Merrell Estate & Gardens Reviews
Reviews
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Featured
B&T H. Sent on 12/18/2024A Wedding Dream Come True
Merrell Estate truly made our day the best day of our lives. The planning experience and plethora of options for our specific needs exceeded our expectations. Liza and team were very responsive with every detailed question we had and the entire crew was extremely professional! The venue is amazing, food was delicious and the atmosphere was second to none. Thank you Merrell Estate and team for making this experience one to remember forever.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much, we loved helping you two celebrate! Your vision and care for your guest experience was amazing, your special details were stunning! We truly appreciate the kind feedback and wish you both only the very best! -
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![Miri]()
Miri Sent on 04/16/2025Stunning Venue in Indian Beach, NC
We absolutely loved our experience with Merrell Estates and Gardens. The venue is absolutely breathtaking. It is perfect for all size weddings. We had 250 guests and were able to have our ceremony outside. We had the dancing under the portico. It was perfect. Everyone had plenty of room. We decided to get the larger bridal suite and it was exactly what we needed. . Bridesmaids and groomsmen could play pool and enjoy food and beverages before the ceremony. The bridal suite has so much to offer as well.
The best thing was our experience with Liza. She was always available to answer questions. A few weeks before the ceremony we wanted to add something to the reception. She found pricing and got it done for us.
The sound and ocean are both options for photos and there are plenty of places to stay for family and friends.
We highly recommend this venue. 🎉Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thanks so much, Miri! We loved helping Abby and Bryce celebrate and it was so beautiful! What a fun day! We so appreciate your kind feedback, it means so much to us and we are honored to be a part of such a special day for your family. Thank you again! -
![Lydia]()
Lydia Sent on 04/08/2025A Seamless and Stunning Experience at Merrell Estate and Gardens
As a wedding planner, I’ve had the pleasure of working at many venues, and Merrell Estate and Gardens stands out as one of the most well-run and breathtaking locations I’ve encountered. From the very beginning, their team was warm, welcoming, and highly professional. Every detail of the venue—from the beautifully maintained grounds to the elegant indoor spaces—reflects a level of care and pride that is truly unmatched.
What impressed me most was their commitment to service. Their staff was not only attentive but also incredibly accommodating, making both the planning process and wedding day feel seamless. Communication was timely and clear, which made coordinating details in the months leading up to the event much easier on both myself and the couple.
Merrell Estate and Gardens is more than just a stunning backdrop—it’s a place where hospitality and excellence come together to create unforgettable celebrations. I would recommend this venue to any couple or planner looking for an experience rooted in quality and professionalism.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much, Lydia! We so appreciate your kind and thoughtful feedback. It was a pleasure working with you on Wray and Zach's amazing wedding day! We always love partnering with fantastic vendors to make our couple's wedding days special. We hope to have the chance to have you at the Estate again soon! Thank you again! -
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![Summer]()
Summer Sent on 01/23/2025A stress free, simply beautiful wedding day…
Our day was so special. Liza and her team were professional, helpful, and attentive. A day of wedding planner is required, but for good reason. As the bride I had nothing to worry about on our wedding day. Everything had been handled as it was happening and I was able to be completely present. Liza is extremely responsive and takes time to explain and answer any questions you have in the planning process.
The venue was naturally beautiful so required minimal decoration! We got married at the end of November and it was chilly. We managed to have our ceremony outdoor still but moved dinner and dancing inside. It was still a perfect evening despite the change in plans. The team was very flexible with us! The outdoor space was GORGEOUS and our pictures represent it well. If you are looking for a coastal wedding vibe this is your place.
I’m not a planner so we loved the convenient venue package- it comes with all rentals (tables, chairs, dinnerware, napkins, tablecloth). They require you to utilize their catering and we opted for the buffet. Don’t worry bc it was delicious.. we ate it for 2 days after! ( Rec: chicken piccata, mashed potatoes, pimento cheese cup, crab dip)
There was ample parking, plenty of places near and even walking distance for guests to stay, and the evening had a wonderful flow throughout the venue.
We used the basic package so only had the salon/billiards room to get ready in.. lighting seemed off after viewing the getting ready photos but it wasn’t important to me to spend the budget on a larger space. Our guys got ready at an Airbnb.
