Featured

Morgan Sent on 07/24/2022

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Best wedding ever

We had our wedding at John Joseph Inn on June 11 and we had the most magical day ever. The grounds of the property extremely beautiful and it's very convenient to stay at the inn and have the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception all at the same place! Our guests raved about the food and the cake was delicious. We opted to do fireworks during the reception and we had multiple guests tell us this was the best wedding they had been to and that they were impressed with how well executed the entire thing was because John and his team are so good at what they do. John is a pro and his passion, knowledge, and skills were very much appreciated!

My advice to anyone looking to book this venue: do it and trust John! He knows what he is doing and he gave us so many suggestions that made the entire day way better that we would have never thought of ourselves.

Thank you to everyone at the John Joseph Inn for helping us have the most epic wedding weekend! -Morgan and Dave Michienzi

Jennelle Sent on 07/08/2013

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If I could give this venue and its owner, John Hamilton, higher than five stars on everything, I would! From beginning to end, John made our wedding the most special weekend of our lives. Rather than just rave, I will break it down:

Planning: John made the planning easy and seamless. He provided a vendor list that I found extremely helpful when it came to booking all the extras, like florist, DJ, etc. He always answered all of my (many) questions, either by email or phone, within a few days of sending them to him. We had a planning session via Skype since we were planning from New York City. John spent almost two hours with us, chatting and getting a feel for the wedding we wanted.

Property: The Inn itself could not be more idyllic--it's a breathtaking backdrop for a wedding. The gardens were amazing and beautifully kept, plus there were lambs (!) roaming in the back. The rooms themselves are amazing--each one has its own character, with flat screens and jacuzzi tubs. John brought breakfast baskets each morning that had the BEST muffins in the world in them--most mornings the muffins were still warm when we got them.

Day of: We had a short rehearsal the night before, and everything went off without a hitch. John's staff was warm and welcoming as well, and did a beautiful job setting up for the reception. Also, it was amazing that my bridesmaids and I got to relax up in the bridal suite until it was time to go down, and then John came to collect us.

Food: THE FOOD! It was crazy good--not your normal wedding fare. We did three appetizers during cocktail hour and then the plated dinner, and everyone raved about the food (particularly the steak)! The cake was also amazing with buttercream and fresh strawberries.

Service: The service at the reception was remarkable. The bartenders were personable and attentive, and there was never a long wait at the bar. The specialty drink was a perfect touch too.

This place does not disappoint!!!

Marjory Sent on 12/08/2022

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Great Venue

John Joseph Inn was a great venue for our anniversary party. The food was delicious, service wonderful and the set up perfect for our party.

Jessie Sent on 08/29/2022

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Absolutely perfect!

From the moment I saw pictures of the John Joseph Inn, I knew I had to get married there. The actual experience was better than I could have imagined! John is friendly, confident, and (most importantly) incredible at what he does. As soon as I arrived, I knew John and his staff cared even more about every detail than I did - which allowed me to fully “clock out” and enjoy every moment of the weekend, trusting that everything would go off without a hitch. It did, of course, and John truly labored over every detail. All of the food was incredible, and the setting could not be more perfect. John helped accommodate a couple of unique requests that meant the world to us, and it was such a perfect weekend. I can’t recommend the John Joseph Inn highly enough!!

Allen Sent on 08/21/2022

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Amazing wedding experience

We absolutely recommend this venue for the perfect upstate New York wedding. From the very start of our wedding planning, John was always super accommodating and very easy to reach. This was especially important to us since we were not local for the planning and his responsiveness throughout the process made everything so much less stressful. We especially enjoyed the freedom and flexibility that we had in planning the menu to really celebrate who we were as a couple and John expertly guided us through this with his years of culinary experience. The day of the wedding, John coordinated everything seamlessly even though he was also busy with preparing the best wedding meal we've ever had. We highly recommend John and his venue for a wedding and we could not be happier with how our wedding went.

Isidora Sent on 09/25/2024

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Look no further - you will be blown away!!

From the moment we first spoke with John at the John Joseph Inn, my husband and I felt incredibly cared for and supported. This was the first and only venue we visited when we first started planning and we knew right away this would be the place for our wedding day. John's thoughtful and flexible communication style put us at ease throughout the entire planning process. The stunning grounds and elegant venue felt like something out of a movie - the perfect backdrop for our special day. John and his team went the extra mile to incorporate every detail that was important to us, including working with us to build a custom menu that featured chicken from our family farm and custom desserts inspired by our mothers' recipes. The ability to have welcome cocktails and a day-after brunch all on the property allowed our guests, some of whom traveled a great distance, to spend more quality time celebrating with us. We also had plenty of kids attend, and they were having the time of their lives playing in the orchard throughout the wedding weekend. We are so grateful to the John Joseph Inn for helping to make our wedding day truly unforgettable.

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Michael Sent on 07/14/2025

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Michael and Alyssa. THANK YOU!

The John Joseph Inn provided us our perfect wedding. Trusting in John’s process and leaning on his guidance/ recommendations helped us to find what we wanted. When the day came, John and his staff exceeded our already high expectations providing us and our guests a day we will never forget.

Accommodations: 5 stars

Ambiance: 5 Stars

Food: 11 out of 10 stars

Staff: 11 out of 10 stars

Drinks: 5 stars

Everything in between: 5 Stars

We are already talking about coming back to visit for dinner with our families with John.

Thank you thank you very much.

Michael and Alyssa

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Kim Sent on 08/24/2015

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Our wedding day could not have been more spectacular than it was. John and Elizabeth are truly the greatest. From the first time we met John we knew that this was our dream wedding venue. They are two of the most personable, down to earth, and multi talented people we have ever met. What makes their business stand out from the rest is their love for family. We didn't just get married on their property. We created irreplaceable memories with our closest family and friends. The food was top notch which was not a surprise as John and Elizabeth are both culinary experts. The signature drinks were a hit and the cake, absolutely breathtaking. John was very flexible when it came to logisitical matters. He also tweaked the menu to meet our requests. The property is immaculate which made for perfect photos. John was there for us every step of the way even up until I walked down the aisle. He was there to hold my dress as I walked through the garden. He took the time to get to know us which I strongly believe is the reason our day went perfectly. My husband Jon and I cannot thank John and Elizabeth enough for making the best day of our lives come true. What they do for people is a very beautiful thing. We will be back in the near future for a tasting and cannot wait to roll up their driveway to be greeted with huge smiles. What an amazing team John and Elizabeth make. Nothing beats having a private estate to yourself for an entire weekend without the interruption of other wedding parties. The staff was exceptional as well. They were friendly and very attentive to us and our guests. We have received dozens of messages from our families and friends saying "that was the best wedding we have ever been to!". All of our thanks, love and appreciation to you, John and Elizabeth! - Kim and John Kearney

Veronica Sent on 05/11/2021

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John will get it done!

