Taj Chin and Michael Chandler’s wedding ceremony can be divided into two distinct, if unexpected, parts. Part one took place on the lawn of the Sailing Camp Park in Oak Bluffs, with picturesque Lagoon Pond as a backdrop. A brief rain shower had been predicted for that afternoon, but they took their chances. Just as the officiant began to name loved ones who had passed away, a giant gust of wind blew off the water, sending Taj's veil flying. Then it began to rain. “It was as if this was their way of saying, ‘Hello! We are here!’” said Taj.

She and Mike gave the signal and everyone rushed into the reception building for part two of the ceremony, which  continued under the twinkling lights. With the guests gathered around the bride and groom, rather than seated in rows, the ceremony took on a less formal ambiance. “It was like a warm embrace,” Taj said.

The couple met in 2009 while working together at the Ames Hotel in Boston. They shared a sense of humor and found out they had many friends in common. Three years later, they moved to Martha’s Vineyard, where they’ve made their home for the past five years. “We knew immediately how special our Island home had become,” she said. “We would have it no other way than to share it with our closest friends and family.”

Although they hired a day-of coordinator, they planned the wedding themselves – a process they described as organized and thoughtful. “We relied on each other to divide and conquer while contacting and booking vendors,” said Taj. Mike, a member of the Chandler Blues Band, handled the sound system and entertainment. Taj and her maid of honor tackled the invitation suite and day-of signage. Everything else was a collaboration. “We reached out to the people we know and networked,” said Mike.

They chose the Sailing Camp Park for its "low-key but elegant" vibe and opted for a theme of “romantic elegance": neutrals accented with brightly colored flowers and gold and glass accessories. A standout detail, and one that reflects Taj’s Chinese heritage, was a bright red favor box at each place setting, adorned with the Chinese symbol for “Double Happiness.”

Said Mike: “Taj loved them for the cultural significance. I loved them because they were full of candy.”

details

Ceremony + Reception: Sailing Camp Park
Photographer: Root & Bud Weddings
Day-of Coordinator: Melissa De Oliveira Smith
Caterer: Buckley’s Gourmet Catering
Dessert: Morning Glory Farm pies
Music: Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish
Flowers: The Cottage Garden
Tent + Party Supplies: Seaside Celebrations Tent & Party Rentals
Hair + Makeup: Panache Salon & Spa + Monica Panait
Rehearsal Dinner Caterer: Smoak
Honeymoon: Turks and Caicos