Overall this was a beautiful day and I felt no worry at all thanks to my vendors and staff. Highly recommend sharing the best day of your life at Merrell Estate!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you, Summer! We appreciate your kind feedback and were so happy to be a part of your joyful celebration. Wishing you all the very best! Thanks again for letting us be a part of your celebration! -
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![Veronica]()
Veronica Sent on 10/03/2024The Navarrette Wedding
Liza and Clarke made my wedding dreams come true!! From the most beautiful venue ever that was half way between where my family lives and where my husbands family lives, to the fast responses, to providing all the little details I needed, to allowing my dog to be apart of my wedding. It was amazing working with them and Liza helping me with everything since I planned our wedding myself! I loved the list of vendors she provided me with and for taking the time to answers all the questions I had and for letting us rent out their restaurant Circa 81 to use for our rehearsal dinner. The food was amazing, the venue was amazing, their in house baker, Kira, made us such a delicious and beautiful cake, everything was perfect! Our day was so magical and we wish it lasted forever! It was everything I wanted and more!! I cannot thank them enough for being apart of our special day!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much for your kind feedback, Veronica! We loved helping you celebrate and getting to work with you - wishing you all the best for many years to come! -
![Caroline]()
Caroline Sent on 07/14/2024Glaza wedding
The perfect wedding venue. So beautiful and they truly take care of you and make your dreams come true!!! Liza is so helpful and allows you to take control and creates the perfect space.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much, Caroline! We loved helping you and Austin celebrate - what a beautiful wedding day you had! It was a pleasure working with you and we wish you all the best, thank you for taking time to share! -
![Casey]()
Casey Sent on 07/12/2024Casey and Nancy 2024
First things first, we live in Florida and had never been to or seen Merrell Estates prior to finding it on Wedding Wire and booking it on a whim. To say that we were nervous about booking a wedding venue without going there first and meeting the staff was an understatement. However, wouldn't be happier with our decision.
Our experience with Liza and the Merrell Estates staff was better than we could have imagined! From the beginning, they helped us through the entire wedding planning process and gave us advice, connected us with other (amazing) vendors, and worked with us from the beginning to end. Their team is incredible, I would recommend 1000/10.
The venue is beautiful and picturesque. Every detail is beautiful and thought through thoroughly. We opted for the luxury bride and groom suites for the pre-wedding events and we were so happy we did so. The groom's suite was fun and relaxing, providing the men a perfect place to relax, bond and have fun. The bride's suite was the perfect place to get ready, having ample room and amenities to service the bride, bridesmaids and hair/makeup staff. They even had food and drinks ready for us by the time we arrived!
One of the most notable aspects of booking with Merrell Estates is that it is pretty much an all-in-one service. Not only is it an incredible venue, but it also includes: the tables/chairs, bartending services, an in house baker, and they have the most incredible catering service (owned by Liza and Clarke Merrell). This made the process so easy for us. The food choices they provided we all amazing, and it was a hard designing the menu because we loved all the options! We had multiple family members and friends go back to their restaurant Circa 81, because the food was that good.
Every aspect of the wedding was well thought through and coordinated by Liza, her staff, and our wedding coordinator Cherish. Come the wedding day, we didn't have to think of a single thing other than walking up, saying "I Do", and having fun (which we most certainly did). Liza and Merrell Estates created such a fun and stress-free environment for us. It is hard to put in words, but we couldn't speak more highly of this venue and staff.
If you want a beautiful wedding that is stress free, fun and has amazing food, put Merrell Estates on the top of your list!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Nancy and Casey, this is so very kind of you - we are so grateful for you trusting us with your wedding celebration and for sharing such amazing feedback. It was our pleasure to be a part of your wedding day and get to know you both, we wish you guys only the very best! Thank you for taking time to share! -
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![Vanessa]()
Vanessa Sent on 05/22/2024The best, from top to bottom
Get married at Merrell Estate & Gardens, trust me. We booked our May 2024 wedding here because of how dreamy the Isle of Palms is. The venue and grounds are absolutely stunning and well-kept. Both sides of the bridal party has plenty of room the day of to get ready, relax, and mill around. (if budget allows, upgrade to the luxury suites, it's worth it)
Liza is a dream to work with. If it needs to be handled, she gets it done, and probably before you are even aware of it. She's incredibly organized, hard-working and an always positive energy to be around.
