Coastal Views Meet Classic Celebrations
201 to 250 guests
Holds ceremonies and receptions
AWARD WINNER (2X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
The Mallard Island Estate is a waterfront wedding venue located in Manahawkin, NJ. This elegant property can be exclusively yours for a special day of love and celebrations with friends and family. Couples will love the charming Boathouse Chapel and be impressed by the Grand Ballroom which welcomes guests for a luxurious wedding experience. Located within driving distance of the New York Metropolitan Area, it is a peaceful seaside escape from city life.
Perched on the shores of the picturesque Barnegat Bay, Mallard Island Yacht Club is defined by its panoramic views. Relax with loved ones on the wraparound porch that overlooks the bay and enjoy the sun setting over the deep blue horizon. Guests will be impressed by its beautiful plaza with its stunning Gothic-style architecture that is reminiscent of Princeton University. When finished mingling in the warm sunshine and fresh sea air, the party can retreat into the cozy confines of the Boathouse Chapel. Couples can exchange vows in a heartwarming ceremony, framed by the room’s grand stone hearth. Smiling and in love, they can say “I do” bathed in light from its many large windows. Moving from the secluded boathouse to the Grand Ballroom of the manor house, an air of anticipation and excitement descends over the party. Ideal for a stylish couple who are seeking a celebration defined by sophistication and elegance, stunning chandeliers hang from a Tiffany Blue painted ceiling. Here a black-tie gala fit for royalty awaits parties, and will surely be remembered for years to come.
Mallard Island Yacht Club is an ideal destination to hold a private weekend-long wedding. There are luxurious accommodations for up to 24 of your nearest and dearest so you can enjoy the property across multiple days. On the day of the festivities, the spacious bridal penthouse is the perfect space for pre-wedding pampering. It comes complete with salon chairs so the wedding party can be styled in comfort. Celebrate with up to 250 guests in the sophisticated grand ballroom, and you can be assured a delightful dinner service with Merri Makers catering. The company’s event staff is also happy to arrange a day-after breakfast for those who have stayed on-site.
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Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception:
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Ceremony:
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Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees. Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Ballroom
Beach
Waterfront
Estate
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Food & Catering
Planning
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.090 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
MIYC is a dream wedding venue with an experienced and attentive team that goes above and beyond for couples, ensuring a seamless and stress-free planning process and execution of the big day. Reviewers praise the beautiful spaces, such as the chapel, garden, and reception area, along with the stunning views and luxurious bridal suite. The staff, led by the exceptional Gianna, receive high accolades for their professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail, making couples feel special and well taken care of throughout the entire experience. Guests rave about the delicious food provided by MerriMakers and the overall magical ambiance of Mallard Island Yacht Club, recommending it as a top choice for a picture-perfect wedding celebration.Review photos
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Julia B
5.0
1/12/2025
I’d been dreaming of getting married at Mallard since it was built and I was 10 years old. Our wedding in June 2024 there exceeded all of our dreams! Working with Mallard’s Wedding Coordinator Gianna from start to finish on the details of the day was a breeze and she has everything down to a science. The whole team at Mallard was incredible and professional. It is truly a well-oiled machine and no detail went unnoticed. Shout out to Gianna, Kristi, Jillian, Emily, and Nicole who were there the day of and made everyone, especially our wedding party and families, feel so special. We love how Mallard has everything you need for your wedding day - the exquisite bridal penthouse, boathouse chapel, indoor/outdoor space for cocktail hour and the after party, and the magical ballroom. We loved spending the night at Mallard with our wedding party overlooking the beautiful bay. We will forever be reliving the best day of our lives! Thank you for everything!
Brianna S
5.0
11/07/2024
MIYC is an absolute DREAM. Gianna is incredible at her job. Her and her team went above and beyond all day and all the days leading up to the wedding. When we toured Mallard, aside from loving the venue, we loved Gianna!! She was extremely patient with all my questions (and there were a lot), putting us completely at ease that our day would be seamless. Her and her team did such an amazing job making sure everything is on schedule down to the very minute. They are truly experts in their field and made sure us and our parents were taken care of the entire day. Not to mention you get the entire estate – we had our bridal party stay in the suites upstairs so the party could keep going! MIYC’s catering is MerriMakers who is also out of this world. So many of our guests raved about all the food, especially the cocktail hour. If you’re a sushi lover - SPLURGE FOR THE SUSHI. The display was incredible and the freshness was out of this world. Everything was so perfect, I hope i have the opportunity to attend as a guest!!
Any questions?
ANGELA G
5.0
11/07/2024
Where do I even begin?
From the second we toured Mallard and met Gianna, we knew we'd be in great hands. Despite knowing this, we never could have imagined how perfect our big day would be.
Gianna and the team are seasoned experts and make the process seamless from start to finish so you don't have to stress. When questions pop up, she is SO responsive, though you don't even need to reach out much as she touches base each step of the way to make sure everything is done on the right timeline.
Our guests are STILL complimenting us on the big day & it was 2 months ago! My husband and I love that everyone commented on different details that were their favorite part of the night - so many touches that made it the perfect event!
The food is phenomenal and there are so many options - people are literally still telling us about their favorite cocktail hour stations!
The venue itself is STUNNING so you don't have to waste energy/money on sprucing it up with extra decor. Last but certainly not least, the staff is out of this world. They are kind, professional, and detail-oriented. From the second you enter the venue they are ON IT to make sure your day goes smoothly and the guests feel spoiled.
I truly don't know how my bridal attendants could read my mind before I even opened my mouth, but they made the day incredibly special. My husband said his team made the day so much more fun & he was able to relax knowing someone was guiding every step. We literally left feeling like we gained new friends in our team.
Gianna is simply the best of the best and I promise you, if you are considering this venue you should take the tour. It was the best decision we could have possibly made!
- A&A
Haley S
5.0
10/24/2024
10/10!! We absolutely loved having our wedding at Mallard! It’s a beautiful wedding venue with many different party spaces for your wedding day. The chapel was absolutely stunning for our ceremony, cocktail hour was in the garden and downstairs area, and the reception space was awesome! They have window doors that they were able to open up once our reception started and it created such a cool and versatile space! There was a bar set up out on the balcony and it looked amazing. The grounds have so many amazing spaces for photo opportunities for the bride and groom as well as their guests. Getting ready in their bridal suite was absolutely incredible. It was such a dream of a day. Nothing was missed, right down to the swans swimming in the water all day by the chapel!!!
Everything ran so smoothly thanks to their amazing staff. Gianna is just the best wedding coordinator EVER. She was always there to answer any and every question I had. She was ON IT!! The entire year leading up and the day of the wedding. She helped me solution and put me at ease so many times throughout the wedding planning process. I didn’t hire a wedding planner and I didn’t feel like I really needed one with all of her help! We honestly had zero problems come up the day of! The bridal attendants were great, always checking in on me to make sure I had what I needed and keep me updated on how things were moving along. My husband and I never didn’t have a drink in our hands and stayed fed all day thanks to them!
Speaking of food.. WOW!! Everything was incredible. Right after our ceremony we were taken up to the bridal suite to trays and trays filled with food from cocktail hour so we didn’t miss out! Everything was so delicious. Our guests said they couldn’t believe how much food we had and how delicious it was! We were able to attend a tasting before the wedding and it really helped us make our selections for the day of, which wasn’t easy! I want to go back in time just to eat all of the food again!
