They gathered at libraries, schools, on the Main streets of towns and in backyards. They huddled on beach chairs, stood at the Aquinnah Cliffs, the Big Bridge and anywhere else that offered prime viewing spots.

And in Edgartown, a couple were married at town hall, the new bride and groom kissing right when the solar eclipse neared its peak at 3:20 p.m.

The moon began nibbling away at the sun just after 2 p.m., where on the Island the clear sunny skies of earlier in the day had turned a bit cloudy. But the viewing opportunities were still ample. Geno Courtney, seated bench-side at his usual spot outside of Scoops ice cream in Edgartown, borrowed a pair of eclipse glasses, took a quick look at about 2:20 p.m. and declared it satisfactory.

“Well, at least I can say I’ve seen it,” Mr. Courtney said, before returning his gaze to street level.

Tim Hall, a climate scientist with a PhD in physics, was a bit more expansive, standing outside Edgartown Books.

“We are about to witness our thermonuclear furnace being occluded by the moon,” he said.

Further up the street at town hall, eight-year old Robbie Stam described it slightly differently.

“It looks like a monster is munching on the sun,” he said.

Robbie was dressed in a suit, as part of the wedding party. His uncle Chris Stam was standing nearby waiting for his bride to be, Marina Solovykh, to walk over from the Old Whaling Church.

“It’s our seven-year anniversary from when we met,” Mr. Stam said of the couple’s decision to get married on eclipse day. “We decided a couple of months back to do it in a casual way today and then have a festive party later on.”

Family, friends, co-workers from Alchemy and best man, Rudy the dog, all gathered in the street to celebrate the newlyweds.

“He’s the one over there in the tongue and the tux,” Chris said, pointing to Rudy, who was wearing a tuxedo collar for the festivities.

The mood was festive at town hall, as it was all over the Island, with people lending eclipse glasses to those without, and all marveling as one at the solar phenomenon.

About 300 people gathered outside the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, setting up beach chairs and picnic blankets.

Laurel Redington, the museum’s director of programming and audience engagement, said the museum had purchased 100 glasses for the event, not realizing how many people would show up.

“It’s exciting that people are so interested in coming out as a community,” Ms. Redington said.

Vineyard Haven resident Nancy Weaver offered to share her glasses with passersby.

“It’s old fashion, no technology,” she said. “People just sitting around in nature, it’s lovely.”

While waiting for the eclipse to reach its peak, Del Araujo was slinging drinks at the new Aquila cafe offshoot at the museum. Special for the occasion: moon pies and sunrise mocktails.

About 50 people gathered at the Anchors, the senior center in Edgartown, for an outdoor viewing party. At the moment of full effect, those assembled began singing Happy Birthday to six-year-old Willow Keating who left school early to be with her mother Meris Keating, director of senior services at the council on aging.

At the Oak Bluffs library, they sang Shine on Harvest Moon to celebrate. Anna Sopp was there with her daughter.

“I wanted to enjoy the beautiful day with my daughter and try to see the eclipse because I haven’t seen one before,” she said.

Lee Ann Tavares was just happy to take it all in.

“I just love everything to do with the sky, the moon, the planets,” she said. “I didn’t want to miss it, and I’m waiting to see if the birds stop chirping.”

The animals for the most part seemed unfazed but the humans began shivering as the temperatures plunged when the sun faded. Sissy Biggers reported that the temperature dropped at least 15 degrees.

Rudy the best man dog did begin whimpering, but not because of the sun’s near disappearance. He had to remain across the street while Chris and Marina tied the knot atop the town hall. The wedding was officiated by town clerk Karen Medeiros.

In front of Alchemy restaurant, the couple’s co-workers cheered them on while keeping Rudy company. Later, there would be a dinner at the restaurant with Chris getting the night off from the kitchen.

“Oh, he’s the guest tonight,” exclaimed his co-workers.

After the vows, exchanging of rings and several kisses, the couple recreated the bride and groom kiss for Marina’s relatives watching from home in Russia via the phone.

“It’s unexpected what we did,” Marina acknowledged, while a photographer captured the moment. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience and we wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”

Addison Antonoff and Ethan Genter contributed to the story.

More pictures.