We want to start this review off by simply stating that we 100% recommend this venue for a wedding!

We were an unfortunate couple that had booked our wedding for October 2020 long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. All of our original wedding planning had to be adapted to the situation we found ourselves in.

Before the pandemic hit, John Hamilton was very easy going and very accommodating to our needs, concerns and desires. We were originally planning on having an event with 140 guests. Every step of the way, John was easy to talk to, courteous, and caring to all of our needs.

Then the pandemic hit. We spoke with John a few months into the pandemic and all of our uncertainties were communicated. He was a great listener and was understanding of the unprecedented position we were all in. He always reassured us that he was on our side and will support whatever changes and adjustments we decided going forward.

Once we were six weeks before the wedding when it was certain that the COVID-19 restrictions were not going to be relaxed, we made the difficult choice to slash the event down to only 15 guests. John was very flexible and helpful in guiding us through that emotional decision.

We had a very small and intimate gathering with the wedding ceremony and a beautiful dinner afterwards. The site was still beautifully decorated, and the food was delicious and the service for our small reception was terrific.

We want to highlight that despite how unprecedented and difficult last year was for everyone, John and his staff still managed to give us a great wedding day with memories we will cherish forever.

Definitely recommend, and we hope that no other couple will struggle with any future COVID-19 restrictions like we did, but at least rest assured that if it does happen, John Hamilton will do everything in his power to still give you a great day!

Erin Sent on 09/10/2017

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We could not be any happier after getting married at the John Joseph Inn on 9.2.17...the day and the entire weekend at the Inn was better than we could have ever imagined! Before we get into the details, one of the best aspects about the Inn - especially for a wedding - is that your entire experience can feel more relaxed since you can stay overnight (in gorgeous, comfortable, decadent rooms), get ready with your bridal party, and then literally just walk right outside and get married in the beautiful gardens on the property. John and his staff (especially Ashley!) honestly makes you feel right at home immediately so that any nerves or wedding planning stress quickly melts away. We also decided to host our rehearsal dinner there which we highly recommend doing since the food, drinks and ambiance is fantastic. From the start, we loved John and his positive & humorous attitude, but he stepped it up a notch when it came time for our wedding weekend. He was so dedicated to our wedding & happiness that we honestly can't think of one thing that we would have changed. He was so much fun to work with, gave us great advice when we needed it, and gave us peace of mind since he has been in the wedding business for quite some time and really is a true expert. He wears many hats throughout the process (since he's both the owner/manager & chef) but he doesn't let anything slip through the cracks and will make sure your day is flawless. The food is incredible - huge portions, delicious/perfectly cooked entrees, AMAZING carrot cake...seriously our guests could not stop raving about all the food - we've been hearing constantly from our family & friends that it was the "best carrot cake I've ever had" "my steak was cooked perfectly" "the chicken was juicy and so delicious", etc! I could write much more but since there is a word limit here, just know that John and his staff go above and beyond to make you feel like you're not just another wedding and you will not be disappointed!

Rachel Sent on 11/12/2019

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Autumn Wonderland

My husband and I had our wedding here. To say it was exceptional, would be an understatement! John and his staff exceeded every expectation and were incredibly accommodating to us and our guests.
It was important for us to have delicious food at our reception. We were told JJI had excellent food. One person told me they had the "best bite of food they've ever had". 100% recommend this place to host your wedding!!

Kimberly Sent on 09/15/2014

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I had the pleasure of working with John and Elizabeth for my wedding on September 13, 2014. They made my wedding day perfection. Their attention to detail and their hard work makes for a wedding to be remembered. My wedding day started off rainy, grey and gross... John and Elizabeth were determined to create a day that would still be perfection in my eyes with plan of doing the ceremony here or there, whatever would work best. As the weather cleared up they dropped those plans and moved the ceremony back outside. They and their staff set up my reception area to perfection, they made THE best food, they took care of the cake which was phenomenal, John was there to guide us through every step of the day, which made for a stress free bride and groom who were able to sit back and enjoy themselves. Having the rehearsal, ceremony and reception all in one place made for easy planning and created a home away from home for the weekend. Having our family and friends stay or stop by the Inn whenever they liked made for a relaxing and fun time. The grounds, arbor, Inn, cottage, restaurant and tent all made a lovely backdrop for our beautiful day, not to mention BEAUTIFUL photo opportunities. As my groom still sleeps from post wedding exhaustion I could not help but recount my wonderful wedding day and brag a bit about how wonderful it turned out thanks to John, Elizabeth and the wonderful staff they surround themselves with. If you didn't know about the John Joseph Inn before, You're Welcome because now you do!

Sarah Sent on 12/30/2018

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Personalized fairytale wedding

The John Joseph Inn was the perfect location for our upstate wedding! The estate provides separate picturesque spaces for ceremony, cocktail and reception. Our guests loved that we stayed on property for all of the nights events and festivities. John helped us create our wedding vision and we couldn’t be happier! We would highly recommend the John Jospeh Inn!

Jack Sent on 08/07/2023

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The best wedding venue we could have asked for

Getting married at the John Joseph Inn was incredible from start to finish. John is extremely organized, personable, and an extremely talented chef which made our wedding day absolutely perfect. He made sure we were taken care of and put so much personal care into making sure our wedding vision came to life. The food throughout was the best wedding food we’ve ever had! We are still having guests reach out to us telling us how delicious it was. John’s staff at the Inn was attentive and helpful throughout the weekend. The rooms were beautiful, luxurious, and comfortable. Our families and friends absolutely loved staying on the grounds for the weekend. We couldn’t recommend the John Joseph Inn enough. We are so happy to have chosen this venue and would do it again in a heartbeat. You won’t find a more elegant, beautiful, perfect place to get married.

Mary Sent on 09/09/2020

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Absolutely amazing experience

After deciding to downsize to a microwedding with only 10 guests, my now husband and I were looking at local places to hold a ceremony and have dinner. I had previously considered the John Joseph Inn for our venue, so I decided to see whether he would be up to doing something super small for us. John said yes, and completely blew away any expectation that we had with his out of this world food and wine pairings. One my guests said that it was the best meal she’s ever had. John was also so thoughtful and accommodating to our guest’s needs. The Inn was perfect for my out of town guests, and the grounds are just gorgeous. He made our wedding EXACTLY what we wanted. We are so thankful we had John do our wedding, it was an wonderful, fun experience, and we HIGHLY recommend his services.

Courtney Sent on 12/02/2017

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John's number one priority is creating a memorable experience for you and your guests. He's an event planning expert with amazing culinary talent. If you'd like to spend your time comparing napkin colors, planning elaborate favors or freaking out over logistics– take a deep breath and let John simplify things and help you plan what matter most: A meaningful ceremony in a beautiful setting, BOMB food/drinks and a fun party that everyone will remember.

