Okay, two weddings?? What’s going on?
It was important to us that we make time for everyone on our guestlist, and that we find that time in a venue comfortable for everyone.

We hope you are able to join us for the Friday luncheon celebrating our return from City Hall - minutes after being officially married.

We also invite you to attend what we’re calling the “Kids Table Dance Party” at Kinfolk 94, a bar and venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where we’ll be celebrating with the friends and colleagues we’ve come to know over the last 30 years.

Is everyone going to both parties?
We are space limited at both Cafe Altro Paradiso and Kinfolk 94, and so were not able to invite everyone to both parties.

If you are reading this, you are invited to join us at either event, or both.

Are kids invited?
We invite kids under 4 to join us at Cafe Altro Paradiso, and for the ceremony portion of the Saturday event. Because of the design and layout of the Kinfolk 94 space, we do not feel it is safe or advisable for kids to join during the party portion of the event.

We are gathering the contact information for several babysitters in New York, including those who have experience with infants. As well, should you be interested in sharing babysitting services, we are happy to connect you with other parents who’ll be in attendance.

Why a luncheon? Why Friday?
We’ve both always wanted to elope at City Hall in New York, but we quickly hit a snag in our dream plan when we realized that our wedding day wouldn’t be the same without family and close friends there to celebrate with us.

Our hope is that having this celebration immediately after making it legal at City Hall, we’ll capture the intimacy of an elopement while also being able to share in our newlywed glee together with you, our family. While we appreciate that it’s not exactly a traditional plan, we chose it because it felt most true to us and our relationship.

Last but not least, a luncheon also affords us the chance to have the conversations that we want to have with each of you without the intrusion of a booming hip-hop dance floor!

Can we join you at City Hall?
We would absolutely love for you to receive us as we exit City Hall (you’ll get to throw confetti!).

Those gathered at City Hall can then join us for what we hope will be a lovely springtime group stroll (or subway ride, weather depending) right up to Cafe Altro Paradiso.

If you’re interested, you can look for the Hazeltine-Sorg sign by the steps near Worth St and Baxter St. Please arrive by 10:45am.

We are planning for the legal ceremony inside to include only our immediate families.

That all sounds great! What exactly can we expect from the luncheon?

First and foremost: cake!

In all seriousness, while we’re excited that Cafe Altro Paradiso’s pastry chef is known for her amazing layer cakes, we’re most enthusiastic to bring together those who have been in our lives the longest to celebrate our own lives coming together. We will have a phenomenal Italian meal; speeches and toasts; beer, wine and cocktails; some space for dancing; and, yes, cake.

Well, now I’m excited! What should I wear?

The easiest answer is probably ‘cocktail attire,’ but really, whatever makes you feel like the most festive and celebratory version of yourself (if you want to rock a Hawaiian shirt under that suit, power to you).

Will there be food?
Would Stephen come if there weren’t?

Yes, there will be food! We’re still ironing out details, but we’re working with some of our favorite NY restaurants to make sure there’s good, plentiful food.

Should I come hungry and/or how should I plan my meals?* Definitely don’t skip lunch, but we’ve got you covered for dinner.

Dietary restrictions will of course be accommodated, just give us a heads up!

*Question reliably raised by Stephen before every wedding we’ve attended.

So what can I expect at Kinfolk? We’ll start the night off with a ceremony, accompanied by an open bar, dinner, and a kick-ass sound system. Aiming for the cross-section of earnestness and funk.

More detailed schedule here.

Groovy! What should I wear? The invitation says “Funky, fancy, fresh” and means it sincerely.

If you’re really unsure what to wear, just Google “Cocktail attire” and add a modicum of fun and/or comfort to it.

Will there be seating? Kinfolk has seating for about 40 people, and we will have a few high-tops, but you should expect to do some standing. Of course, if you anticipate needing any accommodations, reach out to us and we will make sure you have them.

Will there be an afterparty? Open bar will end around 9:45pm. At 10:00pm, the doors to Kinfolk will open to the general public, and we can stick around as long as we want.