Sophie Dietz, who works in digital strategy at Dior Beauty, was set up with Jack Kraus, who’s in commercial real estate, via their mutual friend, who had a gut feeling they’d be compatible. With a few texts exchanged, it was confirmed there was interest from both parties, and a date was arranged. “I know we would have eventually met each other organically, but I still feel it was kismet that he was as drawn to me as I was to him before even meeting,” Sophie shares.
After four years together, Sophie had mentioned that all she wanted was to get engaged in the summer on the dock of his family’s beach house in Amagansett. “On the last official Friday of the summer, Jack asked me to join him down on the dock and asked me to marry him in front of one of the most exquisite sunsets the bay has ever seen,” she remembers. “When I thought the evening couldn’t be any more perfect, I heard screaming cheers and saw our best friends and family running down the dock with balloons and Champagne.”
That excitement set the tone for their wedding, which was always to be hosted on her family’s property in Menemsha on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s been in her family since the ’50s, when her grandparents bought a home on the pond. “When planning our wedding, we wanted something that felt like all the summer dinners and cocktail parties we’ve hosted on our back porch,” Sophie shares. “They have been simple yet eclectic, filled with color, candles, and loud conversation. We aimed to include only local vendors that we felt connected to and aimed to create something simple that represented not only Jack and me but also paid homage to my mother and grandparents and honored the beautiful land and property that they had created.”
To bring their vision to life, the couple enlisted Timeless Event Planning and Isabella Chimes to capture every moment. Sophie’s mother is an artist, and she and Sophie’s grandmother have been painting sunsets on the point for as long as the bride can remember. It was only fitting that the mother of the bride set the tone for the weekend and watercolor the invitation suite from Anna Lind Peterson and ceremony program.
A boat day kicked off the festivities on Thursday, followed by the men fishing in a storm on Friday, while the ladies lunched. That night, Sophie wore a white floral appliquéd Alemais dress with a heart locket her father had gifted her when she was five years old, earrings from Lelet NY, and a butterfly ring from Ivry Belle Jewelry. Her “something blue” was a bag by Camille Albertine.
Going with the easy, East Coast vibe, bridesmaids wore Rainbow flip flops through the next morning, when they got ready with Sophie. The bride prepped in lace boxers from Handover and a baby tank with “Mrs.” embroidered by Abbode—a gift from her maid of honor—with a team from Sea Spa Salon.
Then, she put on her semi-custom Elizabeth Fillmore wedding dress. Sophie met Elizabeth herself, and together, they added a slightly longer train to the Manon style with lace sleeves. “She even sewed a gold heart charm with Jack’s initials on the sleeve!” the bride exclaims. Souliers Martinez sandals, a necklace made from Sophie’s grandmother’s engagement ring, and custom drop earrings by Marisa Perry created with stones from her great uncle completed the look.
“My mom and I always look at seashells on the point, where our ceremony was, so when I found a shell-embellished Zimmermann dress from a couple of seasons ago on TheRealReal, it felt like the perfect fit for my second look!” Sophie exclaims. She styled it with vintage Miu Miu platforms, also sourced from the online reseller. Her last look for the silent disco was an oversized sequin dress from Selezza London, paired with Carl Paris ballet flats, and a metallic Rabanne bag.
Jack looked handsome in a custom suit from J. Mueser, which had his and Sophie’s initials and wedding date embroidered on the inside lapel.
On September 30, 2023, despite the drizzles staying largely away, the marshy land ended up being too muddy, and the rain plan tent was moved up. Sophie walked down the aisle, lined with florals by Morrice, with her mother to their favorite Carla Bruni song. “There were so many moments that weekend that seemed to ‘test’ some of our plans: the weather, the switch in venue, my veil even flew off my head during the ceremony—and into the arms of my MOH)—but none of this mattered as we stood together,” she reflects. The bride’s godfather officiated the service with personal anecdotes. “It truly felt like it all came together in that moment on the point, and as cheesy as it sounds, we felt more in love than ever.”
Once officially married, the newlyweds were ready to let loose. “Everyone came dressed to the nines with some guests embracing the weather conditions, pairing their cocktail attire with rain boots,” Sophie remembers. “We toasted to the Wet Wedding, and captured it all on our camcorder—which one of our groomsmen carried around for the whole day.”
The couple worked with Chef Spring Sheldon to cater the night. She even worked with the couple’s longtime family friends of Larsen’s Fish Market to make mini versions of the famous lobster rolls. For dinner, guests dined on Grey Barn rib-eye, a daily catch fish, and a farro risotto with local mushrooms. Then, the pair cut their confections by Val Cakes.
The Sultans provided entertainment and made sure the dance floor was always packed. Sophie and Jack shared a first dance to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole. “Despite practicing, we lost our place when Jack stepped on my dress and the whole bustle fell out,” Sophie reveals. “Although no one else noticed, it turned out to be such a funny moment.”
Since the island has a 10:00 p.m. noise ordinance, a silent disco extended the fête after hours. The bride and groom curated two playlists—one EDM, one punk rock—and they set the vibes for the following two hours. Since Jack grew up going to Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, they brought the bar’s famous tapestry and set it up on the stage. Sophie concludes, “It brought the best of Talkhouse nights to what we like to think of as Menemsha Pond’s biggest rave!”
