Mercedes and Matthew

Once, during their courtship, Matt and Mercedes snuck into Gramercy Park and had a delightful day there. On another date, Matt brought Mercedes baby's breath and Mercedes affectionately informed him they were a weed.

On August 20th 2004, with baby's breath and ring in hand, Matthew Schaenen tried every possible avenue to get inside the locked gates of Gramercy Park. With no luck at entering the locked park as he'd intended, Matt, with his easy manner and dedicated nature, proposed just outside. And Mercedes, of course, with her enchanting smile, said yes. They spent a heavenly weekend in New York, beginning their dreams together.

Martha's Vineyard offers an idyllic setting for a "destination wedding". More and more couples and families are putting together a weekend of events. The island is most often chosen for its natural beauty, history, and childhood memories by the sea. From Edgartown's lighthouse, wharfs and shops, to Chilmark's rolling hills, solitude, and wide ocean views, guests can get a taste of why Mercedes and Matt chose Martha's Vineyard.

With Mercedes in the beginning of her fellowship as a pediatric ER physician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Matt commuting to Manhattan as a research analyst at Somerset Capital Advisors, little time was left to plan a long distance wedding. That is when my good fortune began.

Matt's parents, Pamela and Michael Schaenen, through the kind referral from Maggie White and Erin Mansell of The Hob Knob Inn in Edgartown, phoned me to talk about the possibilities of a Vineyard wedding for their son and his fiancé. I met with them over coffee at their Cooke Street home, just prior to Labor Day weekend 2004, where nine months later, fresh melons and strawberries, bagels with smoked salmon, sticky buns, croissants with island jams and omelet's made to order would fill plates for a Sunday morning farewell brunch in their backyard. But I'm getting ahead of myself. From the Schaenen's, we called Matt and Mercedes, who were in Maine at the time. They knew they wanted a New England feel and the ocean was an essential ingredient. Mercedes grew up in Maine; Matt had spent childhood summers on the Vineyard. They agreed to come to the Vineyard to check island options. We spent Sunday driving the island's array of reception venues, talking ideas, visions, and dates. We were full of conversation and festive dreams; they were truly amazing from the start, and by the time we arrived at the "Great Gatsby House", I knew that old island magic had won them over.

Mercedes Blackstone is not only one of the most gracious and calm brides I've had the pleasure of working with, she is also one of the most open, kind, and lovely humans I've met. Working together by emails and weekly phone dates was easy and fun. We communicated well together, which is so important when finding a planner. Hiring a planner allows visions to be actualized and affords couples and families the gift of being present throughout the celebrations, instead of worrying about, or troubleshooting, the details.

The date was set and 'Save the Date' cards sent. Matt and Merce created edged card stock with black and white photo booth shots. You know the ones, with four on a strip that you make funny faces for, while squishing in the tiny curtained booth, then wait impatiently for them to slip out of the slot. They simply said Mercedes and Matt are getting married June 4th 2005. Save the date. I like this simple initial correspondence with the invitation list .It allows people to mark their calendars, consider upcoming travel for the year (or next year), and get excited. Theirs was clever, unique and adorable; I loved it, as did their family and friends. The Vineyard has a high "Yes" response percentage. Invite them and they'll come. The next step after we'd decided the weekend itinerary was a pre-invite letter, with travel, accommodations and contact information sent a little later on.

Fast forward to Spring 2005 - vendors hired, colors chosen, dresses shipped, ferries running, inns booked, flowers blooming, menus decided, ceremony written, marriage license filed, cakes tested, tents put up with flags waving, toasts being written, film loaded, first dance practiced, response cards counted, welcome letters and chocolates tied in bundles, sun shining, buds bursting - its June.

Matt and Merce arrived early in the week to have ample and relaxed time to complete last details, and be ready to welcome their 150 guests to a truly wonderful weekend.

On Friday, Mercedes and her bridal party: maids of honor Jane Spencer and Reba Richardson, her two best friends growing up, her sisters Elke Blackstone and Fiona Owens, and Matt's sister Annabel Schaenen, nibbled on finger sandwiches while having manicures and pedicures at 'Boucle' salon in Edgartown. Matt and his groomsmen: best man Chris O'Falt from college, childhood friends Lawrence Thaler and David Goldblatt, and his friend Charles French from Philly, took to the golfing green. At four o'clock pm, Rabbi H. Hirsch Cohen, the wedding party, Mercedes parents - Jacquelyn Blackstone and Mitch Owens, Peter and Katlyn Blackstone - Mercedes' God-daughter (and flower girl) Julia Sololowski, along with Matt's parents, Pamela and Michael Schaenen, gathered in the austere beauty of the historic Old Whaling Church (built in 1843). The ceremony rehearsal really brings forth the reality that the time is here, lives are changing, joining two individuals and bringing new families together. Composed Matthew was in tears, perfect timing, really, to let go and let their weekend unfold.

