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 The Grant Collection 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 Specialist at The Grant Collection! 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 Business & Creative Administrator 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, the 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 Day of Coordinator here at Ivy House! I started at Port 393 and Ivy House in January of 2023 where I began as a Venue Assistant, moved up to Venue Management after a few months and now I am a Day of Coordinator. 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 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 Danielle, an Event Manager here at the Grant Collection! I joined the team as a Venue Assistant in November of 2023 and have had the wonderful opportunity to develop my passion for creating memorable experiences through events. I love capturing a client’s unique vision and transforming it into an unforgettable reality. It’s important that the planning process be as stress free as possible, so that each couple is able to be present in the moment and enjoy the celebration of their special day! I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations as well as a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. Something fun about me is that I am ordained! While I have not used it yet, I know it will come in handy one day and can’t wait to use it! When I’m not at work, you’ll find me with a book in hand, traveling or spending time with friends & family!
Hi, I’m Gina Vander Zwaag, an Event Manager here at The Grant Collection! I started here October of 2022 through a co-op opportunity through my high school. I started as a Venue assistant and then a Venue Specialist and now am an Event Manager! I currently attend college at GRCC which allows me to focus on work. I plan on graduating from Davenport with a degree in Business Management! I enjoy watching a couple's vision come to life and seeing the joy people share on their magical wedding day. I bring a strong passion and love for what I do which allows me to provide amazing and memorable experiences. Something fun to know about me is that I am fluent in Spanish! When I’m not at work, I often catch sunsets at the beach with my friends, being outside with my dogs when the weather allows, and enjoy cuddling up on the couch and watching a good Netflix series.
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.
Hi, I'm Andy, Bar Manager at The Grant Collection! I've been working here since February of 2024 and I love the energy and variety that comes with working behind the bar as well as managing it! I graduated from Hope College with a B.A. in psychology, and I'm passionate about working with others and tackling complex, unmusical projects that keep me on my toes. Each shift brings something new, and I enjoy the excitement of never having two identical days! Outside of work, you can usually find me on the golf course, hanging out with my family, or at a concert or live sporting event.
Hi, I’m Kat, a Venue & Event Manager at The Grant Collection! I joined in May 2024 as a Venue Assistant, moved up to Venue Specialist, and now I’m thrilled to be an Event Manager. I graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a degree in Furniture Design & Product Design. With my design background, I love paying attention to the little details in every aspect of planning. Meeting new people and pushing the boundaries with different designs, colors, styles, and layouts keeps things exciting! When I’m not working, I love going on walks to the lake with my husband and our pup, crafting, and spending time painting.