If you’re looking for a beautiful venue, incredible food (it truly is incredible, food was a big thing for us!!), and the most attentative staff to work with, Mallard Island Yacht Club is your place! I am one HAPPY bride!! Much love!
Jess Z
5.0
10/21/2024
The best team in the business for sure! From start to finish the Merri-makers team was incredible. From the planning stage and deciding on a venue to the wedding day itself, Gianna and the team were the best. They made the day everything we dreamed of covered every little detail and made sure everything we wanted was in place - they were all so nice and personable and played a role themselves in making the day so special. Would recommend them in a heartbeat!! They know what they are doing!!
Alyson C
5.0
7/25/2024
From time of booking, to the wedding day, day of, the entire MIYC staff has been incredible! Gianna helped us plan, stayed in contact throughout the entire planning process, and made wedding planning so easy! The attention to detail from all of the staff made the wedding weekend (because you can stay over on site!) seamless and stress free. From the food to the service, the breathtaking grounds and bridal suite, I will forever rave about my wedding day and priceless choice to have it at Mallard Island!
Vendor response 07/25/2024
Thank you so much for your kind words Alyson! It was our privilege to host your big day! W...
e are so grateful you enjoyed your big day!
Anna S
5.0
7/15/2024
I had an incredible experience with Merrimakers at Mallard Island Yacht Club- from start to finish. Gianna and the Merrimakers team made the planning process easy, straightforward, and even fun. The final product on the day itself was everything I could have wanted. The staff is not only professional and experts at their craft, but they're also so kind and helpful, adding to the positive energy for the day. I cannot recommend getting married here enough.
Vendor response 07/17/2024
Thank you Anna! We absolutely loved working with you and your family <3 It was truly our h...
onor to be a part of your big day!
Steph S
5.0
7/03/2024
Such an amazing staff. We had a beautiful June wedding at the Mallard and Gianna/the entire Merri Makers team made the experience so enjoyable. The food was wonderful as well as the entire experience!
Stephanie W
5.0
5/30/2024
Gianna is THE reason I did not get a wedding planner. She is organized, responsive, action-driven, and seasoned. She checked in regularly after we signed with the venue to make sure we were prepared and at ease, and that we could truly arrive on the wedding day and just enjoy every moment without a worry in the world.
Merri-Makers: Admittedly, I was nervous at first signing a contract with a caterer whose food I had never gotten to try. But, after the Chef's Table two months from the wedding, I was reassured. I loved how customizable the menu was from cocktail hour to desserts. We were able to add a heritage station, which was made based on the recipe we had submitted. The tomahawk and scallop stations are a must. I absolutely loved the summer salad and halibut. My only regret was not eating more! We continue to get rave reviews about the food.
Mallard Island Yacht Club: It is a stunning venue, with a garden, dock, mansion, bridal suite. The boathouse chapel is surrounded by water, with panels that can be opened or closed depending on the weather. I did not feel compelled to get a photo booth because every corner of the property is a photo op. The guest suites are also gorgeous.
Wedding Day: As the bride, I felt like royalty. I am deeply appreciative of my bridal attendants Jillian and Emily who made sure I was hydrated, did not have to carry my bouquet all day, made sure my veil and my dress always looked fluffed and picture-perfect. Kristi arranged all the decor as my mother had detailed in her instructive photos. After the ceremony, there were personalized platters of cocktail hour food and our signature drinks awaiting, and this continued with dinner and dessert.
Day after: We were able to pick up our drop-off items without issue, along with a bottle of champagne and the top tier of our cake wrapped for freezing!
Cannot recommend this team enough, and I would absolutely get married again at Mallard with Merri-Makers!
Vendor response 06/12/2024
Thank you Stephanie!!!!! You deserved to feel like royalty!!! It was truly an honor to be ...
a part of your big day. We look forward to you coming back to visit <3
Marc H
5.0
4/07/2024
Mallard Island Yacht Club is pure magic! The site itself is absolutely exquisite! Our priority was an intimate & meaningful ceremony, with the chapel serving as the most magnificent backdrop. Though on-property, it feels separate & sacred: a beautiful, blank canvas upon which you can build the wedding of your dreams. When the doors were thrown open on our Big Day- and we were greeted by a room full of sunlight, flowers & love- our breaths were genuinely taken away.
From pre-ceremony drinks in the garden, to a seamless indoor/outdoor cocktail hour, to a reception during which guests danced in the bay breeze, Mallard's expansive premises & thoughtful layout left nothing to be desired. On our first visit, we were awed by how stunning it looked in the daylight. But the nighttime views - with a candle-lit chapel, moon-lit terrace & fire-lit garden - knocked our socks off.
Another draw was the bridal suite... just WOW! It’s an oasis with a separate salon space that housed hours of stress-free bridal prep. A blissful way to start the day, for sure! The guys found their perfect home in the Groom Shack: a rustic cabin nestled right on the bay. With drinks in their hands - and a view that inspired deep breaths & total serenity - their day-of vibes were certainly brought to life!
As avid foodies, we wanted to be sure that we fed our guests and fed them well! Based on overwhelming praise, we can say: Mission Accomplished! Scallops served in shells, tomahawk steak sliced on the spot, a locally-sourced raw bar, cacio e pepe, lobster rolls - and that's just the cocktail hour! For 6 straight hours our group was met with a feast beyond their wildest dreams, all facilitated by the most wonderful & attentive staff.
Working with Gianna & Merri-Makers was a stellar experience. They are professionals, through-and-through! In the wedding lead-up, they offered helpful hints & checked in often to ensure major milestones were met. Once we selected our outside vendors, they coordinated logistics, ensuring we had as little to worry about on our Big Day as possible. Day of, their kindness & compassion made us feel calm & cared for and allowed us to focus on what mattered most: spending time with loved ones & getting married! We also can’t say enough about our attendants! When the bride’s feet needed a break, sneakers magically appeared under the sweetheart table. When the groom needed a drink, it was in his hand without asking. The same impeccable care was shown to our parents, family & friends. People make such an incredible effort to be with you on your wedding, and you want them to feel as loved and appreciated as you do. Merri-Makers can give a Master Class on how to do just that.
We also hosted our afterparty at Mallard! Oddly enough, it’s not too hard to encourage folks to have a few extra cocktails when the next stop is just downstairs! From arrival to departure, our guests were with us for 8 hours. To us, that’s the sign of a great party!
Our family stayed overnight at Mallard. When we awoke the next morning, all of our things were packed and ready to go: a fitting ending & further proof that, from start-to-finish, the service at Mallard is unparalleled. Special thanks to LouAnn, who took great care of our troupe and sent us off with the warmest wishes.
Whenever we're asked about our wedding, we smile and say “it was the most perfect day." We're eternally grateful to the Mallard & Merri-Maker team for helping make it all happen.
Kiley S
5.0
11/29/2023
There are not enough words to express my gratitude and love for the team at Merri-Makers (Mallard Island Yacht Club)! We had the wedding of our DREAMS and it will truly be a day we will remember forever!!! When we toured the venue we were initially drawn to the waterfront views from anywhere inside or outside of the building! The covered dock where the ceremony is is beyond beautiful and so unique. An amazing part of the venue is that all of the outside space (with the exception of the courtyard) can be used if you have rain on your wedding day! Not many people think of a rain plan - and at this place - even the rain plan is beautiful! The downstairs cocktail hour space and upstairs reception spaces are so unique from one another but are both beautiful - you have to see them for yourself! The downstairs is a high end coastal bar vibe but with elegance and the upstairs is just the most beautiful and unique reception room I've ever seen! The dance floor is huge and the flow of the upstairs makes it very functional for a large or small wedding. The craftsmanship of the ceiling and vintage detailing is to die for! And the 3,000 square foot bridal suite..... once you see it, you'll know what I mean!!! The venue has a limited number of guest rooms you can rent the night of the wedding (if are required to rent out the rooms if you get married on a Saturday) and each room is so unique! We had our immediate family stay over the night of the wedding and it was perfect! We got ready off-site at another hotel & were able to check in at 1230 the day of the wedding. If you have a Friday wedding I believe you can check in at 10am.
