Martha's Vineyard Wedding Planner

HOME > TIPS & IDEAS > 2009 CEREMONY ON ICE

Ceremony on Ice? Couple Shifts From Lighthouse to Firelight

Gay Head Light became backdrop rather than stage,
after snow led Texans inside for ceremony.

Any wedding planner will tell you that if you’re thinking about having an outdoor wedding, always have a Plan B. As their wedding vows hour approached, Gary Casement and William Flora of Dallas found out the hard way just how fickle Vineyard weather can be.

Mr. Casement has been a visitor to the Island since 1969, and the couple has vacationed here together since the 1990s. “The Vineyard has been our destination of choice for many years, although this was the first time we have visited at this time of year,” Mr. Flora said. They chose March 2 as their wedding day because it was the 25th anniversary of their first date.

“We originally intended to marry on the steps of Edgartown Light,” he said. “Since the Friday before the ceremony was in the 60s, we had envisioned a much different day than the wintry one that Monday turned out to be.”

As snow and wind overtook the Vineyard, Sandra Kingston of Vineyard Haven’s Clark House Inn scrambled to make other plans while her guests went off to tour the Island in the storm. The indoor refuge of the Harbor View Hotel seemed like the right solution.

“It could not have been more perfect – holding the ceremony in the hotel lobby with a stunning view of Edgartown Light in snow, and a roaring fire in the fireplace,” Mr. Flora remembers. Afterward, the wedding guests celebrated with lunch at Henry’s restaurant.

Gary and William had plenty of warmth taking their vows.

To commemorate the occasion, the couple wanted to buy some Vineyard artwork but discovered that many of the galleries were closed because they had arrived during the school winter break. Ms. Kingston started calling artists, some of whom brought their work to the Clark House.

Louisa Gould opened her gallery just for them. “We eventually purchased a wonderful oil painting of Edgartown Light done by Marjorie Mason, after meeting her through Louisa Gould,” Mr. Flora said.

Instead of letting the weather ruin their plans, this couple made it the backdrop. And even though one of the guests had an inside connection — Ronnie Murry of West Tisbury is keeper of the Edgartown Light — it wasn’t enough to control Mother Nature.