Merri-Makers Catering at The Ashford Estate

The Ashford Estate is truly the most beautiful venue. Our daughter's May 2023 wedding was the wedding her dreams. I cannot express how incredible Laura and the entire Ashford team was throughout the entire process. Laura is by far the best in the biz! From the gorgeous barn ceremony, to the delicious conservatory cocktail hour, to the breathtaking ballroom reception, our guests could not stop raving about the beauty of the venue and the quality of the food. The appetizers and entrees were so plentiful and absolutely delicious. The "After Party" in the library was a fabulous way to continue the celebration and the overnight rooms were incredible. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

There are truly not enough words or “thank yous” to express to the Ashford Estate. It is the BEST WEDDING VENUE EVER. From the incredible wedding coordinator, bridal attendants, staff and chef, everything was absolutely perfect for our May 2023 wedding. The food was also so top notch and absolutely delicious. Our family and friends truly could not get over how beautiful the venue was. The bedrooms in the estate were breathtaking and so comfortable. The grounds were magnificent and beautiful. We want to especially thank Laura, Megan, Maddie, Taylor and the entire Ashford team for giving us the wedding of our dreams and a day we will cherish for the rest of our lives! Do not think twice about booking your wedding here - it is the best of its kind!

After looking at 10+ venues all around NJ & NY, not a single one came close in comparison to the Ashford Estate. Yes, this was the most expensive venue we were considering - but every dollar more we paid to have our wedding here was worth it 100x over. The moment you drive through the wrought iron gates at the base of the driveway, you are no longer in NJ - you have been transported to the European countryside. The property is massive and immaculate. There isn't a single part of the entire property that you think to yourself "ehhh" - truly every corner is magical. And it just keeps on going! The main estate is beyond what words can capture; it's unreal. We had our parents and wedding party stay there the night of the wedding and it was freaking awesome. Every one of our guests couldn't get over how spectacular it was and said they'd never been to a place like that before (nor knew a place like that even existed in NJ...). The staff at the Ashford is elite. Laura McCann is truly phenomenal. She was amazing to my husband & I in the very beginning as we finalized our date and throughout the entire planning process. She is a professional to the very end and also just a super lovely person. She made everything as easy and stress-free as it could have possibly been - from guiding us through the decision-making process for our reception to coordinating with our vendors on our behalf to making sure everything was falling into place the day of the wedding. I am beyond grateful for Laura. Her co-hort, Debbie, is also great - very responsive, pleasant, and helpful always. Merri-Makers, the exclusive caterer of the Ashford, was fantastic. Their food is off-the-charts good. I didn't try a single thing at the chef's tasting or at our wedding that was mediocre - everything was superb. Ridiculously fresh seafood, thoughtfully curated cocktail hour stations, and top notch entrees. The wait staff service was outstanding throughout the evening - it felt like we were at a gala or some super high-end event. I can't rave enough about the Ashford Estate. You will be working with the best of the best if you get married here. And speaking from experience, if you are on the fence with choosing the Ashford as your venue because of the price - know that it is so exquisite that you don't have to spend a single dollar on decor (other than your flowers, which don't have to be crazy) to make this place special - it does that all on its own. No doubt it is a financial commitment (especially if you're paying for it on your own, like my husband & I did), but I promise it is worth every single dollar. One other suggestion I would like to pay forward to future Ashford brides & grooms is to use the estate's preferred vendors. They are the "A Team" and will execute the wedding of your dreams flawlessly without bothering you whatsoever leading up to and on your wedding day, which is invaluable if you ask me.

Choosing Ashford was perhaps the best decision we made in the entire wedding planning process. They made our dream wedding come true -- from customizing a fusion menu for us to meeting multiple times on every single little detail of the wedding, Laura and team treated us with such kindness and attention from the beginning that we are forever grateful. Not to mention, during the actual wedding weekend they took such good care of us -- I always had an attendant giving me water, helping me go from one thing to the next, and the Laura, Megan, and the entire team knew what was happening at every step. When things could have gone wrong, they stepped in and saved the day. Ashford was stunningly beautiful and the perfect place to get married with the best team :)

We had our wedding at The Ashford Estate on August 13th, and it was truly magical and perfect. Laura and the rest of the team made it so easy to plan our dream wedding from the very start. Laura in particular is super prompt, so sweet and accommodating, and very organized. My husband and I are huge planners, so we appreciated that our main venue contact was responsive, had a great attention to detail, and asked all the right questions (especially about all of the small things we didn't think of!). Laura is a pro whom you can trust!! That being said, the rest of the staff at Ashford also deserves a huge shoutout! Many of my guests commented on how flawlessly the day unfolded, and that takes a whole team. The night manager was extremely friendly and helpful, ensuring all of our guests made it home from the after party safely and that our guests staying overnight at the venue were well taken care of (she was willing to drive one of our guests to the airport when his Uber kept canceling, even). She and the rest of the staff also gathered our items neatly and made it easy to pack up our car- we definitely needed the help! Last but not least in terms of staff were the bridal attendants! I was given THREE attendants to cater to my every need, I felt like royalty. They went above and beyond. Ok, now the venue itself. It's absolutely gorgeous, and many of our guests said it was the most beautiful wedding they've ever been to- I don't think they were just being nice! We originally thought we wanted to get married at a real historic estate, but quickly realized that many feel as old as they look, aren't used to hosting weddings, and just weren't the best choice to ensure a stress-less event. When we saw Ashford, we knew it had the best of both worlds and was perfect for us- the look of an historic estate, the feel of a new venue, and the expertise in planning and execution that comes with a purpose-built wedding venue. Additionally, we could get married in the barn chapel, which really is the original barn from the 1800s, adding that nice touch of history. The grounds are very well landscaped and manicured, which made for amazing photos. They have 12 GORGEOUS rooms onsite for wedding party/parents. We loved that we could have our after party onsite in their library, which made it so easy to keep the festivities going until the early hours of the morning! Last but not least, the food. Merri-Makers is the sole caterer for the venue, and they are FANTASTIC. My husband and I are huge foodies, and we think it's very important to provide our guests with high-quality food--and lots of it. Merri-Makers delivered, and then went above and beyond. We had to warn our guests that there would be a three-course meal after the cocktail hour, as we had eight buffet stations and 10 passed canapes, which is their standard! And it wasn't trashy buffet food, it was extremely high-quality (think huge, succulent scallops and handcrafted sushi rolls). The dinner was also excellent, and they let you customize the menu as you wish. We of course had a wedding cake (provided by Bakeworks- AMAZING), but Merri-Makers also provided "dessert canapes", such as heavenly carrot cake truffes and fruit tarts. Food and drinks were served promptly. My parents couldn't get over how amazing the waitstaff was--they constantly checked in, which I think elevates just a "great" dinner to an "excellent" one. Don't just take my word for it- go visit!

