Tyler & Maddy
February 27, 2027 · Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Quick note: this is not your formal RSVP. Right now we are simply trying to get a sense of who is hoping to be in Punta Cana with us. The official invitations and RSVP will come later.
If traveling to Punta Cana is not possible, please know we still want to celebrate with you. We are planning a Celebration of Marriage in Detroit, Michigan in late summer or early fall of 2027 and would love to keep you in the loop for that as well.
Planning on joining us?
These kids are tying the knot!
Maddy’s Story
Maddy was raised in Bay City, Michigan, by her parents, Jim and Michele Forgash. She has two older sisters, Mckenna Forgash and Chamaine Mizesko. She joined the U.S. Army in 2019 at 17 years old and served honorably for four years. In May 2024, Maddy started attending Oakland University to pursue a degree in Management Information Systems with a concentration in Cybersecurity Analytics and Management.
Hobbies and Interests:
Maddy loves spending time with her close friends and family. She is a major Detroit sports fan, a political and historical junkie, and (as Tyler puts it) a professional yapper. She loves the outdoors and spending time at her family’s cabin. Most importantly, Maddy loves Tyler.
Tyler’s Story
Tyler was raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, by his mother, Anamarie Bratich. He has two older brothers, Michael and Richard Smith, and one older sister, Mariah Bodnar. Tyler joined the U.S. Army in 2018 at 17 years old and served honorably for four years. In February 2025, Tyler started his first year as an electrical apprentice with hopes of becoming a journeyman and, one day, a master electrician.
Hobbies and Interests:
Tyler loves Maddy. That’s it.
Our Story
Tyler and Maddy met in February 2021 in Fort Riley, Kansas, after Maddy was assigned to the same unit as Tyler. Shout out to D Co, 82BEB! From there, they developed a very close friendship. Over the next couple of months, Tyler (along with the help of a few close friends) did everything he could to get Maddy to spend more time with him and see him as more than just a friend. Things started to change when Tyler invited Maddy to his barracks room, where they made a nice dinner together and spent the night watching the Disney movie Soul. If that’s not a date, I don’t know what is! Maddy left realizing there was something special between them, and it was more than just a friendship. With some convincing from their friends (a few of whom will be standing with us in February), Tyler finally admitted how he felt!
The pair officially started dating on Labor Day weekend in 2021. The next year, they spent nearly every day together. Whether it was at their friend’s house, at work, or just doing mundane tasks, they were rarely apart. At the end of 2022, when Tyler was nearing the end of his service obligation, Maddy was sent overseas to Poland for nine months. While Tyler was back home in Pennsylvania and Maddy was in Europe, they navigated a year and a half of a long-distance relationship. By December 2023, Maddy was nearing the end of her military service. She moved back home to Michigan and started school. Tyler, being the loving man he is, moved from Midland, Pennsylvania, to Detroit, Michigan, to be with Maddy. The two moved in together, into what was formerly Maddy’s grandparents’ condo, in June 2024. Throughout the next year, they navigated life together. Tyler started his electrical apprenticeship, and Maddy continued her studies. On July 26, 2025, Tyler proposed to Maddy in West Branch, Michigan, at her family’s cabin in the Benmark Hunting Club!
Together, they are raising their cat, Nala.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! We booked a resort specifically with families with kids in mind.
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YES! For the love of all things holy, GET IT NOW!
If you call me two weeks before the wedding explaining that you didn’t get your passport because you “didn’t know” you need it to travel internationally, I will laugh at you.
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No, I cannot and will not force you to do anything. It’s 100% up to you where you stay. There will be fees for you to get into the resort if you chose not to stay there. .
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The million-dollar question.
If the guest’s name or “and guest” isn’t stated on the invitation, then no. Our families are quite large, so this means making cuts in places we wish we didn’t have to. To put it plainly, no ring, no bring.
This does not mean they are not welcome on the trip.