Volunteer Firefighter Couple Upset At Order To Take Down Wedding Invitation

GARFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Two volunteer firefighters in Garfield, New Jersey were threatened with suspension after posting a wedding invitation on Facebook.

As CBS2's Ali Bauman reported, the couple said their fire chief has gone too far.

"It's my invitation," said Danielle Szep. "I'm excited, you know? I can't wait."

And like many brides-to-be in 2016, Szep posted a picture of her wedding invitation on her Facebook page. The invitation showed each of their firefighter jackets, which display their names.

"I didn't think it was a big deal, and I got a phone call saying that I would be suspended if I didn't take it down in an hour," Szep said.

The phone call, Szep said, came from the chief of the Garfield, New Jersey Fire Department, where both she and her fiancé are volunteer firefighters.

"I was pretty upset about it," said Paul Mellor. "I didn't think there was reason why we needed to take it down, and I just thought it was a little ridiculous."

The couple told CBS2's Bauman the chief enacted a new policy a few weeks ago banning firefighters from posting photos that could link them back to the department.

The couple said they met at the Garfield firehouse and fell in love there, and it is a part of their relationship. They said they want to celebrate that part of their relationship in their wedding.

"It's my home, you know?" Szep said. "It kind of, I don't know, it makes our love special."

Garfield officials agree with the couple, with the city manager telling CBS2, "The position of the city is anything that puts the Fire Department in a positive light should be put on social media and shared with the public."

"We just want the same pictures that everybody else has," Mellor said.

But the city manager also said ultimately, the photo policy is up to the chief.

CBS2 reached out to the Garfield fire chief to hear his reasoning behind the policy, but had not heard back Friday evening.