Laura is the best! Extremely organized and will answer every question big and small with a smile. The staff the day of the wedding is also incredible and very attentive. You also can’t beat this place, this venue is designed to leave your guests in awe with beauty around every bend.

We just had our wedding on 11/11/21 at the Ashford Estate and the ENTIRE staff really goes above and beyond for their guests. Laura is amazing and was so easy to get in touch with the entire year leading up to the wedding, always available to answer any and every question I had about literally everything, and was super prompt with her responses. We rented out the estate and had our bridal party stay in the overnight suites and we couldn't have made a better decision. The suites were beautiful and everyone working at the venue was so accommodating. The bridal attendants during the day were so helpful, always making sure we were comfortable and didn't need anything, coming in clutch during the reception by finding me some Tylenol when my back started hurting from standing all day and dancing so hard. We kept getting so many compliments from our guests about the staff just being so so kind, conscientious, and diligent. So, not only is this venue absolutely STUNNING (that goes without saying), but truly the staff is what sets this place apart. 5 stars all around!!

The best of the best. Our guests were absolutely blown away with everything about this venue. The staff and assistants were so kind and attentive, they thought of every single detail. We wouldn’t change a thing about our day!

Every detail was perfect. The Merri-makers team worked with us throughout the entire wedding planning process and ensured that we were thrilled with every decision. Their team is wonderful and their food is absolutely delicious. I wish we could re-live the day over and over again. They truly made it perfect!

My husband and I had our wedding here this past Friday and it was everything we had ever dream of and more. Almost every guest commented on how attentive and nice each and every staff member was and how this was the best wedding food they have ever eaten! I can’t thank them enough for being so accommodating during a year of such uncertainty. The second I arrived that morning I felt at ease. They truly went above and beyond to make our day so special and allowed us to just relax and enjoy the entire night.

Where do I even start!? Everything on my wedding day was a dream from start to finish. The grounds are gorgeous. The staff is unbelievable. People are still talking about the food. It really does not get any better than this!! Ashford team - thank you so much for making my wedding day...and all the days leading up to it so amazing and stress-free!!

wow just wow... truly amazing food The food at our wedding was UNREAL! Merrimakers catered our wedding at The Ashford Estate and truly the food was MOUTHWATERING. Thank you for making my wedding such a tasteful, delicious event!!! xo ASHFORD ESTATE IS TRULY UNREAL!!!

The Ashford estate is beyond stunning. Every inch of the property is immaculate from the party spaces to the guest-room bathrooms! The staff is so attentive and were there for my broken bustle, to hold my Bouquet, or to clean my dress before I even knew I needed it! I am attending a wedding there as a guest next year and can’t wait to go back and see it from another point of view! They made my day more than I even imagined. You cannot go wrong choosing this venue.

Where do I start? The Merri-Makers have truly made our wedding the best day of my life. Kelsey really made the day go seamlessly. I can not thank her enough for easing my mind and keeping everything on track. Lisa and Taylor were so helpful and were a great help. The venue was beautiful and the staff was lovely. Would highly recommend them!

Having hosted our daughter’s wedding at the one-of-a-kind Ashford Estate, We found the stunning elegance of this venue equal to the culinary expertise of Rick Bott and his Merrimakers team! These are wedding professionals deserving of your utmost confidence. There was attention to every detail of food quality, taste and presentation. All staff members had that intangible hospitality gene for serving guests with a generous spirit and dignity. These included the strolling servers, the bartenders, the wait staff, the early morning breakfast crew, the cleaning staff and the after party bartenders, to name a few. Laura, who was our main contact, was an absolute pleasure to work with and was an integral part of our decision to choose the Ashford Estate. She helped ease and simplify the decision making process and her recommendations were spot on. We found her confidence contagious and quickly felt comfortable to allow these amazing professionals do what they do best – make all the memory magic happen. It was the event of our dreams. Thank you Ashford Estate and Merrimakers

My husband and I got married at the Ashford Estate this past November. From the moment we walked into the Estate, we knew this was our venue. Every single detail of our wedding day was perfected by the Ashford team - we truly did not have to worry about a thing! They were so warm and made not only us, but our guests feel special on the day of our wedding. Our guests still to this day, tell us what a great wedding we had! The food is excellent. The grounds of the Ashford Estate are simply breathtaking. Thank you to Laura and Kelsey for coordinating and answering all of our questions and concerns through the whole wedding process. Thank you to our bridal attendants Taylor and Lisa who met every single need on the day of our wedding. Thank you for making our wedding dreams come true!