Spending the entire weekend at the inn meant less logistical planning, and more time to relax with family and friends. John did everything from baking us fresh muffins in the morning, to keeping us on schedule while getting ready, to directing guests after cocktail hour. We're so glad we had our wedding at the John Joseph Inn, and would recommend it to anyone!!! Can't wait to go back for some tastings : )

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James Sent on 12/30/2018

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Flawless, stressless wedding

John takes care of everything so the bride should have a stress free special day.

His culinary skills are amazing so challenge him to make the entrees however you would like. But seriously, you have to challenge him. lol my family heritage is Hispanic and hers was Italian, being said we had ceviche and enchilada horduerves and the entree was handmade gnocchi with a badass cut of steak. We didn’t wanna do the cliche cake so we had a 3-4 handmade cheesecake bar with fruit sauces and melted chocolates for toppings.

Straight amazing.

John is just one of the guys and treats you like you are the only that is booking there.

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G Sent on 08/04/2012

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The John Joseph Inn gets high ratings from our experience for a couple of reasons.

As the innkeeper, chef, and all-around go-to guy, John worked hard to give us the wedding of our dreams and succeeded with his attention to detail and high energy. John was a great partner with a lot of experience and a good vision of how the weekend should be structured, and he incorporated the special touches that were important to us. It was great to be able to relax knowing that we were in his capable hands, especially the day of the wedding. John was everywhere - managing his amazing staff in and outside of the kitchen, serving as wedding coordinator and MC, even holding the train of my dress!

The grounds are beautiful, very well maintained, and have an elegant yet comfortable feel. The inn itself is quaint, classic, updated and exquisitely decorated. The beautiful tent is also worth mentioning - perfect size so all your guests feel close by, with chandeliers and a stone floor. John and his wife are chefs who planned an amazing local and seasonal meal (for the whole weekend) and everything was fantastic - especially the cake!

All in all, John's enthusiasm for ensuring that each wedding is unique and runs smoothly, coupled with his expertise in managing the details, made for an amazing wedding weekend for us and our guests. The only drawback I would mention is that the hotels in Ithaca are a little distant from the Inn - so make sure that you can offer a shuttle for your guests.

Taylor Sent on 12/31/2018

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The wedding of my dreams came true!!

From the moment we met John we knew this was exactly where we wanted our wedding. John is truly one of a kind and will make sure everything you hope to have in your wedding happens. John created a cake person for us that was incredible, the food was amazing and continue to hear it from guests. He was there every step of the way answering any question you have and putting out any fire there was. He made the wedding planning process a breeze. The day of the wedding he made sure every detail was complete. I would not go anywhere else. John and his staff were amazing. The John Joseph Inn is one of a kind, beautiful wherever you look. The Inn, ceremony site, and reception were breathtaking. John focuses on your experience and ensures it’s the best it can be.... shout out to his staff as they are as detailed oriented as he is.....they joined us on the dance floor on our final dance to end the night off right.

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G Sent on 08/04/2012

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The John Joseph Inn gets high ratings from our experience for a couple of reasons.

As the innkeeper, chef, and all-around go-to guy, John worked hard to give us the wedding of our dreams and succeeded with his attention to detail and high energy. John was a great partner with a lot of experience and a good vision of how the weekend should be structured, and he incorporated the special touches that were important to us. It was great to be able to relax knowing that we were in his capable hands, especially the day of the wedding. John was everywhere - managing his amazing staff in and outside of the kitchen, serving as wedding coordinator and MC, even holding the train of my dress!

The grounds are beautiful, very well maintained, and have an elegant yet comfortable feel. The inn itself is quaint, classic, updated and exquisitely decorated. The beautiful tent is also worth mentioning - perfect size so all your guests feel close by, with chandeliers and a stone floor. John and his wife are chefs who planned an amazing local and seasonal meal (for the whole weekend) and everything was fantastic - especially the cake!

All in all, John's enthusiasm for ensuring that each wedding is unique and runs smoothly, coupled with his expertise in managing the details, made for an amazing wedding weekend for us and our guests. The only drawback I would mention is that the hotels in Ithaca are a little distant from the Inn - so make sure that you can offer a shuttle for your guests.

Matt Sent on 01/02/2024

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Incredible Experience at the John Joseph Inn

In only a few words -- the John Joseph Inn is an incredible venue and was the perfect spot for our wedding, and we would recommend to anyone!
The venue itself is absolutely gorgeous, and John is continually making additions and improvements year after year it seems. We were able to use the property for the entire wedding weekend, from:
- having the entire wedding party staying onsite
- the Rehearsal Dinner in the restaurant
- Welcome Drinks on the porch and in the atrium of the Inn
- Getting Ready onsite (girls in the Inn, guys in the Cook's Cottage)
- Ceremony in the garden, Cocktail Hour in the orchard, Reception in the Tent
- Afterparty in the Inn
This not only made logistics easy for us, but meant we were able to explore and use every lovely inch of the property! Also cannot overstate how much we loved that we got to stay on site - it removed so much of the potential hassle for us on our wedding day! The well-maintained gardens and tent were just a stunning location for our day. The ceremony site is a dreamy garden escape, and the reception tent has several wonderful touches not common of other tented venues we toured, including stunning chandeliers, a stone floor, and farmhouse tables.
John himself was a pleasure to work with in the year leading up to the event, and his relaxed and calm demeanor was a valuable asset to counter our own wedding stresses. He is a consummate pro at this, having done it for decades now and especially with Lauren's help for the day-of coordination everything went off without a hitch! In addition, the whole way he runs his business was such a breath of fresh air compared to other venues we had toured that gave off more of a "wedding factory" vibe. With John, there were no concerns about hidden fees or upcharges or that we were just another name in his ledgers, and on top of that the value at the JJI is better than any other venue we toured. For example -- many things were simply included as part of the package whereas they would've been upcharges at many other venues (champagne toasts, wine service at tables, passed cocktails at happy hour, etc.)
Finally, I'd be doing a disservice if I didn't mention the food. From the rehearsal dinner BBQ, to the cocktail hour bites, to the main courses -- everything was so so good and we got many compliments from the guests on how delicious everything was. On top of that, any concerns we had about guests going hungry were completely wrong as the portions were incredibly generous.
Overall - an absolutely incredible venue that truly made our whole experience!

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Mayra Sent on 07/02/2012

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The grounds at the John Joseph Inn are spectacular and make the perfect backdrop for wedding pictures. The food is amazing!!! We had a few guests with dietary restrictions and John was able to accommodate all their needs. It has been one month since the wedding, and we are still hearing great reviews from our friends and family on the food. John, his wife, Elizabeth, and their staff provide such great service that I would recommend the John Joseph Inn to anyone looking to get married in the Finger Lakes area!

