When Ashley Miller and Abbey Winkelman began to plan their Martha’s Vineyard wedding, they knew they wanted to honor family traditions and bring their most important people together on the Island that they love.
Abbey, whose family has a cottage on East Chop in Oak Bluffs, spent summers on the Vineyard as a child. Ashley, who grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts, had come to the Island in high school for softball games. But she didn’t start visiting regularly until after the pair started dating.
For their fall wedding, the East Chop Beach Club was a natural fit for their venue. Abbey’s great-uncle “Wink” is a lifelong member, and the couple had spent many a beach day there with him, drinking coffee frappes and doing the Sunday crossword. For the vibe of the day, which the couple planned themselves with the help of friend and day-of coordinator Caili La Rocca, Abbey and Ashley leaned into the seaside setting, adding to the club’s natural beauty with bright, seasonal blooms from Tea Lane Farm alongside soft, coastal tones and green accents.
Family members helped put everything together in the days leading up to the wedding, including making the welcome sign and raking seaweed on the beach where the two would exchange their vows. “By the time that everyone actually convened for the wedding, everyone felt so much more invested in it,” Abbey said.
Since they love coffee so much, they made sure to incorporate it throughout the day. One signature drink was an espresso martini, and tiramisu and freshly brewed beverages from Chilmark Coffee Co. were served for dessert. Bags of Chilmark Coffee Co. beans were given out as favors.
During the reception, their videographer recorded testimonials from guests, disposable cameras were passed around for everyone to capture the night, and a QR code allowed guests to upload photos they took as the night went on. As intended, the love of family and its traditions were felt in various aspects of the day: Abbey got ready at her family’s East Chop cottage, a shotski (a ski with multiple shot glasses attached for numerous people to use at once) was put to good use, and a personalized rendition of ABBA’s “Super Trouper” was performed.
Sharing the Island they cherished with loved ones was a highlight of the weekend too. “To hear and see our people have their own experiences...and tell us about them...that was not something I was expecting,” said Ashley. “But it was awesome to hear and see and feel that from them.”
Details
Wedding Date: October 5, 2024
Ceremony + Reception: East Chop Beach Club
Photographer: Sam Brooks
Wedding Planner: DIY
Day-Of Coordinator: Caili La Rocca
Flowers: Tea Lane Farm
Party Supplies: Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals
Caterer + Cake + Dessert: Scottish Bakehouse
Hair: Christine Simpson
Makeup: Cinnamon White
Music: DJ Dern
Videographer: Moon Blossom Weddings
Stationery + Signage: DIY + Etsy
Bridal Party Gifts: Stefanie Wolf Designs
Guest Favors: Chilmark Coffee Co.
Welcome Party Caterers: Back Door Donuts + Clambulance + Scottish Bakehouse
