Vandiver Inn

venue. And the team - from chef, to front house, to catering to housekeeping - are so friendly, it's like you're hanging with cousins you don't see too often so you still really like them. We met with Chasi upfront who made everything streamlined and simple. Liz Lange was our coordinator, and she executed our wedding day just as we wanted... even throwing in a couple of surprises, much to our delight! We made our wedding into a mini family reunion by renting out the entire Mansion and rooms in the other two houses. It gave us the entire weekend to enjoy the time with our loved ones, making the space our own (college football in the parlor, hell yeah!) and having everyone within a stone's throw just as we wanted! The delicious food... from our tasting dinners we knew it was great but also happy to hear our guests rave about it as well. We loved working with Desserts by Rita (we did add on extra cupcakes and happy we did as they were gone by night's end!). Also, we loved having breakfast (and it's delicous!) with everyone in the Mansion on Saturday and Sunday mornings, another perk of renting the place out. Just hanging with family around the tables, swapping stories from the day before. Hands down we would do it all over again, just as it was the first time - magical and delightful. Thank you!! Ron and Darci.

use of them. The staff is amazing to work with, especially our coordinator Theresa. The convenience of having everything but the DJ, decorations, and photographer offered in our package was a godsend. And I don't have enough characters to rant and rave about the food the way I want to, but ever since our big day the only thing I've heard from guests is that the food was the best they've ever had at a wedding. You won't be disappointed in the slightest if you choose the Vandiver. We're already looking forward to coming back to stay a couple days!

responsive. Theresa was so sweet and worked with us to make our day successful. Everything ran smooth and on-time without any problems. We had made white pumpkin centerpieces with a range of purple, teal, and white flowers and foliage coming out of the top and I didn't even THINK to do what she did and have them line the ceremony chairs down the aisle. That was a pleasant surprise! Thank you so much Theresa!! You thought of allllll the little details the day of and made everything perfect! <3 The atmosphere of the venue was historic and old-timey but homey feel. Very romantic and fabulous. I didn't feel the need to bring a ton of decor due to the venue itself being fabulously aesthetically pleasing. The pavilion is where we held our ceremony and reception which they were able to quickly flip during cocktail hour. The staff on site helped with everything under the sun and the venue provides pretty much everything you need. They provide linens in a variety of colors and utensils, tables, chairs, etc etc. I'm sure I'm forgetting other things that they offer/ help with. All of the food and alcohol services as well as the cake and Inn rooms are available through Vandiver Inn in their packages, so it made everything extremely easy and accessible to get organized and taken care of. The food was wonderfully delicious! We had the beef tenderloin and quail. Our guests are still talking about how awesome the quail was. The sweet potatoes....I can't even! They were soooooo good that I now want to eat them as I'm typing this up! <3 Very high quality food that is prepared in-house by their owner. Highly recommended <3 The cake is through their partner Desserts by Rita, which was FANTASTIC <3. They use butter-cream frosting and have a wide range of flavors, all of which were delicious! We couldn't pick a favorite flavor so we just had them put in as many flavors as they could with each layer. The design was on point as well! We had a heavy nerdy, mostly Sailor Moon themed wedding and our cake looked magical! We had a separate small cake created due to one of our guests having a severe egg allergy. They were able to easily accommodate and created an egg-free cake, which was still amazingly delicious. I'll be leaving a separate 5-star review for Desserts by Rita on their site/ vendor review/ Google reviews/ etc. One of the nicest things at the end of the night was that we could literally walk right into the main building and go to our rooms or visit family & friends and hang out after the reception (or pass out! lol). All of their rooms have at least a queen-size bed if not a king and each room has it's own character. This venue is a gem and we can't recommend them enough!

REAL, and the cost is so reasonable. We were so glad to be able to offer unique lodging to our guests and work with a team that was so experienced and able to adapt based on the weather and any last minute changes. Amazingly, even though they do this every weekend, we felt that the whole team was still personally invested in our wedding and it wasn't 'just another weekend' for them. You truly will be treated like family! The location is fantastic, right near the water with a picturesque lighthouse and boardwalk, and there are local vendors nearby (florist & cake) that are very familiar with the venue. Theresa Tyson was our wedding coordinator and she could not have been more wonderful. By having our wedding at the Vandiver Inn we have established a lifelong bond with this beautiful venue and the amazing team. We can't wait to visit for our anniversary!

ecially if you have out of town guests or a smaller guest list.

e things about John,Susan, Chasi and especially Theresa and the entire staff at the Vandiver. We discovered this gem 5 years ago and immediately decided that if we were fortunate enough for our daughter and her boyfriend to marry, the Vandiver would be the perfect place and we were 100% correct. In addition to the incredible Vandiver staff, the vendors they recommended and have close relationships with were awesome too. DJ, florist, photography and cake were amazing and we were extremely happy with them all. One of our many hopes for the wedding was that the bride and groom , the bridal party and parents could sit back, relax and enjoy the day and not worry about micro managing everything. That’s exactly what happened as Theresa and the staff took care of it all leaving us with nothing to do but to have a truly great time and dance the night away. With ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and lodging all in one location the Vandiver was definitely the right choice for us and the work of the staff made it that much more right. We find ourselves searching for more superlatives to describe our experience, how happy we were and how highly we would recommend to anyone looking to enjoy a magical wedding day or any kind of event to have it at the Vandiver Inn.

to cleaning up wine off one of my bridesmaids, to calmly organizing my whole day. I could not have asked for a better day of coordinator for my big day.

ke family. The owners and staff are just truly lovely people who are great to work with! Chasi, the sales manager was a delight and answered all of our questions (and there were a lot) to make sure that we were comfortable with our decision to have our wedding there. Theresa was assigned to be our coordinator and we could not have been happier with that assignment! She made everything so easy! The day of the wedding went off without a hitch. Theresa handled any issues or questions from others. She made sure we were hydrated before and after the ceremony and that we ate during the reception. There aren't enough adjectives to describe how much we appreciated all of her hard work. The bar manager, Holly, was so helpful and kind the whole weekend of our wedding and she made sure our guests were well taken care of during our reception. My priorities for my wedding were for my guests to have fun and love the food (because let's be honest, that's what people remember). I could not have chosen a better location for that. Vandiver Inn offers a complimentary tasting to help pick your menu. My husband and I thought that would make our decision easier... instead it was harder because all of the food was so delicious. Susan, the chef and owner, does an incredible job with the food, no matter what you choose, you cannot go wrong and your guests will be raving about it! Nearly every one of our 110 guests has complimented us on the venue, food, and overall atmosphere of our wedding. We chose the perfect location and recommend the Vandiver Inn to anyone who wants the perfect, stress-free wedding day that is sure to impress their guests! Thank you to the Vandiver staff... I will always cherish my wedding day because of all of you!!

