Wedding Day

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

Ceremony

Overlook Venue

Reception

Summer

Our Wedding

Our love story started like any other in 2020, a swipe on bumble because we were all too scared for in person human interaction!At the time, Libby was living in Bristol, TN for work and was home for Christmas. We matched and Libby used the wonderful opening line of "You look familiar". Smooth... Turns out we attended the same high school, Padua Franciscan, but had never met. Not only were we two years apart, but we also ran in VERY different circles. We constantly joke that God knew what he was doing because we don't think we would have liked each other very much back then.So we planned a beautiful first date. We were going to go see Christmas lights at the zoo. How romantic! Well thanks COVID! Brent got sick (not COVID but still) so we ended up having to cancel. Libby went back to Bristol and we didn't get to actually meet.We then took the next four months to get to know each other via text (because obviously phone calls were too intimidating at that point). It was PAINFUL considering we both are the absolute worst texters known to man!Finally, Libby came home in April for Easter and we actually got to have a first date! We met at Winking Lizard and sat at the bar talking all night (mostly about wrestling of course!). We had a wonderful night and Brent kissed Libby goodbye in the Winking Lizard parking lot like a true gentleman.(Anyone want to guess who planned the first date option back in December vs the one in April??)Libby then headed back to Bristol but we continued to get to know each other despite the distance (sometimes even on the phone now! WOW! What an improvement!).After the school year ended, she took a job in Erie, PA but spent the whole summer back at home. We soaked up as much time together as humanly possible! Even once Libby moved to Erie, we spent a lot of time driving back and forth or even meeting in the middle. It was a LONG year and a half with lots of miles on I-90.But FINALLY in January of 2022 Libby accepted a job at John Carroll and was able to move back home and we could be together! She moved into the house we currently live in in April and Brent followed shortly after in July.That year was honestly pretty uneventful. We did mostly normal couple stuff. It felt anticlimactic considering everything prior was so much more difficult. But we enjoyed being able to just be together and fall more in love. It was a wonderful year filled with lots of hiking, several trips, a lot of breweries, some baseball games, and many MANY trips to Winking Lizard.Then, on June 30, 2024, we took a trip back to Erie to go to a baseball game with some of Libby's friends. On the drive back Brent suggested we stop at a park in Perry (pretty close to halfway home) to watch the sunset. We watched a beautiful sunset over Lake Erie and Brent got down on one knee and asked Libby to marry him. And then had to ask again because Libby was too happy and jumped right into kissing him that she didn't actually ever say yes. But other than that, the moment was absolutely PERFECT! Brent wanted to ask halfway between Erie and Cleveland where we spent a lot of our time early in our relationship. It's a very special place in both of our hearts.And now here we are! So excited to commit ourselves to each other forever in front of all of you! Thank you for supporting our love and we cannot wait to celebrate with all of you!

Our Story

Photos

Teri and Libby were roommates in grad school. They bonded over many margaritas and wine nights while grinding out papers. Despite now living six hours apart, the friendship keeps getting stronger. Their phone calls while driving to work and FaceTime wine nights complaining about mutual athletic training problems keep them close. She is the calm to Libby's crazy. Teri is known to always answer a “tell me if I’m overreacting” text and everyone needs a friend like that.

Teri Wood

Brent and Mitch have been friends since high school. They have enjoyed many trips to Gatlinburg where Brent pulled Mitch up Mount Le Conte and Mitch introduced Brent to moonshine.  You can almost always find these two together (with Doug) at Winking Lizard working on their tour of beers. From the very beginning of their friendship Brent felt immediately welcomed by Mitch and his family. He always felt accepted as part of the family. He not only gets a best friend but a whole other family in the Adams/Sliwinskis. Mitch is the bonus family Brent never knew he needed.

Mitch Adams

Darby and Libby have been friends since birth. Their parents used to live next door to each other and her mom babysat Libby as a kid. She is the closest thing to a sister Libby has ever known. They have seen each other through every awkward phase life has thrown at them. No matter where life takes them, they always have had each other. 

Darby Arnold

Jeff and Brent teach together at Fairview. Jeff has been a mentor to Brent over the eight years he has been teaching. They have shared many laughs during lunchtime over the years. Jeff has really shaped Brent into a better teacher and better person overall. He’s someone Brent can always bounce ideas and thoughts off of. 

Jeff Hicks

Emily and Libby were grad school roommates. They bonded over cooking dinners while listening to Michael Buble. She was Josie’s second mom and helped Josie get through the crazy puppy phase. They thrived through Covid lockdown together. They had a blast working out, walking Josie, watching Disney movies, and doing puzzles. Life keeps moving them around in different directions but they are thrilled to both be living in the same state currently and getting closer again. 

Emily Evans

Brent and Doug have known each other since high school. Doug is Mitch’s cousin. He introduced them. The three of them have really been inseparable for years. But specifically Doug and Brent bond over our love of craft beer at (of course) Winking Lizard and constant sharing of memes. Brent appreciates having a friend who is always down for a hike, beer, sporting event, or just aimlessly staring at a tv. Whatever it is Brent needs, Doug is the guy. 

Doug Mahnke

Lauren and Libby went to college together. Lauren was on the swim team when Libby worked with them as a rotation as an athletic training student. The two bonded talking during Lauren's PT sessions. Lauren stuck with Libby during one of the hardest times of her life. Even with their crazy schedules, they always find time for each other. 

Lauren Oktavec

Matt is Libby’s older brother. He and Brent have bonded over video games, Creed, Matt constantly making Brent food at Rocky’s, and Matt force feeding everyone tequila shots. Matt’s support of the relationship has been huge, but both know Matt is most excited to have a brother in law so that he can use all the nicknames he’s been holding onto for years. We love you Broba Fett, Brotato chip, Broham, Indiana Brones, etc!

Matt Medvin

Wedding Party

FAQs

Please book by 5/15/25 to ensure you are in our block of rooms and get the discounted rate.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Cleveland Tiedeman Road

Travel

The place where it all started! Our favorite local sports bar chain with TONS of great beers!!

Winking Lizard Independence

One of our favorite local breweries!

Blue Monkey Brewing Company

Another one of our favorite local breweries!

Schnitz Ale Brewery

We live right down the street from here! We love to walk here to watch sports and get some good food and beer.

Sloppy Bobs

If you're staying for the weekend we highly recommend our zoo! It's super nice!!

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

If you're staying for the weekend, we HIGHLY recommend getting some hikes in. Some of our favorites are: Plateau Trail, Brandywine Falls, and Blue Hen Falls.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Personally, we have never been to the Rock Hall together, but if you're in from out of town you should definitely see what Cleveland is known for!

Libby & Brent

Libby & Brent

FAQs

Is your ceremony a full Catholic Mass?

What should I wear?

Wow! That's a big break between the ceremony and reception! What should we do?

Can I bring my kids?

Can I bring a plus one?

Will there be an open bar?