A Family-Focused Wedding on Martha's Vineyard

On June 9, 2018, Molly and Edward married on Allen Sheep Farm in Martha's Vineyard after dating for three years. Funnily enough, their initial encounter also revolved around a wedding. They met on the Massachusetts island on Molly's birthday, "after both of us made last-minute changes to our weekend plans," Edward says. He was throwing a bachelor party for a friend who was tying the knot, while Molly was there celebrating. They struck up conversation at The Port Hunter in Edgartown. "Both of us claim to have spoken to the other first, and our chance meeting led us to where we are today," he says.

The couple, who now live in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with Molly's three daughters, work together as photographers for a wedding, family, and food photography business the bride started. Edward joined her after a career in education; he also taught rowing. Their blended work and family lives were a main factor in Edward's proposal, which took place in 2016, over an annual summer trip that Molly's family makes to Estes Park, Colorado. The couple woke up at 3 a.m. to take a 13-mile hike up Mount Lady Washington. At the summit—13,281 feet in the air—Edward asked an unsuspecting Molly to marry him.

For their wedding day, Molly and Edward came back down to sea level and were joined by 110 guests as the couple cemented their love for one another with a blue-and-turquoise hued celebration in the field.

Watch Molly and Ed's wedding film by Stop Go Love.

The bride's engagement ring (a family heirloom) previously belonged to Edward's mother. His grandfather sourced the emerald from South America.

Inspired by the land and venue, Betsey Holland of Fox and Bear Prints designed the couple's invitation suite and painted everything by hand. "The landscape on the invite is actually the point where we held our ceremony," Molly explains. She told Betsey that ferns were an inspiration, but otherwise didn't have a particular vision or theme in mind. "We let nature and the natural progression of the planning process unfold on its own," she says. Rather than stress about having everything turn out perfectly, Molly and Edward wanted to give their vendors (many of which were friends) a few cues and let them create.

Molly and Edward fell in love with Allen Sheep Farm as a wedding venue. "The views of the farm are unmatched compared to anywhere else in Massachusetts and Rhode Island," Molly says. The couple is outdoorsy and felt at home in the natural setting, which was warm with light clouds on their big day.

The florist at Green Lion Design and caterers from Heirloom Fire brought elements of the land into their designs and dishes that day. "Our wedding ended up feeling an extension of ourselves," Molly says, "as if it was incorporated into the landscape rather than fighting against it."

The Martha's Vineyard venue is also a working sheep farm, so naturally, a few sheep were roaming during their celebration.

Molly wore a light, intricate, and comfortable wedding dress by Rue de Seine. "I had no idea I'd choose a dress like the one I did," she says. "I only tried on five." Green Lion Design styled a bouquet with plenty of ferns, foraged finds, and blueberries.

As for her bouncy curls? "Luckily my hair and makeup artist Jennie Kay is a good friend of mine and didn't yell at me when she showed up to do my hair on the wedding day and it was soaking wet!" Molly says. "I have tried everything in terms of curly hair products, and the easiest and best thing I can say is don't fight the curls. I use Sachajuan mousse, apply it to my hair when it's wet and then diffuse it. I finish it with Sachajuan hair spray. Jennie made sure each curl was perfect the day of the wedding."

Both Molly and Edward accessorized with turquoise gifts from their loved ones. Molly wore vintage Zuni turquoise, a present from her uncle who was an avid turquoise jewelry collector. Edward slipped on a vintage Native American turquoise ring, his father's old Rolex, and Tiffany & Co. cufflinks that were a 30th birthday gift from his mom. He added To Boot New York shoes and Persol sunglasses.

After Molly and Edward did their first look, Molly's three daughters, Elsa, Nell, and Sybil joined in—each wrote Edward a letter. The new family had matching gold-and-emerald feather pendants made by Rebecca Overmann, the jewelry designer that made the wedding bands.

Elsa, Nell, and Sybil wore a trio of floral-print dresses by Nelly Stella.

Molly's sister and one of Edward's cousins were in the bridal party, alongside other friends that Molly considers family. They all wore dresses with subtle patterns or embellishments.