I cannot say enough about how wonderful Merri-Makers was to work with at our wedding!!! My husband and I got married at The Ashford Estate in November and were so grateful to have had such an amazing venue with such a wonderful team to work through the whole process with! We booked almost 2 years before our wedding and Laura made sure to stay in touch with us throughout the entire time! She was so patient in working with us from the contracting phase through last minute final details. She helped us with recommendations, selections, vendors options, everything! We were so grateful for the guidance and attention from the entire team!! Kelsey was also incredible both the day of and in coordinating all of our vendors! She took so much off of my plate and was so helpful in keeping everything on track and calm the day of. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Our guests were truly blown away by our wedding! We got so many compliments from our guests about not only the beautiful venue but how wonderful the food and the service was! Everyone truly felt taken care of that day thanks to such a wonderful team!!!

We fell in love with the venue the second we drove through the big gated entrance, continued along the long driveway, and witnessed the magic of the barn chapel and estate. Exploring the grounds and the grand ballroom sealed the deal. We toured many venues and not one made us feel as though every single aspect of our big day was covered and well-thought out. Skepticism grew during our year-long wait after initially booking - could this really be as good as it sounds? Yes, Laura and Kelsey made it so. Every worry dissipated and any concerns were settled, always in a timely manner! Our guests have asked us if there is anything we would have done differenlty and we are one of the very few couples to say no, there wasn't. Our big day was nothing short of perfection (and we are the furthest from that normally!). Every single person on staff was incredibly friendly and attentive to us and all of our guests. We couldn't be more appreciative to our day of coordinators, Gianna and Justin, for making every moment special. Our two wonderful new friends Lisa and Taylor made sure we always had a drink in our hand, we were well fed, I never needed to hold my own dress, and that my husband's pants stayed up :). Every detail was executed with such warmth and care, and it showed all night long. "Best wedding ever" was ringing through the halls and we owe a big deal of that to the amazing staff at the Ashford Estate. The estate and grounds are beautiful, no one can ever argue that, but the people who work here make this the potential to be your dream venue.

All I can say is WOW! From the moment my (now) husband and I entered The Ashford Estate we knew we had to get married there. Yes, it's expensive, but it is worth every penny!! The food is absolutely amazing; so much so that our guests have not stopped talking about it. The venue is BEAUTIFUL - it literally looks like something out of a fairytale. It allows for tons of unique wedding photos, and looks good in rain, sun, snow, and every season in between. And most importantly, it has literally the BEST staff. From the minute we chose The Ashford Estate we had Laura's email and cell number and knew any question would be answered the same day. She is THAT good! I didn't wind up using a wedding coordinator (I'm an avid DIY-er and Type-A gal) and I barreled in like a bat out of hell with all my supplies and decorations, but when I finally decided to relax the morning of my wedding (ha!) Laura, Geri, Lisa, and Justin made sure that my vision came to life . Even through some small snafus out of their control (a blizzard 2 days before the wedding, my hair and makeup people causing us to be an hour behind schedule), they still remained completely calm, professional, and so so helpful that something that could easily have ruined the big day became nothing more than a small hiccup. While Laura handled the major moments, Geri and Lisa ensured that I had everything - and more! - the entire day. They went above and beyond to help me, my family, and my bridesmaids. They knew what I needed before I did and would show up with it like fairy godmothers. Our wedding was the most magical night, the after party the most lit (literally... the firepits were a hit), and The Ashford Estate is the most beautiful place, but what really puts this venue over all others is the amazing staff that will stop at nothing to make sure your day is truly perfect. The most amazing wedding team in the business. To Laura, Geri, Lisa, Justin, and the entire Merri staff, you are amazing at what you do and the absolute top of the game! We are truly so thankful and grateful!!

My husband and I couldn’t have imagined getting married anywhere more beautiful and more perfect. The area, the grounds, the staff, the food, everything was just simply divine! Working with Laura and Kelsey couldn’t have been any easier. Their professionalism and their attentiveness did not go unnoticed! They answered every email/call extremely fast. Even details of the wedding they helped to make our day extra special! Our bridal attendants were just amazing. They didn’t let my train hit the floor once while we were taking pictures on the grounds. I had a migraine, and within minutes she had come with a cup of coffee for me. I couldn’t even begin to tell you the compliments we’ve received saying it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to and the best wedding venue they’ve ever seen. If you’re thinking of getting married at Ashford Estate, you won’t regret it!

GET MARRIED HERE! Laura/Kelsey & the whole Ashford/Merrimakers Team are so amazing. They made our wedding day so special! Our every need was met, and everything went so smoothly! We absolutely had a dream wedding, and got so much overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests. The food, drinks, and atmosphere were perfect!

I really don’t even know how to start this review because I feel I’m going to get super emotional…The Ashford Estate is one of the most sought after venues to have your wedding for a reason, they are literally THE BEST IN THE BIZ! Laura, Kelsey, & Debbie are an absolute dream team to work with. Those 3 ladies are so incredibly genuine, amazing, and talented, there are just not enough thank yous I can give to them and everyone there. Every person who went to our wedding said it was the best and most fun wedding they had ever been to and I owe it all to them! The flow of the day was an absolute fairy tale, the food was delectable and sensational, and it really felt like our home for the whole day and night. If I could relive that day and night over a million times I would! Thank you Ashford Estate for everything, you are all simply wonderful! Also, I cannot forget to thank my girls Taylor(Weather Vibes) and Alex(Bustle Queen) for helping me that day, you two were the best :)

I got married at the Ashford Estate. Merri-Makers was fantastic! My wedding guests raved about how excellent the service was and how the food was so delicious. All the waitstaff were friendly, attentive, and polite. They were even thoughtful and kind enough to bring me and my husband four of every hors d'oeuvre from the cocktail station on beautifully arranged platters with floral accents. I was shocked because I didn't expect to have a chance to eat any of the cocktail hour food. In addition, the dinner service was impeccable and the food was superb. Most wedding food turns out to be mediocre or worse due to the challenges of cooking for a large amount of people, but our food turned out great. The tasting was also a very fun experience. Understandably they didn't have samples of everything they could make, but there was plenty of food to taste and it was all fantastic. We couldn't be happier with our experience.