During our planning process we worked with Gianna who was amazing and helped us each step of the way! Gianna was so responsive and helpful with any questions we had - and she also helped us customize our menu to fit our price range and taste preferences. The food is incredible! Our guests were raving about the various stations and passed food during cocktail hour - and the unique food choices for dinner - again you can make it very customizable! From what I heard from my guests, there were zero lines at the stations and at the bar. The service the Merri-Makers team provides is above and beyond anything I could ever imagine! I've worked in the service industry and I am so impressed with their team! They have multiple bridal attendants that cater to you the entire day and they are the sweetest people! We also had 2 maitre ds who made our dinner service run so smoothly. We also had an amazing overnight manager who was so sweet and helpful! They will keep your entire day on track! ALSO - they cleaned up everything for us at the end of the night too and organized it into our bins! I never heard of a venue doing that. It was incredible. We also had our after party in the downstairs area where cocktail hour was and it was so much fun! It is great having a venue where you can have the ceremony, reception, and after party! The entire day just ran so smoothly from start to finish. I wouldn't change anything about this day. This place really knows how to put on a wedding and make it special for you and your family!!!!
Vendor response 11/30/2023
Thank you for the incredible review Kiley! We are so glad you had your dream day! It was o...
ur honor to help with the planning process and making your big day come to life. We adore you! Please come back to visit <3
Kelly C
5.0
11/02/2023
Mallard Island was a dream location to get married. The Merri-makers staff made the planning process as seamless as it can be, and even the wedding day felt care-free! Gianna is an absolute gem of a human and working with her felt like I had a super knowledgeable / kind / caring / planning-expert friend helping me the whole way through. The day-of dream team (shout out Sam, Jillian, and Nicole!!!) was also so incredible in making sure I felt taken care of and was where I needed to be so I didn't have to think about it. My wedding was during a tropical storm and the entire staff moved incredibly efficient and professional as almost every plan shifted last minute. The power was running on a generator for majority of the night and none of my guests knew because the execution was so flawless. I cannot recommend Merri-Makers or the Mallard Island venue / team enough!!! Even in such a crazy weather day, they made the sun shine for me and all my family & friends.
Vendor response 11/03/2023
Thank you for your kind words Kelly and for being such an exceptional sport through the no...
t so friendly weather! It was our pleasure to be a part of your big day <3 please come back to visit!
Krysta H
5.0
10/24/2023
If you want to have the easiest, most beautiful, scenic wedding with staff who will feel like they're your friends and family, don't hesitate, just book here. The grounds are breathtaking. The service is unmatched, not just for the couple, but for their parents and guests. The food is top restaurant quality. Their thoroughness and kindness make this experience only positive. I cannot recommend them enough. If you want glamour, meets beach, this is the place for you!
Vendor response 10/25/2023
What an exceptional review! Thank you Krysta! It was our absolute pleasure <3 so glad we c...
ould make your dream day come true. Please come back to visit!
Doug J
5.0
10/23/2023
The team at Merri-Makers, specifically Gianna, made our wedding day (and the process leading up to) everything we could have asked for and more. From the very beginning, it felt like we were the only two people getting married, and this feeling didn’t change from beginning to end. I couldn’t recommend Gianna and team more highly, and we wish we could do it all over again! Thank you MM, and we love Mallard Island Yacht Club!
Vendor response 10/25/2023
Thank you Doug!!! We are so glad you and Jess had the beautiful day you deserved. The plea...
sure was all ours - we loved planning with you! Please come back to visit.
Frannie K
5.0
10/03/2023
Mallard honestly let us had the best day ever.
What originally drew us to the venue was the indoor outdoor vibe because we wanted to get married on the water without people getting soaked if it rained since the ceremony space was covered. Turns out not only is the ceremony space beautiful, it was a beautiful backdrop for all our pictures.
The staff, food, venue, everything was amazing. I wasn’t expecting all the hands on attention as to the level it was but all the coordinators and attendants calmed me and made our day so great. They also literally followed me around and made sure my dress was held correctly and bustled correctly etc. an and that I had lipstick! They also allowed me to make decisions about what I wanted to do which was great. Everything was also timed out so well and the flow of the event was amazing. I know for a fact that Mallard knows how to throw a not only a great wedding but the best wedding! We really felt special and like we had the best day we could have.
Everything I tasted was amazing. I had the sushi the caccio e peppe and the lobster roll and they were so good. My husband said the steak and halibut were excellent. Also guests said it was the best food at a wedding they have ever had. I liked the private cocktail hour it was the only time we really got to eat and also soak up the day.
I also really liked working with the exclusive vendors for cake, alcohol, and suggested vendors as well.
It was literally the best day and so many people came up to us to say it was one of the best weddings they’ve ever been to! You won’t be disappointed choosing the Mallard!
Kim H
5.0
9/23/2023
Gianna and her team at Merri-Makers did an outstanding job in every respect for our wedding at Mallard Island! The food was excellent and the service top notch. I previously did my daughter’s wedding at a very high-end NY venue, and I would rate Merri-Makers on par or even higher than the NY venue (and certainly significantly less expensive!0
Chloe H
5.0
9/15/2023
Merri-Makers at Mallard Island Yacht Club was the absolute dream team and venue for our wedding. From the moment we toured Mallard we knew that we wanted to get married there because of the amazing views, wonderful food, staff’s attention to detail, and the immediate care that we felt from Gianna. It was not hard to envision our perfect day from that first visit and it ended up being just that! Gianna continued to help throughout the planning process and was available for vendor suggestions and questions whenever we needed her. The day of, the whole staff was so incredible, they put us at ease the entire day and treated us like royalty! Everything went just as expected if not even better. Also the food was SO good! A lot of our guests said it was the best wedding they have ever been to. We would highly recommend any couple to get married at Mallard Island Yacht Club, you will not be disappointed!
Vendor response 09/15/2023
Thank you so much Chloe!!! We loved having you and Mark at Mallard Island for your big day...
! Looking forward to you coming back to visit!
Haley U
5.0
7/25/2023
Best decision we made at our wedding was the catering - our guests didn't stop telling us throughout the night how delicious everything was! The staff was so professional and made the night a breeze. Cannot recommend Merri-Makers enough!
Vendor response 09/15/2023
Thank you Haley!!!! We appreciate your kind words and are so happy you and your guests had...
a wonderful day!
Karla P
5.0
7/10/2023
We had our daughter's wedding at the Mallard Island Yacht Club and it was Perfect from start to finish!
The venue was beautiful, staff was so accommodating, no wait times for the bar, cocktail hour was a hit and dinner, and desserts were perfect. Our guests are still raving about it!
The wedding planning process was flawless.
