Jeff and Allie present: The Great Train Adventure

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RSVP

Please RSVP before March 3rd. Use the RSVP link for your specific event.

COVID-19

All guests in attendance must be fully vaccinated and boosted, if eligible. As part of your RSVP, you will be required to demonstrate proof of vaccination. You may need to demonstrate a negative COVID test result several days prior to a scheduled event. As the COVID situaton materializes, some events may be subject to changes. Material impacts and updates will be communicated through email.

Jeff and Allie

Part 1 A Raucous Brouhaha

Our wedding story starts on a small farm in the middle of suburban Davis. After a long day of costume-clad meandering on bikes with the occasional gaming, feasting, and other bicycle shenanigans, our cute duo met on the dance floor at the end of day dance party.

They were wearing costumes and both had mild face blindness and it was uncertain if either would ever be able to recognize the other one again, but several months and one Facebook message to the wrong person and one to the right one later, they went on a date.

Wedding Details

(like and follow for part 2!)


Wedding Registry and Gifts

The Lowdown

We are doing this in a series of small-ish wedding events in the spring of 2022, each with its own location, vibe, activities, and group of guests.

This approach allows us to spend more time with all of you, accommodate our geographically scattered families and friends, and have lots of adventures.

All of the events are accessible via train, and are arranged along the Amtrak California Zephyr line from Richmond, CA to Denver, CO, plus one event in the New York area. We plan to take the train to all of them.

The goal is for everyone to attend only one event (see FAQ for exceptions). The way it will work is your household/party will fill out a with ranked-choice voting to mark your preferred event. We'll then take your responses, assign everyone to an event, and send you an invite and further details.

Scroll on for brief descriptions of the events.

The Route

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Events

Click for Event Details

Event Information

The Hippie Garden Party

San Pablo, CA // April 23, 2022

Join us for the start of our journey at our dear friends' "urban farmstead" in San Pablo. We'll have a ceremony and picnic under the oak trees with views of San Francisco Bay, enjoy live folk music, and have a low-key dance party. The next day, go for a hike, explore the Bay Area, maybe visit some redwood trees.

The Bike Party ("Mini-Tour")

Davis, CA // April 30, 2022

Jeff and Allie met in 2013 at a wacky Davis event called Tour d'Davis, which consists of a full day bike party full of costumes, games, food, and drink, with hundreds of people biking slowly between parks and yards in Davis. We'll recreate this on a smaller scale, but you can be sure that costumes, games, merriment, and a high-key dance party will be involved. (We'll help get bikes for those who need to borrow one). The night before or the day after, visit our house in Sacramento for a pizza party or maybe take a trip up to Lake Tahoe.

Utah Backpacking

Green River, UT // May 6-8, 2022

It’s no secret that Jeff lives and breathes backpacking. This is a weekend backpacking trip, limited to 10-15 people. We’ll have a ceremony among the red rocks and make blintzes in the backcountry. Must be able to backpack 10+ miles per day. You should have backpacking experience and be able to provide most of your own gear.

Mile High Matrimony

Denver, CO // May 14, 2022

Join us for an event in Jeff's original stomping grounds. We'll have a backyard ceremony and brunch, and you might be able to meet the Kessler family turtle. Later, we'll adjourn to a local brewery and other fun about town. The next day, hike in the Front Range or maybe hang out in Boulder.

Puzzle 'n' Pie Party

Milburn, NJ // May 21, 2022

Join us at Allie's childhood home to partake in her obsession with puzzles and games. Sit back with a cup of tea and a slice of pie for a ceremony with at least one crossword puzzle reference, join family or new friends in a scavenger hunt, or enjoy lawn (good weather) or board (less good weather) games. There will be prizes. The next day, head to New York for adventures by land or by sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you doing this weird thing instead of one normal event?

We wanted the benefits of a small event (more time with guests, ability to use venues like backyards and backpacking, certain logistical benefits) without needing to exclude a lot of people. Our families and friends are scattered across the country, and not everyone can travel easily. And we like trains.

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Will there be a ceremony? Which one is the "real" wedding?

Every event will have a (fairly short) wedding ceremony. All of them or none of them are the "real" wedding. We'll either do the legal thing in advance or randomly select one of our officiants to actually get ordained online and swear all of the officiants to secrecy so nobody else knows which one it is. The goal is for all of these events to be treated with equal importance, because all of our guests are important to us.

What does ranked-choice voting mean? Why do that instead of assigning people to an event?