Food/drinks: 10s across the board! They offer a seemingly endless menu you can select from and every item was delicious. Their staff is top notch as well, our guests even commented how amazing everyone was.
Indian Beach/Emerald Isle is a hidden gem in Coastal Carolina - a location all of your guests will enjoy!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you, Vanessa! We appreciate you taking time to share these gorgeous photos and kind feedback. Helping you and Kegan celebrate was a blast - we loved getting to know you all and wish you only the very best. Thank you again for sharing! -
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![Mary]()
Mary Sent on 12/04/2023Perfect in EVERY way! The best venue that truly does it all!
Wow! I could write a whole book on how spectacular Merrell Estate is. From the moment I submitted an inquiry, they made me feel so special. The whole planning process was a breeze thanks to Liza, she is truly one of the best in the business. Brides, you will have so many spots for pictures and you will have guests raving about your food even a year after your wedding! The staff was beyond amazing, always checking in on my husband and I during the reception making sure we had drinks and food at all times! The charm of the estate will captivate you from the moment you tour, but it’s the staff and Liza who make your day truly magical. I couldn’t recommend this place more, brides, it is the PERFECT venue!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thanks so much for sharing - we loved helping you and your family celebrate and your vision for such a special day with so many thoughtful design details was amazing! Thank you for your kind words! -
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![Ashlyn]()
Ashlyn Sent on 11/01/2023Such a Magical Day
The staff at Merrell Estate and Gardens made our wedding day so seamless and made us feel like the most special couple in the world. This venue is so versatile and BEAUTIFUL no matter which space you choose to do your ceremony and reception. They truly are professionals and know exactly how to run the show. We were so blessed with the best people to make our day the BEST day. They will help make your wedding dreams come true! We would recommend this venue to anyone and everyone who is looking for an amazing team to help them every step of the way during their wedding planning journey.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much, Ashlyn! We loved getting to know you and Marshall and help you and your families celebrate. What a BEAUTIFUL event and special day. We truly appreciate your kind feedback! Wishing you all our best! -
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![Josie]()
Josie Sent on 04/23/2023April 2023 Wedding
I cannot say enough positive things about Liza and Clarke! They have been amazing throughout the entire planning process and made everything so easy. The venue is gorgeous, they are super flexible, and have been wonderful to work with. Also, the food they catered was AMAZING. I 10/10 recommend Merrell Estate & Gardens!!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much - we absolutely loved getting to know you and your sweet family! What a fun celebration and a beautiful evening, thank you for letting us be a part of it. We wish you all the very best! -
![Amanda]()
Amanda Sent on 10/24/2022Gorgeous Beach Venue with Amazing Hospitality!
This was a dream venue! The entire team was so sweet and incredible to work with. Liza was so attentive and responsive to every email and made the planning process so easy and stress free. We met Clarke for our menu tasting and his chef skills are exceptional. Our guests were very pleased with the food and service! The in-house pastry chef, Kira, made the most delicious wedding cake and was happy to customize our wants. Liza made sure I was catered to the entire day, bringing us plates of appetizers and drinks to a private room so that we could have a moment to ourselves right after the ceremony. They escorted us across the street to take photos on the beach for sunset hour. I can not tell you how nice it was to have a venue with a catering team all inclusive. They made us feel so special and it took away an enormous amount of stress.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much, Amanda! We loved helping you celebrate and truly appreciate your kind feedback! It was a beautiful day and we are so glad to hear you enjoyed it! It was our pleasure to be a part of it. Thank you again! All our best wishes! -
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![Kendall]()
Kendall Sent on 10/13/2022Amazing venue
We had the wedding of our dreams here! It was beautiful when we toured it, but seeing it with all of our design and decor on the day of the wedding was such a dream. There's a few options to choose from in terms of layout (inside or outside, where tables are placed, which direction the ceremony faces) which I really liked, and there's a quick pivot option in case of bad weather. Our weather was phenomenal in October, but it felt good to always have a back up plan. It was really helpful that Liza sent us a preferred vendor list and we chose a wedding planner from there, which was great because the planner had worked with Merrell Estate and knew the layout and communicated incredibly well. I really can't say enough great things! Worth the money.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you Kendall! We loved helping you and Mike celebrate and you sure did have an awesome party and such a gorgeous day! Congratulations, thank you for your kind feedback. All our best! -
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![Taylor]()
Taylor Sent on 05/25/2022Beautiful, professional, everything we dreamed of!