Vendor response 07/12/2023
Thank you so much for your kind words Karla! It was a pleasure to work with you and your f...
amily to plan Jessica & Phillip's big day! Please come back to visit <3
Mia K
5.0
5/10/2023
I don’t even know where to begin to describe how amazing my wedding was at Mallard Island!!! To say my expectations were surpassed is an understatement!! I knew I wanted to get married near LBI and I originally thought I wanted to get married at Bonnet island (their sister property) until I stepped foot in Mallard.. I knew my venue search was over and I found my dream venue. I loved the unique wedding experience you get with mallard.. you have the option to rent out the entire property overnight. The entire third floor is like a hotel so you and your guests of choice can spend the night. This eases so much stress that you know you have access to your own personal room with a bathroom whenever you need it and you don’t need to worry about getting on a shuttle after your wedding night and staying in a hotel! We worked very closely with Gianna, who coordinates and basically plans your entire wedding at Mallard. Gianna honestly becomes like your best friend by the end and really makes your entire experience. There is no need to hire a wedding planner when you get married at Mallard. She truly is amazing at what she does. She is kind, organized, flexible, and always checked in week to week to make sure you had everything and anything that you needed for your big day. In addition on your wedding day you get two Maitre D‘s who make not only the bride and groom but your families feel like royalty. Anything you needed they had for us. They made sure my husband and I had everything we needed wedding day, gave us our own personal private cocktail hour, made sure we had a whole plate of every dessert, and so much more. My husband even got 2 dinners!!! In addition to us they also made sure our families were beyond taken care of by giving them trays of food at cocktail hour, trays of dessert, etc. My parents and in-laws could not believe the above and beyond service the staff at Mallard gives you. Brides, if you envisioned yourself getting married at a location with a bridal suite look no further. The bridal suite is honestly unreal and it’s almost something you need to see yourself to believe. My girls could not believe how amazing that suite was and there’s an entire salon up there where you get ready. One of the other selling points to me was the ceremony space. The beautiful boathouse chapel overlooking the bay was breathtaking! Ok so let’s talk about the FOOD. My guests could not get over how amazing the food was from the cocktail hour to the reception and even the after party! Also not to mention the dessert was amazing (highly recommended the bananas foster and homemade ice-cream sandwiches) The reception space is beautiful and I loved that there is so much room for your guests to hang out and not feel cramped. I also loved how the dance floor had its own area. Other weddings I’ve been too had the band right on top of the reception tables and it was so loud that I couldn’t even think. This was so nice that the band and dance area was a bit separated so people could still enjoy talking with other guests without screaming over a band. I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t love about my day and Mallard. Our guests were so impressed and it was the best day I could of ever imagined. From the second you and your wedding party steps foot at the venue you are treated beyond amazing. If you are looking for a luxury and unique wedding experience near the water then getting married at Mallard is a MUST! Thank you Mallard for the best day EVER!!!
Vendor response 05/10/2023
Wow!!! Mia! Thank you for such an incredible review! We are so glad you and your families ...
enjoyed every minute of your day. It was a honor to be a part of your wedding! We look forward to you coming back to visit!
Christina A
5.0
12/12/2022
We cannot say enough great things about experience with Merrie-Makers at Mallard Island! We celebrated our wedding day on 11/18/22 and it was absolute perfection. Gianna worked with us from start to finish and made everything so easy for us- we didn’t have to worry about a thing! She was such a huge help throughout the entire process. The food, service, accommodations, were all A+++. I can’t think of one thing we would’ve done differently… our guests were over the moon happy and full of compliments as were we. I wouldn’t look anywhere else!
Vendor response 12/15/2022
Thank you so much for your kind words Christina! It was our honor to be a part of your wed...
ding. We are THRILLED that you had an A+++ day! Looking forward to you coming back to visit!
Samantha M
5.0
11/30/2022
Gianna was absolutely amazing from the start!!! We loved every moment of our special day. The staff were so attentive and thoughtful. They went above and beyond our expectations!!! Always had a drink in our hand thanks to the staff and full bellies!!! Food is unmatched!!! Our family and friends loved it too. Once you see the bridal suite, you’ll be sold!!
Vendor response 12/01/2022
Thank you so much Samantha! We are so glad you loved every moment of your special day! Pl...
ease come back to visit!!!!
Gaby C
5.0
11/29/2022
By far the best vendor decision we made!! The staff at Mallard Island Yacht Club went above and beyond for our big day. I was never once worried about how the day would go because someone was with me every step of the way. Gianna was also a pleasure to work with. She communicated everything we needed to know (and more) and was extremely helpful throughout the planning process. I have worked in this industry before so I know how much time and effort and attention to detail it takes to make an experience spectacular and they completely knocked it out of the park!
Vendor response 11/29/2022
Thank you Gaby!!! We are so glad we knocked it out of the park for your big day! It was a ...
pleasure to work with you! And it was an honor to be a part of your wedding! Please come back to visit!
Lauren C
5.0
11/27/2022
Mallard Island and Merri-Makers were AMAZING!!! I first met Gianna at a tour for Mallard in January 2021 and she has been amazing since the fist day I met her. She was so organized and helped me through the entire planning process. We met multiple times throughout the year leading up to the wedding and she made the entire wedding planning process easy and stress free. The day of the wedding- I couldn't ask for anything better. The staff at Mallard and Merri-Makers were INCREDIBLE. We had bridal assistants that helped with EVERYTHING. They helped me stay organized with vendor tips, helped my husband sew his button back on his jacket after it popped off, brought me a drink whenever I had an empty hand!!! If there was a problem- I did not know about it and it was handled. The place itself is beautiful. My cocktail hour was outdoor and the views are gorgeous. It was a windy day but the building blocked the wind so no ones hair got ruined! :D. The food was incredible. My guests were raving about how much food was at cocktail hour and how good it was!! When it was time for dinner, the service was unmatched. White glove service, the staff was so kind and friendly, the food was so delicious. We had chicken, steak, salmon offered and everyone said the food was so the best wedding food they ever had. Not one complaint. After dinner we opened up the doors on the dance floor and my guests LOVED it. It was a perfect night and we had the summer breeze while dancing all night. I also rented the Mallard with the overnight rooms so we had our bridal party stay over. All of my guests had an amazing time and said it was the best wedding ever!! I could go on and on about Mallard, Gianna, Nancy, Lauren, Merri-Makers...everyone was amazing. I had the best wedding day ever!!
Vendor response 11/27/2022
Thank you Lauren!!! We are so glad you had the best wedding day ever! It was a pleasure to...
work with you! We can't wait until you come back to visit!
Sarah S
5.0
11/22/2022
Our wedding with Merri-Maker's at Mallard Island Yacht Club this past October was seriously a dream. Gianna, our event coordinator, made the entire process leading up to to the wedding extremely easy, straightforward, and fun! We are very sad we do not have the pleasure to continue planning with her! The day & night of our wedding exceeded our expectations in every way possible. We knew the service, food, and overall experience was going to be amazing but it was far better than we ever imagined it would be. The venue is obviously beautiful but Merri-Makers really takes it to the next level and we genuinely felt like everyone involved was just as excited to be a part of our day as we were. So many people told us it was the nicest wedding they had ever been to, and while we may be biased, we would have to agree with this!
We HIGHLY recommend Merri-Makers/Mallard Island Yacht Club to prospective couples.
Only downside to the entire experience is that it had to end!
Vendor response 11/27/2022
Thank you for your kind words Sarah! It was our absolute pleasure to host your big day!!! ...