s. Liz was great to work with and managed everything on the day flawlessly. The food was fantastic. Everyone that I've talked to since has complimented Vandiver Inn and said how much fun they had - especially the few of us who stayed out late and got in trouble for being too loud (sorry!). We toured several venues before finding Vandiver, but this was the only place that really felt welcoming and warm from the very beginning. You can't go wrong choosing to have your wedding here!

of town guest could spend the weekend at the inn, from the rehearsal to morning after breakfast. Our wedding day was everything we dreamed of and the Vandiver was the perfect setting for us! If you want to have great food, good service, beautiful scenery and work with wonderful people then definitely consider this venue!

as carried through all of my experiences at the Vandiver and with everyone who works there. Liz Lange was our coordinator, and she executed our wedding day exactly as my husband and I sketched out with her in advance. She was wonderful to work with during the planning process and at our actual wedding. Highlights from our wedding that make the Vandiver worth more than 5 stars: Renting out the entire Mansion and rooms in the other two houses for bridal party and family members -- It gave us the entire weekend to enjoy the time with our loved ones without the hustle and bustle of traveling to/from hotel and venue; Having the food made in-house, and having Susan as the chef -- Not only are guests telling us that the Vandiver served the best wedding food they've ever had, but we are also hearing some say that they ate the best filets of their lives at our wedding; Having the wedding cake and baker included with the venue; Benefiting from the property's aesthetics -- Every space inside and outside looks different, which results in incredible wedding photos; Working with kind people who made us and our guests feel at home during our wedding weekend -- The staff is simply outstanding. Get married here! :) 10/10 my husband and I would get married here again, and we even joke about having a second wedding at the Vandiver because we enjoyed ours so, so much.

. It's also minutes away from the water where the wedding party was able to sneak away for additional photos. We decided to continue the party at Lagom after the reception ended which was super convenient to be within walking distance for our guests to stay at the Vandiver that evening. Overall, we are so grateful to the Vandiver staff for making our day one that we will remember for the rest of our lives!

est was WOW! From the moment we booked our wedding here we were treated like family, always welcome to look for decorating ideas or to just chat about our vision. We could not have felt more at home! And the food...was, is and continues to be out of this world! There is truly something special about this place and i cant recommend them enough!

entire staff from Chasi who was willing to meet with me multiple times before I even committed to getting married there, to Liz my wedding coordinator, to Kim the innkeeper, the entire staff was extremely welcoming and accommodating. They made us feel like we were part of the family and not just guests. Chasi and Liz were always very responsive and willing to answer any questions that I had. It was extremely helpful that the Vandiver has everything you need in one place. They literally take care of everything and their preferred venders list was very wonderful when it came to picking venders for services they don’t provide (DJ, photographer, hair and make/up...). All of the venders on the list were amazing and had worked at the Vandiver a million times which made for easy communication and coordination. They worked their timelines out with each other instead of me having to do it, which reduced my stress and allowed me to just have fun and enjoy my day. The venue is gorgeous and the food was delicious. Our entire wedding went off without a hitch. It was a wedding out of a scene from Gilmore Girls!! Our experience couldn’t have been better and my husband and I are already planning to return to the Vandiver just to spend the night and enjoy its charm!

tation then LIZ who was our coordinator was absolutely amazing! The food is EVERYTHING!!If you’re looking for a place that’s very family oriented, cozy, and hospitable THIS IS THE PLACE! You won’t regret your choice.

. She was so great at answering my 100’s of questions and responded quickly. The day-of staff were so great too. Honestly, they make you feel like you’re the only guest at the Inn and spoil you! Lastly..the food! That food is so yummy and we received tons of compliments from wedding guests. I wish I could relive my wedding day over and over, and that’s very much thanks to the Vandiver Inn!

o question unanswered. She was always quick to respond to her emails and made us feel we could contact her at any time. Each wedding gets assigned a day-of coordinator. Our wedding coordinator was Liz. Words can’t describe what a vital role she played in making our wedding day beyond perfect. For almost a year of planning, she was there answering all of my many questions. She was so organized and made sure she knew all of our wishes/goals for the day of. We even chose to hold our rehearsal dinner at the Vandiver. Which Liz organized perfectly for us as well. I️ had a lot of decor for our wedding, Liz and her team set it all up perfectly - just like what I️ had imagined. She was there from morning until night directing us and answering questions so the day would go seamlessly- and it did!! It was beyond perfect! All the staff were excellent! Even the Innkeeper Kim was so so friendly to us and our guests. The bridal suite was so cute and perfect for us girls to get ready in! The food was AMAZING. Every one of my guests have been telling us just how good the food was! I️ can’t thank the staff at the Vandiver enough for the perfect wedding we had. They host many weddings, never did I️ feel as though we were just another wedding. They made it their job to make ours feel so special.

we were looking for.

our wedding seriously the most perfect day of our lives. From beginning to end it was amazing. We have been working with Liz for what seems like forever now and she was always on top of everything and willing to help. She made the day possible and made it run so seamlessly. We could not have done it without her. And honestly she is probably the reason I was so calm the morning of because I knew that I could trust that it was going to be perfect. On top of being amazing at all she does she is seriously the sweetest person. And I am super grateful that we had her. All around the team at the The Vandiver made the day of amazing. The service was fantastic, the rooms were beautiful, and the food was impeccable. I definitely do not have enough words to describe how amazing the food was. And while I may be biased we are still hearing from our guests how amazing they thought the food was. The Vandiver seriously made our wedding day even more amazing and magical than we could've ever asked for. I am so grateful and thankful that we chose them and will highly recommend them to everyone. I cannot wait to celebrate future anniversaries here.

e to attend to our every need. Our wedding planner Liz was amazing!!! Thank you to Liz and all the staff at the Vandiver Inn for making our special day one we will always remember. And to Kim at the Vandiver Thank you for your hospitality!!