Merri-Makers Catering was amazing. Patty you were a constant presence for Kim and I, making sure we always had a drink in our hands and food available to eat. All of our guests loved the food and raved about if for days after. Some commented on how professional you were always making certain water glasses were full and empty plates were cleared. It was a great event that wouldn't have been possible without you. -Justin M.

My husband and I got married here on 9/8/18 and our day was too perfection! The Ashford Estate is the best!! We were at first nervous since we wanted to do a first look but could only get into the venue at a certain time since there was a Friday overnight wedding but Laura and Kelsey eased my family’s worries. We arrived on Saturday and the rest was history. The moment we arrived.. Kelsey, Laura, Lisa and Alex were ready to help. I did not have to worry Or THINK about a single thing the day of which made me so calm. I’m talking about food, drinks, holding my flowers, fixing my dress, my vail, and asking of any ridiculous request...!! It’s hard to put into words what these ladies have done for me but the day went by so smoothly without one bump in the road. My guests were not only amazed by the venues beauty but also by the pleasant and amazing staff. Thank you to the ashford for making my wedding the best day ever!

So delicious!! From the cocktail hour to the strolling desserts and especially the salmon dinner. Yum!!

Where do I even begin? The moment I stepped foot at the Ashford Estate, I knew it was where I was going to get married. From day one, Laura was such a pleasure to work with and I felt completely at ease in all of my wedding planning. She was available for any questions I had and helped us plan our incredible event, down to every last detail. On the wedding day, there was not a single thing I would have changed. Kelsey did such an amazing job making sure everything went smoothly. Lisa was the BEST bridal attendant that exists (I truly believe that) - I don't think I could have gotten through the day without her. There is not enough to say about how perfect this venue is and I would recommend it to any couple who truly wants the dream wedding that everyone will talk about for years and years to come.

Our event was perfect. It was exactly what we wanted. All of our guest raved about the food and service they received. We were allow to express our vision and it was brought to life with the professional at Merri Makers

The food was to die for. My husband and I wanted some different choices, and they delivered! Every one of our guests asked for their number. The entire Merri Makers Team treated us both so well, especially Jamey who is a super picky eater. We are planning on having them again for our first anniversary!

Merri-Makers is more than a catering team. They are the most amazing group of people a couple could ask for on their wedding day. From the moment you drive up on your wedding day until the moment you exit, you are treated like royalty. They are kind and compassionate doing whatever they can to make your day the best day ever. And if there’s any hiccup in your wedding day plans, fear not because they WILL find a solution. And to top it off, the food is DELICIOUS! Everyone always says as a bride, you won’t eat on your wedding day. Well, they made sure I was fed and fed extremely well. It was amazing. I had guests posting pictures of their food on social media raving about how good it was! I feel so fortunate to have worked with this group of people. My wedding day was truly a dream and they helped make that dream come true. Thank you to Laura, Kelsey, and the whole team!

One month later, my husband and I are still on cloud nine from our dream wedding that MerriMakers brought to life. Moreover, my family and friends endlessly rave about the food, service, and amazing atmosphere that Chef Rick and his team delivered. After a relative recommended MerriMakers for catering, I met with Gianna and Chefs Rick and Jack and I knew instantly that I was in good hands. I was immediately sold with this group of passionate, creative, dedicated and incredibly talented professionals as they explained their mission & operations and encouraged me to share my own. Chef Rick and Gianna genuinely listened to our ideas & hopes for the wedding, which was off-premise at the Seaside Park Yacht Club, and immediately understood the flow and feel we were looking for. Moreover, they helped us fully formulate our vision for the wedding and opened our eyes to all that our big day could be. As a coordinator and all around all-star, Gianna answered our questions, asked us important questions we hadn't previously considered, and routinely checked in & communicated with me and my other vendors to ensure all was going as planned and we would be prepared for the big day. Any logistical issues or concerns that came about throughout the process were quickly solved by Gianna, the chefs, and their fabulous team. When Chef Rick returned to the club both in the weeks ahead and the day before our wedding, my fiancé, family and I were in awe of his layout and plans for the big day, as well as his ability to truly connect with us & fulfill our dreams. On the eve of our wedding, we became even more energized and excited for the big event thanks to the work and words of wisdom from Chef Rick. When our wedding day rolled around on 9/23/17, I cried only twice: the moment my father hugged me & handed me over to my husband, and the moment I walked into the venue and saw the unbelievably beautiful wedding that MerriMakers had brought to life. Chef Rick, Gianna, and their incredible team put the many wedding planning puzzle pieces together and gave my husband and I the greatest day of our lives. You will not find a company that values their clients, quality of service, or food- more than MerriMakers does. I only wish we could do it all again. Thank you to my extraordinary friends at Merri Makers, you are unbelievable.

I highly recommend this venue!!! My wedding was a dream come true thanks to the amazing staff!!! I had Laura and Giana help me with my big day. The day went without a flaw! Picture barely capture how beautiful this venue the perfect is, the staff is courteous/friendly staff. My wedding day was great thanks to the wonderful people at Ashford. If I could I would marry again! Wouldn't change anything. Thanks guys 😘

Merrimakers catering with Weddings of Distinction is unreal. The food is just incredible and the service is unmatched. They do not make mistakes and it truly is fine dining. I was married in July at the Bonnet Island Estate and my guest are still raving about the food - it was the best they ever ate! Can I do it all over again!?

