When Grayson Gibney met Edward Wall during their sophomore year at the University of Georgia, they discovered a special connection: they each had a parent from New Orleans. It was a place they both frequently visited as children.
The pair eventually would get engaged in that city, but having summered on Martha’s Vineyard her whole life, Grayson, who brought Edward to the Island after they started dating, said that she just couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d want to have her wedding.
Grayson made sure to incorporate Big Easy style into their Island celebration, though. At the rehearsal dinner at Atria in Edgartown, she wore a dress custom-made in New Orleans from elements of her mother’s wedding dress. And on the wedding day, the couple had a brass band play at the ceremony at the Federated Church in Edgartown, followed by a second line parade with the band down Main Street. In another nod to a traditional jazz processional, Grayson carried an umbrella used by Edward’s mother on the day she was married.
Before the reception at the Edgartown Yacht Club, Grayson and Edward took a boat ride from the Edgartown Reading Room to the yacht club. She said one of her favorite memories from that day was “having that special moment together before cruising to the reception to see all of our favorite people in the world on the dock, ready to celebrate with us.”
Recognizing the difficulties of planning a wedding from Georgia, Grayson let her mom and her wedding planner, Sandy Brooks-Kovacs of Timeless Event Planning, make most of the decisions. “I didn’t want anything too stuffy or formal, and the location with its view of the harbor at sunset was really the star of the show,” she explained.
With those parameters in mind, the yacht club took on a whimsical vibe with greenery, colorful flowers in bud vases, and candles lining the tables. Star-shaped lanterns and disco balls added to the look, while guests dressed in “coastal cocktail” attire danced along to The Sultans.
“We loved how my mom, Sandy, and our vendors completely transformed the yacht club,” Grayson said. “It’s difficult to plan a destination wedding, and I couldn’t have done it without Sandy and her crew,” she continued. “It made the day seamless and a dream for me!”
Details
Wedding Date: June 15, 2024
Ceremony: Federated Church
Reception: Edgartown Yacht Club
Photographer: Anya Kernes
Wedding Planner: Timeless Event Planning
Officiant: Rev. Mark Winters
Flowers: Aubrey Maria Designs/Donaroma’s
Party Supplies: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals + Kadeema Rentals + Tilton Tents and Party Rentals + Uniquely Chic Vintage
Caterer: Edgartown Yacht Club
Hair + Makeup: Sea Spa Salon + Monica Panait
Cake: Cakes by Liz
Music: The Sultans
Videographer: Frankie Gilmore
Transportation: Lighthouse Taxi
Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Vanessa
Stationery + Illustrations + Writing: Francesca Hall
Rehearsal Dinner: Atria
Welcome Party: The Reading Room
Welcome Party Caterer: Buckley’s Gourmet Catering
Getting Ready Caterer: Little Rock Farm
Post-Wedding Lunch Caterer: Goldie’s Rotisserie
