Merced Manor — Attraction in Ringwood

We hosted our wedding at Merced Manor on a hot and thunderstormy day in August 2024, and it was a wonderful experience overall! We highly recommend Merced Manor for a wedding party of about 50 guests plus the bride and groom. Our wedding event was one of the first few weddings to take place at the modern rustic Merced Manor (the location was formerly called Monksville Mountain House). The venue offerings looked attractive when we downloaded the pricing brochure from the website, and the venue owner Farida Mercedes responded to our initial inquiry right away. As Farida manages several businesses, on subsequent communication she would usually get back to us within a few days. Farida was flexible and professional to work with, she did her best to accommodate our requests and give us insights as to what arrangements would be best. The venue indicated it could host 50-60 people indoors and up to 100 outdoors but you would have to rent a tent. For our guest count of 55, we intended to have three of each 60" and 72" round tables but on the day of the wedding had two 72" that could fit 10-12 people and four 60" tables that could fit 8-10 people. The spacing in the main reception room was somewhat tight with six tables, so we forewent a sweetheart table and it worked out for the best. Between the buffet section and the tables in the main reception room was a small area that was crucial to place our wedding arch, the cake on a small table we brought, and serve as a small dance area for the parents' dances and first couple dance.

Since it was raining, we managed to take many family portraits either inside the venue or just under the awning on the patio area and having these amenities was a big help. We situated the DJ we hired with the venue speaker system by the main guest entrance in the side room opposite the main bathroom. We had our DJ provide uplighting as Farida pointed out that the venue lights are bright and not really dimmable for dancing purposes. We had access to the upstairs rooms (two bedrooms, bathroom, and a lounge) at which we got ready or where the kids played. Merced had a few extra bowls or trays if we had lacked one or two with some of our appetizers and main entrees. Merced provided the rectangular metal chafing dishes for our main entrees plus smaller circular chafing dishes for our appetizers. While Merced provided the tables, chairs, linens, paper towels, and garbage bags, we provided our plates, cutlery, napkins, cups, serving utensils, and other catering supplies for our cocktail hour appetizers and entrees. It was great that we could provide all of our own alcohol, sodas, and waters and there were some venue-provided coolers and cooling containers by the bar area for guests to quickly grab drinks out of. There is a second bathroom available to guests behind the bar, but the bar door makes it less desirable or obvious to use.

The venue contract negotiation experience was reasonable, and while it took some time to finalize the contract, Farida secured our wedding date so we felt reassured. We initially only paid for 2 attendants and 1 bartender for 5 hours, but we realized more staff and time would be needed. Merced ended up providing 4 attendants, which was a huge help for most services like setup and clean up (but not for dishwashing). We had access to the venue for most of the day but we had to be cleaned up and out of the venue by the 11pm end time per town ordinance. In the kitchen, Sol and the attendants went above and beyond to finish baking a roast pig a caterer had undercooked. We had taken most of our belongings at the end of the night, but some leftover trays of food were forgotten in the fridge. We found out later that the leftover trays were thrown out, and wish Sol could have called us before that had to happen. It might serve Merced Manor well to have a comprehensive FAQ available as many wedding couples likely have similar questions. Overall, we felt the Merced Group took great care of our wedding event needs and we would be happy to host another event there! Thank you...

Me and my husband had our 10 year vow renewal at Merced Manor we requested the weekend getaway package and we felt at home. Farida the owner is very attentive to all messages, and phone conversations. We set up for a tour of the venue in Feb of 2024 last year to set up a date for around April 2025 we left the venue in complete awe it was so perfect the view, the place Farida is so pleasant she’s amazing to say, and any questions she answered. As I finally confirmed with my husband on a date we messaged her and gave her a save a date. She proceeded with the contract and since we were so early on the date way early she didn’t rush us for the deposit.

We later on in the year spoke over the phone about catering and I of course wanted Puerto Rican food and she suggested her mom (Sol) with an amazing menu titled “Witas Kitchen” with many choice’s of traditional Puerto Rican dishes and very reasonable prices. Farida also has great suggestions for decorators, photographers, Music(DJ) which I followed and requested their services. And any questions you may have she has the answers for planning your event.

Since it was winter when we visit the Venue, And our set date was set in spring the view was still clear and amazing but the weather for our weekend only was for rain and it was a bit nippy I will say.

Decorator came in early and decorated as we slept and when the decorator was finished I was asked to do the walk through and everything I had envisioned my ceremony to be was created.

Merced Manor crew arrived supervised by Sol( Farida’s Mom) came through and organized for the event, and I must say it was so hard to prepare ourselves because the aroma of “Witas Kitchen” food was everywhere most of all the Pernil 🤤(RoastedPork).

As we each prepared for our event All the services we hired for our event were present early and were all set up for the event. DJ on deck, photographer on deck, Photo Booth on deck the event was set for 50 and everyone fit perfectly as we came down the stairs with our two sons to walk to our assigned area to exchange our renew vows. Merced Manor crew had the catering ready for our guest to serve themselves every one commented and were so impressed with the food as they asked us “Who cooked the food?” I answered “ The owner of Merced Manor Farida beautiful mom Sol ☀️ her name was so meant for her because she was such a pleasure to work with she became family everyone called her by her name if they needed anything she was so attentive to us and all the guest so as much the whole crew! As the night flowed and all was calm my husband requested if it was possible to play a game of dominoes inside since the weather wasn’t in our control 😉 and Sol didn’t hesitate to say of course.

I will finish my long written review to say Merced Manor is a 5 star Venue it is located in the most beautiful area in NJ the site, the Venue, the rooms, the Merced Crew that Farida has working for her there with trust is so amazing especially her Mother Sol ☀️♥️ who supervised and cooked amazing traditional Puerto Rican dishes that everyone left mouth watering 😉🤤 the desserts of Flan and Arroz con dulce which left so quickly 😩😩 the attention that was given to us and our guest the crew felt like family. Farida couldn’t be present she is not only a boss lady she is a mom she had mommy duties. She had her mom handle and supervise and I see where Farida gets her amazing personality from.

Thank you so much for accommodating us, our family and friends. With a big hug 🫂 Farida and Sol, and crew we are so grateful and so pleased we had our event at your Venue. I will do another event here...

Words cannot express the extreme gratitude I have for this location, its owners and staff. My wedding weekend was amazing. It rained and I was able to contact Farida and she quickly gave me ideas to pivot my ceremony layout. The staff arrived and promptly it was all hands on deck to help so my guests wouldn’t get wet since I didn’t have a tent and my reception area was set up already. They made sure my family was taken care of and that we had what we needed. The check in and out process went smoothly. Not to mention Farida also came in clutch with vendor referrals that also made our day happen. It’s like family. My family and guests enjoyed and loved the environment and ambiance of Merced Manor. We can’t wait for another family event where we can book Merced Manor. Thank you again! And God bless you always. Love Mr &...