Their guests arrived next door at the Doctor Daniel Fisher house (built in 1840 for a whaling magnate) and gathered under a Sperry tent, letting in the late spring evenings' light. (Jim Eddy, of Big Sky Tents and Party rentals, supplied the tents, linen, china, glassware, tables, chairs and all other rental equipment for the weekend events). Long, picnic-style tables, with red checkered cloths, vases of red, yellow or orange Gerbera daisies, were set. (Bouquets and arrangements during the weekend were thanks to the flower fairy magic of Joan Merry of Gossamer Flowers). Everyone was greeting and meeting each other over standing hors d'oeuvres of summer dips, spicy cocktail ribs and rich New England clam chowder. The dinner moved on to the most delicious, gloriously presented, and perfectly cooked clambake buffet - lobster, local steamers, Morning Glory Farm corn, rosemary new potatoes, Native tomato and fresh mozzarella salad over arugula with pesto, followed by hot lavender and lemon towels. (Food for the events all through the weekend was flawlessly catered by V.Jaime Hamlin and Sons). The evening was filled with toasts and laughter, food and friends, excellent service, fabulous wine and scrumptious blueberry cobbler with ginger whipped cream and old fashioned strawberry heart shortcakes with whipped cream desserts. Pure delight was settling in.

They meandered down Main Street after dessert to the fabulous cellar bar at Atria and enjoyed drinks, each others company and outstanding music by The John Alaimo jazz trio. And then it was time for bed, with the tomorrow's noon wedding yet to come

Saturday, June 4th 2005. Take a deep breath, its going to be an extraordinary day. Hair and makeup began early with Susan Chapman of Boucle Salon, at the quaint 1849 house, where the bevy of beauties stayed. Photographer David Steinberg, of Lighthouse Photography, arrived as bridal attendants dressed in handmade smoky lavender silk dresses. Mercedes was breathtaking in her Vera Wang ivory duchess satin dress, Manolo Blahnik shoes and Fresh water pearl Tiara made for her in New York by Suzanne. She carried a ribbon wrapped bouquet of white lisianthus, rannunculus, cream roses and white freesia. Her attendants carried bouquets of bluebird roses, light blue delphinium, lavender freesia and lavender lisianthus. As the women strolled outside, cars and passers by stopped and watched them on their way up Main Street to the Old Whaling Church, where the ceremony awaited their arrival. Organist Peter Boak began with an air from Handel's Water Music for the processional, then played Jeremiah Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary, as all rose for Mercedes, escorted by her father Peter. Rabbi Cohen welcomed all, weaving bits of their different faiths and moments personal to Mercedes and Matthew's love throughout the ceremony. The hall was hushed as vows, a wine ceremony and rings were exchanged. They kissed, recessed down the aisle together, newly married, with cheers, smiles and tears all around. They then shared a moment together alone, while guests exited the church. Merce and Matt departed past the green wooden doors, hung with baby's breath wreaths, through an aisle of family and friends, showering them with rose petals.

Van cabs, thanks to Colin at Adam Cab, shuttled guests to the up-island reception overlooking the Atlantic on the islands' south side. They were greeted with silver drink trays of 'blushing brides' and mojitos. Guests chatted on the lawn, strolled the beach and ate their fill of local icy cold little necks and oysters, Tuscan white bean and rosemary crostini with truffled asparagus and shaved parmesan, shredded Asian chicken salad with toasted peanut croutes, Mediterranean vegetable fritters with cumin yogurt drizzle, double lemon chicken skewers with red pepper aioli, and spiced crusted seared tuna on crispy wontons with seaweed salad & wasabi caviar. The guests let us all know they could not get over the exceptional food (and dinner still to come) and courteous staff.

Under the 46 by 80 ft. Sperry dinner tent, tables were dressed with white linen under liners with ecru hemstitch toppers, celadon green hemstitch napkins, and square glass vases of green lisianthus, white snapdragons, jade roses, white hydrangea, and white stock, setting a sophisticated and elegant tone. The newly married couple made their entrance, dancing to "Sweet Thing" by Van Morrison, surrounded by wishes of love and joy. Michael and Pamela Schaenen welcomed everyone with the same warmth and generosity they extended throughout the weekend. And Dinner was served.

Mercedes dad played the roaming accordion around and through the tables as Tuscan salad with baby romaine, red & yellow cherry tomatoes, Sheep's milk feta & prosciutto crisps with aged balsamic dressing was served. The first course was followed by a choice of fire roasted sirloins, over crispy polenta with roasted shallot vinaigrette - or- grilled local swordfish, with ocean club sauce and roasted tomato orzo pilaf - or -grilled eggplant napoleon, with fresh mozzarella & tomatoes with cilantro pesto drizzle all served with spring asparagus, green onions, shaved parmesan and fresh country rolls. More than one guest actually tried a little trickery for a second plateful.

Jerry Bennett and the Sultans of Swing turned up their fabulous dance tunes, lights dimmed and people tore up the dance floor, only taking a break to cut cake. Liz Kane of Cakes by Liz made a gorgeous butter cream and cream cheese-frosted, four-tiered cake with gardenias cascading down the tiers. Once cut, it was apparent the inside layers of marble cake with grand Marnier and chocolate mousse were, along with the champagne with raspberries being passed, a nightcap of dining bliss.

The day had begun so many hours ago, and yet it seemed impossible that van cabs had arrived to return guests back to their inns. Everyone was so happy, relaxed and thankful; could this perfectly intimate affair really be over? Of course not: with Mercedes and Matthew spending their wedding night at The Hob Knob Inn, that brings us back to where we began. So after they get some rest, I'm sure they'll join us to bid farewells, and for one of those made-to-order omelets and a cup of coffee in the Schaenen's backyard.

Mercedes Marie Blackstone & Matthew Aaron Schaenen

June 4th, 2005 - Edgartown, Massachusetts