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Merri-Makers at Mallard Island Yacht Club

1450 NJ-72, Manahawkin, NJ

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Amenities + details.

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Venue highlights

Venue details

Hotel/Resort, Private Estate, Ocean/Waterfront View, Ballrooms, Luxury

Guest capacity:

Accommodates up to 250 guests

Ceremony / Reception

1450 East Bay Avenue Manahawkin, NJ 08050

Description:

If you are looking to provide your guests with a destination wedding experience without leaving the Jersey shore, Mallard Island Yacht Club may be the venue for you. The beautiful Barnegat Bay surrounds this gorgeous Long Beach Island estate. There is nothing more romantic than exchanging vows in front of a stacked stone fireplace. The feeling of intimacy is augmented by the presence of loved ones, the soft glow of candles and a crisp ocean breeze. If you prefer an al fresco ceremony, exchange vows out on the lush lawn under the warmth of the golden sun. The gothic sanctuary is an outdoor plaza with grand archways and ornate ceilings that evoke a sense of Old-World Charm. This space is a great location for cocktail hour as your guests mingle, enjoying cocktails, appetizers, and a coastal breeze. Your wedding celebration reaches its peak with a grand reception in the club’s elegant and lavish ballroom. Tiffany blue ceilings and romantic cove lighting set the stage for an enchanting evening. After dinner, French doors lead into a scenic atrium where you and your guests can dance the night away under a sparkling array of romantic lighting. The dedicated staff will assist you to ensure that no detail is spared when planning your special day.

Additional details

Service options, venue notes.

The rental fee ranges from $13,000 to $19,000 for a reception and includes up to 6 hours of event time excluding set up and clean up time. A refundable security deposit of $5,000 is required.

Amenities and Restrictions

- Wedding planning services

- Bride's dressing area

- Groom's dressing area

- Dance floor

- Coat check room

- Upgraded chairs

- Linens, silverware, glassware provided

- Outdoor lighting

- Venue set up and clean up

- Overnight accommodations available

- Day-of coordinator

- Champagne toast

- Complimentary bridal suite

- Full kitchen facilities

- Large parking lot

- Tables Provided

Restrictions

- All food and beverage handled by venue

- Food & beverage minimum

- Venue must approve all decorations

- General liability insurance required

- No rice, birdseed, confetti, etc.

- Catering provided by venue

- Amplified music OK indoors and outdoors

- Smoking outside only

- Alcohol must be provided by venue

- Music must end by 2:00AM

Mallard Island Yacht Club

Venue highlights, starting at $40,540 for 50 guests.

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Weddings of Distinction

Mallard Island Yacht Club

A breathtaking yacht club surrounded by water.

An Elegant Waterfront Estate

Surrounded by the beautiful Barnegat Bay, Mallard Island Yacht Club captivates guests with spectacular views and incredible attention to detail. Once on the property, you are transported to another place where every step you take increases your anticipation of the most exciting day of your life.

From the luscious gardens to the luxurious interiors, this is a place where hopes and dreams become reality.

Explore Mallard Island Yacht Club

Take a tour of our elegant yacht club and immerse yourself in the beauty of the waterfront mansion.

Exclusive Catering from Merri Makers

Guests will savor each bite from the delectable hors d’oeuvres to the fine desserts. Our culinary artisans will create a presentation that is sure to impress.

Rates and Booking Information

From single event weddings to luxurious overnight accommodations in our ten finely appointed suites, we have the plan you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to commonly asked questions about our wedding venues, accommodations, and event policies.

Contact & Directions

Contact us for more information on Mallard Island Yacht Club and to schedule your personal tour of this exquisite, one of a kind wedding venue.

• Schedule a Tour
• (609) 494-9100

New Jersey Wedding & Portrait Photographer 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW 

MALLARD ISLAND YACHT CLUB WEDDINGS

A venue i work at often, mallard island weddings.

WITH A PRIVATE BEACH AND LUXURY FEEL

If you are looking to get married at the Jersey Shore and want to take advantage of all the Long Beach Island area has to offer, look no further. I live a few minutes away and photograph weddings here often.  Scroll for a complete tour, what you expect on your wedding day and endless photos from real weddings held at Mallard Island Yacht Club. 

