When Christine Brown walked down the aisle on October 7, 2023, it wasn’t just a wedding. It was a complete and total pivot. For anyone who spent years watching her navigate the messy, often heartbreaking world of plural marriage on Sister Wives, seeing her in a white dress in Moab, Utah, felt like the ultimate plot twist. Honestly, it was the kind of moment many fans thought would never actually happen.
She didn't just leave Kody Brown; she rewrote her entire life.
The ceremony took place at the Red Cliffs Lodge, a stunning spot right against the Colorado River. It was loud, colorful, and massive. We're talking 330 guests. That is a lot of people to feed, but for Christine, the volume was the point. After decades of feeling like a "basement wife" or a secondary priority, she wanted the bells, the whistles, and the absolute spotlight.
The Christine Brown Wedding Was a "Fairytale" (Her Words)
Christine has been very vocal about the fact that she never got the "big" experience the first time around. In her spiritual marriage to Kody, there was no legal ceremony, no white dress, and certainly no father walking her down a traditional aisle. This time? She did it all. Her father and her son, Paedon Brown, walked her to the altar. It was a heavy moment, especially for a woman who spent half her life in a system that often de-emphasizes the individual bride in favor of the group dynamic.
She met David Woolley on a dating site in late 2022. It was fast. Some people—including some of the kids—were a little worried about the speed. They went public on Valentine's Day 2023 and were engaged by April. But when you know, you know, right? David, a widower with eight kids of his own, seemed to just get her.
What She Actually Wore
The dress was a huge topic of conversation. Christine chose a lacy, off-the-shoulder gown that was "sexy and elegant." It wasn't just about looking good, though. She specifically wanted the off-the-shoulder cut to show off the matching tattoo she shares with David.
- The Vibe: Western chic meets classic bridal.
- The Palette: A mix of fall colors—plum, peach, coral, and dusty rose.
- The Jewelry: Simple but meaningful.
The wedding planner, Danielle Rothweiler, handled the logistics of getting 300+ people into the Utah desert. It wasn't just a ceremony; it was a weekend-long event, starting with a dinner cruise down the Colorado River where Christine was seen chugging a beer and generally living her best life.
Who Showed Up (and Who Definitely Didn't)
This is where it gets interesting for the long-time viewers. The guest list was a "who's who" of the people who actually stuck by Christine after the family fractured.
Janelle Brown was there, obviously. She wore a bright pink gown and looked genuinely thrilled for her friend. Most of the "OG" kids were in attendance too. We saw Logan, Hunter, Garrison, Gabe, Madison, and Savanah (Janelle's kids) along with Christine’s own: Aspyn, Mykelti, Ysabel, Paedon, and Truely. Even Leon Brown, Meri's child, made an appearance.
But let’s talk about the empty chairs.
Kody and Robyn Brown were nowhere to be found. Neither was Meri. While the lack of Kody and Robyn wasn't a shocker—given the toxicity of the split—it solidified the new boundary lines of the family. The "Christine Brown wedding" acted as a sort of unofficial census of the new family structure. It proved that you don't need the "patriarch" to have a family.
Why This Wedding Still Matters in 2026
It’s easy to dismiss reality TV weddings as fluff. But Christine's marriage to David represented a massive cultural shift for women coming out of fundamentalist backgrounds. She proved that there is a "Part 2."
David's son-in-law officiated the ceremony. The wedding party was made up of their grandchildren. It was a blending of two massive families that felt organic rather than forced. David has been described by the kids as the "calm" to Kody's "chaos."
The Real Logistics
If you’re planning a destination wedding in Moab like this, there are things most people forget:
- The Wind: The red rock canyons act like a wind tunnel. You need heavy-duty hairspray.
- The Lighting: Golden hour in Moab is 10/10, but once the sun drops behind the cliffs, it gets cold fast.
- The Guests: Red Cliffs Lodge is great, but logistics for 330 people in a remote area are a nightmare. You need shuttles.
Looking Back at the "Sister Wives" Legacy
For years, we watched Christine struggle with jealousy and loneliness. Seeing her look at David with total confidence was a "full circle" moment. David reportedly calls her his "unicorn." It’s a bit cheesy, sure, but after what she went through, she deserves a little cheese.
The wedding was eventually aired as a two-part special on TLC in January 2024. Even years later, people are still dissecting the body language and the toasts. One of David’s daughters gave a toast that some fans found a little "odd"—implying she helped set them up as "bait"—but the overall vibe was one of relief and joy.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Pivot
If you're looking at Christine's story as inspiration for your own life changes, here’s how to handle a "Second Act" wedding or life event:
- Don't Settle for "Good Enough": Christine wanted the white dress and the big party she missed the first time. If you’re doing a do-over, do it your way.
- Prioritize the "Safe" People: Surround yourself with those who supported you during the messy middle bits, not just the ones who show up for the party.
- Be Patient with the Kids: Blending 14 total children (6 hers, 8 his) is a marathon, not a sprint. Acknowledge their feelings about the speed of the relationship.
- Own Your Story: Use your "scars" (like Christine’s tattoo or her history) as part of your new narrative rather than hiding them.
The Christine Brown wedding wasn't just a ceremony. It was a declaration of independence. It showed that you can spend 25 years in one system and still have the courage to build something entirely new from scratch.
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To dive deeper into the logistics of planning a high-capacity destination wedding in the Utah desert, you should look into regional vendors who specialize in the Moab area's unique climate and terrain. If you're following the family's continued evolution, the next step is observing how the "Brown-Woolley" family manages their first major holidays and milestones as a blended unit in their new Utah home.