Wayne Sent on 06/06/2021

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It was good

I like way do thing make happy

Emily Sent on 05/19/2008

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these guys did an amazing job! our wedding was perfect!

Nicole Sent on 07/27/2012

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I loved the John Joseph Inn on first sight (which happened to be during a tornado). It really was the perfect place to get married, and I don't anything like it in Ithaca or the surrounding areas (or at least nothing that we found, and we did a lot of research). The day itself was perfect - John and his wife Elizabeth, the owners of the Inn, really do such a nice job on the day of the wedding, and we received SO many compliments on the food, the staff, the atmosphere (and this was during the weekend where it was over 100 degrees in Ithaca, so our wedding was WARM to put it mildly) and I can't envision us having our reception in any other place.

That said, dealing with John in advance of the wedding (we didn't meet Elizabeth until the wedding weekend) was often a frustrating process. John is a "personality" - he's funny, and warm when you meet him in person, and you think things are going great when you're together, but if you're planning your wedding from afar (like we were), when you're not in John's immediate presence, you can feel like some things slip through the cracks: we frequently didn't receive responses to our pre-wedding inquiries, which didn't do much to make us feel comfortable in the lead up to the wedding, and when he did respond, he forgot many of our conversations (e.g. that we had even booked our wedding date with him)! So I want to make our rating clear - the JJE is a 5 star establishment on the day of the wedding, but planning the wedding, in our experience, unfortunately wasn't.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, John and Elizabeth really go out of their way to make your wedding day extraordinary on the day of. A year later, if I could do it all over again with them, I would.

Courtney Sent on 08/18/2012

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I cannot say enough about the John Joseph Inn and Elizabeth Restaurant as a ceremony/reception venue. The short version is this: the grounds are insanely beautiful, the meal was perfect, they made us an incredible almond cake, John was available to answer questions via email or Skype, and we had an absolutely perfect wedding. Seriously, they know what they're doing and nothing could have gone any better than it did. Have your wedding & reception here. You’ll be really glad that you did.

The long version follows.

We live in Oakland, California and began planning our summer 2012 wedding in August 2011. We were looking for a beautiful outdoor ceremony and reception location that was closer to family (Michigan and Pennsylvania, respectively). We did all of our planning remotely. We chose the JJandE based solely on their website and online reviews. When we first contacted the JJandE (website here: http://www.jjande.com/www.JJandE.com/Home.html), John was very helpful in answering our plentiful questions and recommending vendors for hair, makeup, photography, etc. As we got deeper into planning, we reached out a few more times and each time, John gave us the benefit of his experience hosting over 100 weddings.

Another major factor in our decision was food. We wanted to find a place where the food was fresh, delicious, and prepared by someone whose cooking reflects care and practice. We found that in the JJandE. There were a variety of meal options, and we chose to offer a strip steak, whitefish, and vegetable strudel, all of which met with rave reviews from our guests.

This review is too long...part 2 will follow.

Shawna Sent on 12/31/2018

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Amazing wedding venue and the food was phenomenal !

We attended my nephew James Neal’s wedding at John Joseph Inn and it was exceptional! The grounds were perfect and the wedding, reception and accommodations were top notch! It definitely makes us Texas folk want to return to this area of New York for a weekend trip or an even longer vacation!

Peg Sent on 07/27/2012

5 out of 5 rating

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This was the wedding our daughter always dreamed of. The John Joseph In and Elizabeth Restaurant were perfect in every way! From our first appointment to the end the experience was professional, thorough, well planned and exceeded our expectations completely! The location and inn are gorgeous, well appointed and in excellent condition. The food and beverage were creative gourmet with a organic edge. The staff was attentive and their timing was spot on. Our guests were treated like royalty. John and Elizabeth were easy to work with and always went the extra mile to make this a perfect day! If only we had another daughter! Peg and Doug Whitehouse

Rose Sent on 10/28/2011

4.9 out of 5 rating

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We got married in early October and I cannot put into words just how beautiful the grounds were at the JJ&E. John and his wife have really created a spectacular place to have any kind of wedding. The day of my wedding John came through and made my dream wedding happen. He even rescued us fro an emergency, when our DJ lost our wedding song. John came to the rescue and was able to quickly download our song and have it played just in time. He made the whole event stress-free for me and allowed me to enjoy myself on my wedding day. I will always be greatful for that. His staff is great and super friendly. The food was delicious, service was fabulous, and the grounds simply beautiful. The service did not end that night. John continued to provide us with special and great service the next day when he and his wife hosted us and our family a delicious brunch. I will never forget just how beautiful my wedding was!

Brooke Sent on 12/01/2022

4.8 out of 5 rating

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The Perfect Day!

Honestly, John and Steve made the whole day BEAUTIFUL. Communication can be rocky but, that was expected with how busy this wedding season was. It had no effect on my actual wedding at all. Trust their judgement! They definitely made it the best day ever. It’s a naturally beautiful venue on top of that! HIGHLY recommend

Jessica Sent on 08/19/2013

4.8 out of 5 rating

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Having my reception at John Joseph Inn and Elizabeth Restaurant was a choice I would make over and over again. The Inn and grounds are really gorgeous and well kept. John was out mowing all the lawns in the pouring rain the day before our reception when we arrived to make sure the grass would look just right the next night, and the rest of the weekend continued in that fashion. John, Elizabeth, and their staff went above and beyond what myself or any of my family could have anticipated. We were surprised first by adorable lambs and a beautifully in bloom sunflower field we didn’t expect, then breakfast baskets for all the girls getting ready delivered to each room, then nicely displayed and creatively infused liquors that were a huge hit with guests at the open bar! John was also able to execute my “pinterest heavy” ideas exactly as I had imagined without me worrying about anything except getting my dress on. He also did so much behind the scene to help move the night in the direction we wanted. During the planning process, be sure to be open with him about your ideas, and he will be able to tell you what will work and what won’t. And trust him, he really knows what he’s doing. Over a week has passed since the wedding, and I am still getting daily emails and messages from guests saying it was the classiest, best, most beautiful, awesome and fun, wedding and I received non-stop praise for the food too. Our cupcakes with a small cutting cake and late night taco bar… beautiful and delicious…OH MY GOSH! I really can’t say enough. If you want to get married in Ithaca, I would truly say to look no further than John Joseph Inn. Our wedding day here was a complete dream come true. As my seven year old cousin standing in the apple orchard said “we all went inside the biggest fairytale there is”. Thank you so much John and Elizabeth. –Jessica and Steve~ Aug 10, 2013 wedding