GET TO KNOW LEANNA

Mallard Island Yacht Club is located at 1450 NJ-72, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 near Dorland J Henderson Memorial Bridge, commonly called the Causeway,  to Long Beach Island . As a lifelong resident of the area, I live a few minutes drive from the venue and photograph many weddings here each year. You will arrive and immediately be greeted by the famous red roof and the grand architecture of the building. Even from the parking lot, you have beautiful water views of Barnegat Bay. As you approach the back of the building you are greeted by amazing views, a lush garden, a private beach, an expansive dock, views of the bridge and so much more. The landscaping changes with the seasons and never disappoints. Tucked away you will find the popular shack, once an army barracks then a clam shack until being fully restored. This photo gallery will show you the grounds through every season and type of weather. My goal for this page is for you to get a true sense of what your wedding day can look like under all conditions. 

TOUR THE OUTDOOR SPACE

Mallard island exceeds your expectations, there is something for everyone. .

Mallard Island Yacht Club is not like any other venue in New Jersey. This venue has soft and relaxed water views that made you fall in love with the Jersey Shore mixed with luxury and elegance throughout to building. You enter from the parking lot into the downstairs cocktail and after-hours party space, also known as the marina level, or through the front doors up the grand staircase and directly into the reception room. This photo tour will take you through a tour of both the third and fourth floors so you can see the 10 private guest rooms and the impressive 3000 square foot luxury couples penthouse with an ensuite salon. Each private room has its own bathroom and closet space. Some of the rooms have a small balcony that opens over the dance floor in the reception room if desired.    

SEE THE 10 PRIVATE ROOMS

We all know the impressive suite, take a glance at the rooms your guetss will stay in..

The time you are allowed to enter the venue will change if there was an event the evening before. This will be different for each couple. It is common for some to start wedding day prep of hair and makeup if needed off-site and do the final touches in the salon on premises. Another option is to do all of the prep in the salon if your hair and makeup team can accommodate it. While you are prepping I will start in the couples' penthouse and capture all of the day's important details rings, gown or attire, full invitation suite, accessories, etc. My team and I will come back and forth between the details and where all the prep is happening to capture the full story of your day. Often times part of the wedding party will choose to get ready in the shack, enjoy the outdoors, play some cornhole and soak in the views. While you and your loved ones are relaxing your vendor teams and the staff of Merrimakers will be completing all of the necessary details to bring the wedding you have spent months planning into a reality. Once the pampering is done we head up to the penthouse to step into your wedding attire. Some people like to do a first look with their father, mother or the wedding party. To keep logistics simple we usually do this in the penthouse and have them come to you.  Your personal attendant the day of you event will be a huge asset into helping up coordinate this and many other events. 

GETTING READY

Mallard island provides options for each style, let me show you what most couples choose. .

The majority of couples choose to do a first look. They choose this so they can get all of the formalities done and truly enjoy their day and be part of the cocktail hour. You can choose any spot at Mallard Island Yacht club for your first look and you won't be disappointed. Months before your event we will work together to create a full timeline in 15-minute increments of your day. The first look location is left as TBD so that we can plan when I arrive based on the weather. We will account for the temperature, the sun, rain, and wind and make the best decision. I make sure to give you space and a few quiet moments before the hustle and whirlwind of your day begin. This is also a great opportunity to read some private vows if you choose. From the first look, we move directly into your wedding portraits.       

FIRST LOOK 

At mallard most choose the dock, when the weather allows us to take advantage. .

Depending on the weather, time, and season I will show you all the great spots for your photos!  There are so many amazing locations for portraits on the property.  I like to move quickly and efficiently and utilize locations that work for your time of day make sure we will tour all of the grounds. When at their sister location, Bonnet, I have a very specific pattern I follow every time because the light is more consistent there. Portraits at Mallard Island do require a seasoned professional to show you where to jump around to and why. There are endless beautiful spots but I can show you what locations really shine and are optimal at different parts of the day. Through the different seasons, the light creates a variety of looks and options combined with the natural landscape to complement the season of your wedding. We will use each and every location Mallard has to offer but the specifics details of when will vary based on the exact weather on your wedding day. Use this photo gallery to see what portraits will look like through every type of weather and season. While many photographers believe in only showcasing the top 5% of their work that is not my philosophy. My goal is, to be honest, and upfront and show you all of the different and varied options for what your wedding photos will look like through every possible time of day, season and weather.  The description I gave above may seem vague and general but it is filled with truth.  Let me be your guide on this, you hired an expert so let me show you what will be best.   

LOCATIONS FOR YOUR PORTRAITS

For your mallard island yacht club wedding, trust me to be your guide and show you the perfect spots..