or outdoors, you really can't go wrong. The food was out of this world, Chef Susan really outdid herself. We still have guests tell us to this day that our dinner was the best food they've ever had at a wedding. The wedding cake is also included in the package and you won't be disappointed! Above all else, John and Susan couldn't have been more helpful on the day if they tried and everything, and I mean everything, went off exactly as planned because of their attention to every last detail. I highly recommend the Vandiver Inn!

perfectly. All of the staff treat you so well, and the innkeeper even learned all of our names. They made things feel so personal and specific to us, even though they have weddings there regularly. It felt like the whole place was there just for us. The food was incredible - definitely above average for a wedding. I'd recommend when you pick your menu, stick to the more simple items. They have fantastics simple dishes. They even adjusted one of the dishes as per our request (they switched out a sauce that was listed on the menu with a dish for a sauce my husband loves). I was actually a bit nervous because I had sent so many details of the day-of via email and then I had a few more in person the day before. I couldn't believe that the coordinator actually remembered each and every one of the notes I discussed with her. It was absolutely incredible. When we got back from our after party, we had cake and full plates of food in our room. We were treated so incredibly well, and the venue itself is beautiful. It looks gorgeous in photos. The venue feels personal enough and is already decorated enough so that every photo looks lovely, and you don't really have to bring any decorations with you! It's good to go as is. They also had a very reliable, high quality vendor recommendation list. I relied on it, since I wanted to use vendors that were as close to the venue as possible (didn't want to have to contemplate the possibility of a vendor getting caught on traffic on 95 or something) and they all were fantastic. Beautiful, wonderful venue. Book here and you'll have a load off your mind.

g is perfect. I was not stressed whatsoever and I attribute that to Theresa, who answered every email I sent regardless of how silly the question was. She took my vision for the decorations and brought everything to life perfectly! Our guests are still talking about what a great day it was, and my husband and I will be back for every anniversary!

e! We knew after our tasting that we were in for a treat, and all of our attendees were delighted. They also are very courteous in catering to those with food allergies and restrictions. They made sure myself and 3 other speciality guests were taken care of without problem. Then the coordinating.. Liz is an expert and made our wedding run smoothly and look beautiful from start to finish. I bombarded her with emails towards the end of the planning process, and she made sure all of my concerns were taken care of and she knew just how to handle any issues that arose. She handles SO many details and logistics behind the scenes and makes it look simple! She was really a huge help in making sure our day was wonderful. The venue is located in a beautiful town that is within walking/driving distance to the water and lighthouse. The history and different rooms inside the Vandiver is enough to keep guests occupied while staying overnight or mingling during cocktail hour. We held our wedding and reception under the covered outdoor area - a perfect pick for our rainy and 60 degree September wedding day. If you are looking for a unique venue with charm, the Vandiver is the perfect pick that will keep your guests talking! Thank you to John, Susan, Liz, Kim, and the entire Vandiver team!!

: outside in front of a rustic-looking gazebo or inside the heat/cooled "pavilion". The word pavilion does not do it justice! It is the breezy extension of the house, with beautiful brick flooring, gorgeous light fixtures, and charming accents. It is a comfortable space in any weather and is flexible to accommodate small and large weddings. We had 100 guests, and it was perfect! Enough space to mingle or dance, your pick! Outside of the pavilion are some small gardens, benches and firepits for your guests who would prefer quiet conversation. The Vandiver is also an inn, the rooms are beautiful and extremely charming. And the food is out of this world!! Their "tasting" is a full dinner with other Vandiver couples, including some who have already been married there! They are there to share there experiences with you and answer questions while you enjoy the delicious food, seated in the pavilion just like your guests will be! It makes it so easy to visualize your upcoming wedding day. There has been no end to the wonderful compliments I have received on our wedding and the Vandiver was such a huge part of that. It was the perfect choice for us!

in very capable and caring hands and that everything was going to be alright, after all. They say everything happens for a reason and this situation is proof-positive, as everything from beginning to end was absolutely PERFECT (after having only 5 months to pull it all together)! Even the weather cooperated, as we were blessed with spring-like temperatures and sunshine on February 18th!!! The food was delicious and the table settings were beautiful. Liz, our wedding coordinator, handled everything flawlessly and professionally. I would highly recommend the Vandiver Inn to anyone who wishes to have a very beautiful and unique setting for their wedding, one that brought rave reviews from all of our guests and bridal party!!

dding. And that is exactly what was accomplished!! All of our guests had fun and loved the atmosphere created by the employees. We were married in January, so the ceremony and reception were in the pavilion. Everyone, including myself, was amazed how the space was transformed during the happy hour, it was magic. Personally, I believe that the best thing about the Vandiver is that it is really a family owned business. Every employee that we encountered really cared about us and made our wedding guests feel welcomed. We had many guests with dietary restrictions and I had several of them tell me later how they were impressed with how the wait staff would check ingredients for them and inform them which hors d'oeuvres were free of gluten, soy, dairy, etc. Our wedding coordinator, Holly, was indispensable. She really did the work of 5 people on our wedding day. She made me (the bride) feel pampered all day, made sure that my husband and I had enough to eat and drink and even wrapped up 2 slices of cake and dinner entree for us so that we could snack when we returned to the room that night. She and another coordinator Jo made the wedding planning process much easier, responding quickly to many emails! It was a perfect venue, the food is great, and the staff is first class.

ng with the pavilion. Just as important, Chasi laid out exactly how much everything would cost, which was a huge help as we were just starting to figure out our budget. One thing that really stuck out to us was that the Vandiver included everything in their initial estimate. We didn’t have to worry about outside vendors for linens, chairs, food, etc. Everything was taken care of on-site. They even provided the cake. From the food tastings to the open house to finally our wedding day, we were taken care of extremely well by the staff at the Vandiver. We cannot recommend highly enough the job that Liz Lange–the event manager assigned to us by the Vandiver–did in making our day happen. She was very warm and professional and quickly responded to all of our emails in the months leading up to the wedding. She walked us through the whole process and gave us confidence that all of the details were covered. On weekend of our wedding, there were two other weddings at the Vandiver (we had ours on Sunday). As an example of how Liz went above and beyond, she met our wedding party at 9:30pm the night before our wedding (after working a wedding that day) to walk us through the rehearsal. On our actual wedding day, Liz had everything covered. She made sure we were fed, our glasses were full and that all the details were taken care of. She worked very hard to make us feel special and appreciated on our big day. In addition, as the reception was going on, she placed my suit jacket and my wife’s vail on our bed, so we had a nice little surprise once we got to our bridal suite later than night. The food was amazing (the owner of the Vandiver is the chef). We are still getting a compliments on how good the food was, two months later. The cake was extremely tasty as well. Overall, we had an amazing experience at the Vandiver and Havre de Grace. It was the perfect setting for wedding weekend.

