Friends, family, && loved ones ;;
Once, current, && future lovers ;;
Estranged aunts, strange uncles, those I haven’t met yet ;;

I’m so excited to tell you that Ben Donald and I are getting married.

We’re getting married, and you’re invited to the wedding on August 22! It’s going to be a blast. I’m attaching your invitation to this email. You’ve heard the old yawn about teachers and how we can’t afford to mail out paper invitations—so you know what to do: print out the invitation on the nicest card stock you can find, mail it to yourself, and then hang it on your refrigerator.

Please RSVP by replying to this email no later than August 1st (even if you think we know you’re attending). The wedding is going to be at my parents’ house in New Jersey, USA—a small outdoor affair. We’re inviting you because you’ve carved out an important, tender spot in our lives and we really hope you’ll join us in celebrating. We also understand that NJ is a destination for quite a few of our invitees. We will still love and care about you, even if being here physically with us can’t happen in this timeline.

Some FAQS:

Should I bring a flower? Yes! Please bring one (1) flower to contribute to our socialized bouquet. I’m imagining alive flowers that you don’t pay for—whether they be yours or ones you appropriate, that’s between you and your garden shears.

What is the dress code? Please dress for success. It will be warm and the wedding will be photographed. Dress how you will feel most comfortable and beautiful. Remember that you will be walking on grass. Ben and I will probably be sporting spiffy vests / suspenders for the ceremony, but we may change to something cooler afterwards.

What if I have any dietary restrictions? Please tell us! We’re planning on a meat-free menu, but let us know if there are ways we can help reduce the number of autoimmune fatalities you experience with us.

What about gifts? It’s a cliche but your presence is present enough. Seriously, we live in a small apartment and have all the things we need. If you really feel compelled to bring something, write a poem or learn one by heart, tell us a story, film a video and send us the link, make a toast—write one of us a bang-up job recommendation. If it’s important that your gesture have the weight of money behind it, consider contributing a small amount toward an adventure or charity. Adventures we’re interested in: sky diving, an Icelandic excursion, dinner with you, a lifelong education. Charities we support: The Ali Forney Center, CamCare, The Bronx Defenders.

Is there any required reading? In anticipation for our collective adventure, please read Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino and be prepared to discuss / embody it.

So excited to see you,
Daniel (and Ben)

. .