One beautiful thing about the location of Mallard Island Yacht Club is that we truly always have options. The position of the building and the sanctuary with arches inspired by Rathskeller’s Gothic Architecture and Princeton University along with the covered walkway to the Boathouse Chapel and covered upper-level verandas allow for many places to block both the wind and rain if needed. One of the most frequently asked questions from my couples is always about the weather. The answer is that we can't truly make a plan until the hourly forecast comes out that morning.  Dealing with the weather is one important reason that you want to hire a wedding photographer that is local and truly knows how to handle island weather.  From full sun to west winds to hurricane season and flooding you want someone who knows what to do in these situations. The positive about Long Beach Island weather is that it's often changing and moving. It's extremely rare we get a day that is all rain, every hour.  Often there are breaks in the rain and chances for us to change up the schedule and make do! Certain times of the year west winds can bring some troubles but hiring an experienced vendor who knows the best workarounds will save your wedding photos.  If it does rain on your wedding day we will work together to revise the schedule and know that we will need to make quick and efficient decisions all day to utilize the grounds as mother nature allows.  We will also do the majority of your photos in the ceremony space and around the grounds of the estate itself. This photo gallery shows weddings that had different levels of undesirable weather from overcast skies to rain.  Some had periods of blue skies and outstanding sunsets also so rain does not mean all hope is lost.  Overcast skies make beautiful soft and filtered light. We will also do the majority of your photos in the ceremony space and around the grounds of the estate itself.   

THEY SAY RAIN IS GOOD LUCK

One of these weddings was shot in a hurricane, and the images are still stellar.

Previously I mentioned the timeline we customize for your wedding day. Months prior to your wedding planning, we have created a timeline to tell the people involved when to be ready and to meet us in the Boathouse chapel for portraits, this is always the designated meeting place for many reasons. Depending on the weather of the day and the size of your wedding party we will begin with group portraits. We will either use inside the chapel or outdoors if there is some cloud cover so we can avoid the harsh sun causing everyone to squint. We will use the many locations from the chapel, dock, back of the building, sanctuary arches, garden private beach and more. This gallery shows a variety of locations with different party sizes through different seasons and weather.    

Your parties size is the leading factor in location

I work mallard weddings often and know what to do.

PORTRAITS OF WEDDING PARTY

You put the time, energy, and creativity into decorating your ceremony space so I like to utilize it. When we choose this elderly family members can have places to sit where they do not have to move around often. Sometimes we do use other locations as you can see in the photo gallery. Sometimes couples want extended family portraits those guests are not available during this time. I do not advise we use the cocktail hour for those extended family photos. It is very hard to locate everyone and you waste the majority of your cocktail hour standing around and waiting. For extended family photos, I suggest having the DJ announce and doing them during your reception on the dance floor during course servings or on the covered veranda when the weather allows. If your family is organized and follows directions well we can also use the time you are hidden away. We finalize all of this long in advance when we create your custom timeline. 

YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS

We think of your entire family, and make sure to accommodate everyone's needs..

Merrimaker s has rules about our timeline and they are created for good reasons. Their team is experienced in luxury weddings and knows how to keep everything running smoothly. I work with them year-round and know and understand all of the timeline regulations they have in place. My valued and lengthy relationship with them creates a seamless flow in all of our weddings. Mallard wants you to be hidden 30 minutes before the ceremony as guests arrive and 45 minutes before if you have the full 250 maximum on your guest list. We build this into your timeline. This time allows you to freshen up, sign the marriage certificate, put your flowers in water again (especially if you have popular hydrangea in your bouquet, they wilt more quickly than other florals out of water), and allow us to complete any family formal photos we may have missed due to attendance. Sometimes family runs late and this time can be utilized to capture other group photos you wanted. This is a vital time on your wedding day. You won't realize it till it arrives but this moment to pause and take a breath is truly important. 

HIDDEN AWAY

Your guests are beginning to arrive, take this moment to yourself .

This is the moment you have spent months or years putting together. You and your partner are about to say I do. As you walk down the aisle or wait for the one you love try to pause and soak it all in. Everyone you love is under one roof. This is a monumental moment in your journey as a couple. The staff of Merrimakers Catering is behind the scene creating gourmet food for your affair, your photographers are here capturing all the big and small moments and everything is falling into place. You can choose a family member, friend, government official, priest or minister to perform your commitment ceremony. This gallery of pictures shows ceremonies from all different times of day and seasons to give you a true feeling of what you can expect on your wedding day as well as ideas for decor possibilities. 

