Emmy Masarik and Mike Yanez’s is a tale of two beach towns: Jersey Shore meets Katama.
When Emmy, an Asbury Park native, and Mike, a lifelong Katama summer resident, got engaged in March 2021, they embraced Emmy’s goal of having as typical a New Jersey a wedding as possible – but on the Vineyard.
“I wanted a vibrant, exploding-colors, dancing, disco-balls, beach wedding,” Emmy recalled with laughter. “I wanted it to be as not ‘traditional Vineyard’ as possible while also having very clear nods to the history of the Island and showing off the natural beauty it has to offer.”
Mike brought Vineyard traditions into the planning. “We chose the Old Whaling Church [in Edgartown] as our ceremony space because it had the perfect blend of traditional and modern touches,” he said. “It’s a building more than one hundred years old. It seemed special for us to stand together in a place where so much history has happened.”
The couple hired wedding planner KG Events & Design within two weeks of securing the church. With the couple’s vision board PowerPoint, KG’s Kristen Gosselin and Kim Scott acted quickly to book a house overlooking Katama Bay for a reception site and vendors for their May 21, 2022, wedding.
“We bought Kim a lot of coffees,” Emmy admitted of the fourteen-hour-long days they spent on only a few visits to meet with vendors. “We didn’t linger about making choices and I think that was a good way to do it,” Mike said. “We could trust the vendors to move forward with making it happen and we could go on with real life rather than having to go back for a lot of expensive visits.”
Emmy and Mike arrived at their reception and saw their Jersey Shore meets Vineyard dream come true. Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails from Asbury Park Distilling Co. at an outdoor bar emblazoned with the grinning face of Tillie, Asbury Park’s unofficial mascot. Inside the tent, Aubrey Maria Designs created arrangements of peonies and other seasonal flowers, as well as snapdragons – the bride’s sentimental nod to a flower she and her mother both love. Guests reveled to the couple’s favorite punk rock songs. Comfy couches provided resting spots for rare moments off the dance floor.
For couples planning a wedding, Mike and Emmy both agree that a tent reception is the way to go. “The outcome is so much more amazing,” Mike said. “Nothing could compare to having the space really be a reflection of the two of you in every single way.”
Details
Wedding Date: May 21, 2022
Ceremony: Old Whaling Church
Reception: Private Home
Photographer: Ashley Tilton
Wedding Planner: KG Events & Design
Officiant: Vicky Egan
Cocktail Hour: Dr. Daniel Fisher House
Flowers: Aubrey Maria Designs/Donaroma’s
Tent + Party Supplies: BBJ La Tavola + Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals + Kadeema Rentals
Caterer: V. Jaime Hamlin and Sons Catering & Party Design
Hair + Makeup: Beautini
Cake + Dessert: Val Cakes + Back Door Donuts
Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: Boston String Ensemble
Reception Music: Unique Sounds
Videographer: JPod Films
Live Wedding Painter: John Folley
Bridal Party Gifts: ChappyWrap
Transportation: Stagecoach Taxi
Calligraphy + Stationery + Signage: Mulberry & Elm
Portables: Dottie’s Potties
Tech Support: Event Power MV
Rehearsal Dinner: Alchemy
Welcome Reception: Town MV
Brunch Caterer: Black Sheep
