marthas vineyard wedding Archives - Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites

Your wedding weekend on Martha’s Vineyard comes with more than rings and vows — you and your guests have the whole wide island to explore. At the same time, we know you’ll be extremely busy before and after tying the knot, what with makeup, photos, and making it on time to your wedding venue. That’s why we’ve come up with this sample wedding weekend itinerary for guests — feel free to include what you see fit as part of a welcome package or guide to the island.

Our Wedding Weekend Itinerary

Friday: Arrive and See the Island

Depending on what time folks arrive, Wedding Weekend Day One can be full of adventure or just a time to crash and relax. Just because we have island tunnel-vision, we’ll err on the side of a pretty full day of island living:
• The closest beach to downtown Edgartown is Lighthouse Beach. Stroll northeast on North Water Street for about seven minutes, and there, you’ll see Edgartown Lighthouse to your right at the end of a sandy pathway. It’s a great place to set up shop for a lazy afternoon.
• For those who want to get out and stretch their legs after traveling, the gently sloping trails at the Caroline Tuthill Preserve offer stunning ocean views and natural scenery.
• Thirsty? Catch up over Martha’s Vineyard craft beers or grab an artisanal cocktail at Alchemy. If you’re ready to roam, here are six more Edgartown nightlife hotspots.

Cocktail at Chesca's Restaurant — Another great spot for food and drink: Chesca’s

Saturday: Get Ready on Island Time

Saturday morning doesn’t have to be a big rush just because Saturday night’s the big night — there’s plenty to do without straying too far from your hotel room.
• Start your day at the authentic locals’ diner: Dock St. Coffee Shop.
• Walk around downtown Edgartown. Memorial Wharf is a prime spot for pre-wedding selfies, and you’ll find plenty of boutique shops and galleries to peruse nearby. See our guide for more Edgartown shopping options.
• Saturday also makes a great spa day if you’re so inclined. We recommend Sea Spa Salon for wedding weekend treatments and plenty of primping.

Sunday Morning: More than Goodbye

Guests who spend their wedding weekend as part of a Vineyard Square room block are entitled to an upscale continental breakfast with homemade pastries and other treats in the breakfast nook just behind our lobby. We also have a small function room down the hall for some extra seating in private. Weather permitting, however, the best place to gather is on the patio.

One of our favorite things we’ve seen newlywed couples do recently is plan some small activity for the whole group to do together before departing. For some, it’s a walk down to the wharf led by the bride and groom. For others, it’s making sure the whole group books the same ferry back to Woods Hole. If you’re scrambling for one last-minute group photo, we’re more than happy to hop out from behind the front desk and click the shutter. Here’s a many magical wedding weekends on the island!

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We’ve heard our fair share of stories from brides who had been dreaming of a Martha’s Vineyard wedding long before they even met their husbands. As the world around us changes, the island remains a constant in family vacation traditions, its natural surroundings lending themselves well to life’s most memorable milestones. Whether you’ve imagined tying the knot here since childhood or you’re just starting to think about a Martha’s Vineyard wedding, these five favorite venues each offer a storybook setting for your special day.

Old Whaling Church & Dr. Daniel Fisher House – Edgartown

Located right on Main Street, Old Whaling Church takes transportation out of the planning process — it’s a convenient walk from some of the best Edgartown lodging options. The building’s Greek Revival architecture dates back to 1843, when it was established as a house of worship for whaling crews based on the island. Simple white paint and geometric shapes inside and out create a blank canvas for a ceremony as formal or whimsical as you like.

The church shares a lawn with the Dr. Daniel Fisher house, whose beautiful indoor galleries are a great choice for an intimate reception. The terrace and lawn outdoors can be configured in a variety of arrangements, with upscale local tent rentals available to match your style.

Sailing Camp Park – Oak Bluffs

With a perfect combination of indoor and outdoor options, Sailing Camp Park overlooks Lagoon Pond and Vineyard Haven Harbor from atop a bluff. Most couples plan their ceremonies for the waterside edge of the lawn, with the fieldstone fireplace inside as an all-weather backup. The full industrial kitchen is well equipped for catering operations, and wall-to-wall hardwood floors allow all kinds of seating and dancing arrangements under the timber vaulted ceiling.

Allen Farm – Chilmark

This gorgeous stretch of land on the island’s southwest coast is a part-time Vineyard wedding venue and a full-time working family farm. It’s popular with couples interested in sourcing local food, and the views of Chilmark Pond and the Atlantic Ocean are unparalleled. Simple ceremonies down by the pond leave the decorating to Mother Nature, with space for large receptions available up the hill.

The Agricultural Hall – West Tisbury

The “New Ag Hall” is actually a century-old post-and-beam barn that was rebuilt in West Tisbury in 1993. Its rustic charm lets the natural surroundings and the soul of your party shine through, and it can accommodate over 300 people for a seated dinner. This Martha’s Vineyard wedding venue is extremely popular and only hosts a limited number of events, so we recommend planning exceptionally far in advance.

Edgartown Lighthouse – Edgartown

Simple, white, and postcard-ready, the Edgartown Lighthouse makes a historic backdrop for a timeless wedding. Beach sand and sea grass surround the beacon, fading into the water just steps away. Wedding parties can reserve the lighthouse itself, though the beach is public and can’t be closed off for private functions.

Martha’s Vineyard weddings can range in size from a few people to a few thousand, and from simple to unbelievably extravagant. Go ahead and let your imagination run wild — chances are, there’s a way to make your dream wedding come true on the island. All of the venues are within easy driving distance of each other, so you can visit as many as you like in one planning trip. That convenience extends to the big day itself, too — guests will love the central location of our Edgartown hotel.