Ivy House was created after its owners, Candice & Brian Grant, fell in love with the town of Saugatuck, Michigan. This coastal art town is overflowing with music, food, drinks and nightlife.
Ivy House resides on a sprawling 7-acre property that was originally home to a nursery. In 2022 it was transformed into a curated space for couples to celebrate their once-in-a-lifetime love. Since then it has become a destination for couples across the country.
Hi, I’m Lauren the Director of Operations and Events at Ivy House! I have been at Ivy House and Port 393 since May of 2020. When I first started, I was an unpaid intern for five months then, became the Client Experience Manager, and I stepped into my current role as the Director of Operations and Events in February of 2023. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a minor in Business Management. I started at Grant Venues as part of an internship requirement for GVSU. I was not really sure that this was the path that I wanted to take, and it ended up being the thing I was most passionate about. I love that this job is detail heavy, ever changing and is constantly pushing us to elevate and find solutions. I love finding solutions to problems, increasing efficiency, using my creative side and working amongst some of the best of the vendors in the industry! When I am not at work, I love traveling & hiking with my husband & dog, boating on Lake Michigan, visiting national parks, renovating my home, working in my garden, and spending time with family and friends.
Hi, I’m Wendi, the Food and Beverage Manager at Grant Venues! I have been at Ivy House and Port 393 since October of 2020. When I first started I was solely the Food and Beverage Manager, but as time has gone on my job has evolved. My job has grown to include all ordering and scheduling of the Bar (Bar Manager), helping plan and manage special events, write menus and manage corporate events. I graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas Texas with a degree in Practical Theology (from Christ for the Nations); and Certified Sommelier (from the Court of Master Sommeliers). My background is in the fine dining aspect of hospitality so my favorite thing to do is to offer over the top service. I love the interaction with people and being able to teach them about fine wines or champagnes or spirits. To see them being able to experience something they never have before and love it. When I'm not at work I love being able to take my kids out to enjoy the outdoors: to the beach, on a hike or a simple bike ride to the park. I love cooking with them, and by myself, and am starting to learn more about the fascinating world of mixology.
Hi, I’m Linda the Corporate Events Manager at Grant Venues! I have been at Ivy House and Port 393 since August of 2021. I graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Advertising. I love to elevate corporate client experiences and see the guest's happiness when they attend. Even a standard business meeting can have a spin. It's all about creating special touches, capturing details and making planning fun. The diversity of working with corporate, nonprofits and all types of organizations is energizing. When I'm not at work, you'll find me on the pickleball court, traveling or entertaining family & friends.
Hi, I’m Ellyse the Marketing Assistant at Grant Venues! I have been at Ivy House and Port 393 since May of 2023. I graduated from Cornerstone University with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and a minor in Digital Media. I have an eye for photography, am organized, creative, and detail oriented. When I am not at work, I enjoy photography, reading, spending time with my family and friends, fitness, and hiking.
Hi, I’m Emma the Administrative Assistant at Grant Venues! I have been at Ivy House and Port 393 since May of 2023. I graduated from Southeastern University with a degree in Organizational Leadership with a focus in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Graphic Design & Business. I am detail oriented, organized in my day to day, enjoy creative/art design & interior design, excel certified, and very articulate. When I am not at work, I enjoy thrifting, going up north MI, running, film photography, eye for design, creating art, flipping furniture, and anything vintage!
Hi, I’m Alison, a Day of Coordination Manager. When I first started here at Ivy House and Port 393 in October of 2022, I stepped into the Day of Coordinator position. I love making people’s wedding dreams become a reality. The clients and the team I get to work with daily are my favorite part of this job. When I am not at work, I love to train and compete in canoe races!
Hi, I’m Chloe, a Day of Coordinator here at Ivy House! I have been at Ivy House and Port 393 since June of 2022. When I started, I was a Venue Assistant, I moved into Venue Specialist and Event Manager, and now I am a Day of Coordinator. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Meeting and Events. I love working with people, am detail-oriented, a planner, a problem solver, love to train others, and am a problem solver. When I am not at work, I love to spend time with my dog Arlo and my family. I love Disney. In the winter I love to go downhill skiing, and in the summer I love to go up to the lake house.