Merrell Estate is breathtakingly beautiful. Clark and Liza were extremely accommodating and helpful. We wish we could relive our wedding day over and over again! Would recommend this venue to anyone considering a beach wedding!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much - we enjoyed working with you and wish you guys only the very best. Appreciate your kind feedback! -
![Justin]()
Justin Sent on 09/12/2021Unbelievable Venue & Great Team
Our wedding was unreal. It was better than we could have ever imaged. Working with Liza and her wonderful team was a pleasure. Liza worked with us planning the wedding up until the day of and then they did seemingly a million little things to make sure we had a perfect night. Professional, thoughtful, kind, creative and easy to work with.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much, Justin! We truly enjoyed getting to know you and Bonnie and be a part of your special celebration. You were both lovely and we wish you only the very best for many years to come. Thank you for your very kind feedback! -
![S Russell]()
S Russell Sent on 08/11/2021Excellent Venue
The Staff was professional and did exactly what they said they would do. As a parent, I was nervous about all of the details coming together, but it went off so smoothly and everyone was so happy. The dinner menu and the specialty cupcakes were fantastic. The venue is absolutely beautiful and our event will always be remembered as the most perfect day!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thanks so much for your kind feedback - we enjoyed helping your family celebrate at their rehearsal dinner! -
![Madi]()
Madi Sent on 07/19/2021The most magical day ever!!
Liza and Clarke made our day MAGICAL. It was so much more than we ever imagined. We appreciated the thoughtful details Liza curated- especially our private dinner. We opted to stay in the Estate the night of which was so fun and special to have it to ourselves after the best day of our lives. She boxed food for us to enjoy and left us a bottle of champagne as well. Our food and beverage service and choices were top notch. We received so many compliments on the quality of the food and beauty of the venue. Liza acted as another coordinator on the day of and she always had just what we needed so we could enjoy our day, worry-free. Highly recommend the Estate to anyone looking for a coastal NC wedding.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you Madi! You and David's wedding was AMAZINGLY gorgeous with so many special touches. We wish you both only the very best and appreciate your very kind and thoughtful feedback. -
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![Allison]()
Allison Sent on 04/27/2021Absolutely stunning venue and exceptional staff!
The owners were both present during the event working with their staff to make sure that everything ran smoothly. And it did!
The food was delicious, the cake and cupcakes were exactly what I wanted and the best icing I’ve ever tasted. All of the staff members were very accommodating and polite. Peter was my escort to the aisle and also the beach for photos, he was funny, polite, outgoing and helpful with getting me where the best photos could be taken. Liza was on site all day helping with set up and breakdown. She was so accommodating and made it truly a very special day. Clarke’s kitchen staff really pulled together everything I wanted and more! It was every dream I’ve had come true!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much for your kind feedback, Allison. We will certainly share this with our team. We appreciate you taking time to share! We are so glad you enjoyed your day and wish you and Pete only the very best! Thanks again! -
![Catherine]()
Catherine Sent on 02/21/2021Couldn’t ask for better venue, catering, and cake team!
Merrell Estates is absolutely stunning and the level of care taken in the renovations is noticeable! Clark and Liza and their entire staff are easy to chat with, wanted to help make our vision a reality, and were so accessible for any questions throughout the planning process. There was no detail set aside from the specialty drinks and cake, to setup of chairs for the ceremony, to a special (and beautiful) platter of food for my husband and I to enjoy together before joining our reception. The getting ready space has been carefully thought out even down to the tall wall hangers to hang up gowns and comfy spaces to lounge. From the process leading up to our wedding through the wedding day itself and morning after, Liza made sure we were well taken care of! Hiring Merrell Estate for our wedding was more than simply a beautiful venue (which also means less cost in decorating to make it look gorgeous), it was the best wedding food I have ever had (my guests are still commenting on it!) and peace of mind being able to trust the entire team!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you so much - we loved working with you and Ian. It was a beautiful celebration to kickoff 2021 and we wish you both only the very best! We appreciate your very kind feedback. Hope to see you again soon! -
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![Tara]()
Tara Sent on 10/28/2020Amazing venue and even better owners!
