of 2025, they began designing an engagement ring; Jaden remembers doing some detective work to figure out when Patrick was going to propose.

When Valentine’s Day rolled around in 2025, the pair went out for a romantic dinner. Jaden thought that Patrick was going to pop the question and kept asking him if there was anything he had to say to her.

“And I just kept saying, ‘Oh, you know, eventually,’” Patrick says.

Eventually came on March 1 of that year. In the family room of their house, Patrick got down on one knee and asked Jaden to marry him.

“It was really sweet because it was actually in the room of our house where we decided that we were going to buy our house and start our future together,” Jaden says.

The Big Day.

Faith and family are very important to the couple, so the two opted to have two ceremonies. The first was held on May 1 at Bethel Park’s St. Thomas More Church, officiated by Bishop Mark Eckman.

“I think it was just important that we got married in the Catholic church for both of us and our families,” Patrick says.

The second ceremony was held on May 16 at Downtown’s Omni William Penn Hotel with more than 150 of the couple’s loved ones in attendance. Jaden, wearing an elegant dress with a basque waist and ballgown bottom, walked down the aisle to a string trio playing “Canon in D.”

“Having everyone that we loved in one room together and seeing all the little details come together [was really special],” Jaden says.

After the ceremony the couple walked out to “The Middle” by Zedd; they continued the festivities with a reception at the Omni William Penn Hotel.

Happily Ever After.

Jaden and Patrick, both 28, live in Bethel Park with their dog, Harper Jean. They currently work at Fazio Mechanical Services, where Jaden is a senior staff accountant and Patrick is a union steam fitter. Together, they’re planning their forever.

“Hopefully in the next couple of years we will start a family,” Jaden says.