We are sad it is over too! Please come back to visit <3
Alessandra F
5.0
11/12/2022
The moment we walked through the doors of Mallard Island Yacht club, my husband and I knew we could not imagine ourselves getting married anywhere else. Not only did it provide us our dream estate venue, on the water, guest suites and all (WOW).. but the team at Merri-Makers genuinely went above and beyond to create the most special, personal, and seamless experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We worked closely with Gianna throughout the entire process, who immediately made us feel like we were planning a wedding with a sister or life-long friend. She was responsive, organized, and SUCH a pleasure to work with. G had an answer to every ridiculous question I'd ask, a recommendation for vendors big and small, tips on how to navigate a wedding on LBI.. etc. She always had our best interest at heart - I did not feel the need to hire a wedding coordinator having her guide us through every step of the way. I left my wedding planning process feeling like I had a new friend, which is amazing of itself. On the day of the wedding, I was absolutely blown away at the attentiveness of the entire staff. Everyone from the bridal attendants (they had water on deck for me all day long, bustled my train, fixed my hair, etc- cannot say enough about these fantastic girls), to the overnight manager (we woke up to her setting up a beautiful breakfast and packing up all our items from the night before, etc - the SWEETEST!), to the maitre d (checked in on us all night, and reminded me to change into my second dress, was having too much fun and would have actually forgotten - a queen)... we were provided with an experience I'd only ever dreamed of. All of the little details at Mallard are what made our day feel like one in a million. From the open air dance floor, the stunning bridal suite, the boathouse chapel, the groom shack, personal flags waving in the wind, any menu revision and food that my guests are still raving about (seriously - go for the scallops and the lobster rolls), the fire pit, the views, the grace of the entire MIYC team-- Let this review be your sign to book. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for an experience we will never forget.
Vendor response 11/12/2022
Alessandra!!! Your words mean the world to us. Thank you for all the praise, it was an hon...
or to be a part of your big day. You are forever a part of the Merri-Makers and Mallard Island Family <3
Megan F
5.0
11/05/2022
Mallard Island is the perfect wedding venue and we could not recommend it more. Not only was the venue beautiful and perfectly setup for our event, but the staff was incredibly helpful. From the moment we walked in on the day of our wedding everything was taken care of for us without needing to lift a finger. The attendee staff consistently anticipated your every need but knew exactly when to give you privacy to allow you to enjoy the moment. Special shoutout to Nancy and my bridal assistants who were an absolute joy and felt like my best friends by the end of the day. They were not only helpful to us but were also assisting our parents and grandparents throughout the evening. To top it all off the food was absolutely amazing. Our guests continue to rave about the food and how special it was seeing all of our favorites incorporated into the night. It was a truly perfect event. The entire process leading up to the big day is seamless and getting to work with Gianna was an absolute pleasure. She was on top of everything without being overbearing and was always giving great suggestions when we were stuck. Every vendor we used came from Mallard's preferred list and it all fit together perfectly. From top to bottom, the staff, the venue and everything in between were everything we could have hoped for. Thank you for making our wedding dreams come true!
Vendor response 11/05/2022
Thank you for the outstanding review Megan!!! We are thrilled that you had an incredible d...
ay! It was a pleasure to be a part of making your wedding day happen.
Please come back to visit!!!
Katie S
5.0
11/05/2022
The entire Merri-Makers team at Mallard made our day more perfect than i thought it could be. We got married during a hurricane, and everyone was all hands on deck to ensure our day was still able to go off without a hitch. The venue is gorgeous from head to toe, so even though we were kept inside we still had a beautiful day. I couldn’t recommend this place enough!
Vendor response 11/05/2022
Thank you Kaite! We are so glad you had a great day despite the weather! You were an absol...
ute delight to work with. Please come back to visit soon!
Alexis N
5.0
10/26/2022
Cannot say enough great things about the Mallard and the staff. Everything about our day from beginning to end was TOP TIER. Our wedding day dreams come true. From start to finish there was nothing we would have changed. Our guests said it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to between the venue itself, the grounds, the chapel, cocktail hour, and the insane ballroom with the veranda. Oh, can’t forget the magical bridal suite! There are not enough words I can write to explain how grateful we are to have had our big day at such a gorgeous place. The staff & service was phenomenal. Gianna is the absolute best & would not have gotten through any of the planning process without her expertise. She was a total godsend! Along with the bridal attendants, servers, etc. everything and everyone was phenomenal. Thank you all SO much for making our day so memorable. It is a day we will cherish & remember forever. XOXO
Vendor response 10/26/2022
Thank you Alexis!!! We are beyond thrilled you had the day of your dreams! It was a pleasu...
re to be a part of your big day xoxoxo
Elisa T
5.0
10/22/2022
Where do I begin? From the first time my husband and I contacted Gianna to then meeting her in person I knew she was the perfect fit to be part of our wedding planning process. We not only fell in love with the Mallard, but we fell in love with the staff as well.
The Mallard is a perfect venue with gardens and water surrounding the venue. The reception hall was an escape by feeling like you were transported somewhere else from the floor to ceiling windows by the beautiful view. And the FOOD was by far delicious. The chef went above and beyond. (The food tasting is such a fun part and at one point my husband wasn't just "tasting" the food he was actually going back for seconds because it was so delicious.
Gianna, the event coordinator, was always there to answer our calls or emails at any time even on her days off. She helped us with questions or issues that we didn't know how to deal with. She was amazing, amazing, amazing! When our big day came we met the rest of the staff. Nancy was delightful and throughout the day Nacey and Gianna would check up on me and Joe to make sure we were okay. To see their faces during such an emotional and exciting day, We knew we didn't have to worry about anything that was going on with the set up. I trusted them and they ensured us to enjoy our morning.
Everyone I talked to ranted and raved about the wedding. My friends were so impressed with the staff as was I. One of my bridesmaids ripped her dress and Jordan (the bridal attended) came out of nowhere with a sewing kit to fit one of my bridesmaids dresses. My bridesmaid didn't even say anything but there was someone always on site with us. This is very assuring!
The night staff was just impeccable as well. I woke up with coffee and treats. The rest of our wedding décor was all ready for us to be packed up and everything was there for us to take home. As we were driving away, the only thing I was upset about was that I was not able to come back to the Mallard for a meeting and our wedding day was over. Again, I am so happy we decided to have our wedding at the Mallard. I would never choose another venue in a million years.
The staff at the Mallard made our special day run so smoothly. I would do it over 1000++ times again.
THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND GIANNA! We adore you all so much and from the bottom of our hearts we are so thankful for you all for making mine and Joes day so easy going and special!
-The Verdes
Brianna M
5.0
10/21/2022
Hands down the best decision we ever made was booking our wedding at Mallard! From start to finish, everything was handled so professionally and seamlessly, I truly never felt stressed in the process and always knew I was in good hands. Not only is Mallard the most beautiful venue space, the people who work with you throughout the wedding planning process and those there the day of are unmatched. Gianna is the most organized, kind, helpful and diligent coordinator I could ever ask for. She made every step so clear and she was incredibly responsive to any ask. The day of we felt so relaxed, knowing Gianna and the Mallard staff were going to be there to handle absolutely everything for us. Our day went so perfectly, sometimes I still pinch myself and cannot believe how truly seamless it was. A million times over I will recommend this place!!!!
Vendor response 10/21/2022
Bri! Thank you so much for your very kind words. It was a pleasure working with you and yo...
ur families to plan the big day! So very grateful that you had the beautiful day you deserved! Looking forward to you coming back to visit!
Melanie S
5.0
10/06/2022
Merri-Makers does an amazing job. This is not your average wedding food by any means!!
Vendor response 10/06/2022
Thank You Melanie! We are so glad you enjoyed your special day!
