Tall ships are an Island tradition,
but there are many great locations.

Home Port, Menemsha

The owners of the Beach Plum and Menemsha Inns just purchased the Home Port restaurant, long-time winner of best seafood restaurant in Best of the Vineyard voting. The Beach Plum is a popular spot for the ceremony itself and manager David Zeilinger says the Home Port will be available for private rehearsal dinners but won’t offer a customized menu the way the Beach Plum does.

Home Port, North Road, Menemsha, tel. 508-645-2679 or 508-645-9454.

Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs

Featherstone has just started offering their large campus for weddings; there is plenty of room for a tent, but the art gallery could hold a small reception on its own. According to director Francine Kelly, the bonus here is that supervised art activities are available to amuse children during a reception.

Featherstone Center for the Arts, Barnes Road, Oak Bluffs, tel. 508-693-1850.

Mediterranean, Oak Bluffs

Now located where Lola’s used to be, Mediterranean has gained lots of seating capacity and parking, two things sorely missing in their former Vineyard Haven location. Here there’s room for events with up to 240 people including the outdoor patio and bar, but also private seating areas for smaller groups. Although the bar has been changed a bit, there’s a new color scheme throughout, and they’ve added pellet stoves, the basic layout is unchanged, according to co-owner Leslie Hewson. And they plan to be open year-round.

Mediterranean, 15 Island Inn Road, Oak Bluffs, tel. 508-693-1617.

Sailing Camp Park, Oak Bluffs

The park sits on 15 acres overlooking the Lagoon and Vineyard Haven’s outer harbor. An event can be held inside the cathedral-ceilinged room with fieldstone fireplace or outdoors in a tent. “Previously the Mainstay building had screened windows with wooden shutters that were closed during the colder shoulder season,” manager John Breckinridge said. “We have replaced these with new casement windows that maintain the rustic campground feel of the building while providing improved lighting and ventilation.”

Sailing Camp Park, Barnes Road, Oak Bluffs, tel. 508- 693-6777.

Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club, Edgartown

The club is in the midst of a total renovation of their clubhouse that overlooks Sengekontacket Pond. Club president Bob DeLisle says members will again be able to have weddings or rehearsal dinners in a tent or indoors by this fall. Considering that club membership is about the price of a good bottle of champagne, it might be worth joining just to have access to this spot.

Rod & Gun Club, The Boulevard, Edgartown, tel. 508-627-3537.

Blue Canoe, Vineyard Haven

Located right on the harbor in Mediterranean’s old location, the restaurant can host small groups of about 50 people on two floors and on their private beach.

Blue Canoe, 52 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, tel. 508-693-3332.

Saltwater, Vineyard Haven

New last year, this Beach Road, Vineyard Haven restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lagoon Pond can accommodate 65 guests indoors or 175 in a tent on the lawn, according to co-owner Sam Dunn. Saltwater is open April through December.

Saltwater, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, tel. 508-338-4666.

The Boathouse

New last year at the base of Main street in Edgartown, this elegant restaurant and bar offers three separate dining rooms, two outside decks and comfortable bar all with water views of the historic harbor, available for cocktails, lunch or dinner, plus a private wine room can accommodate up to 20 people and has its own deck for dining or enjoying drinks and appetizers before dinner.

The Boathouse, Lower Main Street, Edgartown, tel. 508-627-3535.