Foggy Martha’s Vineyard Wedding Overlooking Gay Head Cliffs

May can be one of the prettiest months for a wedding on Martha’s Vineyard. But this day was different.

The fog made it almost impossible to see Chris & Steph’s Martha’s Vineyard wedding.

Flowers are in bloom, but the air is still chilly, being surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the island will stay cooler than the rest of the country for a few months before warming up.

Getting ready for the wedding at Daniel Fisher House & Gardens

They were pampered and prepped by the hair and make-up team as Steph and her bridesmaids danced the morning away.

The idyllic porch at Daniel Fisher House was the perfect spot for Steph to reveal her vintage-style dress to her bridesmaids, and shortly thereafter, the first look with her dad.

Her first look with Chris, she saved for the gardens.

She told us that even though she knew a lot of people were watching them, it was as if they were the only two people who existed the moment they first saw each other.

Wedding ceremony at the historic Old Whaling Church on Martha’s Vineyard

White urns overflowing with wedding blooms (later they would be repurposed after ceremony for the tent entrance at Vanderhoop Homestead).

Just before the ceremony started, the officiant announced that Chris and Steph wanted an unplugged ceremony prior to the processional so that the guests could be fully present with them. This served a dual purpose as it allowed us and the professional photographers to have unobstructed views of them.

Steph was emotional as she was escorted to the altar by her father to Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis.

As their nuptials unfolded, the Dukes of Martha’s Vineyard played a live cinematic accompaniment of strings and piano during their vows.

After being pronounced that they were now married, the couple were scooped up by a vintage 1940’s Oldsmobile and taken to Vanderhoop Homestead—the location of the breathtaking Aquinnah cliffs.

Wedding Reception held a glass ceiling tent at Vanderhoop Homestead in Aquinnah

The dense fog was beautiful and almost otherworldly.

Upon arriving at the Aquinnah Cliffs, it looked like they were having their wedding at the foggy moors of Scotland instead of the sunny shores of Martha’s Vineyard.

Just as Sean and I were packing up for the evening, the skies broke. As the sun poured through the clouds, a breathtaking view of the beach and cliffs was revealed as the fog simply disappeared. We quickly unpacked, grabbed the drone for one final flight to capture one of the most spectacular sights. It was the perfect wedding gift from Nature to Steph and Chris on their wedding day.

Why Martha’s Vineyard is close to both of their hearts

There was an extra special reason

Chris’ brother has been attending Camp Jabberwocky for over a decade and it’s such a special place for Chris’ family.

For over the past ten years, Chris’ brother has attended Camp Jabberwocky. In addition to creating deep roots on Martha’s Vineyard, the camp created a sense of belonging to the entire island.

Being invited into that world with them was incredibly special for Stephanie. She felt like an official member of his family on Martha’s Vineyard and as a result, their favorite place became her favorite.

Why they chose to have their wedding reception at Vanderhoop Homestead on Martha’s Vineyard

It was an immediate connection to family

The first time Steph visited the Vineyard, Chris was working at Camp Jabberwocky and Steph had to spend the whole day alone with Chris’ parents (only her second time meeting them) and they drove her out to Aquinnah to see the cliffs and the lighthouse for the first time.

When Steph visited the Vineyard for the first time, Chris was working at Camp Jabberwocky. And she had to spend the whole day alone with Chris’ parents (which, btw, was only her SECOND time meeting with them). It was his parents who drove her to Aquinnah to see the cliffs and the lighthouse.

This one-on-one with them turned out to be very special and memorable for Steph.

And so it made sense that, when Chris proposed to her during the pandemic, this is where they would officially make their family whole.

Their Martha’s Vineyard wedding color scheme and theme was not the typical dusty blue, green, and white island colors

Steph went with a striking black and white with gold accents and subtle celestial touches

Although a theme was not originally intended to be celestially inspired, both the Save-the-Dates and Invitations were designed by the bride and have a heavenly elements.

This theme subtly flowed through the wedding.

Wedding Party Attire

Bridesmaids were encouraged to wear long black outfits of their choosing with each bridesmaid selecting a different style they feel most confident in.

Groomsmen will be wearing black tuxes with black bowties and cummerbunds. The groom will match the groomsmen with the exception of a white jacket and black lapel.

Wedding Floral Profile—whites, blacks, greens with lots of texture

Classic crisp look of elegant whites with pops of black using anemones, peonies, garden roses, snap dragons, lisianthus, black roses, privet berry, black scabiosa, greens and textures, hydrangeas, ranunculus, dahlias and other beautiful elegant white blooms.