Chelsea T
5.0
9/28/2022
This review is very overdue but I couldn't have imagined having my wedding anywhere else. From the second we walked in to MIYC and meeting Gianna (who felt like family), we knew this was going to be our venue. This place truly has it all - the waterfront chapel, the outdoor space, the INSANE bridal suite, amazing food/drinks, and a team that will do almost anything you ask for to make your vision come to life (very rarely will they say "no" to something you want). We loved so many little details from the dance floor opening up to the outside veranda to having a private cocktail hour upstairs after the ceremony, I can go on and on. They worked so well with all my vendors and made sure everything was executed flawlessly. This was the easiest decision we made when it came to wedding planning and if I had to do it all over, I'd choose MIYC everytime.
Vendor response 09/29/2022
Thank you Chelsea! We appreciate your kind words, it was truly a pleasure to be a part of ...
your big day! You will forever be a part of the Mallard Island Family <3 please come back and visit (with Luna!)) any time!
Cassie N
5.0
9/27/2022
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!!!
Vendor response 09/29/2022
Thank YOU Cassie!!!! It was such an honor to bring your and Bryan's dream day to life! We ...
are thrilled you had the best day ever! The team appreciates your compliments!
Nina L
5.0
8/04/2022
The unbelievable response I got back from my guest was, "this was the best wedding they have ever been too!"
From the attention to detail, professionalism, unbelievable food, and fantastic ambiance you don't need to search any further. Merri-Makers at Mallard Island will make your wedding dreams come true.
Vendor response 08/04/2022
Thank you for the wonderful review Nina! It was an absolute pleasure and honor to be a par...
t of your big day! We look forward to you coming back to visit!
Kelsey B
5.0
6/24/2022
Our wedding at Mallard Island Yacht Club was truly a DREAM come true.
The entire Merri-Makers team is completely unmatched. The most BEAUTIFUL venue, the most DELICIOUS food, kindest staff. You truly cannot go wrong with any of the Merri-Makers venues.
Gianna was our wedding consultant and is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. We actually had the privilege of working with Gianna 5 years before at my husband's sister's wedding. Gianna was working over at the Ashford and remembered us during our first virtual tour of Mallard. Made it that much more special to work with Gianna for our big day as well. She was amazing with any question, answering every email quickly and answering every call. Never made me feel like any of my questions were silly and always had me feeling reassured at the end. When it came to the actually wedding day, Gianna and Nancy made me feel totally at ease all day (and that was with weather alerts saying TORNADO warnings.. We were fine but the bride was STRESSED)
Every member of the Merri-makers team is SO professional and SO kind! My bridal assistants for the day were able to keep me calm walking to aisle. The bartenders always remembered what I was drinking. I was treated like an actual princess all day.
The FOOD.. I still have guests calling me a month later to tell me that the food was the most amazing food they've ever had. We sprung for the premium package and it was absolutely worth it. Cocktail hour was absolutely amazing.. but once dinner came out everyone was ready to eat again!
We are so happy with our choice to stay with the Merri-Maker family and will never run out of good things to say.
Vendor response 06/26/2022
Thank you for your kind words Kelsey! It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of your dre...
am day! We were all so honored to work with your families, not once but TWICE! We look forward to you coming back to visit <3
Krista C
5.0
12/14/2021
My wedding day was absolutely perfect! Everything went buttery smooth for the most part. I would recommend this beautiful venue to anyone who finds it within their budget - it's unreal.
We actually booked this venue the first week of the COVID shutdown... never saw it - we did a virtual consultation. I loved the photos, location and the virtual consultation had me sold. I actually didn't see the venue in person until a year after I booked it lol. My parents had been to a wedding here and at Bonnett across the bay, so I knew from what they said and everyone else that it had a great reputation. It was even better in person 10000%.
My guests are still raving about how beautiful the wedding was... how amazing the food turned out. We splurged and got the premium packages for the food options. Can't remember what they call it. We also added a few stations / food selections. I wasn't sure if it was really necessary to pick the premium package... but we were really happy we did!! If it's within your means and you're between the 2 options, go big or go home. :-)
Gianna was our Wedding Coordinator (concierge? Don't know the official title)... she was amazing! Very organized - I'm not sure how but she does it all! She's super nice but definitely not a pushover by any means, which is really important when dealing with so many different vendors/deadlines beforehand... and then the day of having to deal with the bridal parties and photographers, etc.
There were only a few small things that I was a little disappointed in during the process... one being that they sold you hard on the 3,000 square foot Bridal Suite (it really is amazing!!)... but we found out later on that we wouldn't be able to get into the Bridal Suite on the day of my wedding until 12pm because there was a wedding the night before. Understandable... but was disappointing this wasn't mentioned initially in the process. We had to get ready off-site and then took "getting ready" photos when we checked in at 12pm. Again - not a huge deal but I'm mentioning this because I would recommend asking about it if you're considering this for your venue so you are prepared of this possibility.
Only other thing was that the day of, my husband and I decided to take the time after the cermony to eat the cocktail hour upstairs in the area outside of our bridal suite... which is a nice option they offer so you can have a minute alone before the ceremony. The problem was that no one explained to our bridal party to take everything down with them that they'd need... or they should have some place to put their stuff during the ceremony that isn't the bridal suite! There were like 10 people running in and out of the bridal suite trying to talk to us, which kind of defeated the purpose of taking that time to eat and be alone. Again, not really a big deal but just something to keep in mind if you decide to choose this option. (I do recommend choosing this option regardless because you'll be inundated with convo the rest of the night.)
Overall -- just absolutely incredible venue and experience!! The minor things I mentioned above were really non-issues and they went above and beyond in almost every other aspect. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Thank you Gianna and everyone who made our wedding day so special!
Colleen C
5.0
11/29/2021
WOW. This was the most perfect day imaginable. You will be treated like kings and queens for the entire day. The staff was amazing - from planning (and answering my thousands of emails) to the most perfect day, where your every wish comes true. The venue is gorgeous with so many different locations to take photos (pier, chapel, beach, rooftop...). The day was everything we wished for- I wouldn't change a thing.
Sandy C
5.0
10/28/2021
Venue was beautiful food was outstanding? Service was OK but it’s the impact of Covid. I would highly recommend this Venue!
Vendor response 10/29/2021
Thank you so much for the 5 start review Sandy! It was such a pleasure to host Krista and ...
James' big day!
Neha S
5.0
10/19/2021
I had my (Indian) wedding at the Mallard in September and it was a dream come true. When it came to wedding planning, the venue was the most important factor for me. I wanted it to be somewhere truly magical with its own beauty, outdoors, and by the water. The Mallard hit all those marks and more! Not to mention, the bridal suite is a big plus :) But once you book, that's when the real magic happens. Gianna is a GOD SEND. She helped me coordinate everything and was there to answer every little question or request I had. And then the day of the wedding, the staff blew me away with their execution, compassion and overall grace. They were there to help me every step of the way. The day could not have been what it was without them. All my wedding guests raved about the venue saying it was the best wedding they have been to! Even the full moon came out to play- it really was a dream.
Food was excellent. The angus beef sliders, steak bites, and pacific rim station were huge hits for our cocktail hour. My husband really enjoyed the salad (I never got to take a bite!). Entrees were also phenomenal and the desserts were another big hit!
