Taryn and Gjergj met in Boston in December 2021, though their story almost never happened. They spotted each other across the bar at Committee in the Seaport, but Gjergj wasn’t feeling well and left before they could meet. Not wanting to let the chance slip away, Taryn tracked down one of his friends, found his Instagram, and slid into his DMs. “The rest is history,” they say. Their first date was unlike anything either of them had experienced: they skipped the small talk and spent hours talking about life, purpose, travel, family, and everything in between, and both left knowing this connection felt different. Months later, the distance came, first with Gjergj in Puerto Rico, then between St. Louis and Boston, and they made it work.
Location: Ibiza, Spain
Style: Mediterranean, Elegant, Timeless
Time of planning: 14 months
Number of guests:
Setting: Luxury cliffside resort
Season: Summer
Thanksgiving weekend in 2024, in Puerto Rico, where they’d had their third date, Gjergj proposed. “To infinity and beyond” is something they always say, and during the proposal, he spoke about infinity as the sum of nows. It led them to “to infinity and now,” the idea that without now, and the love you share and create in it, you cannot have infinity.
Because Gjergj is from Albania and Taryn is from Boston, they knew early on that the wedding would be a destination one. They chose Ibiza, “a place that perfectly reflected who we are as a couple: adventurous, vibrant, welcoming, and deeply connected to the people around us,” and OMI Creative was there to capture and create content of the special moments along the way.
Their biggest wish for marriage is simple: “to continue choosing each other every day while building a life filled with family, travel, laughter, lifelong friendships, and meaningful experiences.”
What was the inspiration behind your wedding?
Rather than choosing a specific theme, we wanted our guests to feel as though they had been invited to spend a weekend at someone’s beautiful Mediterranean home. Our vision centered on effortless European elegance- nothing overly formal or trendy, but warm, welcoming, and intentionally designed.
Ibiza felt like the perfect reflection of us. It combined incredible food, breathtaking scenery, world-class hospitality, and the relaxed atmosphere we wanted our guests to experience throughout the weekend. Every event was intentionally different.
The wedding featured romantic white florals accented with greens, letting the dramatic cliffs and Mediterranean Sea remain the focal point. We wanted the design to feel timeless rather than trendy so that the photographs would remain beautiful decades from now.
More than anything, our goal was for every guest to feel included, celebrated, and immersed in an unforgettable experience rather than simply attending a wedding. We also knew that we were combining multiple cultures into one experience and therefore, we selected an officiant who was able to do a bilingual ceremony. We then had portions of the weekend with traditional Albanian music/dancing. We also wore traditional Albanian wedding looks to enter our party after the dinner as a way to show our love for Gjergj’s Albanian heritage as well.
Could You Walk Us Through Your Wedding Looks?
My wedding gown was a custom Galia Lahav design that felt instantly like me, elegant, romantic, and dramatic without feeling overdone. One of the most meaningful pieces I wore was my grandmother’s 1955 French lace veil, which connected generations of women in my family and became my “something old.”
I paired the gown with Amina Muaddi heels, soft Hollywood-inspired waves by Alfonso, natural glowing makeup by Lauren Buckley, and a classic bouquet of white roses and orchids with interspersed greens. With the passing of my dad, I added a ladybug charm to my bouquet as a representation of him.
Throughout the weekend, I changed into several different looks, each reflecting a different celebration, from modern bridal fashion to traditional Albanian attire honoring my husband’s heritage.
Gjergj wore a custom tuxedo by Jonas & Cie Paris, paired with Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver. As he got ready with his closest friends, the excitement steadily replaced the nerves. Walking down the stone path with his mother toward the cliffside amphitheater overlooking the Mediterranean, he was struck by the breathtaking view, the energy of their family and friends, and the realization that this moment had finally arrived.
Could You Tell Us About The Ceremony?
Our ceremony took place in the cliffside amphitheater at Hacienda Na Xamena, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. From the beginning, we knew we wanted the ceremony to feel intimate, personal, and inclusive. A celebration of two families, two cultures, and the people who had shaped our lives.
Walking down the aisle, I chose to walk alone, as there was no one else who could take my dad’s place at that moment. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude. I felt beyond loved throughout the weekend and still cannot stop thinking about how incredible the weekend was.
We chose a bilingual ceremony so every guest could fully experience the moment, regardless of language. Throughout the ceremony, we honored both of our fathers, who had passed away, while celebrating the joy of beginning this new chapter surrounded by everyone we love.
As the ceremony came to an end, we felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Looking around and seeing so many people who had traveled from around the world to celebrate with us was incredibly moving. Many guests later told us it felt less like attending a wedding and more like being welcomed into an unforgettable experience shared with family.
What Details Made The Reception Special?
The reception took place at Hacienda Na Xamena in Ibiza. Event Stylist Ibiza handled the flowers and décor, and we kept it clean and simple in white and green. The venue is beautiful, and the florals added to it without distracting from the space. Our signature cocktails were a “G&T,” a gin and tonic, and an Aperol Spritz. For music, we had Ibiza String Ensemble during the ceremony, a Spanish guitarist at dinner, and DJ Tom Grimes with Kique Albelda on saxophone for the party. Our first dance was to “Anyone” by Justin Bieber, and our cake was a simple vanilla cake topped with berries.
We entered to traditional Albanian music, and Gjergj and the men in his family performed a traditional Albanian dance. After changing out of our Albanian dresses, we danced a choreographed salsa to “Vivir Mi Vida” to show our love of dancing.
What Made The Day Unique?
What made our wedding unique was how intentionally it reflected who we are. Rather than creating a traditional destination wedding, we wanted to create a three-day experience where every guest felt welcomed, connected, and part of our story.
We also celebrated both of our cultures throughout the weekend. Our bilingual ceremony, traditional Albanian music, custom Albanian wedding attire, and Albanian dance performance were seamlessly woven together with the relaxed elegance of Ibiza. Small personal touches, from handwritten notes to carefully curated guest experiences, made everyone feel seen and appreciated.
"Dear G&T, what an unforgettable three days. Everything was beautiful, everything was delicious, everything was simply magical, even the dolphins came to celebrate your happiness. We were deeply touched by the care, attention, kindness and generosity you put into every detail. It was absolutely fabulous, and we leave with our hearts full of your joy and love, forever grateful to have shared this moment with you."
Advice from the couple:
• Design your wedding around how you want people to feel, not simply how you want it to look.
The flowers, décor, and details matter, but years from now, your guests will remember how welcomed they felt, the conversations they had, the people they met, and the memories they created.
• Stay true to yourselves, make intentional choices, and don’t be afraid to incorporate your personalities, traditions, and cultures.