you how many times people asked me how I found the venue, as if I’d stumbled upon some secret society. The staff? If anything went wrong we didn’t find out about it. Which is exactly what you want on your wedding day. Attentive, thoughtful, and friendly…just wow! The ‘day-of coordinator’? This is where I start to get emotional, because Jo who was our day-of coordinator was beyond amazing and went above and beyond any expectation I had in my head. Even my photographer said she wished she could clone a Jo for every wedding she worked. Among all of the things I expected out of our wedding experience, I did not expect to walk away with feeling a loss knowing I no longer had an excuse to bother Jo. She is amazing! And Vandiver Mgmt, if you’re reading this, you need to know that though the property and the food were amazing, it was Jo that helped make our day be more perfect than we could have imagined. I cannot gush enough about her…so I should probably stop! Prospective brides/grooms…if you’re searching for a venue that feels warm, has delicious food, and truly cares that you’re happy in the end, look no further than the Vandiver Inn!

one it without everyone there, they made my wedding a perfect day!!

m the start, she went out of her way to accommodate us with any change we needed, whether it be lodging, food, or general inquiries. We were definitely not the easiest clients to have, but Jo was never phased. She would do anything she could to help us out. When it comes to the day of the event, she knows exactly what she's doing - she had a drink in hand when you need it, and food right when you needed it. She worked wonderfully with our vendors. Jo's communication skills and on fire attitude are exactly what you want on the big day! We couldn't have been happier with her performance. All the while, she went above and beyond by tidying up behind me and the groomsmen to prepare for my honey and I to come back to a nice clean room after the wedding and she even left us food and cake in the room because she knows how busy you can get at your wedding, leaving little time to eat. Overall, the Vandiver is a place that treats its couples like FAMILY. You feel as if you are the most important people in the world to them. I cant say enough about this venue. I will be recommending that any of my friends in the area get married at the Vandiver Inn. I really feel that all our guests would agree too. They all complimented the venue, ceremony, and reception. We partied all night and then kept partying in town from all the hype :) thank you a million times over Vandiver Inn! Can't wait to be back for our anniversary:) or earlier!

l the staff service costs are built in and everyone gets a living wage, which was important to us. It is the perfect one-stop shop! We only needed to find a photographer, DJ, Florist, and officiant. Vandiver provides recommendations so this becomes even easier. Once the planning starts, you're contacted by your personal wedding coordinator for the process. Jo kept us on track over the course of the year – providing deadlines and reminding of us things we might want to include on our big day. She was always calm, helpful, efficient, and warm. On the wedding day, Jo made sure all our decorations were perfect, ensured everyone was on time, handed off corsages and bouquets, got champagne and dinner for the newlyweds, made sure we breathed, and add her own personal touches to everything. She did all of this under the radar and without notice. She came to the aide when our wedding guests got too tipsy, worked perfectly with our vendors, and made adjustments for last minute family requests. We are sincerely grateful to Jo for all she did! But the entire weekend was wonderful. Kim in reception made my family feel so at home! We received so many compliments on how warm and friendly she was. She made everyone feel special. The food – prepared by Susan – was just right. We were below our guaranteed minimum and they added apps and drinks to our final menu to add value. They really care! Our day was perfect. We can’t thank the team at Vandiver enough! Vandiver Inn provides a really wonderful, high-quality, intimate wedding venue. So glad we chose them!

s exactly what we wanted. They really go out of their way to make sure you know everything you need to have and do. The food was amazing. My husband's a chef so food was very important to us. Our day went perfect Jo helped us she was so friendly and helpful anytime I asked about something she was on it and I literally didn't have to do anything. We love Jo!! My friends and family adored her. The prices were great as well you can really customize your wedding to fit your budget and get exactly what you want. I can't rave enough about this place we were so lucky to have such an amazing experience and get to work with such an awesome group of people. I love The Vandiver! !

n the beginning stages of selecting a venue, Chasi was wonderful to work with. She did a great job showing us the many features of the Vandiver Inn and was always available to answer any questions we had before signing our contract. We had our food tasting with a group of brides/grooms who were also getting married in the upcoming months. We had such an amazing time meeting other couples and tasting delicious food. I had heard others rave about the food at the Vandiver Inn, and they were exactly right. All of the food that we tasted was absolutely amazing. The owners, John and Susan were fabulous at the tasting. They came around to each table to speak with the brides/grooms and were so very friendly. We were blown away by how much fun we had at our food tasting. When we met Jo, our wedding coordinator, I knew we had selected the perfect venue for us. She was amazing from start to finish and always made us feel like our wedding was important to her. Any questions or concerns I had, she quickly responded and made me feel at ease. Jo went above and beyond on our wedding day. She coordinated all of the vendors and solved last minute problems without me ever knowing about it. I can say I honestly did not have to worry about one thing during my entire wedding. Jo and her team handled everything behind the scenes. At the end of the night, Jo was kind enough to wrap up extra food for my husband and I to have later that night. We had barely eaten anything during the wedding because of all of the excitement, so it was so nice to enjoy the food later that night. I can honestly say my wedding day at Vandiver Inn was absolutely perfect and everything I dreamed it would be thanks to the amazing staff that works there!

