| There is no better team out there. Merri-Makers was the most impressive group that I’ve seen at a wedding venue. We worked specifically with Gianna V (wedding planner at Merri-Makers) and she was THE BEST. She made the whole planning process so easy and fun. She was available for any question along the way and extremely prompt with her responses. She gave us the best list of preferred vendors and helped make our vision come to life. That’s mostly because she takes the time to get to know the couple personally to really be able to help make the big day the most special. She was extremely organized and took so much off our hands with coordinating and communicating with our vendors. She is just a godsend!!!! The rest of the staff was just as good. I cannot say enough great things about the Maitre d’s that we had with us throughout the day and night. They were so helpful to the entire wedding party and always there to fix hair, dress, get us drinks, etc. I cannot stop talking about how fantastic the Merri-Makers team is at Mallard. They are the best of the best!!! |
Hi Gianna,
I can’t believe it’s been almost 4 weeks since the wedding! After a long weekend at the beach, our honeymoon, and 3.5 weeks off from work, I’m finally getting back to regular life as a WIFE. I’ve been on cloud 9 since the wedding, but now can finally put my gratitude into words. I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you, and your team at Mallard, and everyone at Merri-Makers for giving me the wedding of my dreams! Everything was absolutely perfect, from getting ready in the morning, to getting back to Mallard for pictures, to the bridal attendants helping Jake when his button came off his jacket, to cocktail hour, to dinner, to the FOOD (just so delicious- everyone was in awe with the service and the food), to the after party, to the suites overnight, and to breakfast the next morning. I couldn’t have asked for a better day or a better venue to work with.
Over the last year and a half you made the planning process so easy and seamless and stress-free. As I told you, I was never a bridesmaid in a wedding before this and had only attended a few as a guests. And this was the first wedding my family ever had to plan, so I really had no clue what I was doing Lol. You helped me so much, and also made sure I was calm, cool, and collected the entire time. Working with you was amazing, and I don’t know what I would have done without you and your guidance!
I could probably write a million more paragraphs about how perfect every detail of the day was. As the wedding was getting closer, I was afraid to get my expectations up too high or put too much pressure on it being “the best day ever” incase something didn’t go right and I didn’t want to be disappointed. Not that I didn’t trust you or anything haha because I did, but you never know what could happen and I don’t always have the best luck. However, now looking back, I can truly say that my wedding day was the absolute best day and night of my life (so far) and I have never been happier! Looking around at my parents and my family and Jake and his family, everyone had the biggest smile on their face the entire day and it made my heart so full. Also, pretty much every guest has told me that my wedding was the best wedding they have ever been to. I know sometimes people just say that to say it, but when people say that to me, I can tell by their enthusiasm and their body language and their faces that they are telling the truth 100%.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I don’t know how else to put into words how much I appreciate everything you helped me with during my 1.5 years of wedding planning. I already convinced a friend of a friend to get married at Mallard- I’m pretty sure she signed a contract for sometime in October 2023 haha. And she may not know it yet, but my sister Allison NEEDS to get married at Mallard someday because I wouldn’t want her to have any less of a perfect day than I did, and I don’t think any other place would ever compare.
Thank you again for everything,
Lauren S.
Hi Mary,
Wanted to say a big thank you to you and the entire team for making our wedding last Saturday a great success. You and the team were incredibly helpful throughout the entire process and were instrumental in making sure the day ran smoothly. We were thrilled with the staff day of – everyone was so helpful, accommodative, and truly went above and beyond. The day was simply perfect.
And of course, we have to mention the food – our guests were raving the entire night about how amazing the food was from cocktail hour all the way through to dessert. And we completely agree 😊
It was a pleasure working with you during our wedding process and hope to come back to Bonnet Island again as wedding guests!
Thanks and hope the rest of the season goes well!
Julianne & Matt
Thank you! Our overall experience with Merri-Makers was fantastic.
We didn’t get to enjoy all the food as much as we wanted because of the craziness of the day, but the items we did have were definitely up to our expectations and we received compliments from numerous guests on both the food options and the quality of the food.
And similarly for the service, it seemed to us that the day went through without a hitch, and every interaction that we had with the Merri-Makers staff was pleasant. T
Thank you guys again for making our day so memorable!
Laura and Team,
Can not thank you enough for putting on the most amazing event. Your team made the day go absolutely perfectly. The attention to detail and level of service was above and beyond anything we could have imagined. Wish we could do it all over again!
Best,
Colleen and Jake
Laura,
My daughter and son-in-law were married at the Ashford Estate Saturday, September 10, 2022. We selected this venue in January 2021 and had 18 months of anticipation. Our decision was made when we met Laura, who was down-to-earth, warm, and easy to talk to. To be surrounded by elegance and yet a level of humility was so inviting. We visited the venue two more times in the winter/spring. Each time we found the setting stunning, and the people friendly and accommodating.
