For Sarah Rivers, who has lived on Martha’s Vineyard her entire life, the abundance of options here for wedding venues makes the Island a special place. The one thing Ms. Rivers always knew, though, was that her wedding day would take place at a site where she and her husband could always return to remember the special day.

When her husband, Marques Rivers, popped the question last summer at the top of the Ferris wheel on opening night of the Agricultural Fair, she knew where the wedding would be.

“The fair is such a huge part of my life,” said Ms. Rivers, whose mother, Eleanor Neubert, has managed the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair for the past 30 years. “I’m there every day, all day, each year,” she added.

So for the Rivers the Ag Hall was an easy choice.

“It was actually Marques’ idea and he chose the Ag Hall because he really liked the feel of the place, but also because it’s such a big part of me. It’s been a part of me since I was seven years old,” said Ms. Rivers.

On July 5, almost 11 months after the proposal, on the same grounds where she said, “yes!” they both said, “I do.”

The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Hall,
 35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury

The Agricultural Hall can be rented out for both the ceremony and reception and is a setting for both indoor and outdoor weddings. The capacity is 500 people for a standing reception or 100 people for a seated dinner in the meeting room, or 1,667 capacity for a standing reception or 333 people for a seated dinner in the barn. It’s important to keep in mind that there is a limited number of weddings held each year at the hall so booking far in advance (even a year) is recommended. A police officer detail is needed for any wedding exceeding 175 guests. You must be a member of the Agricultural Society to reserve the space, music must be turned off at 10 p.m. and guests must be off the premises at 11 p.m.

Depending on the time of year, heat may be added to the bill. The cost to rent the Ag Hall is $4,500, which includes a $500 security deposit.

Visit mvas.vineyard.net or call 508-693-9549.

The Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust Properties

Meg O’Connor Rottman knows more about wedding locations than the average bride. As director of property management for the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, Ms. Rottman has worked many weddings at the historical properties the Trust rents: Old Whaling Church, Union Chapel, Grange Hall and the Dr. Daniel Fisher House.

When she and her husband, Mikey, were planning their own wedding, location was a big factor.

“It was so important to have a connection with the place,” said Ms. Rottman. Last November, the Rottmans married at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.

“I’m in the Old Whaling Church every day and being able to get married there was very special to me,” Ms. Rottman said.

The Rottmans also made a routine of shopping at the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market “hundreds of times” together, which made choosing their reception site at the Grange Hall a no-brainer.

With friends and family coming from all over the country, the Rottmans knew these two places were perfect for giving their guests a taste of their home.

“We felt we were able to show people why we love it here,” she added.

With a baby due this October, Ms. Rottman said her wedding venues hold special places in her heart. “Next summer we’ll be able to take our little guy to the farmers’ market and show him where we had our wedding party. And with the Old Whaling Church, he’ll have life events there too,” she said of future piano recitals and eighth grade graduation.

“They were special to us before, especially to me,” said Ms. Rottman, “But now they’re even more special. Knowing that these places will be here for years to come and aren’t going out of business or closing the door, it’s great.”

Old Whaling Church, 89 Main Street, Edgartown

This site is for ceremonies only, yet the Dr. Daniel Fisher house next door can accommodate a variety of wedding sizes for receptions. The church welcomes any type of ceremony, including religious, civil and interfaith. Musicians are welcome to use a Steinway “C” Concert grand piano and a Simmons Fisher pipe organ. The church can recommend musicians for any ceremony as well. It can accommodate up to 500 guests and a fee of $500 covers three hours, two for the ceremony and one for the rehearsal the day before. The Baylies Room inside the church is also available for rent for a reception of up to 80 people seated or 125 standing for an additional $500.

Grange Hall
, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury

The Grange Hall can also host a ceremony and a reception. Available April 1 through November 30, the Grange Hall’s main room can accommodate up to 150 sit-down meal guests or 200 standing for the price of $1,500 (Friday through Sunday), with the upstairs available for an additional $250 (capacity is 125). The Grange Hall is also available to rent Monday through Thursdays for $750 a day.

