Wedding | Libby & Brian

2 hours ago
12 min read

Tell us about yourselves!

If you ask each of us how our story began, you’ll probably get two different answers! We both went to Cornell University, Brian two years ahead of me. We ran in many of the same circles, shared plenty of mutual friends, and knew of each other, but somehow our paths rarely crossed. Brian insists he remembers seeing me in the library and being too intimidated to introduce himself. I, on the other hand, have no recollection of this whatsoever, which has become a recurring theme in our relationship.

After graduation, we both ended up in Washington, D.C., where we became part of the same close-knit group of friends. Timing, however, never seemed to be on our side. Whenever one of us was single, the other wasn’t, so we settled comfortably into friendship. Looking back, though, I think there was always something there, even if neither of us recognized it at the time.

Then came what we now affectionately refer to as “the date that wasn’t a date.” About three years into our friendship, Brian texted me saying he had a reservation at a cocktail bar that he’d “forgotten he made” and that “pretty much everyone else he could have asked couldn’t go.” Naturally, I spent the entire evening trying to determine whether this was actually a date. We talked for hours, laughed nonstop, and the conversation felt so easy that time disappeared. At the end of the night, still completely unsure of what had just happened, we exchanged a very polite, very platonic hug and walked back to our separate apartments. I remember thinking, Well... I guess that wasn’t a date. And still to this day he refuses to admit if it was intended s a date Life carried on exactly as before, for a little while.

Eventually, one memorable night out with friends led to an overdue realization that our relationship had become something more, and there was no returning to “just friends.” We officially started dating shortly afterward.

A few months later, we both happened to find ourselves skiing in Colorado with separate groups of friends. Whether it was entirely a coincidence that we ended up at the same mountain on the same day is still up for debate. We spent the day skiing together, and Brian later admitted that I had unknowingly “passed the test” by keeping up with him on the mountain.

That shared love of adventure has shaped so much of our life together. We love skiing, hiking, camping, and exploring new places, and it was ultimately what inspired us to leave Washington, D.C., and build a life together in Sun Valley.

When we told my family we were moving across the country, my grandfather paused, trying to decide what to call Brian. “Boyfriend” didn’t seem quite right, but we weren’t engaged yet either. After giving it some thought, he landed on “companion in adventure.”

It couldn’t have been more fitting.

That is exactly what Brian has been from the very beginning, my companion in adventure, my favorite person to explore the world with, and now my husband. We can’t wait for all the adventures still to come.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We moved to Sun Valley 3 years ago when Brian had been offered a job in the valley and we were both ready for a change of scenery from D.C. At the end of our initial visit, we were sitting on the rooftop patio of Warfield Brewery and Distillery looking at the mountains in the background and decided we should give it a shot. And what started out as a daunting leap of faith quickly came to feel like home for us.

A year later, Brian proposed on a beautiful bluebird day in February while walking our dog Alfie out Trail Creek Rd. That weekend, my family joined us to celebrate, and we had a small engagement party at Warfield. It felt full circle celebrating our engagement in the place we had sat when we decided to move here.

When deciding on where to get married we had thrown a few ideas around but kept returning to the feeling that we should do it here in the place that has become so special in the evolution of our relationship and the place we have come to call home. We landed on Sun Valley’s Trail Creek venue one because of the spectacular views and scenery and two, because it is just down the road from where we got engaged. Likewise in finding a venue for our rehearsal dinner and welcome party it only felt fitting to return to Warfield and have all our friends and family gathered on the rooftop looking at the same view that convinced us to move here years ago.

How many guests did you have?

135.

Tell us about your outfits.

I was never one of those brides who had a crystal-clear vision of what my wedding would look like or exactly what kind of dress I would wear. Throughout the process, though, I realized I was consistently drawn to pieces with sculptural silhouettes, whether that came from intentional tailoring and structure or from fabrics with beautiful texture and dimension. Rather than having a specific look in mind for each event, I simply knew something was right the moment I saw it.

I chose my wedding dress because it felt completely like me. So many dresses felt like they were wearing me, but this one felt like I was wearing the dress. I loved the subtle texture woven into the fabric and the way it almost took on a pearlescent glow in certain light. It was elegant, understated, and timeless.

My rehearsal dinner and welcome party dress was a completely different story. I found it online almost a year before the wedding, but I worried that buying it so early would lead to buyer’s remorse, so I waited a couple of months before ordering it. Even after all that time, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. When it finally arrived, it fit as though it had been made for me, I didn’t need a single alteration. I loved its sculptural silhouette, the delicate floral appliqués, and that it felt modern and beautiful without being overtly “bridal.”

