It was the 21st night of September when Brittany Ann McGinnis and Sean Cummings Black first locked eyes at Tupelo in San Francisco. He eventually asked when he could take Brittany on a date, and after a little more than a year of long-distance together, Sean convinced her to move to the Bay Area from Los Angeles.
Around three years later, Sean proposed to Brittany in New York City, where she used to live and one of her favorite places. He orchestrated a plan with her friends for months. Brittany’s artist friend said she was having a show at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and when she arrived, she was led to a bridge, where Sean was on one knee. “I was completely surprised and in even more shock when another one of my best friends—who happens to be a wedding photographer—popped out of the bushes to photograph the whole thing!” Brittany exclaims. “We then went to celebrate after at Cecconi’s in Dumbo and then with a night out in Manhattan! It was perfect!”
Once engaged, the couple decided to get married in Beaver Creek, Colorado, where Brittany grew up vacationing with her family. “I always imagined getting married in the beautiful chapel there,” the bride admits. “We wanted the aesthetic to fit the location and venues, so naturally, we chose to go with a western chic theme for our welcome party, and we asked the guests for the wedding to all wear the color black in honor of our last name.”
Brittany worked with weekend coordinator, Paige Smith of Leight & Co. Events, and photographer Cheryl Cole and her partner Will Inghram. While Reverie Press set the tone for the celebrations with a beautiful invitation suite.
When it came to her own wedding wardrobe, Brittany and stylist Ceren Jenna started with her vintage Manolos from TheRealReal, then the bride fell in love with her lace Lee Petra Grebenau dress with a dramatic long train from NWLA Bridal. “For the veil, I wanted to have a blusher for when I walked down the aisle, and then for photos, I wanted it to cover the train,” Brittany shares. “I was just looking for something that complemented the dress but didn’t overpower it.”
On the day-of, Brittany got ready with SJ and Cierra of Divine Beauty Artists before accessorizing with pearl drop earrings from David Yurman and a Cartier necklace Sean had given her. Her “something borrowed” was her mother’s diamond band.
Sean donned a black tuxedo from Suitsupply. “I wanted him to look very classic and sophisticated while also standing out from his groomsmen by wearing a tux since they wore suits,” Brittany explains.
On August 17, 2024, guests arrived to the Beaver Creek Chapel, as bagpipes sounded out to pay homage to both families’ Irish heritage. “It was a beautiful ceremony with our closest family and friends led by Pastor Tim Wilbanks,” Brittany shares.
Once officially married, the newlyweds and their guests headed to Saddle Ridge for a seated reception dinner. The meal of chimichurri steak, brie risotto, and local trout concluded with almond and carrot cakes, baked by the sister of the bride.
The Blacks hit the dance floor for their moment to “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban, before the space became packed with their loved ones and Ricky of DJ Connection for the rest of the night.