We had a fantastic experience with Neshanic Valley Golf Course from start to finish. Gianna was truly amazing! They did an excellent job helping us set everything up, and were so organized. Gianna was super responsive any time we had questions. The wedding turned out exactly how we wanted! Our guests all had an amazing time, and everyone raved about the food. We really could not have been happier with the service!!! Thank you so much!

From the moment my husband and I walked into the Ashford Estate, we were in love!! My husband, Mike, and I were married at the Ashford Estate in May and even named our puppy after the venue ;) Every single moment of our wedding day was beyond exceptional. There is not a guest from our wedding that has not raved about how amazing the day was. We were taken care of from beginning to end, without hesitation. Our happiness and enjoyment was their number one priority. (Not to mention, my bridal attendants were so amazing that my bridesmaids were chanting their names out all day!!) Next - the food! Most people warn brides to make sure they eat throughout the day on their wedding day. No way was I missing out on Merri Maker's delicious creations!! From the burrata (omg!) to the pear salad and the entree steak, I was a full and happy bride!! Guests were extremely happy with the selection and the taste brought by Merri Makers as well. We could not be happier with all the work and help from everyone at Weddings of Distinction, Merri Makers, and the Ashford Estate!! You made our dreams come true - thank you so much!

THANK YOU, thank you, thank you to everyone at Merri-Makers, especially Laura & Gina, for making our wedding day so perfect. We knew we were in good hands from the start, and Merri-Makers exceeded our (high) expectations. The food was delicious and every detail was hit. Rain or shine - Merri-Makers is certainly prepared. The Ashford Estate is such a special place, and Merri-Makers helped to make all our dreams a reality at this picture-perfect venue.

The staff and service we received from Merri-Makers Catering at The Ashford Estate was nothing but the best. From the moment we showed up for our drop off and rehearsal any of our stresses or worries were left at the door. Throughout the night and the next morning, our guests were even complimenting the quality of service that was given. Lisa was our bridal attendant and she was phenomenal, a very special woman we will remember for years to come. Gianna was our Maitre' D and she was great. She made sure everything was going smoothly and assured us many times, this is our day and she would take care of anything. Lastly, Laura was the woman we spoke with from the very beginning and was with us throughout our entire year of planning. She answered every question, e-mail, and phone call quickly and thoroughly and also assured us that choosing Merri-Makers Catering would be the best decision to ensure our wedding would be the absolute best, and it was!

Before booking our dream wedding at Bonnet Island Estate, Alex and I read dozens of online reviews from other couples raving about everything from the delicious food, to the impeccable service, to the romantic atmosphere. Boy were they right! Our wedding day was an absolute dream! Merri-Makers staff was beyond attentive and lived up to all their 5-star reviews. From the morning when I arrived at Bonnet Island to the last song of the night, Alex and I did not lift a finger. The staff was always one step ahead with tea when I was cold, my favorite cocktail when I was too busy dancing, and ready with a giant plate of food during cocktail hour so Alex and I could try everything! Our bridal party and family felt the same way. The staff made everyone feel so special! We never once felt like we were "just another wedding". Merri-makers staff deserve all the credit in the world! We were fortunate enough to work with Andrea, who is practically a living saint! She is always smiling and is amazing at her job. We did not have a wedding planner but we certainly did not need one with her on our side. She would promptly answer any question we had and helped with so many of the little details. She guided us in the right direction to choose many of our vendors, who were also all fabulous. She even ran our rehearsal when our reverend was unable to attend last minute. We are so grateful that we were able to work with her, as she made our experience that much more incredible. My bridal consultant and our maitre'D also deserve so much credit! They both are responsible for making the entire day and night run so smoothly. We changed a few details about guest arrival and the ceremony last minute and thanks to them, we never had to worry. They made sure every detail of the day was perfect! Four months after our wedding, we are still receiving reviews about the food! Alex and I changed many of the cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres to personalize the menu and Merri-Makers did not disappoint! Every display was beautiful and the food was just as delicious! We were so thrilled with everything! The dessert was also a huge hit! Everyone especially loved the cookies and milk shooters! We cannot thank the staff of Bonnet Island and Merri-Makers enough! Because of all of them, we had the most magical day that we will forever remember! We feel so blessed to have been able to work with such professionals and would HIGHLY recommend Merri-Makers to any couple looking to make their already awesome day that much more special! We are still reminiscing and flying high! THANK YOU!!!!

My husband and I had our wedding at the Ashford Estate in November of 2016 and it was just more amazing then I ever thought possible. Laura from Merri-makers is so great, and made wedding planning and coordinating seamless. I met with her a couple times throughout the year leading up to our wedding and she is just an amazing person. She made myself, my husband and my parents so at ease with wedding planning. When we designed the menu it was up to our imaginations. She never said no to anything, and was able to accommodate a different entree for my husband and father no problem. I know the guests loved the food, because I am still hearing about it. I want to give huge shout outs to Kelsey, Taylor, and Lisa. These girls are AWESOME I had so much fun with them the day of my wedding. It was almost as if I was just hanging out with my girlfriends, except they were on top of everything. I could not have asked for a better maitre'd and bridal attendants. When I look back at my wedding I still think about them, and how much more special they made my day. The staff at merrimakers is one of a kind. I wish everyone was able to experience the professionalism, friendliness, and just overall amazing service I received from them. I hope I get to run into them in the future because the whole staff will always hold a special place with me for how flawless they made wedding planning and my wedding day. Thank you Merri-makers!