Lindsay Sent on 12/05/2012

4.8 out of 5 rating

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My husband and I had our wedding at the John Joseph Inn this past summer. I am a local from Lansing and my husband is from Canada - we were originally going to have our wedding in Canada, however I later decided to start looking at venues in the Ithaca area. My mom told me multiple times I should check out the John Joseph Inn and at first I dismissed her suggestion saying "Yea mom I've driven past that place a million times.. I don't think they do weddings". Well this was probably ten years ago when I was in high school... it looked MUCH different back then. My mom, of course tried to tell me that it was all new and redone, but until she forced me to look at pictures on the computer, I had NO idea how beautiful the place was even as a local growing up five minutes away! It was EXACTLY what I was looking for.. a venue with a setting for the perfect outdoor wedding - amazing scenery, very classy feel, it all fit in with what I had been picturing in my head but had yet to find. After deciding on the inn, we met with John and found him to be very organized and helpful - he recommended different vendors for us, and helped to develop the perfect itinerary and menu. He was willing to adjust the menu options to include my favorite summer vegetables, and switch out wedding cake for strawberry rhubarb pie! Up to and during the day of the wedding, he essentially acted as our wedding planner, making sure everything was accounted for and running smoothly and as planned on the big day. Everyone was having so much fun and didn't want to leave at the end of the night ( I warned him that those Canadians like to party! ).. he even let us extend our reception an hour so we didn't have to kick everyone out! To wrap it up since I'm running out of room, the setting is so beautiful, picturesque, classic, the inn is gorgeous inside and out, the food was delicious, and the staff were all fantastic and friendly. Thank you for an amazing day! - Lindsay and Jeff Heerema

Luke Sent on 12/30/2018

4.8 out of 5 rating

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Perfect Venue

My wife and I had the time of our lives at our wedding and all because of this awesome venue. The grounds are picturesk, the food is excellent, and John was a complete professional and was very laid back and accommodating with everything we needed.

Kelly Sent on 09/14/2012

4.8 out of 5 rating

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We had our wedding ceremony, reception and a post-wedding brunch at the John Joseph Inn and it was spectacular!! The property itself - the gardens, the orchards, the fields of sunflowers, the reception tent, the inn and rooms - is absolutely lovely. So many of our guests told us how much they loved the place and how beautiful it was, one guest even told me that she wants to get married there one day! And our bridal party loved staying at the inn for the whole weekend - it felt like the place was ours which made the whole weekend so intimate and special. The rooms are spacious, luxurious and beautifully appointed.

Besides boasting breathtaking scenery, the John Joseph Inn also delivers on service and quality. The food was amazing (seriously...every steak was done to perfection!), the servers and staff were friendly and helpful, the cake was beautiful and tasty, and the decor was set-up exactly as I had envisioned. It was truly our dream wedding. My husband and I were so pleased we literally spent the first 3 days of our honeymoon high-fiving each other for having "the best wedding ever."

None of this would have been possible had it not been for John Hamilton, the owner and head chef. He is such a pro and really knows how to pull together a top-notch wedding. He is very laidback, which can sometimes be frustrating for an anxious bride, but in the end everything came together seamlessly. He truly listens and understands your vision. There were so many times I called him or went to see him to tell him what I wanted and he was always one step ahead of me. He would literally finish my sentences and I would be standing there with my mouth agape, thinking "yes, that's exactly what I want!"

We couldn't have imagined a more perfect wedding weekend. You will not regret having your wedding here. Oh and definitely ask for the house made cucumber infused vodka lemonade as your signature drink...AMAZING!!!

Kelly and Dan

Laura Sent on 01/20/2018

4.8 out of 5 rating

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This review is long overdue! We loved the John Joseph Inn and are so grateful to John and his team for making our day so incredibly special. The Inn and grounds are just stunning and the food was out of this world. John was very helpful to us in the months and days leading up to our wedding and we really relied on his expertise. We were not disappointed! We were facing awful forecasts for our wedding weekend and John told us not to panic, that we could make a last minute decision to tent the cocktail hour, or other adjustments if necessary, John was so easy to work with. Would highly recommend to any couples looking to get married in the Finger Lakes. We would pick the John Joseph Inn over and over again. Thank you for everything, John!

+8 photos

Shannon Sent on 10/26/2013

4.8 out of 5 rating

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John Hamilton and his wife own and run the Inn. The grounds are absolutely stunning! The food and wait staff were first class. Many of my guests have told us that this is one of the best weddings they have ever been to. They made our fairytale wedding a reality!

Bethany Sent on 07/17/2013

4.8 out of 5 rating

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Our wedding day was incredible - the grounds were beautiful, the food was excellent, the service was impeccable. John, the owner, truly is a jack of all trades. Just days before our wedding (in the pouring rain) he was out on his John Deere preparing the grounds. The day of our wedding he appeared in a seersucker suit and played the part of gracious host. Our only complaint was the level of communication leading up to the wedding. We were planning our wedding from out-of-state and at times it was very difficult to get in touch with John. In the end, though, everything turned out beautifully - exactly how I envisioned our wedding day. If you put your trust in John and his staff, you will not be disappointed with the results!

Jenna Sent on 01/01/2019

4.8 out of 5 rating

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Superb Quality, Hands-on Expertise

Hiring John Hamilton to do our wedding was the second best decision we made that year! From the moment we reached out to him in January to the final departure in July, John was 100% dedicated to making our wedding fantastic. The inn and property were absolutely beautiful, and he and his staff worked with us to ensure we achieved the appropriate 'feel' we desired. The best part however, was the food; John has a culinary background - and worked with us to create the perfect dining experience for our guests. John treated us with fairness and integrity and sold us on his passion. We highly recommend using his venue for any and all types of weddings.

Ignacio Sent on 10/13/2021

4.8 out of 5 rating

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5 out of 5 rating

John is a Cooking God and Wedding Guru

John Hamilton, the owner of the venue is a very genuine and talented man! He is in the kitchen prepping every aspect of the rehearsal dinner, appetizers, dinner and cake. He customizes the menu to your specific palette (made spanish tapas for our wedding!!). Additionally when it comes planning the logistics of the ceremony/wedding, he's an invaluable resource for advice/recommendations. Truly, all he wants is for the bride/groom and their guests to have a good time! (And we sure did!)

Erin Sent on 12/30/2018

4.8 out of 5 rating

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Wedding venue

This venue was incredible. John took care of absolutely everything and made our wedding a dream. As a bride it was so nice knowing that John could handle everything, and help to make the wedding perfect. The venue was beautiful and the food was AMAZING. We also had our rehearsal dinner and Sunday brunch here; I would HIGHLY recommend!

