"We're just friends, but…"
According to Amanda, Courtney's cousin and maid of honor, that is how it always started. "I remember the first of many times Courtney talked about Christian," she told the room at the reception. "She always started with, we're just friends, but… And that went on for some time."
It went on right up until Friday, October 23, 2026, when the two of them stood under the oaks at Darby Farm in Dade City, Florida, and stopped pretending. Their wedding film is above. Press play, then stay a minute, because the people who know Courtney and Christian best told their story better than we ever could.
Their story, in their people's words
Nick, Christian's best man, met him at work. Christian "became the assistant manager from the meat department I was working at the time," Nick said. "He was my boss at the time, so… it was in my best interest to make sure I was on my best behavior."
Then Nick realized he lived in the same neighborhood as Courtney's aunt and uncle, Doug and Doreen, whom Courtney was living with. "Little did I know that I would not just gain a best friend in Christian, but my other best friend in Courtney." Since then it has been Sunday dinners, Lightning games, and trips to Nashville, Georgia and Connecticut.
Christian's parents summed up what everyone in the room already knew: "From buying your first home, to thoughtful planning this beautiful wedding, you have shown that you are true partners. Two peas in a pod."
The ceremony
Before anyone took a seat, Courtney and Christian shared their vows privately, in a quiet moment of their own. Their officiant called them "words that are theirs alone," and that is where they stay.
The ceremony itself was out under the oaks: a stone aisle lined with lanterns and wooden benches, leading up a few steps to a draped hexagonal arch. "One of the things that stands out the most about the two of you is the way that you speak about each other," the officiant told them. "It is always with love and respect."
Then came the blessing of the hands. "These are the hands of your best friend… These are the hands that even when aged, will still reach out to you with the same touch that comforts you on this day." And, a little later: "Before this moment, you have been many things to one another, acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher."
When the officiant introduced Mr. and Mrs. Gendebien, the cheer was the loudest of the day. Every microphone we had picked it up.
What the guests didn't know was that Christian had changed the plan for the kiss. He'd been watching videos to get it right, and he told us afterward, grinning: "I needed you to turn into me so I could then dip you… I switched it up on her after." Courtney turned, Christian dipped her, and it's in the film.
The toasts
Cocktail hour was under the covered patio, by an outdoor bar lit by a neon BAR sign. After family photos, everyone moved inside for dinner and the toasts, and the toasts did not hold back.
Amanda told the story of the 3 AM sneak-out. Courtney's parents' house had "a strict rule… that no boys are allowed to sleep over, whether they're just a friend or not." One night Courtney's stomach hurt, Christian stayed to look after her, and he fell asleep. At 3 AM he "attempted to sneak out of the house. To his luck, he was greeted by my dad in his underwear." Courtney hid in her room. "Believe it or not, Courtney didn't have anything to say that night." Amanda's toast to them: "May your lives be full of laughter, love, and for Christian, an endless amount of patience."
Christian's father remembered him at five years old on the soccer field: "I would look at mom and ask, What's wrong with him? Why doesn't he get this?… But before long, you became an amazing player." He went on to the boy who started at Publix at 16, chose work over college, and "grew into a man we are incredibly proud to call our son."
Then Christian's mother turned to the bride. "Courtney, you are one of the best things that has ever happened to our son. You bring out the best in him… we feel truly blessed to welcome you into our wonderful, imperfect, sometimes dysfunctional, but always loving family." Dad had the last word: "And then, PS, you owe me a grandson." The room lost it.
The couple had one more thing to say. "And we have some other news," they told everyone. "We are expecting…" They let the room hang for a second, then finished it: "…you guys to all have this shot with us." It was a joke, and it got the biggest reaction of the night.
Why Darby Farm
Partway through the day, Courtney and Christian walked down to a dark wooden fence along the tree-lined drive and spent a few minutes feeding and brushing the farm's shaggy Highland cattle. It wasn't on any timeline. It's one of our favorite moments in the film, and it tells you more about Darby Farm than any description could.
Darby Farm is a working Highland cattle farm and event venue at 30640 Darby Road in Dade City, Florida, on the banks of Big Darby Creek. Couples have private use of the property, which is listed at 1,200 acres, and guests arrive by a long gated drive under the oaks. The venue lists an outdoor fireplace, an outdoor bar with cocktail tables, lawn games, custom wood tables, cross-back chairs, wood benches, and a choice of ceremony arches.
What we noticed on the day was how much ground a wedding there covers without anyone getting in a car. Courtney and Christian went from the cattle along the drive, to a ceremony under the oaks, to cocktails on the covered patio, to a warm, brick-walled room where everyone was dancing arm in arm by the end of the night. Every part of the day looks different on film, and all of it looks like the same place.
This was our third wedding at Darby Farm. If you're considering it, have a look at Christina and Aaron's Darby Farm wedding and Ashley and JT's film from 2023 too.
For Courtney and Christian
Two videographers, eight hours, a drone over the farm, and a five-and-a-half-minute film. We cut it so you can come back to the people who were there: Amanda's patience joke, Nick's best behavior, your dad's PS, and that dip.
Courtney, Christian, thank you for having us. Next time the keys end up locked in the trunk, Nick says he'll be there with AAA, and we believe him.
Planning a wedding at Darby Farm?
We film a limited number of weddings each year in Dade City, Tampa, and across Florida. You can see more of our work in the theatre, read how we think about what a Florida wedding videographer costs, and when you're ready, tell us about your day.
Byline: Labif Filmhouse