In middle school, Libby Abrams and her classmate Haris Iqba bonded over Friends, hip-hop, and food. They were innocent interests—but, as it turned out, they sparked a lifelong love. However it was only until the summer of 2010, when they began dating, after he messaged her on Facebook. “We spent the summer getting reacquainted, and it was like no time had passed,” Libby shares. “We both still indulged in Friends, were avid hip-hop lovers, and loved watching NBA basketball, even though our favorite teams were on two different coasts.”
During the socially-distanced summer of 2020, Libby and Haris planned an outdoor adventure for their friends, hiking in Marin County outside San Francisco. “Haris had taken the lead on planning this outing, which should have been a huge [giveaway] to me, as I am the one who plans our social engagements,” Libby says. Indeed, there was something behind it. “As we were hiking, one of our friends decided that we were going to stop and make short videos to music along the way. We walked all the way to the top, and as we danced, I turned around at the perfect time. All our friends had stepped to the side, and Haris was down on one knee.”
For their wedding in June 2022, which would be a fusion of their Jewish and Muslim cultures, “we wanted a venue that reminded us of Europe,” the bride says. “French classic garden party was how I liked to describe what we were looking for.” They fell in love with Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez; it featured ancient sandstone walls, vineyards, and rolling hills.
They hosted two days of events there, beginning with a mehndi. “We had henna artists, incredible dancing from Karmagraphy, and a great DJ who played a mix of Pakistani and contemporary Western music,” Libby shares. The gravel driveway of the venue was set with market stalls piled high with food, and pendant lights swayed from the trees. “Wicker charger mats and terracotta ceramic plates were decorated with pops of bougainvillea and roses for color, and we had textiles, rugs, and ottomans for guests to sit and relax on the grass. It was a warm, lively, and very special way to kick off the weekend’s events.”
Los Angeles-based wedding stylist and Over The Moon Bride Samantha Levis of The Bold and Bridal helped Libby curate attire for the party. “Due to multiple events, I needed to call in an expert,” Libby says. “For my clothing, [the goal was] classic with an edge. I either needed to have a pop of color and pare everything else down, or have classic lines with intricate texture.” For the mehndi, that translated to a stunning shalwar kameez by Seemeen Jamot.
Libby found the wedding dress all on her own, however. “I picked my Berta dress out a year before the wedding,” she says. “I knew I wanted something to show my shape—feminine, glam, and classic at the same time. The dress I ended up picking was the first one I tried on.” Janet Villa gave her “neutral but glam” makeup, and a pair of Jimmy Choo heels completed the look. (Later, she changed into a second dress, also by Berta—but this time paired it with Air Force Ones.)
On June 25, 2022, Plenty of Petals lined the outdoor aisle with pale pink, white, and green florals and created a gorgeous chuppah. Libby walked down the aisle with her parents to “Find Someone Like You” by Snoh Aalegra, and Haris’s cousin officiated. “The ceremony was magical,” Libby says. “I had a rush of emotions. Watching our families, friends, and culture blend together gave me so much happiness and joy.”
For their garden-inspired reception, a structure was built from the ground up. “We grounded the entire reception under a wood truss canopy built out by Bella Vista Designs, which framed the area perfectly so that the large expanse of grass at the back of Sunstone villa felt intimate,” Libby describes. “Vines grew up the trusses as if they had been growing there for years.”
The dance floor held court in the center, surrounded by long tables on three sides. Iron chandeliers hung overhead, and hand-thrown china by Casa de Perrin and Theoni adorned the tables. “In addition to the flowers and garden roses, we mixed in lots of herbs for a beautiful scent, which was amazing as the heat of the day cooled,” Libby says. “We added candlelight, and it all felt magical—and very much like we were in Tuscany.”
After a dinner of burrata and beet salad, short ribs, and seabass by Mistura Catering, the live band, Everyday People of West Coast Music, took the stage. The newlyweds danced to “Nothing Even Matters” by Lauryn Hill, a nod to their love of hip-hop that brought them together. “As the night was coming to a close, Haris and I requested the band play ‘Family Business’ by Kanye West,” Libby reminisces. “It’s a song that has sentimental meaning for the two of us. We had all of our family and friends on the dance floor, arms around each other, singing and dancing. It is a mental snapshot I will forever remember.”
