In January of 2019, Kellyn Conklin and Justin Mercier were engaged while standing on a frosty balcony at an almost empty waterfront resort in Maine. Justin surprised Kellyn with the ring, knowing she was a little shy and wouldn’t want a flashy public proposal or a hidden photographer waiting to capture the moment. Their wedding in September ended up being much like their engagement: private and intimate, with a few surprises along the way.

The pair, who live in Edgartown, had originally planned to have a traditional wedding at the West Chop Club in Vineyard Haven. As the pandemic continued, they held on to hope, but eventually realized that they were the only September couple who hadn’t cancelled their plans at the venue. They decided it was time to adjust, and Island vendors, family, and friends rallied around them.

Justin’s longtime mentor and West Chop Club general manager Gary Baldino helped them secure private suites at the club to get ready for a very small ceremony on their original wedding date, attended by fewer than ten guests. When windy weather disrupted plans for exchanging vows at sea, they quickly pivoted again to get married in the airy West Chop Club casino building. Justin said the quality of the light there was one of his favorite parts of the day.

The bride and groom both love the color purple, and hints of lilac were incorporated throughout: in Justin’s tie, the bridesmaids’ dresses, and most of all in the decadent floral arrangements by Kellyn’s family friend Aubrey Sirois, owner of Aubrey Maria Designs. “She went above and beyond for us and really made it perfect,” Kellyn said.

After the ceremony, led by Pastor Sharon Eckhardt, formerly of the Federated Church in Edgartown, the family returned to the couple’s home for a catered meal by Buckley’s Gourmet Catering, dances, and a surprise toast from the best man and maid of honor. Sirois transformed their backyard deck into a fairy-tale banquet with outdoor heaters, string lights, candles, and purple flowers.

The couple plans to hold a large celebration next year with more family and friends, but they said they loved their wedding day. “We're a very close-knit family, so being able to do what we did, it felt right,” Justin said.

Details

Wedding Date: September 19, 2020
Ceremony: The West Chop Club
Reception: Private Home
Photographer: Mila Lowe
Caterer: Buckley’s Gourmet Catering
Cake: The Black Dog Cafe
Flowers: Aubrey Maria Designs + Donaroma’s
Music: Spotify playlist
Party Supplies: Tilton Tents and Party Rentals
Hair + Makeup: Sea Spa Salon
Wedding Attire: Lulus + Morilee
Rehearsal Dinner Caterer: The Square Rigger Restaurant
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