Union Chapel, 
55 Narragansett Avenue, Oak Bluffs

Available from May 1 through October 31, the chapel can accommodate up to 400 guests. A fee of $500 covers three hours, two for the ceremony and one for the rehearsal the day before. A Knabe grand piano, which was formerly on the Radio City Music Hall stage, is available for musicians to use at the Union Chapel. No food or beverages are permitted in the chapel.

Dr. Daniel Fisher House
, 99 Main Street, Edgartown

A location for ceremonies and receptions, the Dr. Daniel Fisher House property has options to choose from depending on the size and date of the wedding. For up to 250 seated and 250 standing, $7,500 covers the use of the house and grounds with the option of a tent installed on the lawn (which will require a floor rental). Music must end promptly at 8:40 p.m. and guests must leave the property by 9:30 p.m. For a wedding with over 100 guests, portable bathrooms must be rented. Keep in mind, the Preservation Trust must approve of the tent vendor and has discounted rates for off-season weddings and weddings with smaller parties. For a more detailed list of prices, visit mvpreservation.org.

Featherstone Center for the Arts 30 Featherstone Lane, Oak Bluffs

“For the non-nervous bride, having an outdoor wedding is a wonderful thing, and Featherstone is really a beautiful setting,” said Ann Smith, executive director at Featherstone Center for the Arts. Featherstone’s campus is available to rent for ceremonies and receptions. However, the space is only outdoors.

Rental fees start at $1,000 “and go up from there, depending on the space needed,” said Ms. Smith. Featherstone works with Tilton Tents and can accommodate about four weddings a year. Portable bathrooms must be rented.

“There’s a wonderful place at the top of the hill that has a stone bench and table that’s really nice. We’ve done wedding ceremonies also on the outdoor stage where we have Musical Mondays,” said Ms. Smith. The capacity is set at 500 maximum, and the lower green has a capacity of 150 people.

Sailing Camp Park, 117 Barnes Road, Oak Bluffs

Water views overlooking Lagoon Pond make the Sailing Camp a picturesque Vineyard backdrop for both a ceremony and reception. The space can accommodate up to 120 people. A noise curfew is set at 10 p.m.

The Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club, 265 The Boulevard, Edgartown

Located on 16 acres overlooking Sengekontacket Pond, the Rod & Gun Club’s property includes a half-mile of shoreline with a large lawn area that can accommodate a tent for up to 150 guests. As the club’s website states, “Members and non-members may use the facility.” Prices vary depending on membership and number of guests. Non-member fees range with a starting fee of $525 for six hours for a minimum of 35 people to $2,250 for up to 150 people. Music must end by 10 p.m.

Tashmoo Spring Building, 325 W. Spring Street, Vineyard Haven

Built in 1887 as the brick pumping station to supply fresh water to residents of West Chop, this historic venue is new to the Island’s list of wedding sites. Although the property has yet to host its first wedding, the facility is ready to accommodate up to 200 people. For 50 people the fee is $500 for a day and for up to 200 people the cost is $800. The property can accommodate more than 200 people so contact the building committee for more details regarding prices. Music must end by 10 p.m. If over 150 guests attend, portable bathrooms need to be rented. This venue has both indoor and outdoor space and can host a ceremony and reception.

Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouses

East Chop Lighthouse — Telegraph Hill, East Chop Drive, Oak Bluffs

Edgartown Lighthouse — North Water Street, Edgartown

Gay Head Lighthouse — 9 Aquinnah Circle, Aquinnah

A lighthouse has a symbolic meaning of returning home. It is a safe place, a light that shows the familiar and for some, the perfect place to hold a wedding ceremony.

On the Island there are three lighthouses to choose from, all of which are maintained by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum — East Chop, Edgartown and Gay Head. Lighthouse rentals must be booked through Teresa Coy at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. The reservation policy and rental form is available online at mvmuseum.org.

Each lighthouse books early. This year the Martha’s Vineyard Museum reported having 20 to 30 weddings among the three lighthouses. No tents are allowed but chairs and quiet music are acceptable. Unless your wedding party is under 10 guests, a backup plan will be needed in case of rain. The rental fee for each lighthouse is $300 per hour. Each lighthouse has different hours of operation, so use the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s website for reference.