You could say serendipity brought Emily Ziolkowski and Joey Gallant together seven years ago. Emily was searching for a place to live while she attended graduate school in Austin, Texas, and Joey, who had graduated but decided to stay in the city, happened to live next door to her new apartment. Shortly after meeting, they started dating.

Emily began joining Joey and his family every year at his grandparents’ gingerbread cottage in Oak Bluffs. The home stayed in the family after his grandparents passed away, and in 2022 they got engaged there. That connection made choosing to elope on Martha’s Vineyard a meaningful decision.

They planned a ceremony in the English Garden at the Lambert’s Cove Inn & Resort in West Tisbury. “We wanted an intimate ceremony where we could be fully present with each other to celebrate,” Emily said. 

On the morning of their wedding, they took a walk, put the finishing touches on their vows, and made a few last-minute arrangements. Later in the afternoon, the September weather was perfect for their ceremony.

They enjoyed their first meal as a married couple on Lambert’s Cove Beach complete with a picnic featuring champagne and lobster rolls followed by a walk at sunset.

For this family-oriented couple, one highlight of their day occurred during their morning walk. “When we were walking around…we were accompanied by two cardinals,” Emily said. “We like to think that those were Joey’s grandparents spending a few minutes with us on our special day.”

Details

Wedding Date: September 12, 2024
Ceremony: Lambert’s Cove Inn & Resort
Dinner: Lambert’s Cove Beach
Photographer: Larisa Stinga
Officiant: Merrily Fenner
Flowers: Morrice Florist
Cake: The Black Dog Bakery Café
Picnic: Sea’Nic With Amor
Caterer: Lookout Tavern
Accommodations: Lambert’s Cove Inn & Resort