Toasts have been given, dinner has been served, and the cake has been cut. Guests and the couple have been dancing the night away, and the after-party will soon begin – but first, caffeine. Sure, you can have a serve-yourself carafe of hot coffee next to the dessert table, but why not give the traditional after-dinner coffee service a more elevated feel?
Two Island businesses offer couples a distinctive way to set their wedding reception apart with their mobile cafés. Andrea’s Brew MV, owned by Andrea de Landero, and Martha’s Vineyard Coffee Co., owned by Leif Iversen, both know that even coffee can make a lasting impression.
“You always see the alcohol bar and the dessert station [at a wedding],” said de Landero, who started her business in 2025. “I thought coffee would be something amazing for these events.”
So de Landero asked her partner, a carpenter, to build a café cart to be the perfect accompaniment for a reception, as well as other auxiliary wedding events. It’s four feet long, just a bit over two feet wide, and equipped with an espresso machine, grinder, and kettle. “The cart is like a tiny coffee shop you can take anywhere,” de Landero said. “It looks nice outside and can [even] be set up in a living room.”
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As for the coffee, she uses a variety of brews, including from local business East to West Coffee, and other companies, some as far away as Mexico, where the kernel of the idea for her business originated about six years ago when she was visiting the country.
Iversen, who grew up on the Island, was likewise traveling in Costa Rica when he became intrigued by the idea of coffee as a business. In 2021, he founded Martha’s Vineyard Coffee Co., and the following year created a mobile espresso cart, which breaks down like puzzle pieces. It has its own power and water supply, an Italian La Marzocco espresso machine, and a German Mahlkönig grinder. His fleet also includes a Japanese mini truck with taps for kegs, which he can fill with coffee, tea, or other beverages.
Couples interested in hiring either mobile coffee company must first complete a questionnaire on their websites with details including time, venue, event type, setup location (indoors or outside), and guest count. From there, they can arrange a tasting to try out some options if they wish before receiving a quote based on their selections.
“I offer choices for syrups, types of milk, and specialty coffees,” explained de Landero, who makes all the blends for her teas and golden milk chai. This year, she is excited to highlight one of her new favorite drinks – cacao. “That hasn’t had much exposure, and it’s incredibly delicious. It’s not like hot chocolate, nor is it a sweet beverage,” she said. With the product, she can make lattes and cappuccinos. “I like to add flavors like cardamom, orange peel, and cayenne, with a little bit of honey. It’s incredible.”
Iversen offers espresso drinks, such as cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, making them one at a time using his Italian espresso machine. He also has a tea menu that includes nutrient-dense green matcha. “Everything is ground, made, and poured on site,” Iversen noted.
And much like signature cocktails selected by the couple to highlight their favorite drinks for the night, Iversen and de Landero enjoy crafting something extra special for the bride and groom. Iversen will use coffee linked to one of their heritages if requested, while de Landero will craft a signature drink. “If the bride has a favorite coffee flavor or a specific milk she prefers, or if the groom likes cortados, I’ll focus on that drink,” she said.
On the day of the wedding, Iversen and de Landero set up their area before the festivities begin. De Landero outfits her cart with an umbrella and flowers to match the wedding’s style if the couple wishes. “Of course, we can customize it further for additional pricing,” she said. Iversen can add unique touches to his setup as well, including decorating it with seasonal flowers and signage that can say something special to the happy pair.
Both Iversen and de Landero often operate their carts themselves for the evening. It’s an aspect that Iversen looks forward to. “There’s a social component as well, with people lingering around the coffee bar,” he said. “They enjoy talking to me and learning about the Island from a local.”
And the coffee experience doesn’t have to end with the wedding either. Couples often have Iversen create gift-sized coffee bags for guests as favors, which can be personalized with their favorite blend and label. Every sip from their cup each morning will bring memories of the night they celebrated with you.
For more information about Andrea’s Brew MV and Martha’s Vineyard Coffee Co., visit andreasbrewmv.com and marthasvineyardcoffeeco.com.