Liza and Clarke were awesome to work with and helped us throw our dream wedding! We wanted something non-traditional...we wanted donuts and ice cream instead of cake and our favorite foods. They made our vision come to life! Not to mention on the actual wedding day, Liza was there for constant help and support. Every time I turned around, she was there -- asking if I needed anything, even just a glass of champagne. I was blown away by how attentive they were. They are an awesome team and not just a venue...they're family now! Cannot recommend this amazing place enough!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thanks, Tara, for your kind feedback! We loved working with you and Matthew - such a pretty setup and stunning couple. You had a great vision for your wedding celebration and it came together perfectly. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of such a special day! We wish you both only the very best! -
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![Carlyne]()
Carlyne Sent on 10/19/2020Wedding during CoVID19
The Merrell Family went above and beyond our expectations. Even during a pandemic they keep us informed. The venue is BEAUTIFUL, the food is AMAZING, the staff is INCREDIBLE. Absolutely the BEST place to hold a wedding. Clarke and Liza were the greatest from beginning to end. They are definitely a part of the #NoGRAYterLove Family. Thank you x INFINITY!!!
-Mrs. C Alexandria GrayMerrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
This makes me smile - thank you so much, Carlyne! You were a beautiful bride and we so enjoyed getting to work with your family and help you all celebrate. I love all the pictures, thank you for sharing. Wishing you all many happy memories together! Thank you again! -
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![Tanner]()
Tanner Sent on 09/16/2020Best wedding ever!
We had our September wedding at Merrell Estate and it was incredible!! The venue, food, amenities... everything was perfect. The weather was great and I’m obsessed with the aisle of palms. We had an amazing time and I would recommend this venue to everyone looking to have an elegant wedding at the beach.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
I love this so much - we were obsessed with your outside setup! So fun and pretty and festive! Thank you for your kind feedback, it was so special to be a part of your wedding day! We wish you both only the very BEST! -
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![Tera]()
Tera Sent on 09/16/2020Beautiful venue and great service
When we looked for a venue we wanted somewhere fairly all inclusive which is harder to find in our area. We booked when they were still under renovations for May 31, 2020 and got tied up in the covid madness. They were amazing with rescheduling and helping us through the mess! We finally got to have our beautiful wedding this past weekend and everything was wonderful, the food, the service, everything!Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Tera - these pictures are so great! Your details were sooo pretty! We enjoyed being able to help you celebrate ... even if we had to move things around. Best wishes to you and Drew! Thank you for taking time to provide your kind feedback! -
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![Emily]()
Emily Sent on 07/21/2020Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!
Merrell Estate and Gardens gave us our dream wedding! I can not even begin to express how thankful I am for them. Not only was the venue beautiful and everything I’d ever imagined, the amount of help and communication between myself and Liza/Clarke (owners) was phenomenal. They worked with us in any way possible. They went out of their way to make our wedding day perfect. They were very flexible and made sure to cater to our needs, especially during the COVID with all of the stress and unknown, they made us feel so much better. They worked with us and made sure everything was communicated, which was so helpful! They were amazing to work with! The whole Merrell Estate team was great, especially on the day of the wedding. They made sure to ask if anything was needed or if they could do anything for us, they also made sure that we were enjoying ourselves. 100 percent recommend this venue! I wish I could go back and relive this special day. Like I said previously, this venue is BEAUTIFUL and grand, I would not have chosen any other place to be married. We are so lucky to have found this GEM.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you, Emily! You are so kind - we thoroughly enjoyed getting to work with you all and we were so happy that you were able to celebrate and enjoy your wedding day at the Estate. We wish you all the very best! -
![Anna]()
Anna Sent on 07/08/2020Wonderful service, venue
Merrell Estate and Gardens is a Carteret County Chamber of Commerce member, and was a top notch venue for an event we held in March. From planning our event, to the day of, the service was above and beyond, and our group of approximately 80 people was blown away by it all. If you are looking for a great wedding or event venue along the Crystal Coast, the Chamber highly recommends Merrell Estate and Gardens! It is beautiful both inside and out.Merrell Estate & Gardens's reply:
Thank you, Anna! We were so glad to be able to host your event and work with you all. We hope to be able to do it again soon. Appreciate your kind feedback! -
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