+3 photos

Elizabeth Sent on 09/19/2022

4.8 out of 5 rating

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Exceeded our expectations in every way

We had our wedding at the John Joseph Inn in July 2022, and the day could not have been more perfect! The venue is as gorgeous as it gets – the Inn, decked out in Mackenzie Childs décor, is wonderfully charming. The shaded ceremony area is romantic and comfortable even on a sunny summer afternoon, and the cocktail area is reminiscent of the most luscious English countryside garden. I had initially considered going off-site for pre-ceremony pictures, but I’m so glad we didn’t – the Inn and its gardens are the perfect backdrop. Our guests also loved wandering the property and taking pictures on the porch, in front of a stunning sunset. All our vendors made the day easy for us. John and his staff are laid back, yet totally on-top of the day-of details – we felt we were able to relax, enjoy the day and be confident that everything would be handled well. The cocktails and food are top-notch – our guests raved about both specialty cocktails (limoncello Collins and tart cherry mint julep – both made with fresh ingredients), the elegant Jar Bar and passed hors d'oeuvres, all of our entrée selections and of course, the delicious summer strawberry cake. We appreciated how candid John was in the planning process, offering his opinion on what is necessary and what is not, which helped us stick to our budget. You really don’t need to add much to have a wonderful event at this venue. We would certainly recommend the John Joseph Inn to anyone looking for an elegant, yet laid-back experience in Upstate NY.

Brittany Sent on 08/21/2014

4.7 out of 5 rating

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I would highly recommend the John Joseph Inn and John Hamilton as a wedding ceremony/reception venue choice. We had both our ceremony and our reception at the John Joseph Inn. John made sure that our wedding day was absolutely PERFECT - and I mean perfect when I say it. Most weddings have little issues that come up and can be brushed off later - but we had a completely perfect day! My husband and I were relaxed and enjoyed our time at the Inn preparing for, during, and after our wedding. Our wedding party, family, and guests had nothing but great things to say about John and the John Joseph Inn. Many guests that we've talked to so far have actually said that it's the best wedding they've ever attended.

In response to all of the comments that John is difficult to work with: Yes, I gave him 4 stars because he doesn't respond to messages quickly. He is an INCREDIBLY busy man, and for good reason. Your wedding day will be perfect due to his and his staff's hard work and dedication to you and your wedding. I definitely experienced some anxiety before the wedding - worrying that John wasn't getting my messages/e-mails. To anyone who may feel nervous about this: RELAX. He is most likely getting your information, but too busy to respond. Keep leaving messages/e-mails, and he will get the information. Your day will be unforgettable.

The grounds are gorgeous and immaculately maintained. The inn is beautiful, comfortable, and allows you to enjoy time with your guests before and after the wedding without shuffling around to and from a hotel. The ceremony area is beautiful. The food was wonderful - we had lots of comments from our guests on how they've never had such a delicious meal at a wedding before (we did the plated meal - to be clear). The staff at the John Joseph Inn is attentive and professional - we didn't have a long wait for food, or a long line at the bar at any time.

I can't say enough wonderful things about the John Joseph Inn. Thank you John!!!!

User2332196 Sent on 09/24/2015

4.7 out of 5 rating

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4.5 out of 5 rating

The Inn is absolutely beautiful. After meeting with John, we knew it was the right place for us. He took care of everything and helped guide us through the whole process. There were times where we didn't hear from him (he's a very busy guy) and were getting nervous - but rest assured - everything gets done and on time with the highest quality. You may need to be a little patient with the response time - but it will be worth it. And he will take care of you!

User1335111 Sent on 09/17/2013

4.7 out of 5 rating

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John, Elizabeth and their staff take care of almost everything for the wedding, from coordinating, ceremony, reception, food, booze, cake. One of the best parts is all those things are taken care of in one place, giving you fewer people to deal with and fewer moving parts in the planning and execution. The real best part is it is a gorgeous place, perfect ambiance, great food, and great bar. Wouldn't change a single thing about any of that! During planning, the one frustration is John can be tough to catch with questions, even when it's close to the date, but even so you can trust that everything is totally taken care of and done well. For the area, this place is on the higher price end, but for what you get from it, it's totally reasonable. The place is unbelievable, the food definitely lives up to its expectation, and the bar is high end. The staff is also very helpful, accommodating, and attentive (and fun). Wouldn't change a thing--this place will make your wedding as special and as fun as you hope it will be.

Emily Sent on 09/27/2011

4.7 out of 5 rating

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4 out of 5 rating

I could go on and on about this place but I'll try to keep it short and sweet: fabulous food, fabulous people, fabulous setting. My wedding was the wedding of my dreams and I could not have been happier. On my wedding day I didn't have to think about a thing which is exactly what I wanted! Overall, a wonderful experience that I highly recommend!

Margaret Sent on 06/16/2015

4.6 out of 5 rating

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This place is amazing, the grounds are beautiful. Our wedding was epic. There were no hitches on the day at all and there was a lot going on. I loved being able to have everything in one place.

Allison Sent on 11/03/2015

4.6 out of 5 rating

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4 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend! thanks to John and Elizabeth Hamilton we had such a special, memorable and carefree wedding weekend! The venue is beautiful no matter the time of year and the food is delicious! Including the cake!! It was perfect for us!!

Elizabeth Sent on 05/16/2008

4.6 out of 5 rating

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The property is outstanding. Gorgeous English gardens. I chose the site for the lovely apple orchard that is beside the ceremony site. A remarkable property that has old barns, fruit trees, and berry bushes. I love the rustic country, but elegant feel of the property.

David Sent on 09/03/2012

4.6 out of 5 rating

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John and the staff at JJ&E did a fantastic job hosting our 100 person wedding. We had several special requests, and John did everything we asked. We found them to be friendly and flexible. Our wedding was outdoors, and the venue is lush and green: hedged garden, trees, apple orchard, and swings. John took care of details, both small and large. For example, we rented and erected an Indian wedding canopy, and John noticed and made sure that the ceremony tent was raised an extra few feet so it would fit underneath.

The best part was the food: absolutely delicious and unforgettable. Four years later, friends and family still mention our buffet. John and Elizabeth are graduates of the Culinary Institute of America and, in our opinion, run the best kitchen in the Ithaca area. Many guests were from India, and half were vegetarians. John therefore developed a highly-customized menu for us and magnificently blended Indian flavors with his specialties. A few items from our menu:
- Mustard spiced seared pork tenderloin
- Paneer and couscous cakes with cilantro jalapeno oil
- Spiced eggplant sous vide with toasted cumin seeds
- Cumin and chili crusted seared salmon with mango curry cream sauce
- Spice rubbed lamb shoulder grilled and roasted, served with a curried ginger blueberry puree
- Amazing seared tofu
- Tiered spiced carrot cake with cream cheese frosting crusted with candied walnuts.