One of my favorite accessories also had its own little story. I had immediately fallen in love with a pair of Bella Belle shoes and had every intention of wearing them on my wedding day. Unfortunately, because our ceremony was outdoors on grass, I needed a thicker heel. I couldn’t bear to leave them unworn, though, especially because they happened to be named the “Libby,” so they became my rehearsal dinner shoes instead.

For a long time, I didn’t think I would have a second look. I loved my wedding dress so much, and I had intentionally chosen something comfortable and easy to move in. My thinking was simple: why change out of a dress you only get to wear once? As the wedding got closer, though, enough people suggested having a backup outfit “just in case” that I decided to put one together using a fringe top from Sea that I had originally worn for my bachelorette.

Sure enough, around 10:30 that night, I suddenly realized I was ready to be out of my dress. With my sister’s help, I made a completely impromptu outfit change, and I was so glad I did. Both my planner and photographer came up to me afterward and said, “We didn’t know you were planning a second look.” I laughed and replied, “Honestly... neither did I.”

Brian’s outfit required a little more convincing. We had always planned for a black-tie optional wedding, and when we first started talking about attire he said, “Perfect, I already have a tux!” The only problem was that the tux in question was made of performance fabric and was machine washable. My immediate response was, “You absolutely cannot wear a machine-washable tux to our wedding.”

Instead, his entire wedding wardrobe came from Kilgore Trout, a menswear store in Cleveland that has outfitted the men in my family for decades. Joel, the owner, is a master salesman with impeccable taste and an almost uncanny memory. He somehow remembers everyone’s measurements and wardrobe, and whenever my dad or grandfather walks in looking for one specific item, they’re inevitably greeted with, “Well, we just got this in, and I pulled it aside because I knew it would be perfect for you.” Sure enough, they always leave with an entire outfit they never intended to buy. Brian was no exception, and the result was a timeless tuxedo that suited him perfectly.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

Brian and I are not ones that feel the most comfortable being the center of attention. We knew we did not want our wedding to be some grand spectacle, rather, we wanted it to feel like an intimate gathering of all of our closest friends and family. And while an event with 135 people can only feel so intimate, I wanted our reception to feel like a dinner party with friends and family, I wanted people to be able to talk to each other, move between tables, rather than it being a formal seated dinner and I feel like we were able to achieve that.

One thing that was especially important to us was giving our friends and family, many of whom had traveled from across the country, the opportunity to experience the places and activities that made us fall in love with Sun Valley. We shared a guide to some of our favorite hikes, restaurants, and local spots, along with recommendations for fly fishing, biking, golfing, and other outdoor adventures, encouraging everyone to make a weekend of exploring the area.

We also chose to begin our wedding day with a short group hike along one of our favorite trails, accompanied by our dog, Alfie. It became one of my favorite memories of the entire weekend. There was something incredibly special about walking a trail I know so well while surrounded by all of the people I love most, watching them stop to admire the views and looking back to see a winding line of family and friends stretching along the mountainside.

More than anything, it grounded me. Instead of feeling like I had to hit the ground running the moment I woke up, it gave me the chance to spend an unhurried morning with Brian, our families, and our closest friends before the excitement of the day took over. It reminded me exactly what the day was about.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

I come from a family of cake lovers and as a bride to be you start taking notes at all the weddings you go to in the year plus before your own. I noticed that the cake often became an afterthought—everyone was eager to get back to the dance floor, which is probably a sign of a great party, but I always found myself thinking, What a shame all that cake is going to waste.

So we decided to make dessert part of the experience. Instead of cutting the cake quickly and moving on, we had a long rectangular cake placed on our reception table. After cutting it together, we served slices family-style to everyone seated with us while cake was simultaneously served to the rest of our guests. Everyone was able to enjoy dessert while listening to speeches from Brian and my sisters, and it turned what is often a fleeting tradition into a shared moment.

The cake knife itself was equally meaningful. It is a family heirloom from Brian’s family with a wonderful story behind it. Brian’s maternal grandfather was an Olympic figure skater who, ironically, was once offered a coaching position in Sun Valley but ultimately chose to settle in New Jersey instead. He went on to invent and patent a skate blade, and as a wedding gift, a close friend transformed one of those blades into a cake knife. It has been passed down through generations ever since, making it especially meaningful to use it as we started our own family tradition.

