Lawyers Send Awesome 'Merger Agreement' To Wedding Guests Instead Of Boring Invitations

Somebody spent quite a few billable hours drafting this document!

Want to see what it looks like when a first-year Baker Botts associate plans to marry a first-year Shearman & Sterling associate? Then you’re going to have to check out this entertaining “merger agreement” that the couple sent out to their guests in lieu of regular wedding invitations. We love it!

Meet David Howard and Jingjing Liang, a couple who fell in love during their first year as students at the UT Austin School of Law. They’re getting married at a castle in California this June, and according to their merger agreement, there are a few rules guests will need to follow. The five-page document, complete with an exhibit, includes the typical recitals one would normally find at the beginning of any contract, except in this case, they’ve got a bit of lawyerly wedding flair. Take a look:

Jingjing Liang (Photo via LinkedIn)

This JD MERGER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of the Effective Date by and among David Matthew Howard, one fantastic, charismatic and magnificently humble junior litigation associate, born and raised in Southern California, currently employed by a Texas general practice law firm at its New York office (the “Groom” or “David”), Yixin Jingjing Liang, one lovely, intelligent and wonderfully caring junior corporate associate, born in the People’s Republic of China and raised in Toronto, Canada, currently employed by a New York general practice law firm at its New York office (the “Bride” or “JJ”, together with the Groom, the “Couple” or “JD”) and the Guest (as defined below).

WHEREAS, the Groom desires to take the Bride as his lawful wife, to have and to hold commencing on the Wedding Date, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do them part;

WHEREAS, the Bride desires to take the Groom as her lawful husband, to have and to hold commencing on the Wedding Date, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do them part; and

David Howard (Photo via Linkedin)

WHEREAS, the parents, grandparents, and other extended family members of the Couple collectively acknowledge and approve the Couple’s desire to unite as husband and wife;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations and warranties and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

David and Jingjing promise guests — err… represent and warranty — that their wedding will be a gluttonous affair filled with good tunes, #KodakMoments, and will “involve an overflow of love, happiness and all things beautiful and sweet.” Now, about those rules we mentioned earlier. The bride and groom have quite a few that they expect their guests to follow, but this one is by far the most important one:

Class. The Guest represents and warrants to not consume alcohol to a degree that their good humor, common sense or balance is impeded to turn a classy event into a college fraternity party. The Guest acknowledges that this provision is put in place by the Couple in the interest of the Guest’s reputation and honor.

Guests better not act like drunken fools at this couple’s wedding — it’s at a castle, after all, so respect yourselves, respect the historic venue, and respect David and Jingjing, since we imagine this wedding must be costing them quite the pretty penny.

Somebody spent quite a few billable hours drafting this unique wedding invitation, so why not consider getting the couple a gift from their “honeymoon / experience” registry? There are still a bunch of options to choose from that will be a big hit.

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Congratulations to David and Jingjing! We hope you have a lovely wedding, that your creativity has inspired others, and wish you a lifetime filled with happiness!


Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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