ng and hospitable. We knew immediately that the Vandiver the place for us. Throughout the entire process, Jo took care of us and helped us with every detail. On our wedding day, she was with us all day to ensure everything went smoothly, whether it was setting up, lining up the wedding party, coordinating with our DJ and photographers, or even bringing us a drink when we were too busy to get one ourselves. Jo is one of the many wonderful people who worked tirelessly on our big day. John, the co-owner, was present the entire time to help out and direct our guests. Every staff member of the Vandiver was extremely courteous and helpful. The people are just one of the many reasons why the Vandiver is so great. The venue is gorgeous. There is a covered pavilion in back that was perfect for our ceremony and reception. The food is incredible. Susan, the other co-owner, is an excellent chef and uses fresh and local ingredients. Uur guests raved about the food and the Vandiver as a whole for months after our wedding. The Inn has many rooms, and it was very convenient for our family and bridal party to stay at the Inn for the weekend. Havre de Grace is a quaint, pretty town on the water, an ideal location for a wedding. I could go on and on, but I’ll just say that my wife and I were so happy with how everything turned out. At the Vandiver, you are treated like family. It’s really hard to find a venue that has everything you want: great people, beautiful location, excellent food and service, all for an affordable price. We found it all at the Vandiver. My wife and I live near DC, and the Vandiver was considerably more affordable than anything in DC, yet had much more to offer. Schedule a visit and see for yourself!

wedding, so i trusted the reviews I read about Chef Susan and just took a chance. BEST DECISION EVER! The food was to die for! from breakfast the morning of the wedding to cocktail hour, and dinner I HAVE ZERO COMPLAINTS about food quality, quantity, or taste. EVERYTHING was good, it was the best filet I have ever had, and the staff even had an extra plate waiting in our room when the reception was over and we ate that one too! how could we resist?!? I love this venue, the rooms were outstanding, the staff was very accommodating, and Liz managed to keep it together while dealing with my small wild bunch lol. I can't wait to visit Vandiver again we will definitely be staying there again, mainly to eat!

my parents back to also look at the inn and pavilion. The Vandiver's wedding service provides many services which eliminates the need for individual vendors. Not only were they our venue but they also provided: ceremony chairs, tables for DJ and cake, all catering & bar services, all tables / chairs / plates / dishes, all set up of the ceremony & reception, cocktail hour music & waiters. Most importantly part of the deal is you get a Vandiver Wedding Coordinator. We worked with Jo and we absolutely loved her. Once we had our contract set up, Jo contacted us with "some things you need to know" lists, "next steps", "recommended vendors" (you do not have to use their recommended vendors) etc. Jo was constantly available by email or phone to answer questions. Just having someone who knew what they were doing and to run things by really helped alleviate my stress that I was forgetting a crucial step. Tastings - wow, this was a wonderful experience and let us see how the Vandiver handles events as they set it up as a mock wedding with other couples. and the food is to die for - not your typical wedding fare. At our rehearsal Jo was there to work with our officiant to make sure the rehearsal went as planned and to gather all my centerpieces and other decorations and items that the Vandiver would need to set up the next day. On our wedding day everything went smoothly - if anything went wrong the Vandiver absorbed it and no one knew. We even had an extra plate of dinner and extra cupcakes in our room! We loved our experience and would gladly have other events at the Vandiver. I could say so many more wonderful things but only so many characters allowed!

en wonderful. Everyone on the staff, from the owners to the events coordinator, made us feel very comfortable and cared for through out the entire process. John and Susan, the owners, were very kind and easy to talk to. They each took an active role in our wedding day. John helped ensure that our wedding flowed smoothly. Susan, who also was the chef, created a delicious menu for us and it was presented so wonderfully on the plate. We heard many great reviews from our guests. Chasi, the sales representative for the Vandiver, was very helpful and held such a positive attitude as we toured the venue and made the decision about our date/place for the wedding. She provided us guidance and advice as we selected our date. Jo, the director of events, was absolutely wonderful to work with. She was quick to respond to my emails and crazy questions and she always provided genuine, honest advice when decisions were hard to make. We originally wanted the ceremony to be out by the gazebo but due to weather had to change it to the pavilion. Jo helped us make that decision and ensured that it would look just as beautiful. She was right! Jo was amazing. I cannot say enough about her or the Vandiver Inn! As a teacher it was helpful to that the Vandiver Inn works with many of the other vendors in the community. They have the wedding contract to include a cake from Desserts by Rita. We had a two tiered cake and 4 different types of cupcakes. All delicious. As we picked our other vendors, the Chasi and Jo, both provided a list of vendors that they have worked with and had their own recommendations. The staff at the Vandiver Inn truely helped us plan our day and ensured that it went on with no problems. We highly recommend them for weddings but also just to visit. The rooms are beautiful! The next day, our guests were visiting each other just to get a sneak peek at the rooms!

ng with Jo and the Vandiver was delightful. I really could not say enough good things about this venue. We got married there earlier this month and we are still receiving compliments on how intimate and personal the venue felt for our guests. We could not have asked for a better day thanks to the Vandiver Inn. They say that after you get married there, you become part of the family. We definitely feel like that is the case and appreciate all of their hard work! We will be back to visit soon!

ed to get married. And then the staff. The staff, from the initial interest meeting down to the morning after our wedding did everything in their power to make sure our day was perfect. Throughout the whole process, Jo was so attentive and quick to respond to even the silliest questions that the process seemed easy! I love this place so much, and my husband and I can't wait to go back in a month for our anniversary!

was sweet potato pancakes, which were amazingly delicious! Jo set up all of our decor with little direction from me and it all turned out great! The food - OH THE FOOD - was the best I've ever eaten. The crab cakes were top notch...ALL CRAB. Just what us Marylanders look for! Do yourself a favor and book The Vandiver...NOW! I wouldn't have changed a single thing. 100% recommendation.

otch. We signed a contract with the Vandiver 18 months out from our wedding date, and during that entire span, the staff were very responsive to any planning needs that we had. We worked very closely in the beginning with John, the owner, and he is a pleasure to work with. Once we were about eight months out from our wedding, we were turned over to Liz, our day of coordinator. There was no drop in communication or loss of information when this transition occurred. On the day of the wedding, Liz was great at making sure everyone was where they needed to be, decorations were in place, vendors were informed, and that guests were happy. The staff treated our family and friends with great respect, even when our guests were short with the staff. It still amazes my wife and I how top notch the service and attention to detail were on the day of our wedding. Also, it goes without saying, but the food at this venue is incredible. Chef Susan worked with us to modify and create a menu that all of our guests raved about throughout the evening. She was flexible in making modifications to their food packages, and they were able to meet the needs of our guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions. My wife and I plan to go back again and again for their Monday Night Supper Clubs or other special events. The Vandiver has it all: great rooms, beautiful ceremony/reception spaces, exceptional food, and amazing service. The best part is that for a wedding, everything was also reasonably priced. My wife and I certainly recommend this place to anyone that is looking for the total package and a great experience.

