The Ashford Estate by Merri-Makers

here are so many gorgeous spots for pictures, and all of the spaces - the cocktail hour space, ballroom, and library for the after party are stunning. The team was extremely helpful and patient with all our many questions - they were a total pleasure to work with. The food was delicious, especially the many cocktail hour spaces. Highly recommend!

be getting married there. I felt like a queen the whole day, anything I needed was immediately taken care of and they were consistently asking me if I was okay or needed anything. Laura helped us thru our entire planning process and I couldn’t be more thankful for her. All the comments from our guests include something like “that was the most gorgeous venue” or “that venue was perfect” and they are so accurate. If you are thinking about having your special day here, I absolutely recommend it.

uld really be “guests” and party and enjoy the celebration like our guests could. Everyone was so attentive to my husband and me. We felt special and cared for the whole night! My parents did as well. Thank you for making this so memorable for my family. Our extended family and friends raved about the food! Thank you to the whole catering team. My husband and I were so grateful to have a few moments together to enjoy it all before the reception began. So delicious, and again the team made it possible for us to each and try it all so we could enjoy the whole day. The rooms upstairs were comfortable and gorgeous, and blew the 26 people who stayed there away. Another amazing touch for the family! All the logistics before the event were handled with such ease. Laura was attentive, relaxed, and excited for us, and made the planning as easy as the day was enjoyable. Cannot recommend this venue and caterer enough for any bride/groom, in any season!

tstanding from Laura and the rest of the staff throughout the whole process. Not to mention, the food provided by the catering company, Merri-Makers, is incredible! Multiple of our guests commented it was the best wedding venue they have ever been to. I couldn't recommend the Ashford Estate and Merri-Makers Catering enough.

m 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!!!

aff 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!

ery 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.

ting 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 :)

y 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!

an’t beat this place, this venue is designed to leave your guests in awe with beauty around every bend.

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!!

il. We wouldn’t change a thing about our day!

onderful and their food is absolutely delicious. I wish we could re-live the day over and over again. They truly made it perfect!

aff 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.

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!!

king my wedding such a tasteful, delicious event!!! xo ASHFORD ESTATE IS TRULY UNREAL!!!

roken 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.

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!

kers 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

ay 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!

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!!!

ng 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.

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!!

king 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!

e absolutely had a dream wedding, and got so much overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests. The food, drinks, and atmosphere were perfect!

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 :)

re 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.

ved 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.

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!

elt 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.

e with the professional at Merri Makers

s both so well, especially Jamey who is a super picky eater. We are planning on having them again for our first anniversary!

ntil 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!

ervice, 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.

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 😘

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!?

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!

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!

-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.

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!

able 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!!!!

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!