Our September wedding was beyond what we could have imagined. Laura and the entire staff went above and beyond to make an enchanting wedding. We had 211 guests with 20 children ranging from 11 months up. Meghan served as Maitre’d and ran the event smoothly with attention to every detail.
Our daughter had bridal attendants that looked after her every need and pampered her from noon to night. Meghan organized the procession into the chapel like clockwork, not an easy task with 9 bridesmaids, 4 flower girls, and 3 ring bearers.
The staff moved the wedding party and guests through a tight schedule with photographs, cocktails, and reception seamlessly. We never felt hurried, and yet the day unfolded perfectly.
The food was outstanding. As a vegetarian, I was doubly pleased that Merri-makers offered a wide variety of choices for all diets. The cocktail hour had creative station choices including all of the usual options but also a ramen bar and lobster rolls. Our guests could choose from ravioli, salmon and beef at the reception. The vegetarian option, ravioli with wild mushroom sauce, was delicious. Our guests raved about the salmon and beef as well. We had passed ice cream sandwiches and a gelato bar along with cake and creme brûlée for dessert along with espresso martinis.
We danced and shared emotional moments filled with joy and cheer. Throughout the day, evening and well into the night, the Ashford staff took care of our every need. Our after-party carried on into the morning hours giving us memories that will last a lifetime.
One last comment, the grounds are gorgeous – with photo opportunities in every direction.
We cannot thank Laura, Meghan, the chefs, the attendants, waitstaff, night-time personnel and everyone at the Ashford/Merri-Makers enough. We wholeheartedly recommend this venue.
Denise R.
Hi Laura-
Just wanted to thank you for a truly extraordinary wedding for Jack and Andrea. Ashford was the perfect venue, you were so wonderful to work with, the food was exceptional and overall the event was beyond compare! Thank you for all you did to make it a perfect night!
Warm regards-
Amanda M.
We had our wedding in early September and it was the best day of our lives thanks to the team at Mallard Island.
We toured many venues but nothing compared to the vibe at Mallard. The venue is stunning and romantic, the food is excellent and the staff is top-notch. Our wedding day was so magical and every detail was perfect.
The process of planning a wedding is so stressful especially towards the end but they did everything they could to make our lives easier. Everything we asked for (no matter how seemingly crazy it sounded), they rolled with and made it happen. You do really get what you pay for at Mallard. We have absolutely no negatives. Special shout-out to the event coordinator, Gianna, who is so helpful, responsive and such a pleasure to work with! She answered our never ending emails and went above and beyond.
The wedding was AMAZING !
Everything went flawlessly, and Lauren and Nick couldn’t have been happier
We couldn’t ask for anything more
Much appreciated
I did send a quick email to Gianna just a few days after the wedding expressing how overly thrilled and delighted we were with how everything was at the Mallard and with Merri- Makers. Everything was absolutely perfect. Gianna from the very first day we met her was always so welcoming and attentive to our questions and concerns. She truly was the absolute best!!! She kept Lauren on a timetable that was do able and therefore made the entire wedding planning so easy.
As far as the actual day…… everything was perfect. We were so relaxed and comfortable in the bridal suite getting ready. The girls had an absolute blast dancing and relaxing while getting their hair and makeup done. The bridal assistant Jordan was so sweet and got us anything we needed. We barely knew Alex Rivera was there taking pictures yet all of his pictures were candid and beautiful from the bridal suite.
The trolley to the Church was seamless and on time. If there were any snags we knew nothing about them. We were actually a few minutes early for the church which was perfect so the ceremony went off right at 3PM.
The cocktail hour was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately I didn’t try everything which was my own fault. I was taking a break in the bridal suite freshening up and when I returned Nancy did tell me they brought a sampler to my family which was so nice of them. I was able to try most of the appetizers and my guests said all of the food was delicious. The reception was also beautiful. The food was delicious and they even came around to everyone with seconds. The bartenders were also very attentive. All the guest said they worked so hard and they barely had to wait for a drink. They were pleasant and friendly to everyone!!
The day was just perfect and I know that is because of all the hard work the Mallard and Merri-Makers did to make it perfect. We are just so pleased with how everything turned out.
I also wanted to let you know all the guests mentioned to me how nice and attentive your staff was. On more than one occasion the guest complimented the staff.
Again I cant express enough how absolutely beautiful Lauren and Jake’s Wedding day turned out. And I know it is all because of how professional and kind everyone at the Mallard and Merri-Makers have been through this entire process. Thank you thank you for a beautiful memorable day. Oh and by the way everyone said it was the best wedding they have ever been to!!!!
Sincerely,
Virginia C.