FEEL THE BREEZE OFF THE BAY

It is time to make the ultimate commitment..

You have promised forever to your love and the staff at Mallard Island will create a quiet space so you can sit with your spouse, have a little privacy and sample one of everything from your cocktail hour menu. I know you are excited to celebrate with your guests but with all the talking and congratulations about to come your way this private time is the only time you will get to eat. Mallard Island cocktail hour does not disappoint.  The weather decides how much of this part of your special day is in the garden, the sanctuary arches or inside the marina level, the food and drinks will always be phenomenal and delicious. Use the slide show to see what your signature drinks and menu options look like to envision your full guest experience! While you and your guests are enjoying my team and I are behind the scenes coordinating with your entertainment and venue while making sure we capture all the beautiful details of the reception you planned.

COCKTAIL HOUR

The pressure is off and it's time to enjoy , the gourmet experience you expect.

Upon your grand entrance to your reception, the time of year and weather will dictate the exact look. In the spring and summer, you can count on some natural light coming in through the windows and fall will mean you walk into a beautiful glowing light from the sun or your candles under the famous Tiffany blue ceilings . Your guests will gather around the dance floor and open-air veranda weather permitting while you make you have your formal dances. Guests will enjoy an open bar, fresh saltwater air, and one of the best meals of their lives. The speeches and cake cutting will take place at times you coordinate with the staff and your entertainment long before the wedding day. Each detail will be ironed out in advance and executed to perfection by Merrimakers. The dancing photos you see here illuminated  in vibrant light are an added feature by This Is It Entertainment.  This simple step elevates your reception with a touch that cant necessarily but quantified  in words but felt in experience.

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Eat, drink and be married. .

The sun sets across 72, not behind the venue over the water as most people think. As an experienced professional at Mallard, I will help you decide the best spot for your sunset portraits. As a local, I am very familiar with how cloud patterns and coverage create different levels of color for sunset and the timing involved. It’s a science, and a little bit of luck, to learn and apply but it is one of my specialties. Different times of the year also tend to produce different results. While we can’t truly make the perfect plan till right before your cocktail hour I work closely with your venue team to make a plan to try and get you the best portraits. There are many factors that decide if this is before, during or after the actual sunset time. If sunset portraits are important to you, hiring a local that knows the patterns and locations for Mallard is imperative. We will also make a plan to create beautiful nighttime portraits and use the fire pit in the garden when possible. Use the slideshow here to view the array of possibilities for your Mallard Island sunset photos. You can find the exact time of sunset for your wedding date here.  

SUNSET AND NIGHT PHOTOS

Even if the colors don"t carry over the bay, i will show you my secrets to get that golden glow. .

FAVORITE SPOTS

They may be unexpected,  but these two areas have my heart. .

I know it’s nearly impossible to choose a favorite but when couples ask there are always two little spots that come to mind and they aren’t what you expect. While Mallard has grand views and exquisite architecture at every turn for some reason my favorite spot is always this little pathway leading into the garden and the one specific spot the sun always glows in the garden. All of the other locations are beautiful and worthy but no matter the weather these two simple spots are the places I always make sure we don’t miss. 

A quick search of Long Beach Island hotels will give you many options. I understand that sometimes we want to skip google and have someone who knows the area give you directions. My suggestions will vary based on the time of year you are getting married. If you are getting married in July or August traffic will be heavy and accommodations harder to find so it’s best you get your guests’ options as early as possible. Since COVID the chowder fest in October has changed but it may go back to its original form. That first weekend in October can also be difficult for guests to find accommodations so notify them early also! 

NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS

For wedding guests at mallard, there is something for all of your wedding guests .

Hotel LBI  350 W 8th St, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008  Great for all ages and has a pool!  The Mainland 151 NJ-72, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 Great for all ages and close! Drifting Sands 119 E 9th St, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008. A more budget-friendly option. Surf City Hotel  800 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, NJ 08008 A more budget-friendly option. Sea Shell Resort 10 S Atlantic Ave, Beach Haven, NJ 08008 A great spot! Beach views, awesome food, and locally owned! 

New Jersey Photographer 

Specializing in long beach island weddings and portraits, i will show you all my hidden gem locations that make lbi beautiful .

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Studio Address: 1 Stafford Ave Manahawkin, NJ 08050  email: [email protected]

New Jersey Wedding & Portrait Photographer - Established 2007

> Mallard

> Bonnet