nted to have our wedding and reception. From the first planning meeting to the end of the reception, it was a complete pleasure working with everyone there. Susan made the most delicious meal for our reception, surf and turf. In fact, I can't remember how many people actually came up to us and said, "this is the best food we've ever had at a wedding"! John was extremely attentive to us all day and night and not even the smallest detail went overlooked. Even when my bridesmaid had difficulty with the heat before the ceremony, he was all about trying to make her feel better, which I deeply appreciated. During the reception, I had several people with special meals so I asked John if he knew who was getting them and he looked at me and said, "don't you worry about a thing, I have it all taken care of", and he did. Even the bartender was a delight, he took the time to ask peoples names so that when they came back again, he could address them and most, if not all, of the time already knew what they wanted before even having to ask. It's that small attention to detail that really made us appreciate them all the more. The rooms were lovely and spacious and very comfortable. The whole atmosphere was perfect for a wedding and a reception. We are still getting comments from guests like, "this is the best wedding we've ever been to". It was perfect and just what my husband and I wanted. I honestly would not change one thing about the day.

say enough about how amazing (not to mention beautiful) this venue is! So personal and they think of literally EVERYTHING. Also, the guests could not believe how amazing the food was :) Thanks again for making our wedding day a magical experience!

ve with the romance and charm that The Vandiver Inn had to offer. It was the perfect venue for our theme. The DETAILS are amazing. It wasn't until we actually started planning the wedding that we realized the full value of our choice. Vandiver provided a wedding planner, Jo, and we are so happy that they did. Jo was personal, professional, responsive, and incredibly helpful. She was so hands-on during our entire wedding process, especially in executing everything according to plan on the day of the wedding. John, the owner, was also incredibly hands-on and constantly checked in with us throughout our wedding day to make sure that we were happy and that everything was being taken care of. All of the staff at the Vandiver are incredible and the customer service is impeccable. The Vandiver caters their events in-house, and, let me tell you... THE FOOD IS AMAZING. All of our guests were raving about everything! Definitely get the prime rib! I can't say enough good things about this venue. They shine as a bed & breakfast as well... THE BEDS ARE SO FIRM AND COMFORTABLE. I got the best two nights of sleep that I think I've had throughout my entire 10-month planning process. Haha. I am so happy that we chose The Vandiver Inn. They helped to make my wedding day so very special, and I am truly grateful. I'm so lucky that we live a few blocks away, because we will definitely be back for the Monday Night Supper Club meals! This place could not come more highly recommended. We received so many compliments on how beautiful and seamless our wedding was, down to every detail, and it would not have been possible without Jo, John, and the entire Vandiver staff. From the bottom of our hearts... Thank you so much!

hungry, ever) and they treat you like family. They really give the place a homey vibe. It was such a great weekend to have a place for both of our friends and family to be comfortable and have a "home base". The home is beautiful and a perfect choice if you are looking for a venue other than a reception hall. It has so much charm and character! The rooms (we booked the Vandiver and the two adjacent homes for the wedding party), are each unique plus the beds are super comfy! The wedding coordinator, Jo, is the most amazing and professional coordinator anyone could have. She was always so fast to respond to any questions or concerns we had over the whole year of planning the wedding, she made us feel like we were her top priority and her only wedding with how attentive she was. When the wedding day came, Jo was right there to help with anything that was needed and spent the day running between my husband and I as we did not see each other until the ceremony and got ready in separate locations. She really gets a workout! I was a little nervous as I had decided to do the centerpieces and decorations myself, but really it was Jo who did it all. The pavilion was turned into more than I imagined, and she took a few small ideas I had and wow, it was just amazing. I am still shocked out how perfect things turned out! She also made sure we had time to sit down and eat - who ever gets to do that at their own wedding?! And when we got back to our room after all the festivities, there was a plate of food and extra pieces of cake set up for us to snack on. We are consistently hearing from guests how it was the greatest wedding they have been to, how awesome of a location it was and how the food was out of this world. We are so happy to of chosen the Vandiver Inn, and can honestly say it was a stress-free wedding - thanks to Jo, John, Sue and the rest of the staff. Endless thanks to them, really! We are already talking about celebrating our future anniversaries at the Vandiver :)

lity, and food. I think I read somewhere on their website once something like it’s “5-star service without the 5-star price” and this couldn’t be more true. We have stayed at a lot of nice, top hotels all over the country over the years, and Vandiver’s level of quality surpasses all of that. All of our guests travelled from out of state, and many of them remarked this was the BEST wedding they have ever been to (we agree, but we are biased!). They couldn’t stop raving about everything from the beautiful space to the food to the service. The owners and staff bend over backwards for their guests. They genuinely welcome you and make you feel like family here, and there are no snooty, pretentious attitudes! The owners, John and Susan, really know what they are doing..this is one of the best and most personalized service we have ever received. Our families raved about the warm and welcoming staff. Vandiver is a well-oiled machine when it comes to hospitality. You can tell the staff truly LOVE working there, and many of the people I chatted with even told me they themselves got married there! That says a lot to me. Our wedding coordinator, Johanna Chase, is an absolute angel and a real asset to Vandiver. She was there every step of the way for us. She did things that were unexpected, kind and thoughtful. She worked very, very hard to ensure our day was perfect, and we still cannot believe half of the things she did—it was that amazing! The food is PHENOMENAL—none of that generic banquet hall food here! The cake is the Best Wedding Cake You Will Ever Have. I could go on and on but there is not enough space!

