Hello and welcome! So happy that you can join on this coming together of friends, family and memories.

Hopefully you are well acquainted with either Gaines or Andrea, but wanted to share a bit on how the two of them came to be linked together for this wedding weekend.

Gaines and Andrea met unexpectedly, brought together by our algorithmic lords as their digital profiles expressed a common and unique “je ne sais quoi” that they did not find in other single New Yorkers. Gaines’ profile held a mysterious quality as it had not one, but two cartoon images and the descriptive text was only a bike emoji.

Their initial IRL “meet,” however, was almost stopped by fate. The first date was abruptly cancelled by Gaines hours before when he said he needed to help a friend who’s apartment laundry room had suddenly caught on fire. That his was “recovering from a broken leg, and on crutches” (he said) and was living in a basement apartment so needed to be carried out to safety (he said). Andrea, thinking it was a creative excuse to ghost her, dismissed this and him entirely. Thankfully, the next weekend was pretty slow and Andrea gave Gaines a second chance. Gaines jumped at chance and right on his bicycle, overjoyed when he finally met her in person a block from her apartment. From there, Gaines didn’t have much of a hard time woo-ing her as they talked long into the night about the best burgers in New York, and the horrors of putting the beloved smashed meat on a ciabatta.

Over the years, they have shared countless beautiful moments and learned to embrace each other's diverse passions and interests. Gaines discovered the charm of Andrea's beloved cats and developed a fondness for their quirky personalities. Andrea, on the other hand, found a new appreciation for long-distance cycling and cocktail bar design (and taste testing). When Andrea first moved to the Lower East Side in 2017, we inadvertently created a valentines day tradition around their love of good pastrami – having spent the day at Katz's Delicatessen for 7 consecutive years, savoring every bite and creating cherished memories.

They’re love of adventurous cuisine and travel has taken Gaines & Andrea on many adventures! When Andrea worked in her company’s London office, Gaines was able to join and sample all the eels and pie mash from the pubs around the corner. And Andrea gets to enjoy meeting and eating with world-class chefs who employ Gaines to designs new restaurants and bars. From the bustling streets of New York City to the serene landscapes of the Catskills, they have delighted in discovering new flavors in their own neighborhoods and experiencing different cultures as they travel abroad. One of the most unforgettable trips was a New Year's journey to Guatemala’s Antigua, where Gaines proposed in front of the town square’s fountain at New Years, marking the beginning of their next chapter.

When not traveling, they find joy in homesteading in the Catskills, nurturing their little piece of riverside paradise. Gaines & Andrea’s home is filled with the warmth of good food, lively music, the comfort of cozy nooks, and the playful antics of their cats (Ash & Lena). It's here that they both feel most at peace, surrounded by the love they’ve built together.

As Andrea & Gaines prepare to tie the knot, they are excited for you to share in this special moment, dear family and friends. Your love and support mean the world to them, and they can't wait to cut a rug, drink, eat and be merry with you all. Here's to a future filled with love, laughter, and many more adventures!

With love!

Andrea & Gaines