Katydid is a creative genius! What a talented, passionate, and caring woman. She met with my husband, mother, and mother-in-law several times ensuring that our vision would be met. She exceeded all expectations with a smile on her face. Her calming nature made me at ease. I had complete confidence in her and her work. She was the last person I saw before my first look and I will never forget the look in her eyes, she was more than a vendor, but a friend.

My husband and I held our November wedding at the gorgeous Neshanic Valley Golf Course, using Merri-Makers Catering. It was wonderful - we couldn’t be happier! We received compliment after compliment from our guests regarding everything from the delicious food to the stellar service. The food was fresh, tasty, and of the highest caliber. Gianna Verdoni was our event specialist, and she was EXCELLENT! Gianna and her team were friendly, patient, professional, and flexible. Gianna kept in touch with us throughout the planning process, making herself available whenever we had a question, concern, or simply needed advice. She made us feel so comfortable, it felt as if we were working with an old friend. As soon as we stepped into our reception, Gianna and her team put us at complete ease. Merri-Makers truly made the vision for our wedding a reality, and we couldn’t be more grateful or pleased. We highly recommend their services!

Last Friday, December 9th, we had our wedding at the Ashford. All I can say is, WOW! It was everything I imagined and more! From the beginning, Laura D kept in touch with me about every single thing for our wedding. God bless her because I must have sent her 100 emails and she always emailed or called me back fast with a kind hearted response! The day of, Geri, Taylor, Lisa, and Laura were amazing! They made sure everything was perfect for us! They we're so gracious and helpful that we felt like superstars! I adore them and they are such a huge part of the reason why our day was so very special! The food was outstanding, and they even set up cocktail hour food for my husband and I in the salon right after the ceremony. We munched and then we're ready to greet our guests. The staff was fantastic. They were the nicest people and so much fun! As all the guests were dancing, it was great to see the staff getting down as well (big shout out to Seth for showing us his dance moves!) If you are torn between having your wedding between The Ashford and another location, GO WITH THE ASHFORD! You will not regret it, and it will be the best moment of your life.

Our September wedding at The Ashford Estate has been described over and over by our guests (and even people who just saw the pictures) as "a fairy tale." But, to us, it was the culmination of more than a year's worth of coordination with one of the most amazing groups of professionals ever! From our first meeting with Laura to our incredible tasting experience (which made it really hard to narrow down our menu) to our maître d' meeting and rehearsal with Kelsey to our wedding day with Kelsey and Lisa, Merri-Makers greatly exceeded our expectations and even our wildest dreams! Laura was incredibly responsive to my many, many questions, especially in the weeks leading up to the wedding. At our rehearsal and on the day of the wedding, Kelsey and Lisa made sure everything went smoothly and tended to our every need (and even things we didn't know we needed). And, despite hosting several beautiful weddings that weekend, the entire Merri-Makers team, including the first-class wait staff. made us feel like our wedding was uniquely special and important. We were able to enjoy our wedding day without any concerns that our guests would be treated with respect and receive impeccable service, and we had the wedding of our dreams! The only downside is that, despite having the best day of our lives, we can only get married once...but, true to form, Merri-Makers has invited us to come back for our anniversaries or when we're in the area. And, of course, we'll be taking them up on that offer :-)

Where do I begin? My husband and I were lucky enough to be married at The Ashford Estate last month and I can say that they surpassed our wildest dreams of what our wedding would be like. From that very first visit with Laura 15 months before the wedding, down to the very day of our wedding I couldn't believe how easy they made the process. With a background in event planning I was concerned that I would be managing my wedding throughout the day. Everyone at Merri-Makers and Ashford made sure that the only thing that we were focused on was taking in the day and having an amazing time. They thought of everything and if they noticed that something wasn't right they took the initiative to make it right without stressing anyone out. The grounds at The Ashford are stunning-- everything from the surrounding area, to the charming barn that we were married in, to the jaw-dropping beauty of the ballroom. The food was exceptional and our guests said it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding. As the cherry on top, we were lucky enough to have rented The Estate for the entire night so both my grooms family and my own family were able to stay in the 12 guest rooms upstairs, that are truly nicer than any five star hotel's accommodations. I can't thank Merri-Makers and Ashford enough for helping provide my husband and I the wedding of our dreams! We are so excited to be coming back next summer when my sister gets married there and I know her wedding with be just as perfect! You are the best!! THANK YOU THANK YOU! Xo, Kait and Dan

We were happy with the food and the atmosphere. The golf course is beautiful. The value is good for everything you get. The billing/contract process and general communication were unorganized.

My husband and I got married at The Ashford Estate a little over a month ago and it truly was a fairytale wedding! From the amazing grounds, to the wonderful staff, to the amazing food, everything was just absolutely perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better wedding! The staff was so professional and attentive and made my day completely stress-free. From the start of the planning process, Laura was absolutely amazing! She always made herself available to answer all of our questions that we had and truly made the wedding planning easy! She was there on our wedding day to make sure everything went as planned. Gianna, as well as all of the wedding attendants (I have to mention Taylor as well!), were by my side the entire day and were so pleasant and helpful! Our wedding was truly a dream come true! Our family members and guests are still raving about how wonderful our wedding was! Thank you to all of the staff at Merri-Makers for all of your hard work in making our day so magical! It was by far the best day of our lives!! The Ashford Estate is hands down the best venue in the Tri-State area! Thank you!! 09.16.2016

As the Mother of the Bride, I thought I would tell everyone what an amazing experience this was for our entire family! From the very first visit, the professionalism of the staff rivals the beauty of the location. Worth every penny.. can't tell you the number of guests who raved about the venue, food and overall ambience. If I had another daughter, we would be back!!