Hi, I’m Heather, a Venue Manager here at Ivy House! I started at Port 393 and Ivy House in January of 2023 where I began as a Venue Assistant and moved up to Venue Management after a few months. I graduated from Grand Rapids Community College with a degree in Arts. At Grant Venues, I love being able to see visions come to life, be creative and put ideas together to make them unique, and I LOVE to help people feel good about the planning process helping them feel like they are in good hands! When I am not at work, I love to be outside, whether that's on a hike or at the beach! I love a good shopping spree and really like to do photography in my free time! A fun fact about me: I got married at Ivy House in September of 2022!
Hi, I’m Austin, an Event Manager here at Ivy House! I first started at Grant Venues in October of 2022 where I began as a Venue Assistant and Bartender. I then moved into the role of Assistant Bar Manager, eventually becoming Event/Venue Manager as my current position. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Social Work. I love working with my team to provide great memories and experiences for all clientele at Port 393 and Ivy House. When I am not at work, I enjoy cooking and creating new drink recipes with friends and family.
Hi, I’m Tiffany, a Day of Coordinator here at Ivy House! I joined the Grant Venues team in March of 2023! I graduated from Hope College with a degree in English Literature with a Creative Writing Emphasis. I adore all aspects of designing and executing a couple's dream day. I am a detail-oriented, people person and I love to get to know my clients and what makes their story unique. When I am not coordinating weddings, I am busy coordinating my five children! We love to hike, cook and play baseball. I am also an avid reader/writer.
Hi, I’m Katy the Decor Manager here at Ivy House! I have been at Ivy House and Port 393 for a year now and I first began at Ivy House in the fall of 2022 where I started as a Venue Assistant. In the spring of 2023, I started doing Venue Specialist and Venue Management training. Now, I have been given the privilege of being the Decor Manager! I love getting to be a small part of helping put together people's vision of their special day. It's something that feels so rewarding to me. I enjoy seeing events all come together and how happy guests are & how beautiful all the event photos turn out to be. Outside of work, I enjoy being creative and making art, spending quality time with my family, traveling, going to parks like Pier Cove Beach and rockhounding.
Hi, I’m Savannah, an Event Manager at Ivy House! I joined Grant Venues as a Venue Assistant in July of 2023 and I am now transitioning into my Event Manager Position. I previously attended Ball State University for a short time before returning home to begin working full time. I am a service-oriented person with a passion for helping people create beautiful and memorable experiences! l am new to the team but I am so excited and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of making clients' dreams come true on their happiest day! When I am not at work I love being at the beach, whether I am soaking in the sun, watching a storm roll in, or hiking out on the snow in the winter. I also love singing and am a member of Las Almas, a West Ottawa High School women's alumni ensemble.
Hi, I’m Mackenzie, an Event Manager at Ivy House! I joined Grant Venues as a Venue Assistant in May of 2023 and I am now transitioning into my current Event Manager position. Since starting at Grant Venues I've had the opportunity to work on a range of events and weddings. It's rewarding to see our guests enjoy themselves after all the hard work and planning that went into it. I'm excited to see the events to come! I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. I have a background in organizing events for clubs in college and found a passion for weddings after being part of several and planning my own in 2020. I enjoy working in the background to make a space come alive and seeing the joy on people's faces when they see their vision come to life. When I am not at work and not running around the state of Michigan to see my family on the east side, I like to explore all the fun places on the westside with my husband. I enjoy taking pictures around local parks and gardens and may have a few too many of my cats as well.
Hi, I’m Betsy, the Venue Coordinator at Ivy House! I have been at Ivy House since August of 2023 and worked as a Venue Assistant for 3 months before moving into my current position. I love finding projects that involve improving or fixing things really gratifying. I am very much a problem solver at heart. Sometimes that means finding a solution for storage, fixing something that isn't working properly in the office or kitchen, or even listening to and advising co-workers with personal or work-related issues. When I'm not at work I care for my kids and home. We love to cook dinner together, watch movies, and do puzzles. I also love listening to audiobooks as a way to sneak in my reading! I do photography part-time. It is a great creative outlet and brings me a lot of joy to work with families.