The groom's emerald suit began with Edward's search for a green houndstooth pattern. He looked online and was led to Absolute Bespoke, a Spanish designer who came to New York City for two fittings; he paired the suit with a Thomas Pink shirt.  The groomsmen wore Harris Tweed jackets and pants by J.Crew.

Cocktail hour was held at 4 p.m. before the ceremony began. "We had the thought that you never host a party and don't arrive until an hour later," Molly says, "so we wanted to greet our guests the minute they arrived!" Guests could flip through a booklet to choose a signature cocktail, which were served with hand-stamped napkins.

A cucumber vodka gimlet, carrot bellini, bourbon elderflower cocktail, and boulevardier were on the drink menu.

Guests paraded from the cocktail hour with the brass musicians of Silver Arrow Band. The band suggested performing the walk as a second line, which is a jazz- and dance-filled New Orleans parade celebration.

The ceremony took place up a small hill from the reception site, overlooking the water. Even though they are versed in working weddings, neither the bride nor groom could have anticipated the emotion, joy, and whirlwind the day itself would be. The couple's close family friend Barret Naylor officiated the wedding; they also chose readings given by Molly's father, Edward's coach from Trinity college, and Edward's cousin. The pair exchanged handwritten vows which incorporated religious and spiritual elements.

The matching wedding bands with a feather design were created by Rebecca Overmann. Molly's was customized with four sets of small diamonds.

Horns played during the recessional, signaling to guests that it was time to make their way back to the tent for dinner. Molly's favorite part of the day was "walking back down the aisle as a family of five," she says.

The family's four-year-old black lab Wylie also took part in the day's events, including the second parade to the reception.

Molly and Edward took portraits before the cocktail hour and again after the ceremony in the canoe. "Edward is a rower so we thought it only appropriate we get into a boat on our wedding day!" she says. She slipped on a fringed jacket by Ralph Lauren for their boat ride.

Green Lion Design created the waterfall of greenery hanging from the tent. Little Wing Lettering used the same blue ink seen on the invitation envelopes to calligraph escort cards that hung from the installation.

The reception took place on the farm's daisy field under a sailcloth tent with wreaths of greenery surrounding the poles.

Green taper candles, lots of ferns, and crystals decorated the tables, which were set with gauzy runners down the middle. Sprigs of blueberries topped each place setting with menus that matched the table numbers.

Dinner was served from an open fire kitchen set-up by Heirloom Fire, with the choice of a roasted, aged leg of beef with chimichurri or roasted chicken with sumac and thyme.

The array of vegetable sides included an heirloom carrot ribbon salad, sunflower salad, smoked potatoes, and spring beet root with risotto.

In addition to fruity desserts and a s'mores station, guests got fresh cups of coffee from the Chemex pour-over setup. Beignets were also served.

The newlyweds chose "All My Days" by Alexi Murdoch for their first dance.

Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" played during the reception, which rounded out with "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver for "one giant sing-along love fest," Molly says. The love will continue on the happy couple's honeymoon, a ten-day hike in Chilean Patagonia, which they'll take in April 2019.

Photography, Erin McGinn Photography

Location, Allen Sheep Farm

Event consulting, Elizabeth Lutz of Glass Event Planning  

Catering, Heirloom Fire

Flowers, Green Lion Design

Videography, Jared Haskell of Stop Go Love

Stationery, Betsey Holland of Fox and Bear Prints

Calligraphy, Joelle Kanter of Little Wing Lettering

Music, Silver Arrow Band

Rentals, Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals

Bride's gown, Rue de Seine

Bride's accessories, Ralph Lauren jacket; Beek shoes

Hair and Makeup, Jennie Kay of Jennie Kay Beauty

Molly's daughters' dresses, Nelly Stella

Groom's suit, Absolute Bespoke

Menswear, Harris Tweed jackets; J.Crew pants

Groom's accessories, Persol sunglasses; Thomas Pink shirt; Tiffany & Co. cufflinks; Rolex watch; To Boot New York shoes

Rings, Rebecca Overmann

Transportation, Lighthouse Taxi