From the very beginning of our visits to different venues, Neshanic Valley Golf Course and the staff of Merri-Makers Catering impressed us. Simply put, they stood out against the rest. Their pricing is also very reasonable, in my opinion, which I know is a very important aspect of choosing a venue. What I'm sure to often be an overwhelming process of planning a wedding, became incredibly easy. The entire staff of the venue and catering company were extremely efficient and helpful. They offered insights and guidance for a planning process that we had obviously never been through prior. Our event manager, Gianna Verdoni, her assistant, Rachel, and property manger, Justin all make a phenomenal team. We simply cannot express our gratitude enough for how hard they worked to make our wedding day as special as it was. They made it look easy and the day ran flawlessly. Our only regret is that we were unable to work with Gianna earlier in the process. She was efficient, helpful, and knowledgeable from the moment that we began to work with her. It is easy to tell that she is passionate about what she does. We feel extremely lucky to have met and worked with her. It has been 2 weeks since our wedding and we are still receiving compliments from our families, friends and guests. Many of whom say that it was the best wedding they had been to in a long time! We give all the credit to our wonderful vendors, especially Neshanic Valley Golf Course and Merri-Makers Catering. Without them the day could not have been as perfect as it was. We highly recommend!!

Mary from Merri-Makers made our wedding day perfect in every way. They were super accommodating, answering questions, taking requests, and being an overall sounding board throughout the planning process. And to be honest, I have to say that everything from Nicole's review on 8/29 was the same for us. Ellie and Colleen ensured the staff was professional. We truly had nothing to worry about and that allowed us to focus our energies on our family and friends. It was a truly exceptional experience and I hope to visit Bonnet with my groom for many years to come as we've been invited to do. Truly, it was magical and Merri-Makers was an integral part of that.

Our wedding was on September 3rd, 2016! We had the most fantastic and memorable day at The Ashford Estate. From the beautiful landscapes, to the gorgeous barn where we had our ceremony, are to die for! The main estate and ballroom are out of a fairytale, for sure! Our day was just magical! This venue is truly a spectacular place. Everywhere you look there is a gorgeous 'backdrop'. That helps when you have an amazing photographer like Kay English. Our photos are absolutely gorgeous with the help of these gorgeous grounds The Ashford Estate has! The entire process was amazing as well. We worked with Laura, who was fantastic the entire time. From phone calls and emails, to our meetings leading up to the day, it was all such an enjoyable process. The entire Ashford Estate and Merri-Makers team make the planning extremely easy and incredible. Taylor and Lisa were our bridal assistants. Helping me out all morning, then attending to my husband and I the entire evening. So eager to help and make our nights as enjoyable as possible. They were absolute dolls, too! The 12 beautiful suites they accommodate in the main estate are pristine in every way possible. Each room has its own decor style and feel. The bridal suite is such a dreamy room. We loved staying here and so did our guests. Merri-Makers did an awesome job as well! The food was out of this world amazing! From cocktail hour, up until our dessert displays, everything was on point! Our guests were in awe with every detail during cocktail hour. Our dinner courses were spectacular!!! You will not regret having your gorgeous wedding day at The Ashford Estate! We highly recommend it!

We had such a great experience and a beautiful wedding at Neshanic! Venue is so nice and the entire staff was amazing! Highly recommend!

Very accommodating! They made an entirely vegetarian menu for me and it was fabulous!! Staff is very nice. Scenery is beautiful, peaceful, classy.

I was married at The Ashford Estate this past April (2016). From my first visit, Laura and her team were extremely accomadating and helpful from touring us around the Estate to customizing a menu for our wedding. Each bridal attendant was amazing - from driving me around on a impromptu golf cart ride, to carrying emergency kits ranging from sewing kits to snacks. Every detail of the day was thoroughly planned out allowing me to feel worry free. The grounds were breathtaking and the food was exquisite; I could not have envisioned a more perfect day. My experience with Merri-Makers was pure excellence.

Dream wedding is an understatement. For years I joked with my family and friends that I would get married at Bonnet Island Estate. We knew the minute we walked in for the tour with Mary, from Merri-Makers, that this was our wedding venue. It was so beautiful by itself there wasn’t much left to do besides show up! Mary was definitely an added bonus. She was so helpful throughout the entire planning process. The day of the wedding went so smoothly. I was weary about a Friday wedding but being able to get into the estate by 10am made the day feel less rushed and allowed us to relax before the big event. Ellie and Colleen were AMAZING and were there for us every step of the way that day. Most importantly our wedding was a lot of fun. We felt like everything came together perfectly with the help of the staff, they were extremely accommodating and professional. We have gotten so many compliments about the entire day. Everything from the beautiful venue, the delicious food, to the amazingly attentive staff. We cannot thank you enough for making our day one that not only we will remember but one that our guests will be talking about for years to come! We stopped by a few days after the wedding to pick up a few things. As we left we were told to come back to visit, take anniversary or family pictures anytime since we are now part of the Bonnet Island Family.

My daughter had to cancel her wedding at The Ashford 14 months prior to her date and they have insisted that we pay for the entire amount (venue and catering). Please beware before signing their contract!

The Ashford Estate provided an all around amazing experience. As for Merri-Makers, we got more compliments throughout the night about how fantastic the food was than anything else at the wedding. The food was above and beyond. I have a couple chefs in my family and they even raved about the food. People said it was the best food that they had ever had at a wedding before. Thank you Merri-Makers for making the wedding wonderful!

