The Melhorn Manor Difference

Allory Melhorn

Hi! My name is Allory Melhorn and I am the fourth-generation co-owner of Melhorn Manor with my wife, Jessica Melhorn. The farm on which Melhorn Manor is located has been in my family for a little over 100 years, dating back to 1919, when the property was originally owned by my Great Grandfather, Christian Arthur Melhorn. The Melhorns are deeply rooted in Mount Joy and have played a very large role in shaping the town into what it is today!

I was born and raised right here in Mount Joy, PA by my father, John Melhorn, and mother, Sandra Melhorn. I went to Kraybill Mennonite School for K-8 then graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School (LMH) in 2009. After graduating from LMH, I went to Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Exton, PA. Then finally Graduated from UTI’s Phoenix, Arizona location with a degree in Diesel Technology specializing in Cummins Diesel Engines in 2011. After graduating from UTI, I was the shop manager for my father and mother at their poultry hauling company, Melhorn Sales, Service and Trucking Company.

In December of 2013 my father passed away. Little did I know this would be the beginning of the creation of Melhorn Manor. I met Jess in 2014 and we got engaged in December 2016. We purchased the property, soon to be known as Melhorn Manor, from my mother in the Spring of 2017. After performing ten months of renovations to the property, Jess and I were the first couple to get married at Melhorn Manor!

Being raised in a family of business owners, it has always been a dream of mine to go into business myself and I am so thankful for the opportunity! During the weekdays you can find me meeting new couples and giving tours of the property, handling social media posts and marketing for our business, overseeing projects around the venue, and traveling to local businesses to pick up and return rental items for weekend events. On wedding and event days, you can find me overseeing each event to create a stress-free, seamless experience. I have such a huge passion for helping others and planning their special day! It brings me so much joy to watch others enjoy our property of which I have many great memories growing up. I cannot wait to meet you and assist you in planning one of the biggest milestones of your life!

Jess Melhorn

Hello! My name is Jessica Melhorn. My husband, Allory Melhorn, and I are the co-owners of Melhorn Manor. One day back in August 2016, Allory (my boyfriend at the time), asked if I wanted to own my own wedding venue. I looked at him in shock and disbelief that he wanted to own and operate a wedding venue, but in one short year, the dream became our reality! Allory proposed on December 17, 2016. We started our business and renovated the property in the Spring and Summer of 2017, and then opened our doors on September 30, 2017, our wedding day!

I was born in Ithaca, New York, while my father was finishing his graduate degree at Cornell University. My family moved back to Pennsylvania, and I grew up in the Reading area, graduating from Wilson High School in 2004. I played soccer and volleyball while in school and you could always find me at our home football games and men’s volleyball games cheering on the Bulldogs! After high school, I attended Millersville University and received my dual Elementary and Special Education teaching degree, graduating in 2009. Since I was 17 years old, I have worked in the service industry as a server and bartender in addition to teaching for more than a decade in the field of education.

I made the very difficult decision to stop teaching (for now) after having our son, Miles Melhorn, in August 2020. Miles is such a joy and blessing in our lives and fulfilled my #1 dream of becoming a mother. In April 2023, Allory and I welcomed our sweet, energetic Shelby Melhorn to our family. Miles and Shelby make our hearts so full, and we couldn’t be more excited to watch them grow and learn the ins and outs of the business world and wedding and event industry!

I absolutely love helping and blessing others any chance I can get! I personally meet with all our couples six months and one month out from their special day to help coordinate and answer any questions they have. I love getting to know our couples and helping them plan one of the biggest days of their lives while easing the stress along the way. I also orchestrate all ceremony rehearsals and can be found coordinating and assisting wherever needed on the day of to ensure all details go exactly as planned. I do everything I can to ensure everyone’s special day is perfect, stress-free, and full of love! I can’t wait to meet you and help you plan your dream wedding!

Tanya

Hi! I’m Tanya Spiece—a wife, proud mom of three wonderful girls, and someone who found her true calling in the wedding industry as a Melhorn Manor bride in 2020. Saying “I do” at The Manor sparked my passion for event planning and deepened my love for all things weddings.

Today, I’m fortunate to bring that passion full circle as part of the Melhorn team. I wear many hats—setting up beautiful spaces for weddings and special events, assisting couples on their big day, and coordinating behind the scenes to ensure everything runs flawlessly. You’ll also find me behind the bar, making sure beverage service is seamless and every guest feels taken care of.

Having experienced Melhorn as both a bride and now an employee gives me a unique perspective on the emotions and details that shape a wedding day. I strive to bring that understanding to every couple I work with, creating a smooth, stress-free, and joy-filled experience for everyone involved.

When I’m not at The Manor, you’ll likely find me tending to my 11 chickens, crafting colorful balloon arches for my side business, or enjoying time with my family and our two lovable (and usually sleepy) French Bulldogs.

Courtney

Hi, I’m Courtney McWilliams! I wear many hats…I’m a proud mom to a sweet little girl, a wife, a full-time teacher, and a former bride here at Melhorn Manor. I married my husband at this beautiful venue in January of 2023, and the entire experience was so special and seamless that it left a lasting impression on me. I knew I wanted to stay connected to this place that brought so much joy to one of the most important days of my life.

That’s what led me to join the amazing team here as part of the event staff. Being on the other side of the wedding day is such a rewarding experience. I love seeing all the planning come together, watching the venue transform for each unique celebration, and witnessing those unforgettable moments -especially when two families come together as one. It’s a privilege to play a small part in creating those memories for our couples, and I’m so grateful to be part of the Melhorn Manor family.

Maddie

Hello, my name is Madeline Tankesley. I am a mom, wife and lover of all things wedding and event related! I have long been drawn to this field because of the unique privilege it offers—to collaborate with individuals and couples on one of the most significant days of their lives. Melhorn Manor holds a particularly special place in my heart, as my husband and I were married here in the fall of 2024. My mission is to ensure that every wedding and event is executed with the same magic and care that made my own day unforgettable. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether hiking with my dog, playing with my daughter or kayaking.

In my role at Melhorn Manor, I undertake a variety of responsibilities, including event setup, day-of coordination, bartending, and managing behind-the-scenes details that contribute to the seamless flow of each occasion.

What I find most rewarding about working in the wedding industry is witnessing how each couple designs a unique experience for their guests that represents their personalities. The creative possibilities are boundless, and I am honored to be a member of the exceptional team here at Melhorn Manor!

Devyn

Hello! My name is Devyn Tankesley. I started working at Melhorn Manor shortly after my wife and I got married here in October 2024. I strive to make every event run as effortlessly as my own special day did. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family and enjoying hobbies like ice hockey, bowling, and cornhole.

Working alongside the wonderful team at Melhorn Manor, you’ll often find me juggling a variety of tasks—whether it’s setting up the venue, mixing the perfect cocktail behind the bar, or providing hands-on support during events. I’m passionate about helping create memorable experiences for every guest who walks through our doors.

My favorite part about working at Melhorn Manor is the opportunity to be part of so many special moments. Being able to help bring people’s celebrations to life in a place that’s become so meaningful to me is truly rewarding. Every event has its own story, and I love playing a role in making those stories unforgettable.