Dr. Daniel Fisher House, edgartown wedding reception venue, martha vineyard

Fisher House Policies

DR. DANIEL FISHER HOUSE: WEDDING RECEPTION POLICIES
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General
When renting the Dr. Fisher House for your reception, you have access to the entire first floor of the mansion, one restroom on the second floor and the porch, terrace, gardens and grounds. The first floor is divided into three main rooms, and also has an entrance foyer, one restroom, coat room, commercial kitchen and utility space.

There are no guest rooms or overnight accommodations at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House.

We provide a “space rental” only. You may choose your vendors from our list of recommendations which includes tent and party rental companies, caterers, florists, photographers, etc. Your vendors will provide all needed equipment (tables, chairs, table linens, china, glassware, flatware, etc.) and all food, beverages and decorations.

We schedule and incur the cost of refuse removal for all events.

Timing
Reservations at the Dr. Fisher House are for “day-of” use. We will accommodate the drop-off of personal items on the day prior whenever our schedule permits. All personal items must be removed at the end of the event on the Date of Use.
You may have access to the Dr. Fisher House starting at 8:00 a.m. on your Date of Use. Earlier access can be arranged with advance notice.

The service of liquor and the music both must end promptly at 8:30 p.m. and the property dark and vacated by 9:30 p.m. Wedding receptions are typically 5-hours long, so most receptions at the Dr. Fisher House start at approximately 3:30 p.m. We can also accommodate brunch or luncheon events earlier in the day if desired. Guests depart the property by 9:00 p.m. allowing the final 30 minutes for the caterer to complete clean-up.

Music
We provide a list of bands and musicians that are approved to play at the property. They are required to play with their instruments “unplugged”, or without amplification. We provide the band with an upright, acoustic piano. Microphones are permitted for vocalists, announcements and toasts. Deejays and digital music devices are not permitted. Off-Island bands or Island bands not included on our list are not permitted.

Our bands are professional musicians and can accommodate most requests; however, musical genres that rely on loud electric guitars such as heavy metal and hard rock do not translate well. We urge you remember that wedding receptions are family events; a time for your extended families to come together to meet each other – sometimes for the first time – and celebrate your love and commitment. Music should be appropriate for all generations to enjoy. You’ll be dancing with your parents and grandparents who will appreciate the thoughtful consideration of your musical choices. We encourage you to plan an “after-party” for your friends and family who wish to continue the celebration. This is the perfect time to crank up the volume and let it rip! We’re happy to recommend several locations for after-parties that are within easy walking distance of the House and are great party venues.

Restroom Facilities
There are two restrooms in the house, which accommodate the traffic of up to 100 guests with minimal waiting. With more than 100 guests, we recommend the rental of port-o-potties. Deluxe potties are available that are more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing than standard potties. Typically a “modesty tent” is installed to house the potties to allow for extra lighting and discretion.

Capacity and Flow
The Dr. Fisher House can accommodate up to 50 guests in the largest of the three rooms for a sit-down meal. The other two rooms can be used for dancing and socializing. The bar is often located on the semi-circular porch.

Tent installation on the Terrace accommodates your party of more than 50 and no more than 150 guests. With a tent on the Terrace, the first floor of the house and the porch area are used for the initial cocktail hour with the guests transitioning into the tent for the dinner and dancing portion of the celebration.

Tent installation on the East Lawn accommodates your party of more than 150 and no more than 300 guests. With a tent on the Lawn, the first floor of the house, the porch and the Terrace are used for cocktail hour. The guests then transition in to the tent for the dinner and dancing portion of the celebration. With tent installation on the East Lawn we require the installation of flooring in the entire tent. Flooring is available through the same company that provides the tent. In case of inclement weather, an additional tent may be installed on the Terrace.

Food and Beverage Service
You may choose your own caterer from our list of recommendations. You are not restricted to this list but we require that your caterer be licensed and insured and that they communicate with the Board of Health Agent for the Town of Edgartown. Your caterer will provide the food and staffing for your event, including servers and bartenders. The catering staff will put furniture in place and complete the entire set up, including the bar. They also will clean up at the end of the event.

The Dr. Fisher House is equipped with a commercial kitchen. Your caterer may require additional space to and ask you to provide a kitchen tent and additional equipment. Kitchen tents are installed at the rear of the house within easy access to the existing kitchen and the Terrace and Lawn areas.

As the host, you will provide your own alcoholic beverages. We recommend, but don’t require, that you work with one of the Island’s package stores, who will provide delivery service. They will also pick up any unopened bottles at the end of the event so that you only have to pay for what you use. You are free to take with you any bottles that are open at the end of the event. If you choose to bring your own liquor, please check with our office for delivery and removal times. All liquor service must be by “open bar”. “Cash bars” are not permitted.

Accessibility
The Dr. Fisher House is not equipped with a ramp for accessibility. The restroom on the first floor is handicap accessible.

Temperature Control
The Dr. Fisher House is heated but not air-conditioned. Our staff will open the windows in warm weather or turn on the heat in cooler weather prior to your guest arrival. Gentle cross-breezes keep the space quite comfortable in the summer months.

Parking
We provide two parking spaces for the renting party in the Dr. Fisher House parking lot. All other spaces in the lot are individually leased and are not available. Since the house is within easy walking distance to most accommodations in Edgartown, guests usually walk to the reception. Parking is provided for your vendors.

Logistics and Staffing
We will coordinate all of your vendors’ access to the property for deliveries as well as the removal of rental equipment, leftover liquor and any other items. A member of our staff is on-site throughout the event: during set-up, execution of the event and clean-up. We are behind the scenes, ensuring that your vendors have what they need, that policies are upheld, and making certain that your event is flawlessly executed.