There was only one rule at Julia Marvel and Joe Cookson’s wedding: no shoes. The couple, who met when they were seventeen, were surrounded by an intimate group of family and friends when they tied the knot on Philbin Beach in Aquinnah.
Choosing Martha’s Vineyard as their wedding location came naturally. Julia’s father spent his childhood summers on the Island and proposed to her mother on Prospect Hill in Chilmark. Her parents rented the same house in Aquinnah for two weeks every summer and Joe eventually joined them, spending hours with Julia walking the beach and collecting sea glass. After years of difficult events in their lives, including the sudden passing of her father, Julia and Joe decided that their perfect wedding day would feature an intimate ceremony on the beach that held so many memories.
The couple created their day with the help of family, a few friends, and a handful of vendors. The weekend celebration started with a rehearsal dinner clambake at a private home catered by Spring Sheldon. The dinner began with an “oyster toast” to honor Julia’s late father.
Julia’s bridesmaids wore blue and green dresses to match the warm summer coastal vibe of the wedding. Bouquets from Tea Lane Farm in Chilmark reflected the casual elegance of the day. A family friend created the natural atmosphere Julia wanted, arranging driftwood and seasonal flowers in whites and greens alongside the rocks where the guests stood – barefoot, of course.
Following the ceremony, the group celebrated with a dinner at the Outermost Inn in Aquinnah. Aware of the unpredictable summer weather, they secured a tent and dance floor from Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals and danced to a playlist Joe had created. The evening ended with a cake from The Black Dog Bakery Café in Vineyard Haven that was strictly off-menu; the bakers created a version of the couple’s favorite flavor, Funfetti.
Julia and Joe experienced two notable “only-on-the-Vineyard” moments during their planning process. The first occurred when they came to get their marriage license. They couldn’t get a car reservation and decided to rely on taxis.
After an up-Island beach walk, Julia and Joe realized there was no cell service and had to hitchhike to the Aquinnah Town Hall.
The other moment was from the morning of their wedding. Joe had designed a ring incorporating a piece of blue sea glass the couple had found on the beach. He gave it to Julia, making it her “something blue.”
Details
Wedding Date: July 21, 2023
Ceremony: Philbin Beach
Reception: Outermost Inn
Photographer: David Welch
Second Photographer: Luke DiOrio
Bouquets + Ceremony Flowers: Tea Lane Farm
Reception Flowers: Tablescapes by ML
Tent + Party Supplies: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals
Caterer: Outermost Inn
Hair + Makeup: The Bridal Studio & Spa
Cake: The Black Dog Bakery Café
Rehearsal Dinner Caterer: Spring Sheldon
The print edition of this article incorrectly identified the flower vendor. Tablescapes by ML provided all the flower arrangements at the tent, not Tea Lane Farm. We apologize for the error.
