If the traditional church ceremony and hotel reception is not what you have in mind for your special day, Martha's Vineyard is the place for you. While there are a number of lovely Churches, Chapels and other religious locales where you can get married, and numerous beautiful Inns, hotels and private homes where you can have your reception, there are also numerous non-traditional venues for you to consider. Your choices are limited only by your imagination and your budget.

Here are some thoughts to help you create a wedding day that's truly out of the ordinary:

Get married on the beach

With over 127 miles of shoreline you can find just the right stretch of beach to suit your mood. Private beaches can be accessed in conjunction with some Inns and private rental homes and select public beaches are also available. To learn about the types of beaches that interest you, browse our Beaches area of the site, then contact the appropriate Town Hall or conservation agency for more information on use and access.

Get married at a lighthouse

The five lighthouses on the Island of Martha's Vineyard represent the most diverse group in a small, contained area in the country, according to lighthouse buffs. All of the lighthouses are on the north side of the Island: they look out over Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound, and over the entrance to Edgartown Harbor and Cape Poge. Each of our beautiful lighthouses are available for wedding ceremonies and other special events; call the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society at 508-627-4441. Note, the cape Pogue Lighthouse is only accessible by boat or over-sand vehicles.

Get married at sea

As an Island Martha's Vineyard has a love of all things nautical, and what a great way to get married? From a traditional sailing schooner to a private yacht, you've got lots of choices if you are looking to tie the knot while standing on your sea legs. Check out our Wedding Directory for boat rentals, or contact the Marinas in the town of interest for more information on boats and moorings available.

Hike your way to a special day

For those of you who are happier in hiking boots than high heels, you may wish to look at our beautiful conservation areas and have your ceremony in one of our beautiful nature preserves. A note of caution on this however, parking is very limited in many conservation areas, so you will need to have a fairly small group. Additionally, many conservation areas limit use to specific activities. Read through the Conservation section on this site and contact the property manager before finalizing your plans.