e was just what we were looking for. We signed a contract soon after the supper club. :) We both really liked how the Vandiver had pricing information online and that there weren't any hidden charges or price jumps. From the moment we signed the contract, we knew we were in good hands. Jo (our wedding coordinator) was there for us every step of the wedding planning process. She was a rock star! Jo made our Big Day run so smooth- we didn't have to worry about a thing! After the ceremony, Jo had champagne and appetizers for the bridal party. She was so great at making sure our guests had everything they needed and worked wonderfully with our vendors. She even made sure that we both were served first and gave us ample time to visit all of our guest's tables before getting to the first dance. At the end, Jo even left us a plate of food and cake in our room. Everyone at our wedding raved about the food and the service. All of the staff were super friendly and were very helpful. The whole Inn is just lovely and doesn't need much in the way of decorations at all. In terms of lodging, all of the rooms are very large and nicely decorated with a mix of period and more modern touches. I enjoyed the fireplaces as an ambiance. I stayed in the Rodgers suite which was huge. It was a great place to get ready with my girls before the wedding as it had ample seating areas and good light. The fireplace was so ornate with neat woodworking! The room was clean, and the bedding was comfortable. The maid even managed to sneak in while we were getting ready for the wedding to clean everything. My Mom stayed in the O'Neill suite which is another large room and great for family members. It also had a really neat fireplace and huge bathroom to get ready within. If you are looking for an amazing place to get married, then this is it!

she was looking for. We loved the beauty of the gazebo and lawn for the ceremony, the parlor and garden for guests to comfortably stroll through and relax with friends for the cocktail hour and last but not least the charming elegance of the pavilion for the reception. Little did we know by renting all the rooms in the mansion and having all the parents and bridal party staying there would turn out to be such a fun experience. Not only was everyone just a yell away but the bridal party had a great time that evening hanging out with each other and going back and forth to each other’s room. Breakfast in the morning was delicious and also gave a great place to see everyone and rehash the wedding with family and friends. The food was the best I have EVER had at a wedding as everything was absolutely delicious, especially the appetizers (I have never had such delicious appetizers anywhere) and we were extremely pleased with our selections. Our Event Coordinator, Johanna Chase was spot-on and on top of everything. No detail was left unattended to. She always responded quickly to any questions and concerns. I can’t even imagine how many weddings are lined up that she was responsible for but she always made us feel so special and important. In addition, ALL the staff were so kind and accommodating. They made everyone’s experience there so memorable. Everything was seamless and the compliments we received were endless. “Perfect” was the main word everyone used when describing this special day. The Vandiver Inn was everything we hoped for and more, thanks to the owners – John & Sue Muldoon and their outstanding staff!

ny at the gazebo, cocktail hour on the front porch, and the reception in the pavilion. Everything was taken care of for us, we just had to provide personal decor (you dont need much, the grounds are beautiful), DJ, florist, and photographer. They provide a list of vendors if you need help finding some. The food was amazing and the drinks were flowing all night. I could not imagine having my wedding anywhere else. Everyone we have spoken to says it was one of the best weddings they've been to. I cannot wait to come back for their Monday Night Supper Club dinners!

nd absolute beauty. We met with Chasi initially then we were matched up with Johanna Chase. Jo is the director of events at the Vandiver. I cannot tell you how amazing she was in the months leading up to the event. Friendly, warm, responsive.. I can't say enough. She was on the ball every step of the way. She helped keep us organized and we knew we were in the best hands. John Muldoon and his wife Susan are the owners and they make you feel like family throughout the entire process. When it came down to the wedding day, Jo and John helped me resolve a certain logistical nightmare that had arisen. People will love to throw curveballs at you when you are already out of your mind with wedding stuff, FYI. Stay strong, my brides. Anyway, the entire staff of the Vandiver made sure we were taken care of in the hours leading up to the wedding. Jo was always popping in and making sure everything was going smoothly. Jo was aware of when all of the vendors were coming (DJ, photographer, photobooth person, etc.) and made sure that they got set up appropriately and had everything they needed for the show to go on. We had our ceremony in the large pavilion and it was absolutely gorgeous. We didn't do much in the way of decorating and we really didn't need to. They have beautiful lights strung up on the rafters and awesome (comfortable!) chairs for the guests to sit in. We went on the side of the house to do pictures with our wedding party then our photographer (Bill Rettberg Jr) took us in his car down to the Concord Point lighthouse where we got some great shots (he was amazing). It only took about 2 minutes to get there. Our guests had all gone into the house and out onto the porch to enjoy what I am told was a fabulous cocktail hour. The staff of the Vandiver set up the tables for the reception in the pavilion and when we all finally made our way out, it looked perfect. Let's talk about the food. It is positively delicious. People told me it was the best wedding food they ever had. My husband and I had gone to two Monday Night Supper Clubs that the Vandiver put on and each thing that we ate was absolutely mouth watering. Susan Muldoon, the owner, is the head chef. She is incredible. Everything from the passed hors d'oeuvres to the entrees had our guests raving. Included in your contract with the Vandiver is a cake or cupcakes from Desserts By Rita (a local Havre de Grace business). Delish! Jo was always around when we needed her during the reception (but wasn't in your face.. she isn't like that. I would liken her to an awesome wedding ninja, of sorts). We were never thirsty or hungry and she wrangled us up when it was time to cut the cake or toss the bouquet. Like I said earlier, she had everything down pat. We danced all night and I am still getting compliments over a month later about how much fun everyone had. Your wedding truly is one of the most important days of your life. Months of planning & stressing are condensed into one crazy and amazing day. My husband & I could not be more happy that we chose the Vandiver. They made our day so beautiful. I would recommend them to anyone without one second of hesitation. You'll feel like family. We will be back for our one year and beyond :)

