Sydney Murray and Alex Makhotin are firm believers that things happen for a reason. The couple, who dated for four years before getting engaged, intended to have a black-tie wedding with 250 guests at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury in September of 2020. But when the pandemic hit, causing them to reconfigure their plans, they devised a new arrangement that better reflected who they are as a couple.
First, they decided to postpone the wedding to June of 2021 to keep most of their vendors on the books. But after some discussion, Sydney and Alex agreed they didn’t want to wait to get married. With the help of their wedding planner Doriana Klumick of Plan It Martha’s Vineyard, they opted to host an intimate ceremony in September at Sydney’s family’s home on East Chop.
On the day of her wedding, Sydney got ready in her childhood bedroom. In lieu of the formal dress she had originally ordered, she wore a white jumpsuit she found on Instagram. “I wanted to be a little edgy,” she said.
Their vows, exchanged between two large trees, was a highlight for Alex. “We did personal vows, which, combined with the backyard setting, really embodied the essence of our relationship – effortless love, laughter, and happiness at home,” he said. Afterward, a sit-down dinner on the porch was prepared by caterer Shane Tank of Premier Chef Services. A white and blue color palette played out on the tables (including in the menus designed by Alex) and in the flowers by Justin LaVigne of Of The Vine.
Nine months later, a pared-down list of friends and family came together to celebrate Sydney and Alex’s marriage. In the process of changing their wedding date, they lost their venue, but were able to secure Chickemmoo Farm in West Tisbury through a family friend. A Vineyard clambake, again prepared by caterer Tank, was served. Florist LaVigne was tapped a second time to create the centerpieces – this time with “bursts of color.”
After planning two celebrations far from their original vision, the couple agree that both outcomes made for better memories with their loved ones. “Looking back, [with] 250 people, I don’t know if we would have had the same type of intimate reactions with our closest friends and family,” said Sydney. “And to me, that was the absolute best part of it.”
Details
Date: September 5, 2020 + June 26, 2021
2020 Ceremony + Reception: Private Home
2021 Party: Chickemmoo Farm
Photographer: Christine Sargologos
Wedding Planner: Plan It Martha's Vineyard
Caterer: Premier Chef Services
Ceremony Music: Rhett Price – Hip Hop Violinist
Party Music: Josh Vietti – Hip Hop Violinist + DJ Official
Flowers: Of The Vine
Party Rentals: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals
Hair + Makeup: Sea Spa Salon
Party Menus: Maidenwood Press
Party Consultant: SeaScape Design
Honeymoon: St. Barthélemy
Their Best Advice: “Don’t force it – let the Island create the magic.”
