Martha’s Vineyard Wedding Photographer | Winnetu Resort

An Intimate Wedding on Martha’s Vineyard | Martha’s Vineyard Wedding Photographer

Planning a wedding on Martha’s Vineyard feels magical. Olivia and Coby’s celebration at Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown reminded me why Javi and I love our work as film wedding photographers. Their wedding was intimate, design-driven, and emotional which was of course enhanced by a dreamy Vineyard fog.

Welcome Party at Noman’s | Edgartown Wedding Photography

The weekend kicked off with the Welcome Party at Noman’s, a charming spot on the island. Picture old arching trees and picnic tables scattered across the lawn, with live music filling the air. It felt like a scene from a summer novel. While their wedding day was child-free, the rehearsal dinner welcomed all the kids in their families, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

Before I left, I pulled Olivia and Coby aside, burned the last few frames on my roll of film, and made some portraits of just the two of them. They’re some of my favorites; spontaneous, simple, and perfectly them.

Wedding Details with Intention | Martha’s Vineyard Wedding Photographer

The wedding morning began quietly, with me gathering their details; perfume, jewelry, invitations, the suit and gown, and styling them into still lifes that told the story of the day. I had an abundance of florals to work with thanks to Krishana Collins of Tea Lane Farm, who invited me to select blooms straight from her buckets. The generosity and artistry she brings to her work blew me away; every petal felt intentional, just like the day itself.

For me, details aren’t filler images. They’re part of the emotional thread of the day. Using textures like the table linens and fresh blooms, I built scenes that felt layered, tactile, and alive on film.

Getting Ready with Olivia | Documentary Film Wedding Photography

Olivia hosted what she called “office hours” while she got her hair and makeup done, a steady stream of friends and family popping in. The room was buzzing with joy rather than stress, which always translates beautifully in photos. One moment I’ll never forget: Olivia’s mom entered in her gown and a friend joked she looked like she was headed to the Met Gala. The whole room erupted, and when I look at those photos now, I swear I can still hear their laughter.

There are images that stay with me for life, and one of those happened here: Olivia slipping into her dress. A black and white film frame where her undergarments peek out slightly, slippers on the floor, her hand pulling the bodice into place: the textures and tones all fell together into a photograph that feels timeless and impossible to recreate. It’s why I shoot film. It’s why I do this work.

Afterward, Olivia stepped onto the porch for portraits with her mom and sister. I asked her sister Dana to whisper a piece of advice in her ear, an intimate ritual I love to include – and though I didn’t hear the words, the emotion was palpable. Soon after, Olivia’s dad arrived for their first look, a tender moment before the day truly began.

Coby Getting Ready | Film Wedding Photography in Edgartown

Meanwhile, Javi was with Coby, capturing the calm and camaraderie of his morning. There was joking, lounging, writing down vows, and a sweet moment with his mom pinning his boutonniere. Jason, their officiant and close friend, hung out with them too: fitting, since he’s the reason they met in the first place (read more about Coby and Olivia’s love story in a beautifully written piece that was featured in The Boston Globe here)

Javi took Coby out to the Winnetu’s wraparound balconies, where the natural light and simple benches set the stage for some of the most cinematic groom portraits I’ve ever seen. On film, he looked like a movie star; confident, classic, effortless.

Foggy Ceremony | Winnetu Oceanside Resort Wedding in Edgartown

The ceremony began in bright Vineyard sun but, as guests took their seats, a thick fog rolled in off the ocean. By the time Olivia walked down the aisle with her father, the entire scene was transformed; soft, moody, romantic.

There were hugs between families, tears from guests, vows that felt uniquely them. And when Coby broke the glass, the crowd was bursting at the seams with all the feelings; laughing, crying, clapping. I felt myself tearing up too as they recessed back down the aisle, champagne in hand, grinning like kids who just pulled off something incredible.

Cocktail Hour & Details | Martha’s Vineyard Wedding Photography

Cocktail hour was a blur of hugs, laughter, and candid moments. Olivia and Coby prioritized time with their guests, so we kept family formals and couples portraits short and sweet. This allowed them soak in every second with their loved ones. Favorite frame of note: them walking across the lawn while guests waved down from the Winnetu balcony above; Olivia’s bouquet in the air, movement everywhere, and radiating pure joy.

The design of the reception space stunned me. Instead of traditional linens, they laid fabric perpendicular across the tables, leaving the natural wood exposed. Two long banquet tables formed a U-shape, with Olivia and Coby at the head. Amber glassware glowed in the candlelight, handwritten notes sat on every plate, and Tea Lane’s florals tied everything together. Olivia was literally hand writing the last of those notes right before slipping into her gown: a labor of love that touched every guest.

Dinner & Toasts | Winnetu Oceanside Resort Wedding Photography

Dinner was three gorgeous plated courses, accompanied by speeches that had the room laughing, crying, and everything in between. Olivia and Coby welcomed everyone first, followed by heartfelt words from Olivia’s dad, her sister Dana, Coby’s brother, and both of their best friends. Photographing through those long tables gave me layers of reactions: tiny vignettes of intimacy in every direction.

