Five months before the Columbus Day weekend wedding they planned to hold in Edgartown, Brit Middleton and Drew McClellan got news no engaged couple wants to hear: their reception venue, which included the catering, was cancelling.

“I work in the film industry and so we gathered together for a production meeting, just like when you’re working on a movie,” Drew recalled. “We said, ’Alright, there’s been a huge wrench in the mix. But how do we recover?’ We came to see that now we could create whatever we wanted without a venue’s restrictions….We could make the experience bigger but also more intimate and personal.”

Brit and Drew, with their Los Angeles–based wedding planner Madison Eick of Events by T.E.G., began phase two of the planning process just after Memorial Day in 2021. That timeline would be an abbreviated one under any circumstances, and the Covid pandemic added additional hurdles. But, Brit noted, it was “a blessing” that their event was planned for a Sunday, a day less often used for weddings.

The venue came to them through unconventional means. “On a whim, I called Point B Realty because that’s the company my parents were renting a house through for when they would come for the wedding,” Brit said. “I asked the agent if they had any houses available for October 10 that would allow a wedding.” The ceremony and reception took place at a house with an open lawn and views of Katama Bay.

With the relief of having secured a venue, Brit and Drew thought of what elements from their shared Vineyard experiences would make the day special. Great food was a high priority. Some of Drew’s childhood memories could be found on the dessert table in the form of a doughnut tower and apple fritters from Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs. Relying on online reviews, they also selected Shane Tank of Premier Chef Services, who recruited Cottage City Oysters to do the raw bar.

For the flowers, Brit said, “I’m a big believer in picking the right person and getting out of their way so they can do their magic....I told [Origin Elsewhere Designs] I wanted a light and easy vibe, and they created flowers that brought everything together.”

Months after their wedding, Brit and Drew look forward to returning to the Island. “We now have this incredible memory of the Island that is part of our history and existence,” Brit reflected. “We have brand new memories as a result of the special time we had during our wedding.”

Details

Ceremony + Reception: Private Home
Photographer: David Welch
Wedding Planner: Events by T.E.G.
Flowers: Origin Elsewhere Designs + Morning Glory Farm
Tent + Party Supplies: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals
Caterers: Premier Chef Services + Cottage City Oysters
Hair + Makeup: Sea Spa Salon
Cake + Dessert: Cakes by Liz + Back Door Donuts
Music: Karina Constantinides + Music Management
Videographer: Nikklo Films
Transportation: ResortMan
Stationery: Events by T.E.G. + D&R Press
Wedding Dress: Cynthia Grafton-Holt
Libations: Jim’s Package Store
Photo Booth + Portables: MV PhotoBus
Tech Support: Event Power MV
Accommodations + Rehearsal Dinner: Harbor View Hotel