You'll rank your choices of the events you'd most like to attend and we'll try to best match people up with their top choice event. We're doing it this way so that people can choose whether they'd like to go to their closest event or travel and choose around other commitments. We expect most people will choose their closest event, but also hope that some people will mix it up!

Can I change my mind or switch later if my circumstances change?

There's some flexibility, so we'll try our best to accommodate switch requests unless it is too close to the event. Some events may have a strict guest cap, so not all switch requests will be possible.

Bicycle Party in Davis

Can I go to more than one event?

Plan on going to only one event, unless you are immediate family or hosting one of the events.

Can I request to be assigned to the same event as someone so that I'm sure I have a friend there? If so, how will I know who else is invited?

Your party can request one (1) other party (couple, individual, or family unit) to be assigned to the same event. We should be able to accommodate this, but if you want to be sure you should collaborate on your responses and request one another.

Backpacking in Death Valley

What's with your wedding registry?

We do not need any physical items and are just excited to spend time with you! If you want to give, we encourage you instead to donate to a good cause in our honor. We especially encourage you to give to organizations that are fighting climate change.

What's the deal on plus-ones and kids?

Your likely party should have been specified at the time you filled-out the survey. Your formal invitation should indicate your party size and what you filled out. Every adult was allowed to bring one (1) date or other plus-one (if both members of a couple have each gotten an e-mail, you are each other's dates--you can't each bring someone else!). Kids under 12 are included in your invite. If your kids are older (or adults), they will have received their own invitation if they are invited and are considered their own "party".

Are Cat Stevens and Persimmony Snicket invited?

Yes, but they hate traveling, are not good at backpacking, and can't ride bikes, so they probably won't attend.

Colorado Mountains

I have another question?

You can e-mail us at [email protected] and/or [email protected]

The Wedding Registry

We do not need any physical items and are just excited to spend time with you!

If you want to give, we encourage you instead to donate to a good cause in our honor. We especially encourage you to give to organizations that are fighting climate change.

Organizations We Support

Here is a brief list of organizations that Jeff and Allie think are worth supporting.

Climeworks

Undo Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions

There are only two companies currently developing carbon dioxide removal technology in any meaningful way that can be supported by inviduals. Climeworks literally removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turns it into actual stone at a cost of about $1,000 per ton. The average American household is responsible for more than 16 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, or about $2,000 in global damages. You can choose a one-time gift, but we encourage choosing an on-going contribution of $14/month or greater (1% of your carbon emissions).

Donate
GiveDirectly

Reduce Impacts of Poverty

This organization gives money directly to people living in poverty. Cash transfers are the most effective way to help individuals in need. GiveDirectly finds villages to provide support to, and provides on-going, lump sum transfers to people living in poverty. The impacts from these donations are significant.

Donate

ZenByCat

Help Cure Sick Cats

This organization helps fund FIP research. Until 2019, FIP was a terminal disease in cats. Cat Stevens ended up contracting FIP in Winter 2019, and was successfully cured and treated. More information about Cat's story can be found here.

Donate
Carbon180

Support Carbon Dioxide Removal Policy

This organization helps promote policy agendas for technology and practices likely to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Donate

Eagle Island Camp

Allie likes camp. Help other kids like it too!

Support Allie's old summer camp in the Adirondacks as it brings nature to a new generation. Funds help restore the historic former Girl Scout Camp and provide scholarships that allow campers from all backgrounds to attend.

Donate
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

Environmental Education for Kids and Advocacy!

Allie used to work on this tall ship, the brain child of Pete Seeger. The ship takes kids out on the Hudson River to learn about their local watershed. The organization advocates for the Hudson River and the broader environment.

Donate

NorCal Resist

Fighting Oppression and Empowering Northern California Communities

Donations allow NorCal Resist to fund community fix-it and brake-light-repair programs, assist families impacted by deportation, help bail out ICE detainees, house and support asylum seekers, and more.

Donate

Wedding Timeline

11/09/2021 - Complete Survey

The survey must be completed by 11/09/2021.

1/20/2022 - Group Sorting

Your event will be announced. You will have 2 weeks to contact us to discuss changes.

2/3/2022 - Last day to change event attendance

Your party details and attendance will be finalized. RSVPs will be sent out.

3/3/2022 - RSVP Deadline

If we have not received your RSVP by this date, we assume you will not be attending an event. For some events, no aditional accommodation can be provided after this date.

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4/23/2022 - Hippie Garden Party

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4/30/2022 - Bike Party

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5/6/2022 - Utah Backpacking

Mountain Emblem

5/14/2022 - Mile High Matrimony

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5/21/2022 - Puzzles 'n' Pie Party