Caitlyn W
5.0
8/25/2021
Our wedding at Mallard was a dream come true and I’m thankful for the entire Merri-Makers team! The venue is gorgeous and the food was delicious. What stands out the most is how professional they were the months leading up to the wedding and the day of the event. Gianna gets back to you promptly, answers any questions you have and helps you throughout the entire process. On the day of your wedding, you have nothing to worry about and can just enjoy your day. Everything is timed to perfection and I was amazed at how helpful the whole staff was to us and our guests. It was truly the perfect day!
Vendor response 08/25/2021
Thank you for your wonderful words, all the staff truly appreciates it. We are so happy y...
ou had your perfect day. We hope to see you soon!
Loressa M
5.0
8/10/2021
Wow what can I even say but WOW! Unimaginable service it was beyond outstanding. Truly made my day what it was. Made it go seamlessly and with ease. My guests are STILL talking about the food 2 months later. It was the best food I’ve ever had-dessert included. I honestly cannot recommend them enough!!
Vendor response 08/25/2021
Thank you Loressa! I'm so happy your day was everything you wished for! I'll pass on you...
r review of the desserts - she'd love to hear it :)
Melissa S
5.0
8/04/2021
I cannot say enough great things about Gianna & her amazing team over at Merri-Makers! Everything was done exquisitely and exactly how we envisioned it. We cannot be grateful enough to the entire team. They were constantly trying to help us throughout the day and made sure we were beyond well taken care of. We received so many guest compliments for the outstanding service, amazing atmosphere and out of this world food. The decorations and ambiance for the tables, ceremony space & outdoor activities were so well executed. All the time, effort and care they put into everything showed their expertise. We are still receiving phone calls and having conversations saying how outstanding everything was.
Vendor response 08/25/2021
Thank you Melissa! We appreciate your kind words and we hope you'll come back to see us!
Debi F
5.0
6/29/2021
What a GEM! My daughter got married at the Mallard a week ago. We are still walking on air. The ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception were all Perfection! Breath-taking views. The food was fabulous and the staff was amazingly accomodating. The bridal suite is the most insanely elegant space you will ever see. Many guests said it was the best wedding they have ever attended. It was truly a magical day.
Mary L
5.0
5/25/2021
Mallard Island was truly our dream venue. Our coordinator Gianna made wedding planning feel easy and enjoyable. She answered all my questions (whether ridiculous or not!) and always made me feel special and important. My bridal attendants Lauren and Dana were highlights of the day, making me feel like a princess. Mallard is gorgeous from top to bottom, inside and outside, and Merri-Makers will make your dreams come true. Staying over after our wedding and after party was such a fantastic bonus and made our weekend so special. Heaven on earth!!!
Vendor response 05/25/2021
Thank you Mary, we appreciate your kind words!! We hope you feel like a princess every da...
y! Come back to see us, we love to see our brides. Anniversary photos are great to do a year later!
Jodi Y
5.0
5/17/2021
We were blown away by the team at Mallard Island Yacht Club. We had to reschedule our wedding three times, which originally was taking place at another venue. With dates and timing not working in our favor, we switched our venue to Mallard Island with only 12 weeks to spare. From the moment we walked into the venue, they went above and beyond to make us feel at ease and were there every step of the way to ensure all of the details were covered off on. We were lucky enough to work with Gianna, who is a DREAM, and handled everything with such professionalism and kindness, and made everything so easy. On the day of the wedding, we had Tiffany and Hannah as our bridal attendants and they could not have been nicer or more helpful. On top of the amazing team we worked with directly, we have received so many compliments about how delicious the food was and of course, the venue itself is absolutely gorgeous. We would recommend Mallard Island Yacht Club a million times over and we cannot thank them enough for giving us the best wedding!
Vendor response 05/18/2021
Thank you so much Jodi! The team at Mallard truly loves what they do and it shows!! Plea...
se keep in touch, we love hearing from our brides! Be sure to come back for special occasion photos as well!
Brooke H
5.0
10/14/2020
Food was amazing! Service was fantastic! Gianna the coordinator was excellent. No complaints what so ever. Last minute changes we constantly being made, and it was never an issue.
Vendor response 10/14/2020
Thank you for your kind words Brooke! We hope you'll come back to see us- we love to see ...
our brides again and catch up!
Nicole G
5.0
9/25/2019
Since my mom is a local florist, I grew up around setting up weddings at Mallard Island since I was young. The staff at Taste became like family to me. I had always dreamed of having my wedding at Mallard and in July of 2019, my dream came true. My husband Josh and I got married at mallard and although I already expected it to be beautiful, I have to say Josh and I were BLOWN AWAY. As a bride I thought I would have the normal "stress" that comes with the big day. Taste Catering took that stress off of us and ran the whole show. Josh and I felt so relaxed and had so much fun together, thanks to Taste. Not only was the food the talk of the night, our guests were taken care of by the wonderful staff.
Lets talk food. Weddings are all about the food when it comes to guests and Taste really brings gourmet savory food and lots of options to the table. Cocktail hour, Salads and the main course were absolutely perfect. Josh even asked for seconds!
A few months later and reflecting on our wedding day, we feel so grateful we chose to have our wedding at Mallard and extremely thankful for Taste Catering for not only catering but truly taking care of us. I had huge expectations since I knew how it was supposed to be done, and still Josh and I are in complete awe of how our big day played out. We couldn't thank Taste enough for making that happen and making our memories one we will never want to forget.
To the future Mr and Mrs, YES Taste is a great decision that you will be glad you made for your wedding day.
Brooke F
5.0
7/21/2019
The experience that my husband and I had at Mallard Island Yacht Club (MIYC) was incredible and nearly flawless from the second I toured the venue until the second I left the morning after my wedding. To start off, I just want to say that although MIYC may seem more expensive than some other venues that you will tour, you cannot put a price tag on this once in a lifetime experience. Throughout my review, I will highlight all of the amazing things I experienced at MIYC.
Ever since we toured the wedding venue 2+ years, Danielle has been AMAZING and a complete angel to work with. Danielle has a lot of experience in weddings and her level of professionalism and her passion for what she does will not go unnoticed. Danielle keeps all of her couples organized with monthly reminders and updates and truly excels at envisioning what her couple wants. With the stress of the wedding lingering, Danielle decorated the venue with ease, made sure that my bridal attendant catered to my needs, and ran the show effortlessly. She is truly an asset to MIYC and any couple would be fortunate enough to work with her.
In addition to Danielle, the other staff at MIYC was also outstanding. My bridal attendant made sure that everything ran flawlessly while I was getting ready and catered to any need that I had throughout the evening. The overnight manager was amazing to make sure that we were comfortable throughout our stay at Mallard Island. The wait staff did a great job getting our food out in a timely manner. The food that Taste Catering provided was delicious and all of our guests had positive things to say about the food that they ate.
MIYC is exceptional and all of my wedding guests agreed that this was the most beautiful wedding venue they have ever seen. As I got ready in the bridal suite, the surrounding views of the water were amazing and what every bride dreams of. Getting married on the dock was beyond beautiful and the chapel is truly amazing. The guest suites are all decorated perfectly and our bridal party loved their rooms. Being able to hangout with our bridal party all night and wake up the next morning and having them be there to celebrate with us was priceless. You cannot put a price on having all of your bridal party under the same roof with you for the entire 24 hours that we were in MIYC. The cocktail hour is the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor and has something for everyone. The outside area with the fire pit and chairs was the perfect hangout for our after party and the luxury of having an after party at our venue was priceless.
Overall, our experience at MIYC was nothing short of amazing and I would recommend this venue to anyone who wants to have the wedding of their dreams. Thank you to Danielle and the crew at MIYC for the best night of our lives!