Dance Floor & Hora Celebration | Martha’s Vineyard Wedding Photography

After dinner, East Coast Soul took the stage and instantly claimed their spot as one of my all-time favorite bands. They had the dance floor alive all night (including a singer doing the splits mid-song). Olivia and Coby shared a sweet, unchoreographed first dance, followed by dances with their parents.

Then came the hora. If you’ve been to a Jewish wedding, you know. The Winnetu’s ceiling was a little low for comfort, which made for hilarious photos, Olivia’s dad even fell right out of his chair mid-lift. He was fine, and the sequence of images deserves a frame of its own.

As the night wound down, Olivia’s dad broke out fine cigars and the party migrated to the porch. There, under Vineyard night air, the celebration closed in a haze of smoke, laughter, and love.

Rave Review from Olivia & Coby

“If you’re planning a wedding, the choices are endless. The decision fatigue sets in early so, TLDR: Choosing Dominique and Javi is the easiest decision you’ll make (aside from saying “yes’ to your spouse – hopefully.) My fiancé felt strongly about having our wedding shot on film and I was hesitant. Aside from the price factor – film is more expensive than digital – I was concerned about the quality, the volume, the ability to edit/re-touch, and the potential risks (loss, damage, etc.) associated with the physical film element…..

We planned a small Martha’s Vineyard wedding (55 guests) remotely from New Orleans and met with Dominique via Zoom while vetting a handful of other potential photographers. She stood out immediately for a number of reasons:

1. The way she validated my concerns re: film, and then immediately put me at ease. She is a professional, and she doesn’t mess around when it comes to the deliverables.

2. Her self-awareness. I asked “what kind of couples wouldn’t be a good fit for you?” and she didn’t mince words. “Couples who require a lot of structure, couples with a really tight day-of timeline, couples trying to get a lot of shots at the expense of quality.” She was clear about her working style, which made it clear to me that she knew what projects would make the most sense to take on. Being selective is a privilege – Dominique’s work has allowed her that privilege.

3. Her authenticity. We left out many “traditional” wedding elements (formal bridal party, cake cutting) to focus on being present and fully engaged on the day. We wanted our photos to capture that. When she said “My goal for cocktail hour photos is to get you back to your guests as quickly as possible” I was sold.

There’s so much I could say about the ways Castillo Holliday Photo + Film played a critical role in our wedding weekend – but here are the main takeaways:

Dominique is an artist. She & Javi clearly respect and value their craft. Your photographs will reflect this. Dominique treated our wedding like a collaboration, not a job. She felt just as excited about our day as we were. At one point – while shooting pre-ceremony detail photos – she came running into the bridal suite to tell me I was going to freak out (in the best way) when I saw the florals. (She was freaking out when she saw the florals – I freaked out when I saw the florals.) She hyped us up, but more so understood and internalized what was important to us. The way Dominique captures the emotion of a moment is a rare talent. Her pictures are transcendent. Looking through our wedding gallery transports me back to the most magical weekend of our lives – I cannot emphasize enough what a gift that is. It’s also EXACTLY what we wanted.

The best piece of bridal advice I can give you is: choose your vendor team wisely. Choose people who make you feel comfortable and understand what you want. Maybe you DON’T know what you want – find someone who gets that and is comfortable to guide you. Choose people you’d want to grab a drink with. We are so lucky to have worked with Dominique and Javi and now call them friends. We hope to have the honor of working with them again.”

Final Thoughts

When Olivia first inquired, she admitted she was hesitant about film. By the end of their wedding, she and Coby wrote a five-star review calling the images “transcendent” and saying that choosing us to be their Martha’s Vineyard wedding photographers was the easiest decision of their entire planning process. That means everything to me. Because yes, film is an investment, but it’s also a gift: photographs that don’t just show you what happened, but transport you right back into the heart of it.

If you’re planning a wedding on Martha’s Vineyard and looking for a Martha’s Vineyard Wedding Photographer, whether at Winnetu Oceanside Resort or anywhere across Edgartown and the island; and you’re dreaming of your wedding being documented by a film wedding photographer with the texture, depth, and emotion, please reach out and inquire here. Because the truth is: this is what I was born to do.

VENDORS:

• Planner: Kimberly Scott
• Venue & Catering: Winnetu Oceanside Resort | @thewinnetu
• Welcome Party Venue: NOMANS | @nomansmv
• Photography: Castillo Holliday Photo + Film | @castillohollidayphotoandfilm
• Florist: Tea Lane Farm | @tealanefarm
• Ceremony Music: Naavi Strings | @naavistrings
• Band: East Coast Soul | @eastcoastsoul
• Hair: Sea Spa Salon | @seaspasalon
• Makeup: Glamour Cosmetics | @glamourcosmeticsofficial
• Rentals: Big Sky Rental | @bigskytentpartyrentals | PEAK | @peakeventservices
• Dress Designer: Mariana Hardwick | @marianahardwick
• Dress Boutique: Flair Boston | @flairboston
• Suit: Mr. Sid | @mrsid1967
• Rings: Erstwhile Jewelry | @erstwhilejewelry
• Officiant: Jayson Seidman | @thebasic

AS SEEN IN THE BOSTON GLOBE : Their Martha’s Vineyard Wedding wasn’t big, but it sure felt easy.