JJ&E is a small, family-run business. All contact will be with John, who is the chef and manager. Although he is relaxed and does not always return phone calls, John is a professional and excellent at what he does. He gave us a clear timeline of when things would happen, and he took care of things according to that timeline. Nothing fell through the cracks. The pdf package on the website is clear, with tons of information and pricing details. There were no hidden charges. We visited a dozen wedding sites in the Ithaca area, and JJ&E was the perfect one for us.

Michael Sent on 08/03/2016

4.5 out of 5 rating

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Just married July 2nd at the John Joseph Inn and it was amazing! Our theme was "vintage glamour" meets "old Hollywood." The early 20th century inn, manicured gardens, and countryside felt like we were hobnobbing with Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and The Roosevelts.
John Joseph Hamilton, the proprietor and executive chef, describes himself as “the preppy farmer." He has great taste for architecture, food, decor, and even fashion. (He's well dressed)
You aren't just renting the Inn, you are getting John. We met John when we toured the venue and knew that we could trust him with one of our largest purchases ever, our wedding.
Things to note:
- You can have both the ceremony and reception there.
- Ceremony is in a garden or if it rains, inside the Inn. Cocktail hour is on the lawn and orchard. Reception is in a tent.
- You have to use them for the catering, including the cake. Don't worry, food is outstanding!
- You must rent all 6 guest rooms plus a 4 person cottage as part of the deal.
- They also will do the rehearsal dinner if you choose (we did and it was great!)
- The estate is private. You don't hear or see anyone other than your guests and the staff.
- Your photographer will love shooting here!
I wish we hired a day-of coordinator. John does a lot of the coordination but he's also running the kitchen. The groomsmen and I spent several hours unpacking and setting up decorations. The girls weren't able to do much as they needed a few hours to get ready. You also might not hear from John much beforehand, but trust that he will give you an amazing day!
Overall it was a great experience! The John Joseph Inn has been open for about 8-9 years. They do one wedding a weekend. It might not be the most "well oiled machine" as far as venues go, but you won’t feel like you are in a wedding factory with two other weddings.
I highly recommend booking here for farm-to-table food, privacy, unique classy venue, outdoor wedding, and the attention to detail.

Katie Sent on 08/26/2017

4.5 out of 5 rating

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Everything I dreamed my wedding day would be!

User1801128 Sent on 09/08/2014

4.4 out of 5 rating

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5 out of 5 rating

Our wedding was absolutely perfect. The food was absolutely delicious and John made our day even more perfect by adding delicious personal touches. He went out of his way to make our wishes come true and was willing to listen to our wants and make them happen. The venue was very well maintained and very private. The food, location, and staff were great. I would have my wedding there everyday.

Sarah Sent on 10/06/2013

4.3 out of 5 rating

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4.5 out of 5 rating

The John Joseph Inn is absolutely exquisite! My husband and I were married there in May 2013 and had a phenomenal wedding weekend. We were planning the wedding from Philadelphia and were able to do the bulk of the planning with John on one weekend visit!

John and his wife are professional and very detail oriented. My most favorite aspects of having our wedding at the John Joseph Inn were the below:

Food: The food (we did the plated three course option) was delicious! We were very happy with the variety offered and the quality of the food when prepared for 140 guests. In our view there was no comparison on food when considering other Ithaca wedding venues.

Amenities: Our family all stayed at the Inn for the Friday and Saturday night of our wedding weekend. It was wonderful to have our loved ones all in the same place! And to finish off our wedding night sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch. And getting ready with my maids on the day of was so relaxing and comfortable. Complete with beautiful weather and a bottle of champagne from John to kick off the day!

Ambiance: The countryside atmosphere of the Inn and grounds is so pastoral and picturesque. We loved the sheep in the orchard and the general greenery on site. The Inn, decor, garden, tent and grounds are all part of the package and complement each other perfectly to create a quaint country charm. My husband and I both grew up on farms so this fit our personalities perfectly!

Only good things to say about John and his wife Elizabeth!

User1385904 Sent on 10/17/2013

4.3 out of 5 rating

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Beautiful venue, charismatic and creative innkeeper/venue leader/chef, the food was excellent, and John and his team took care of everything the weekend of the wedding. However, he was hard to get ahold of via email or voicemails, but he did eventually get back to us. Once you have his full attention, he is incredibly dynamic and professional. We had a beautiful day, with great food, and I wouldn't have changed it a bit.

Olivia Sent on 12/13/2023

4.2 out of 5 rating

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Best day of our lives! With a couple things to know

The John Joseph Inn was the most beautiful place for our wedding, and our day was truly like a dream. John has built a wonderful business, and we had the best day oof our lives. Not having to worry about having separate vendors for things like tables, chairs, flatware, a tent, a dance floor, etc. was a huge burden off our shoulders. Additionally, because John has the restaurant and the Inn, we were not only able to have our rehearsal dinner on-site, we were also able to house most of our wedding party in the beautiful Inn over the weekend AND use the house for an on-site afterparty. All of these things made the JJI a great value for us. Plus, John is an excellent chef and his food is exquisite! Two things I will say, however, that are important to know when working with the JJI. First is that communication can be unclear and frustrating, and responsiveness is not always prompt. This can cause a lot of anxiety leading in/throughout the planning process, but they really do come through on the day. The second thing I wish I knew beforehand was that the staff working our wedding seemed to be mostly teenagers, and don't get be wrong they did a great job, but I would have expected to have an older/more experienced staff, and would have liked to have been notified beforehand that this was the case. They did not set that expectation with us, and so we were a bit surprised on the day--and those types of surprises can throw you for a loop on your wedding day, so I would want others to be aware! My advice--ask ALL the questions and communicate OFTEN. You will have the wedding of your dreams at the JJI :)

Megan Sent on 11/03/2013

4.2 out of 5 rating

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4 out of 5 rating

I would recommend John Hamilton and the John Joseph Inn and Elizabeth Restaurant as a wedding venue. However, I would keep in mind this review (and others) as I think it would have been helpful to understand better the way John works.

Quality of Service: 5
The Inn, the location, the tent, grounds, etc are absolutely beautiful. It is an idyllic place to have a wedding. I was blown away by how beautiful it was. The food was just delicious. Our signature drink was delicious and perfectly themed.

Responsiveness: 3 (I seriously considered making this lower)
One of the worst parts of having our wedding at the Inn was waiting for responses from John. My husband and I both work 50+ work weeks and were planning the 220+person wedding from NYC (5 hours away) I would send John very detailed emails with questions and would either not hear responses or he would respond much later with half answers, ignoring some questions, or with answers that would simply lead to more questions. My husband, myself, and our families drove to Ithaca to meet with him and go over the more minute details and unfortunately he spent most of the meeting telling me to "relax everything will be great" not exactly something a busy, organized planner like myself wants to hear after taking the time to put together these questions/information.