Any tips for couples getting married?

There were definitely moments during the planning process when it all felt overwhelming. Looking back, I realize I sometimes got so caught up in planning the wedding as an event that I lost sight of what it was really about: celebrating your marriage with the people you love most.

My biggest piece of advice is to remind yourself of that often. You’ll never again have a weekend quite like this, where your favorite people from every chapter of your life are all together in one place. Build a celebration that gives you opportunities to spend meaningful time with them, to appreciate them, and to create memories together.

When I look back on our wedding, I don’t think about the linens, chargers, furniture, or lighting, although I spent plenty of time worrying about all of those things while planning. What I remember are the conversations, the laughter, the hugs, the moments on the dance floor, and looking around the room and realizing everyone we loved was there together. Those are the memories that last.

At the end of the day, the details help create the atmosphere, but it’s the people who create the celebration. Don’t lose sight of that, it is, by far, the most important part.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Parker’s Pictures: I actually grew up with Parker, so I had been following her work since she first started photographing weddings. Long before I was engaged, my mom and I would send each other her photos, constantly commenting on how incredibly talented she is. So when I got engaged, my mom’s first suggestion was, “You have to ask Parker.”

When I finally worked up the courage to reach out, she replied, “I would be honored.” The funny part is that I was the one who felt honored that she was willing to photograph our wedding. From the moment she arrived, she made us feel completely at ease. Neither Brian nor I are people who love being in front of the camera or spending hours posing for photos, but Parker has such a calming, natural approach that it never felt like a production such that we were able to stay present and truly enjoy every moment.

Then we received our gallery, and somehow she exceeded our already high expectations. She didn’t just document what happened, she captured what it felt like to be there. The joy, the emotion, the little interactions we had missed, and the spirit of every single person who celebrated with us all came through in her photographs. Looking through our gallery felt like reliving the entire weekend, and it is a gift we will treasure forever. To this day, our friends and family still tell us how incredible our photos are, and we couldn’t agree more. We truly could not have imagined anyone better to tell the story of our wedding.

Floret Design Studio: Working with Brenna was one of the highlights of the entire planning process. From our very first meeting, I knew I was in the best hands. She has an incredible ability to listen, interpret, and bring ideas to life. I arrived with what can only be described as a very scattered Pinterest board and a head full of ideas I couldn’t quite articulate. Somehow, Brenna immediately understood the vision I was trying to create, even before I could fully explain it myself.

Throughout the process, I would send her the most unconventional inspiration photos, from my handheld bouquet that doubled as a floral purse to the whimsical potato centerpiece installation for our welcome party. Rather than simply recreating what I had sent, she took those ideas and elevated them. Every design felt uniquely ours while still exceeding anything I had imagined. Time and time again, what she created was even more beautiful than the inspiration itself.

The florals became so much more than décor, they helped tell the story of the weekend and reflected the personality and sense of fun we wanted our wedding to have. Brenna has an extraordinary creative talent, and I will forever be grateful for the artistry, thoughtfulness, and joy she brought to every detail.

Amanda Seaward: If there is one person who made our wedding weekend possible, it was our planner, Amanda. I genuinely don’t think the weekend would have come together without her.

As someone who is not naturally detail-oriented, the wedding planning process often felt overwhelming. Amanda guided my mom and me through every step with remarkable calm, organization, and confidence. Every meeting was purposeful, she always arrived with a thoughtful agenda, a running list of reminders, and questions we never would have thought to ask ourselves. She somehow made an incredibly complex process feel manageable, ensuring we stayed on track without ever making us feel overwhelmed.

What impressed me most was that Amanda never made us feel like we were checking boxes on a to-do list. Instead, she created space for us to enjoy the process while quietly taking on the countless details behind the scenes. By the time the wedding weekend arrived, I felt complete trust that everything was under control, and it was. She orchestrated everything so seamlessly that Brian and I were able to be fully present, knowing she had everything else handled.

One of the greatest gifts Amanda gave us was peace of mind. She lifted so much of the stress off my shoulders, allowing me to simply enjoy one of the best weekends of our lives, and for that I will always be grateful.

After the wedding, my mom and I both admitted that we were a little sad we no longer had a reason to meet with Amanda. That probably says more about her than anything else. She wasn’t just an exceptional planner, she became someone we genuinely looked forward to seeing throughout the process, and we miss having her in our lives.