My husband and I had our reception at the Asford Estate in April of this year and worked very closely with the Merri-Makers team up until the big day. They have the most amazing team who go above and beyond to make sure everything is taken care of on the big day and that YOU as the couple are happy and relaxed the entire time. Their team is super organized, experienced, friendly, and honest (which weighs very heavily when you are planning such a special event). They recommended almost all the of the vendors we decided to work with and also reminded us of things we may not have considered/thought about during the planning process. The Bridal/Groom attendants the day of were extremely professional - they were constantly 3 steps ahead of us in terms of the layout of the day and always made sure we were comfortable. We absolutely loved their entire team - they are a special bunch! We received a compliment from every guest at our wedding on how amazing the venue, Merri-Makers team, and food was! It was the most spectacular day and their team definitely made it all the more special.

I literally cannot say enough about how wonderful everything at the Ashford Estate was. I had my dream wedding at this magical venue on 7/2/16. From the minute I stepped on the ground for my initial venue visit, I was in love. Ashford Estate is literally the most beautiful wedding venue I have ever been at. The grounds are immaculate and picturesque - tons of great spots for photos. I love that everything is on site- and the different spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception keep the day unfolding for guests like little surprises. The food was excellent! We had salmon and Chateaubriand for our dinner choices and I've never seen so many plates licked clean at a wedding. My guests also told me that they were offered second helpings as there was extra in the kitchen - what a nice touch! The cocktail hour food was amazing as well, as were our strolling desserts - guests thought this idea was different and fun and couldn't stop raving about the options. More than anything, what puts Ashford Estate over the top were the absolutely amazing on site staff. Laura of Merrimakers was by far the most attentive, responsive and wonderful person that I could have asked for in planning my wedding. I am in PR and have planned many events and she and her staff were like I had 100 versions of myself day-of. I like to have my hands in everything to make sure it's all perfect and I have never met anyone who could replicate things exactly as I would have done it. Laura totally got me and my vision and I felt like I could relax and TOTALLY trusted her and her team the day of. Kelsey of Merrimakers was our maitre'd and was equally as amazing as Laura -helping my day run smoothly. I will honestly miss Laura - she was such a pleasure and so much fun to work with - I felt like she became a friend! Lastly, my bridal attendants, Taylor and Lisa, were so BEYOND amazing and attentive. They made sure me and my groom always had drinks and were able to eat, literally had everything ready and prepared for me before I even thought of it myself. For example, they brought my lipstick from the bridal salon to the sweetheart table in case I needed touch ups. I cannot say enough about everyone at Ashford Estate. There was not one thing that went wrong, the venue is perfect, the gardens are perfect, the food is perfect, the staff is perfect. I cannot recommend them enough! They gave this bride her dream wedding and allowed her to relax throughout the day!

I cannot begin to describe how much fun we had at our wedding at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course. The space is absolutely stunning and the staff goes above and beyond to make sure your special day runs as smoothly as possible. This includes Andrea, the on-site coordinator, getting on the phone with the hotel and reaming them out over them screwing us over on the shuttles that were part of our contract. She literally took all of the stress off or my shoulders. She is the nicest person ever, but will be that little pit bull you need when you need it. The guests have not stopped raving about how delicious the food was, especially the filet mignon. Seriously, get the filet mignon. And I have to disagree with the "$$$" that the Knot has listed for this venue. I would say its more of a 2 dollar sign expense. Not only is the catering itself less expensive than many Jersey hot spots, but since the ceremony space overlooks the golf course and rolling hills, you can save tons of money by not having to really decorate the ceremony space. We literally didn't have any decorations at the space aside from a large scoreboard my dad made (we had a baseball themed wedding) that was placed at the entrance to the space. Additionally, the tables inside the reception space are long, skinny oval tables. This helps lessen the cost of centerpieces. Rather than needing to fill the bulk of unused space on a circular table, you can get away with something simple like a few mixed size candles. Personally, we did a mini locker in the middle of the table with a cylindrical vase on each size filled with peanuts, a baseball, and a pennant flag for the "table number" aka the different baseball team we named each table. Each table cost us approximately $20 to decorate rather than $75 plus you would spend with a florist. Overall, this venue gives you the most bang for your buck. Beautiful scenery, amazing staff, delicious food, great pricing, and best of all, a night you won't forget.

I have to admit I was Skeptical on using a caterer. I was expecting subpar banquet food, but Merri Makers out did themselves with Their amazing food! Large entree portions, equisitely paired sides, beautiful final touches on every plate. My guests raved about the food and service! Thanks so much and where can I go to order the pecan and maple salmon to have it again? Yum!

My now husband (!!!) and I got married at the Ashford Estate last weekend. From the very beginning planning stages through the day after the wedding the staff at Ashford were absolutely amazing!!! I cannot speak highly enough about the entire experience. Laura D. helped us plan the entire day and she was incredibly helpful, insightful, and accommodating. She helped to ensure that we had the best vendors, helped us to pick out the menu during the tasting event, and made sure that every single thing ran smoothly on the day of the wedding. The Ashford Estate in itself is absolutely magical. We held the ceremony on site in the barn, then did cocktail hour in the conservatory and library, and also had an after party in the library after the reception ended. The entire staff was so nice and helpful and my bridal attendants throughout the day were incredible. They had a tide stick in hand during a food stain emergency, they made sure that my husband and I ate dinner, and even stood outside in the cold with me during pictures to hold onto my jacket. The food from Merri-Makers catering was delicious and so many of our guests have told us that it didn't taste like your typical wedding food. We served our meal family-style and all of our guests were so pleased with it. The entire catering company and staff were very careful and accommodating with many food allergies and they even brought tables seconds without being asked. Being able to stay on-site the night of was also key. The bridal suite is one of a kind and all of the g