Martha's Vineyard Wedding Venues

I really didn't think that I would get stressed out during the wedding planning process since I am pretty laid back but this past month has been trying. The source of the stress has been our search for a venue. Originally I envisioned renting a tent to have our reception under at a beautiful house right on the water. Those locations are hard if not impossible to come by (unless you have a close personal friend with a mansion on the ocean - which we don't). After calling essentially every real estate company on island and hearing the same response: "We don't have any clients that are willing to rent for a wedding", I decided that maybe we need to explore some other options. So then I came up with the bright idea of a barn wedding.

Mike and I are very outdoorsy (if it were up to him we would be getting married at a small chapel in the White Mountains) so we got really excited about the idea of a rustic fall wedding. First thought was the Ag Hall...which was already booked for 2011 (they are limited to 6 weddings per year and had already reached their 2011 quota by June 2010). So that was a little heartbreaking. We also looked at the Old Ag Hall (the Grange Hall) but the party has to be over by 8:30 and no amplified music (no speakers or mics allowed?!) so that was also a no go. We found a gorgeous house with a barn for rent in Vineyard Haven (behind Whippoorwill Farm) but my budget didn't allow for $12k for an empty venue (almost empty actually - we would have to put dividers up to hide the large workshop machinery). We looked at so many places over the past month that Mike and I were starting to lose hope that we would ever find a place! Here is a short and sweet summary of the places we looked:

Vineyard Haven Yacht Club

PROS: Gorgeous with lots of space for people to get away from the party (decks and other lounging rooms) and of course it is right on the water.

CONS: The actual space for the reception is tiny. I would say it could accommodate 60-70 people with a dance floor. However if you are willing to put dinner tables out on the deck it could handle more (we aren't willing to do this since we're having an October wedding and the weather is too unpredictable). Also you must have a member sponsor you.

The Tower House

PROS: Breathtaking views of Chilmark Pond and the Atlantic Ocean. Also the rental comes with a gorgeous old house and guest house so approximately 10-15 people can stay right at the reception site. Picture above is updated from my sister's wedding!

CONS: Those incredible views come with a price - the house is on top of a hill which I am guessing will be very cold when the October winds blow. You must rent port-a-potties for your guests (and you) to use. Also it is right on the Chilmark/Aquinnah line so its pretty far up island; it will probably take 20+ minutes to get from the ceremony in VH or OB to this location. Transportation costs will be high!

PRICING: $6,500 in total. About $5,000 for the weekly rental of the property plus a $1,500 event fee. The weekly rental is substantially higher during the summer months (we were quoted for the off-season). This venue also requires you to rent everything needed to actually have the party.

Captain Flanders

PROS: Feels like you are in the country with views of a horse pasture and pond. There is plenty of room for family and friends to stay right on the premises in their 8+ bedrooms in the main house and guest houses.

CONS: You cannot use the kitchen onsite and the innkeeper is onsite 24/7 so even if you rent out the entire compound you won't get complete privacy like you would when renting a personal residence. Also this location is also up-island so its a bit of a ride for your guests.
PRICING: About $3,000 to rent all of the rooms (6 units in total) plus a $1,750 grounds fee to use the grounds for your event. This venue also requires you to rent everything needed to actually have the party.

Agricultural Hall

PROS: A real rustic inspired location that is probably best for large weddings. I would say this venue could accommodate up to 250 guests and a dance floor and band! There are beautiful barns on the property that make for a beautiful backdrop for photos.

CONS: Like I mentioned earlier the MV Agricultural Society limits the number of weddings per calendar year to 6 so book early! Also the party ends at 9:30.
PRICING: $3,500 for rental of the space.

MV Sailing Camp Park

PROS: This is an old Girl Scout camp that has been converted into a rental hall (my Grandmother stayed here as a young girl scout back in the 40's). The post and beam hall is beautifully rustic with an impressive fireplace at one end and a hidden full catering kitchen at the other. Restrooms are currently being renovated but the ones we saw looking fine to me. This venue is in Oak Bluffs off of Barnes Road so your party can last longer (11:00 curfew) and it is easier for guests to get too as opposed to up-island locations. The hall looks out onto the lagoon and I have heard that may couples have their ceremony out there. The manager is more than helpful and really seems to take an interest in making your day extra special. We will more likely than not have our rehearsal dinner here.

CONS: The hall is a bit on the small side and 100 plus a dance floor and band would be a tight fit (you'd probably have to go angled banquet tables like in the pic above). Also, the back of the hall (lagoon side) is not very well landscaped. My mom asked the manager if they would be willing to clean it up a bit and he responded "No, we're going for the rustic look" but empty water bottles and wrappers aren't very rustic to me....
PRICING: $1,750 for a Saturday night rental.

Farm Neck Golf Course

PROS: Farm Neck is a beautiful golf course in Oak Bluffs. If you want a country club wedding this is the place to have it. The cafe manager also serves as your wedding coordinator and she is very helpful and excited to be part of your special day. There is a beautiful covered deck that would be wonderful for a cocktail hour. The space that the tent covers has a brick floor so you don't have to worry about sinking heels. Also the restrooms are right off the tented area and they are as pretty as you would want a wash room to be. I think you get a round of golf included in your wedding package as well.

CONS: There is no waterview from the cafe and its a country club so essentially you could be on the mainland for all you and your guests would know. But like I said if you want a country club wedding on-island this is where you would do it.

East Chop Beach Club 

PROS: This venue is right on the water at what I consider to be the beginning on the East Chop on the Oak Bluffs side. This is the venue we choose and I've updated for pictures from our actual wedding! I fell in love with the mix of the rustic feel of the post and beam clubhouse with stone fireplace and the closeness of the water. Really this spot is a mix of exactly what we were looking for. Mike was slightly concerned about the size but we are having approximately 100 guests and have been assured that it will work (floor plans to come...) I never imagined that I would be an Oak Bluffs bride but I am very excited about it! The convenience for our guests is such a huge benefit; they will be able to walk off the ferry in OB, check into their hotel and walk to the ceremony (Our Lady Star of the Sea - fingers crossed) and then it will be a very brief shuttle to the ECBC. Plus I am sure at least a few people will just come for the day and it is a short stroll from the ferry. Back to the pros: the decks provide a lovely setting for cocktail hour and you couldn't be closer to the water. The restrooms are adorable (and inside!). There is a balcony of sorts that the DJ can work out of so you don't have to see him/her at all which leaves more space for dancing!

CONS: It is on the small side. Like I mentioned before we are having about 100 guests and will have to utilize the front deck for 3 dinner tables (will be enclosed with a tent). Also you need a sponsor, lucky for us we know the manager and she offered to sponsor the event for us!
PRICING: $2,000 for a Saturday night rental.

So hopefully this info is helpful! We saw a lot of venues which proved to be very frustrating but eventually we found one that would provide the perfect backdrop for our dream wedding. So my advice is to not lose hope - your dream wedding is possible!!! On a side note we did not look at any venues in Edgartown because we knew it wasn't what we were looking for. Feel free to ask me any questions on the venues above or any others on-island as I did get some info on ones that are not listed here.