| Mallard Island Yacht Club is pure magic! The site itself is absolutely exquisite! Our priority was an intimate & meaningful ceremony, with the chapel serving as the most magnificent backdrop. Though on-property, it feels separate & sacred: a beautiful, blank canvas upon which you can build the wedding of your dreams. When the doors were thrown open on our Big Day- and we were greeted by a room full of sunlight, flowers & love- our breaths were genuinely taken away. From pre-ceremony drinks in the garden, to a seamless indoor/outdoor cocktail hour, to a reception during which guests danced in the bay breeze, Mallard’s expansive premises & thoughtful layout left nothing to be desired. On our first visit, we were awed by how stunning it looked in the daylight. But the nighttime views – with a candle-lit chapel, moon-lit terrace & fire-lit garden – knocked our socks off. Another draw was the bridal suite… just WOW! It’s an oasis with a separate salon space that housed hours of stress-free bridal prep. A blissful way to start the day, for sure! The guys found their perfect home in the Groom Shack: a rustic cabin nestled right on the bay. With drinks in their hands – and a view that inspired deep breaths & total serenity – their day-of vibes were certainly brought to life! As avid foodies, we wanted to be sure that we fed our guests and fed them well! Based on overwhelming praise, we can say: Mission Accomplished! Scallops served in shells, tomahawk steak sliced on the spot, a locally-sourced raw bar, cacio e pepe, lobster rolls – and that’s just the cocktail hour! For 6 straight hours our group was met with a feast beyond their wildest dreams, all facilitated by the most wonderful & attentive staff. Working with Gianna & Merri-Makers was a stellar experience. They are professionals, through-and-through! In the wedding lead-up, they offered helpful hints & checked in often to ensure major milestones were met. Once we selected our outside vendors, they coordinated logistics, ensuring we had as little to worry about on our Big Day as possible. Day of, their kindness & compassion made us feel calm & cared for and allowed us to focus on what mattered most: spending time with loved ones & getting married! We also can’t say enough about our attendants! When the bride’s feet needed a break, sneakers magically appeared under the sweetheart table. When the groom needed a drink, it was in his hand without asking. The same impeccable care was shown to our parents, family & friends. People make such an incredible effort to be with you on your wedding, and you want them to feel as loved and appreciated as you do. Merri-Makers can give a Master Class on how to do just that. We also hosted our afterparty at Mallard! Oddly enough, it’s not too hard to encourage folks to have a few extra cocktails when the next stop is just downstairs! From arrival to departure, our guests were with us for 8 hours. To us, that’s the sign of a great party! Our family stayed overnight at Mallard. When we awoke the next morning, all of our things were packed and ready to go: a fitting ending & further proof that, from start-to-finish, the service at Mallard is unparalleled. Special thanks to LouAnn, who took great care of our troupe and sent us off with the warmest wishes. Whenever we’re asked about our wedding, we smile and say “it was the most perfect day.” We’re eternally grateful to the Mallard & Merri-Maker team for helping make it all happen. |
