About six months into the planning process, Rebecca Mersiowsky and Taylor Pierce began to rethink their wedding. Rebecca hails from Virginia and wanted their New England ceremony to reflect her southern roots. The rustic feel of the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury initially seemed to fit the bill. “But the more we began planning, the more we realized that a huge wedding in a barn wasn’t very us,” she said.
So the pair took a step back, reevaluated, and eventually picked Fuller Street Beach in Edgartown for an intimate beachfront vow exchange. “It was the same place we had our first date and the same place Taylor proposed,” said Rebecca. “I grew up going to Fuller Street Beach,” said Taylor, who is from Martha’s Vineyard, “so it's always been full of good memories.” Plus, said Rebecca, “Taylor’s father had built a gorgeous house just steps from [the beach], and the owners kindly let us take it over for the wedding day.”
With a venue nailed down, they turned their focus to the overall vision of the day, still with an eye for incorporating southern details. “We knew we could never compete with the natural landscape that the beach and the view from the reception [site] provided,” Rebecca said. They selected a color palette of natural greens, whites, creams, and blues, and incorporated dark wood tables and touches of gold. Magnolia leaves served as a focal point in Rebecca’s bouquet, floating blooms on the pool, and table runners. “I loved the way the tables came out,” said Rebecca. “Those magnolia runners [crafted by Marlene DiStefano of Island Ambiance] were exactly how I envisioned them.”
The bride also took on a decidedly Vineyard labor of love: she spent hours bleaching, scrubbing, and drying oyster shells to serve as place cards. “I’ve heard from so many people that this was a perfect touch and they kept their shell.”
With oyster shells in hand, guests found their way to long farmers' tables while Rebecca and Taylor chose seats that looked out over their family and friends. On this decision, too, they revised their original plan. “We actually were against a sweetheart table at first,” Rebecca admitted. But in the end, they realized they had made the right decision: it was nice to share little moments as they dined together for the first time as husband and wife.
Details
Wedding Planner: KG Events & Design
Ceremony: Fuller Street Beach
Reception: Private Home
Photographer: Anne Lee
Caterer: Buckley’s Gourmet Catering
Cake + Dessert: Cakes by Liz + Back Door Donuts
Music: The Dukes of Circuit Avenue
Flowers: Island Ambiance
Tent + Party Supplies: Tilton Tents and Party Rentals
Transportation: Stagecoach Taxi
Hair: Bouclé
Makeup: Sea Spa Salon
Welcome Baskets: Cape Cod potato chips + Chilmark Chocolates
Libations: Vintage MV Wine & Spirits + Wash Ashore Beer Company + Your Market
Getting Ready Caterer: Rosewater Market & Take Away
Brunch Caterer: Black Sheep
Welcome Dinner Caterer: Bill Smith’s MV Clambake Co.