Professionalism: 4
Overall dealing him was less than satisfactory and moderately uncomfortable. He, as mentioned above, is incredibly hard to get in touch with. Not only that, he has a very abrasive "I'll take care of it. It's going to be great" attitude while not exactly recognizing that while he may have have catered/held dozens of weddings that this was MY first wedding.

Value: 5
The wedding was beautiful and everyone had a wonderful time. It ended up pouring rain 5 minutes prior to my outdoor ceremony so all the guests had to be rushed into the cocktail hour tent instead. We all made the best of it and it went off absolutely fine.

Sue N. Sent on 12/04/2013

4.2 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4.5 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

We were married here on September 14, 2013, one of the most memorable occasions of our lives. It was the first venue we looked at and it definitely set the bar very high! John's passion and expertise on what he does definitely stood out.

John, Elizabeth and their dedicated team of staff handle everything from day-of coordination, decoration setup, food, silverware, reception and ceremony venue (oh, what beautiful grounds!). This left us with not too much else to worry about, which took a huge burden off the planning process. Although John may be hard to get a hold of sometimes, he didn't miss anything for our wedding, even though we had two ceremonies (a Western and a traditional Korean ceremony)! The prices were all up front, which we definitely appreciated. This allowed us to really consider what the bottom line would be, and was extremely helpful in our budgeting process.

They also require that you book the entire inn for the wedding weekend, which is great for relaxing and unwinding. The rooms are beautiful, each with a signature look, and we definitely took advantage of the built in jacuzzi and fireplace during our stay. John delivers a wonderful breakfast at your door in the mornings -- freshly baked muffins, yogurt, and fruit -- so you can have it at your own time. We also had guests stay at the cottage, and they had a wonderful time.

Although we were not able to sample the food and cake prior to the wedding, we were confident from the reviews that the food would be amazing. We were proven right during the rehearsal dinner (which we chose the BBQ package). The chicken was juicy, and the brisket was melt-in-your mouth tender. Their wine and beer selections are excellent as well. The reception food was no different, and the lemon cake we ordered was divine!

All in all, it was a wonderful experience. If we had to do it all again, we would definitely pick the JJ&E again in a heartbeat.

Corie Sent on 11/19/2009

3.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
3 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
3.5 out of 5 rating

Our wedding day was absolutely wonderful. The food was great and the place was gorgeous. However, it was a little difficult to plan our event (especially since we weren't local).

Marsha Sent on 11/13/2017

3 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
2.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
1 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
3.5 out of 5 rating
Value
3.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4.5 out of 5 rating

The venue is beautiful!The rooms at the inn are wonderful.
My complaints have to do with the lack of a wedding planner.The owner/chef is too busy to respond to your calls/texts, too busy to be the day of wedding coordinator and to also be the chef.The day of the wedding I and my daughter, the bride, had to go into the kitchen to tell the chef that half of the guests did not get food when the other half was already done eating .The pasta was amazing but most of the guests 'fish was completely raw!
Also the owner allowed the bartenders, that we paid for, to leave a tip jar out at the bar. As I said its a beautiful setting, I feel that with a wedding day coordinator the chef would have done a better job of cooking.
Even with all of these problems, we had a beautiful wedding!

Allison Sent on 07/21/2018

2.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
2 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
2 out of 5 rating
Value
2 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

The good: -His venue is incredible. I loved how little I had to try to make this place absolutely gorgeous. Just a little decor can go such a long way.
-The staff!! He had just some of the most amazing people working the wedding.
-We had the carrot cake for our wedding cake and it was SO. GOOD.
-The staff made sure that immediately after the ceremony they came to me and my bridal party to give us some appetizers.
-We were collected to go to the ceremony by John.

The Frustrations: The owner.

-Hard to reach or takes long to hear back from.
-Struggled to get final number bills or receipts for payments
-We found him to be nonchalant, too familiar (calling me 'babe' and making nicknames for my bridal party), and ... to be honest, a little arrogant.
-Rooms are WAY over priced for what you receive and the amenities.
-As mentioned by other brides, you need to have someone ready to set up the decor the day of. John will tell you that his staff will set everything up but no one came to us to ask where we wanted things. And when I sent my brother and sister to check, the staff was setting tables and decor owned by JJI. Understandable. But could have been a major frustration considering John had told me it would take care of it the day of. Just be prepared.

I've expressed all these concerns with John and he seemed to take t seriously and genuinely found him to be sorry for the issues I had and I hope he takes them seriously. However I also found him quick to explanation/excuse.

While I wouldn't say that you should avoid this ven I would offer some caution. Everything will come ogether, your guests will have a great time, and the pictures will be beautiful but the wedding process and time leading up to it are likely to be stressful and frustrating.

A very chill, go with the flow couple would do well at this venue. If anyone has questions, please feel free to reach out and I'd be happy to share more.

+2 photos

Maria Sent on 07/16/2016

2 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
2.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0.5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
2.5 out of 5 rating

We chose John Joseph Inn as our wedding venue simply because it is beautiful location. The Inn sits on immaculate grounds that contain a garden, apple orchard, and a barn (with horses and sheep!). The wedding day itself turned out perfectly. The food was delicious and the weather was amazing.

However, the wedding planning process was far from smooth. It is VERY hard to get in contact with John Hamilton. Over the year of planning, I sent him numerous emails that he ignored. Even a week before the wedding I had yet to hear from him in order to confirm our menu choices and did not know the order of events. To be perfectly honest, working with John was the hardest part of the entire wedding planning process. If you want a stress free wedding planning process, I would not recommend booking at John Joseph Inn.

Jackie Sent on 08/12/2014

1.1 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
2 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
1 out of 5 rating
Value
1 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
1 out of 5 rating

I was married at the Inn in May. I had a fantastic wedding day, but this was because of my wonderful family and wedding party. The John Joseph Inn has great food and is beautiful, but thats about all it can be relied on for.
John, the owner of the Inn, if very difficult to work with. When trying to contact him, I did not get a response for weeks after both emails and calls. This lasted right until my wedding day. I don’t think I can stress enough how difficult it was to get in touch with him throughout the process.
When I could I would come up to the Inn from NJ, where he gave a lot of personal attention, but most of what he said would happen turned out to be empty promises once my wedding day came.
On my wedding day, I was told I would just get to relax and sip champagne while I got ready. Instead, I had to worry about the tent being set up and had to provide John with second copies of information I had already given him. My bridesmaids spent a few hours out in the tent setting up the tables and space around it because John didn’t do it. When I tried to give him the decor I had, he walked away.
I had a beautiful wedding day because of a fantastic support group. It was extremely stressful and difficult to plan with John and I can honestly say I would not wish that on any bride.
I would love to give details and please feel free to contact me and ask for more information.

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John Joseph Inn