en this review yet. The biggest reason we haven’t written one is because we’re intimidated by the idea – the Vandiver was so good to us, we want to make sure we get everything right. John and Susan are the owners and are directly involved in every wedding. They’re both very warm people and made us feel so welcome, from our first tour of the venue up until our goodbyes the day after the big event. The Vandiver is their family business, and they make you feel like part of that family. They might do a few weddings a week, but everything is so personal, we really felt like we were the only couple they were working with. Susan is also the chef, and all of the food is amazing. She offered us a number of menu options and even counseled us on the best choices based on what was in season for our wedding date. We had a tasting at the Vandiver about a month before the wedding, and Susan took time to talk to us even though she was in mid-prep for another wedding that night. The venue itself is gorgeous. The main house is a Victorian-era mansion that’s a perfect mix of elegance and laid-back bed-and-breakfast charm. It was important to us that our families and wedding party stay nearby or onsite, so we booked the entire property for our wedding weekend. The rooms are quaint and clean, with many original features and modern updates. We received many compliments on the accommodations. The Vandiver’s crown jewel is in-house wedding coordinator Jo. Jo was on top of everything, whether it was helping us choose linens, organize seating or arranging room assignments. She kept a checklist of all the pre-wedding tasks and made sure we had everything done on time. On the big day she was 110% dedicated to us – from laying down the law when the families weren’t paying attention at the rehearsal, to pinning the bride’s dress when a strap broke while dancing at the reception. She made sure the wedding party had drinks in hand while getting ready, and even had two extra meals waiting for us in our room at the end of the night. Jo was more than a coordinator – we joked that she was the fifth bridesmaid. If you’ve read older reviews of the Vandiver, they probably mention Chassie, who was the Vandiver’s coordinator for many years. We chose the Vandiver in large part because of Chassie’s glowing reviews, but shortly after we signed the contract, Chassie had to step back from her role. We were – understandably – a little nervous about what might happen next. But we worked with John and Susan directly while they searched for a new coordinator and when Jo came on board, she took over without missing a beat. This is less of a review about the Vandiver, and more of a thank you letter to the Vandiver. To John, Susan, Jo and all the staff: Thank you making our wedding the most perfect, spectacular day of our lives. We haven’t been back to visit yet, but you can be sure we’ll see you again soon.

the initial meeting, to the moment we checked out of the Inn the day after our I do's, the experience was excellent. The venue is beautiful, and the fact that we were able to have many of our family members and the bridal party stay on site was such a plus. The town of Havre De Grace is located on the water and there are a variety of attractions, so there were many things for guests to do in their free time. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable, with the owners, John and Susan leading the way on the hospitality front. The food was incredible; my husband and I both work in the restaurant industry so we have high standards in this area. One other point of interest is that there were no hidden charges... just about everything was included; chairs, linens, even the cake! I would HIGHLY recommend this venue to any couple looking for a elegant, but affordable option!!!

ch wanted to know how my (now husband) and I met, how we picked the ring, how he proposed - the whole nine yards and more. The owners, John and Susan, are very involved in each and every wedding and make it a point to meet the bride and groom at some point during the process. They were always ready to help, even for the tiniest of tasks. Let me start with the Food. Delicious doesn't begin to cover it! Susan is the chef/owner and all of her dishes were to die for! The variety is almost overwhelming and each bite tasted better than the last. When we finally decided on a menu for our wedding, it had everything I wanted and it was amazing! Our coordinator (see below) made sure we got to taste everything, and man am I glad she did. The cake was catered from a company down the road but was included with our price at Vandiver and everyone was asking for seconds of everything. The Inn itself is overflowing with charm. Each room is comfortably furnished with wonderful beds, many have fireplaces, and all are well air conditioned (important for my summer wedding!). The weather held out wonderfully for me, so we had our ceremony outside on the lawn between two of the Vandiver buildings. It's large enough to accommodate everyone and flat. There was even a porch overlooking the ceremony site so the older people in the crowd could avoid the sun but still see. If it had rained, we could have easily used the back pavilion for the ceremony and reception. It was a huge relief knowing I had a "plan B" already in place. The entire Inn is so beautiful, we didn't even put up our own decorations - just let nature have it's way. The rooms were included in our overall price and made it a worry free weekend. My favorite part of the whole experience at Vandiver, would have to be my on-site coordinator -Jo. She was there for me every step of the way. I changed my mind about almost every item we discussed, but she was on top of every change and always knew what happened next. I knew she coordinated weddings almost every weekend, so I didn't expect a response until Monday or Tuesday when I would email her on Friday - but sure enough she'd email me the next morning with a reply. Day-of she was on top of every detail and there every time I turned around to ask her a question. She brought us a sample of EVERY FOOD we chose. Because of her we tasted everything - which was very important to me. She brought us some of everything at dinner too, and then brought us leftovers when we returned to our room! I cannot say enough about her - she made my wedding the dream I always hoped it'd be. Her calm demeanor helped me remain calm and her can-do attitude made planning this huge event easy. Jo is the reason I had a stress-free wedding. I cannot recommend Vandiver enough to everyone. Everyone in attendance at my wedding complimented the venue and raved about how wonderful everything was. Jo and the wonderful staff at Vandiver made my wedding a stress-free and smooth wonderful celebration. It really was my dream come true. Thank you Vandiver!!!

eption, the catering (which is AMAZING), and the cake. We also got an event coordinator. We did a few untraditional things in our wedding and the staff was so ready to help make our ideas become reality. The owners are so nice and the rest of the staff is also great. We spent the night of our wedding there. The rooms were big, comfortable, and clean. In the morning they prepared the best breakfast I have had in a while. I recommend this place whether you are planning a wedding, or just want to get away for the weekend.

ost enthusiasm and was just as thrilled as we were. She answered every question and helped with all of the details, she couldn't have been better. When we found out that Chasi had to step out of the roll we were extremely disappointed (don't worry, she is still there, just not at the same capacity) but John and Susan didn't skimp on filling her shoes that is for sure, Jo is equally as fabulous. Our wedding day exceeded our expectations, it couldn't have been more beautiful and perfect and we have the staff at Vandiver to thank. It was the most amazing day anyone could ever ask for and everyone went above and beyond. I have zero complaints about the place, and if you don't at least stop in to check it out, you are certainly missing out. Susan is an amazing chef so anything you can dream of, that woman can cook. We had an amazing combo plate of Spice Rubbed Angus Flat Iron Steak and Coq Au Vin - both cooked to perfection and to top it off, the cupcakes we had from Desserts by Rita were spot on. You will not regret picking this venue. Thank you to Jo, John, Susan and the entire staff at Vandiver, we will NEVER forget what an amazing day we shared on October 19, 2013!

he entire Vandiver staff goes above and beyond your expectations with their professionalism and love for making beautiful events go off with out a hitch. John was wonderful, Johanna was there making sure all of our wedding day details came together beautifully, and Susan made the most delicious dinner for our 100 wedding guests (all of the plates were scraped clean!) All of our guests are still raving about the wonderful atmosphere at the bed and breakfast... can't decide between an indoor or outdoor reception venue.. why not have it all at the Vandiver Inn! I would definitely recommend for you to stay at the Inn for your wedding weekend, the rooms are beautifully decorated with private baths.and you will get to enjoy another delicious meal for breakfast!