Before Nikki Mitchell and Andy Nechtem were engaged, Nikki visited the Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown with her now-sister-in-law. She took in the sweeping front lawn, gardens, and nineteenth-century whaling captain’s home and decided it would be the perfect spot for a wedding. “I’m going to get married here some day,” she announced. A year later, Andy asked Nikki to marry him. They began planning the very next day, an easy task as they already had a vision for their wedding.
“Frankly, there wasn’t a choice,” Andy said of where they would become husband and wife. The couple, who had been dating for nine years and lives in Tampa, Florida, with their dog Tucker, had made it a tradition to vacation each year on the Vineyard. “It’s just our favorite place in the world,” Nikki said.
They booked the Dr. Daniel Fisher House for their reception and the adjacent Old Whaling Church for their ceremony, then enlisted the help of Joanne Viaud, Nikki’s godmother, to serve as their wedding planner. “We wanted it to be really just classic,” said Nikki. That meant crisp linens, white and gold accents, white flowers with little pops of greenery. Joanne even draped the tent in large silk panels to create a soft, elegant feel.
“A lot of people put a ton of effort into [the wedding],” Andy said. But in particular they give thanks to their planner Joanne, and to Andy’s mom, Lynne Nechtem, who oversaw the design and execution of 120 gift bags for all of the guests. “She was such a key part in planning,” Nikki said of her mother-in-law.
After exchanging vows at the Old Whaling Church, the couple and their guests migrated next door for a cocktail hour, followed by dinner prepared by Buckley’s Gourmet Catering. Cakes by Liz provided desserts, including gluten-free cupcakes and a chocolate chip cookie cake. Then they danced the night away to the Boston-based band PK and the Mighty Seven.
Looking back, one of Nikki and Andy’s favorite parts leading up to their wedding was when they began to see their guests arrive on the Island, 90 percent of whom were visiting for the first time. “We were walking on the Main Street in Edgartown, and we started to see people we knew and it was just really cool,” Andy said. “Seeing all of your friends having congregated in your favor, it was pretty special.”
“It was all for us,” echoed Nikki.
Details
Ceremony: Old Whaling Church
Reception: Dr. Daniel Fisher House
Photographer: Christine Sargologos
Wedding Planner: Timeless Events by Joanne
Videographer: Megan Costello
Caterer: Buckley’s Gourmet Catering
Cake: Cakes by Liz
Flowers: Morrice Florist
Music: PK and the Mighty Seven
Tent + Party Supplies: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals + Tilton Tents and Party Rentals
Transportation: Vineyard Coach & Concierge
Hair + Makeup: Style with Starr
Accommodations: Kelley House
Rehearsal Dinner: Lola’s (now Nomans)
Honeymoon: Greece
Their Best Advice: Trust your vendors. “When you plan a wedding on the Vineyard, all of the vendors you deal with, they have done it before…and everyone kind of recommends another person for you.”