Dora M
5.0
7/15/2019
When my fiancé and I stepped into Mallard Island Yacht Club we knew it blew every single venue we viewed out of the water (and we went to A LOT of venues). We went home and tried to compare every venue to Mallard & every time we found things that Mallard did that just wasn't possible at other venues. After booking with Mallard, every time we would tell someone where we were getting married people had questions. Do you have to bring everything in? Don't you have to pay to rent the entire estate plus food and alcohol? Do you have to bring your own table and chairs? Although the website may be a little vague, I tell everyone to go and visit the venue! No, you do not have to bring anything in. You work with the wedding coordinator (who I will talk about!) and she walks you through everything. The catering is in house, the table and chairs are provided, alcohol is done with one store, etc. Let's face it weddings are expensive in New Jersey and Mallard Island is something that is 100% worth the money. From the top of the line service from the moment you book with them, to the idea that you can still have your ceremony outdoors if it rains, to the BEAUTIFUL bridal suite, I can go on and on about how perfect of a venue this place truly is.
Danielle is the wedding coordinator and she is a godsend. She was the most responsive person I dealt with throughout the entire wedding planning process. She answered all of my questions quickly and with thought. She made us feel so comfortable in meetings and I knew we were in the best hands when the wedding day came. She even help with the last minute items that I didn't have time to complete when we dropped off the items earlier in the week! I stepped into mallard and she told me "welcome to the bridal bubble, today is your day and everything will be perfect". Boy was she right, I was stress free the entire day and she had a lot to do with that. She even showed me pictures of the centerpieces (which was one of the only things I was worried about) as soon as the florist completed them. She thoughtfully placed all of our wedding signs, guest book, card box, programs, etc. and everything looked beautiful. I cannot say enough good things about Danielle. We were blessed to have someone as amazing as Danielle help with our special day.
Overall, the rest of the staff went above and beyond. The bridal attendant was with me the entire day. She held my lip gloss, fixed my hair, held my dress, brought me tissues when I started to tear up at our first look and even bustled my dress after the ceremony. She was so helpful and sweet. Everyone from the maitre d, overnight staff, wait staff, bartenders, etc. were so friendly and experienced. Our guests continue to rave about the food and how often the passed hors d'oeuvres were going around. I wish I could get married at Mallard Island Yacht Club over and over again. People told us your wedding day goes by so fast for all that money, to us it went by perfectly, not too fast and every single moment was perfect.
Meredith E
5.0
7/03/2019
Incredible! My husband and I got married in June of 2019 at Mallard Island Yacht Club. We loved everything about the venue from the start. It is stunningly beautiful and very well-maintained--not to mention those views!
Danielle from Taste Catering is a godsend. She is so responsive and really tries to make everything you want happen if it is within her power. Her organization and attention to detail are impeccable. She runs Mallard like a general, but is an extremely positive and warm person. So happy to have worked with her.
The food at Mallard was delicious--we thought so from the tasting and our guests agreed! Appetizers came out hot and entrees were delicious--which is always tough when feeding a large group of people.
Overall, this is definitely a high-end venue and our experience exceeded our expectations.
Jason R
5.0
5/21/2019
WOW... Fresh back from our honeymoon and all week we were trying to figure out the perfect thing to say but WOW just kept coming to my mind. Danielle and team over at the Mallard Island Yacht Club operate like a well oiled machine. Everything from the initial consultation to our million questions =) through to the real Fairy Tale wedding that everyone hopes and dreams to have one day. Well... all we can say from first hand experience is... if that is what you dreamed to have it can be a complete reality. Our guests are still raving about it.. we quote "Best wedding we have ever been to!" "EPIC". It's as if you were watching a movie where the magical wedding is happening....except it's yours!
When we first went to Mallard to meet with Danielle for the initial walk through, walking through the doors we knew right away that was the place we wanted to have our wedding. You feel like you are walking into a resort and you never want to leave! The building and grounds are truly magnificent and extremely well taken care of, the rooms are unbelievable and immaculately clean.. the bridal suite...well that's breathtaking and takes things to a completely other level. I assure you, your mouth will drop the minute you see it. Being on the water, the views are amazing and make for great photos. The Groom shack is a man-cave that only guys can dream of. The ceremony in front of that fireplace surrounded by the water... need i say more? Rain or shine it doesn't matter... they have plans for every single scenario! No matter what mother nature throws, you will have the best day of your life.
The food is beyond delicious.. i still remember our tasting (YUMMY). We didn't know what to expect. When picking out the menu, we were salivating at all the food there was going to be. However, having been to many weddings at other places food in such mass quantities doesn't always hit the mark. At Mallard with Taste Catering, well it's as if you are eating at a top rated restaurant and the food sets the bar to another level. The menu is unlike anything you would have ever expected for a wedding. Everything from cocktail hour to dinner and dessert to the optional After-Party... you seriously want to live there! There was SO much food and EVERYTHING tasted delicious. I wish i had some here right now as we write this review to be completely honest.
Our wedding was truly a fairy tale... it was everything we could have ever hoped / dreamed and then some. Danielle is a machine and is really passionate about what she does... she's phenomenal at it. She knows everything (we couldn't stump her, i am not kidding!) and I am convinced that she doesn't sleep because as soon as we would send a random email over asking a question we would have a reply instantly. They say wedding planning is stressful.. but the planning was so smooth because everything is so organized.
Danielle and team at the Mallard Island Yacht Club deserve more stars and accolades then you can select here. We are living proof that your dream wedding can be a reality. If you are looking for a venue... make sure you check this place out. I PROMISE you won't be disappointed.
THANK-YOU SO MUCH for making this a reality for us!!!!
Erin G
5.0
10/15/2018
I wish I could give waaaay more than five stars!!! We got married on April 27th, 2018 at Mallard Island Yacht Club. Danielle and the team were not only attentive, but caring, lovely, and FUN. Danielle is an ANGEL. She made our three year planning process so easy for us, and always made sure to keep in touch about any changes, events, or important details that were needed. Madeline was the bridal attendant. She was so sweet, and was there for anything the entire day and all through the reception. The entire staff was attentive and on top of any of our guests needs throughout the cocktail hour and reception. It's almost six months later, and I'm STILL hearing from our guests how our wedding was the best wedding they have ever been to, because of the location, staff, and food. Words cannot describe how grateful we are for everything that Danielle and the Taste Catering team did for us to make our day, truly, the most amazing, unforgettable day of our lives. Thank you all! <3
Briana D
5.0
9/24/2018
There is nothing else to say except... my fairytale came true! The Mallard Yacht Club was beyond elegant and truly any bride's dream. Having Danielle as a wedding coordinator was a lifesaver, this girl has seriously found her calling! I had my personal buddy there to keep me in the "Bridal Bubble" and if it wasn't for her, things would've been MUCH tougher. As the day got closer Danielle kept every detail perfectly planned. The venue was decorated to my exact vision and they really listened to all of my family's wants and needs. The day of my wedding was SEAMLESS with the help of Marcie and Madeline. I can't say enough about the beautiful grounds, efficient staff and breathtaking venue. From the bridal suite (OMG!) to the groomshack to the chapel and cocktail hour... this venue has it all! My guests and I were sitting by the fire pit until 2am just to enjoy the September breeze on a gorgeous Saturday night!
Thank you to EVERYONE for making ALL of my dreams come true! (and the groom too!)
Love always,
Briana and Sean
Christina S
5.0
9/24/2018