Jedediah Hawkins inn
After visiting over 30 venues, from New Jersey to the north fork of Long Island (including catering halls, wineries, vineyards and free standing barns), all i...t took was one look at Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport for our daughter to announce that "this is where I'm getting married." We immediately made an appointment with the owner, Lia, for the following weekend.
Unlike most venues, where you are told how the wedding will be structured (cocktail hour here, reception there), at Jedediah Hawkins you have much more flexibility, depending upon your personal vision. You have full access to the dining room and solarium in the Inn, the outdoor patio (with tables and seating), the barn, and a large lawn area. You have the freedom to choose from all of these options. In addition, unlike most other venues, Jedediah Hawkins is home to a top notch and popular restaurant (more on that later).
Our daughter chose to have her July 9th ceremony in the barn (air conditioned), the cocktail hour on the patio (additional seating in the restaurant also for anyone who wanted to sit indoors), and the reception under a tent on the lawn. An outdoor ceremony is also a popular option here because of the beautiful setting. Everything flowed seamlessly the entire day. During the reception, we had dinner and dancing under the tent, while guests could also stroll the grounds, play lawn games, or relax in the adirondack chairs. There's no need for a photo booth when the scenery is as stunning as it is here. You can take pictures in front of the wisteria or with the adjacent farm as a backdrop. The youngest kids even had room to run around on the lawn, while still being close to their families.
We met with Tyler, the chef, a few weeks before the wedding to finalize the menu, based on what ingredients would be fresh and available that time of year. The passed hors d'ouvres ranged from tuna tartare with Dijon and shallot to sliders with Gruyere cheese, and crab cakes with lemon aioli to dates wrapped in maple glazed bacon. We also had a Tuscan table with a wide range of breads, dips, cheeses, meats and fruits. All of the food was delicious, fresh and beautifully displayed. In addition to being a gourmet chef, Tyler has an extensive background in high end catering for up to several hundred guests at a time. This was clear during the reception, as the food was served quickly and efficiently to every table. Our entree choices were roasted branzino filet with root vegetables, and summer short ribs with corn, tomato and asparagus succotash (along with an excellent vegetarian option). Everything was perfectly prepared and beautifully plated, just as you receive in their excellent restaurant.
Lia, Colin (manager of the Inn), Grace (our daughter's bridal attendant -and much more) and the entire staff are committed to ensuring that your event follows your personal vision, rather than any pre-determined formula or schedule. While Lia will have a list of recommended outside vendors, there are no restrictions if you choose your own. You are required to reserve all 6 rooms at the Inn on the night of your event, but that also includes a delicious breakfast the following morning, as well as passes to several local vineyards for wine tasting. It was a perfect finish to an unforgettable weekend. In short, while we set our expectations very high, they were exceeded in every way possible.