Why they wanted a wedding film

Steph loves wedding films—so much so that she wore out the VHS tape of their parents’ wedding.

Her parents’ wedding video still ranks as her all-time favorite.

Steph always knew she would get a wedding film because of this. But, Chris was more hesitant mainly as neither one of them just don’t particularly enjoy pictures or videos of themselves.

What Steph loves about her parents’ wedding film is that it allowed her to revisit the moments that were responsible for so much of her BEFORE she even existed.

And now she can’t wait to share these same moments with her own future kids and hope they love her film just as much for all the same reasons.

What Steph and Chris said about their experience with us

First, if you’re remotely considering videography for your wedding day, do it!

And then if you find yourself lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with Cindy and Sean, DO IT!

Organized, detail-oriented, professional, great communicators, and truly put us at ease

From our first interaction to our final film delivery Cindy and Sean were organized, detail-oriented, professional, great communicators, and truly put us at ease – which is so difficult to do in the chaotic and stressful environment of wedding planning (in a pandemic no less) and even more difficult to do when working with a Type-A bride.

Aside from the “business” of it all which they execute so well, Cindy and Sean understood the nuances of how important wedding films are to me personally and gosh did they deliver.

I’m still baffled at how they were able to capture two notoriously camera shy and awkward individuals

I’m still baffled at how they were able to capture two notoriously camera shy and awkward individuals so authentically. I almost can’t believe it’s really us on film because we are certainly not a couple that feels any type of comfort being the center of attention (which is quite an obstacle to overcome when you have a hundred people attend a party to honor your commitment to each other).

But so much credit goes to the ones behind the camera and the environment they create that allows us to be fully present in the moment and essentially forget that they exist. (Although, we could never forget they exist because we love them so much!)

Capturing moments as they unfold with such a quiet elegance

Cindy and Sean (and Dakota!) have a way of capturing moments as they unfold with such a quiet elegance and while their stunning work speaks for itself, I’m more than happy to speak about Cindy and Sean and how they are exactly the type of people you’d want to surround yourself with on such an important and often times overwhelming day – they are patient, calming, funny and trustworthy.

I am thrilled we decided to put our trust in this team and we now have the most beautiful piece of history, a time capsule, to relive what was undoubtedly our best and favorite day so far.

Again, if you’re even considering videography, I urge you to factor it into your budget and if you want the best team to blend into the background of your day and capture you and your loved ones fully and authentically, I couldn’t recommend Cindy and Sean more.

Steph and Chris, we’re honored to have been your Martha’s Vineyard wedding videographers at Vanderhoop Homestead.

Steph and Chris, thank you so much for letting us capture your best day ever. It was an honor being part of your love story and we hope your future children love your films as much as you loved your parents’. (As a bonus, we can promise they won’t ever be able to wear your copy out no matter how many times they watch it!)

Not only did we have a great time supporting you and capturing your wedding day memories—but we enjoyed all the time spent getting to know you as individuals leading up to your big day. I know I you joke about being a Type A bride, but I for one cherish your organization and enthusiasm for spreadsheets and color coding.

Sean and I hope your future finds you at The Lookout in Oaks Bluffs many times (with plenty of room leftover for dessert), and you continue to bank up your inside jokes that literally no one else will find funny except for the two of you. It’s part of what makes marriage so fun.

All the hugs!

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The vendors that made their wedding on Martha’s Vineyard possible

Alcohol, Drinking Water, & Ice Vendor: Island Cocktail Company

Band: The Dukes MV

Cake: Val Cakes Martha’s Vineyard

Catering (Food & Beverage): Buckley’s Gourmet Catering

Transportation For Guests: Resortman

Ceremony Venue: Old Whaling Church

Florals: Aubrey Maria Designs

Generator for Tent: Mark Forbus

Hair & Make-up: SB Beauty NYC

Officiant: My Vineyard Elopement

Planners: Plan It Martha’s Vineyard + Nantucket, Lead Event Coordinator Sara Townes

Photography: Larisa Stinga Photography

Photo VW: MV Photo Bus

Reception Venue: Vanderhoop Homestead

Rental Company: Big Sky Tent Rentals

Restroom Trailer: MV Photobus Trailer

Trash Removal: Bruno’s Rolloff

Videography: Harborview Studios

Vintage 1940 Oldsmobile For Bride & Groom: Bob Gothard 305-439-1383