Madison and Jason’s fall wedding at Ivy House in Saugatuck was warm, joyful and full of meaning from the first details to the last slice of late night pizza. Their day had velvet bridesmaid dresses in rich fall colors, a ceremony inside a glass greenhouse and a grand entrance I’ll be talking about for a long time.
If you’re planning an Ivy House Saugatuck wedding, this day is a great look at how much this property has to offer. Getting ready, the ceremony, cocktail hour, portraits and the reception all happened right there, with a different backdrop around every corner.
Ivy House in Saugatuck
Ivy House is part of The Grant Collection and sits on seven acres along Blue Star Highway, just outside downtown Saugatuck. The property has a white greenhouse for ceremonies, a bright reception hall with wood beams and greenery chandeliers, a covered patio for cocktail hour and two getting-ready suites. Ivy climbs the pergolas and trellises all over the grounds, which makes the name feel just right.
As a photographer, I love how many options there are without ever leaving the property. White walls and soft window light inside, glass and greenery in the greenhouse and open lawns, tall pines and white fences outside.
Meaningful wedding day details
Madison and Jason’s details told their story. Madison wore her grandmother’s necklace, and Jason wore cufflinks that belonged to his dad. Both of Jason’s parents have passed away, so having his dad’s cufflinks with him was a beautiful way to carry them into the day.
And those bridesmaid dresses! Madison chose velvet in rust, mustard and deep green, and I couldn’t get enough of how the colors played with the fall florals. Hanging next to her gown in the bridal suite, they set the tone for the whole day.
Getting ready at Ivy House
Madison got ready in the bridal suite, where the big windows fill the room with soft light. Bombshell Blow Dry Bar did her hair and makeup, and her gown came from The Wedding Shoppe in Berkley. Before seeing Jason, Madison shared a first look with her dad, which was such a sweet way to start the afternoon.
Over in the groom’s suite, Jason got ready with his guys before heading out for portraits.
Bridal portraits in the greenhouse
The greenhouse is one of my favorite places for portraits at Ivy House. The glass walls let in so much natural light, and the greenery outside the windows makes the perfect backdrop. Madison’s fall bouquet from Mitten Floral was the star here, with dahlias, fall foliage and long ribbons in deep red and rust.
Velvet bridesmaid dresses and the wedding party
Madison’s bridesmaids in mixed velvet were made for this greenhouse. Jason’s groomsmen kept it classic in black tuxes with rust ties to tie everything together.
A greenhouse ceremony
Guests walked past a terracotta welcome sign into the greenhouse, where Mitten Floral filled the space with fall arrangements on wood pedestals and draped greenery overhead. Madison’s dad walked her across the grounds and down the aisle, and the light coming through the glass roof was dreamy for the whole ceremony.
Cocktail hour on the patio
After the ceremony, guests headed to the patio for cocktail hour. Coastal Reserve passed appetizers, and the bar served signature cocktails while everyone soaked up the fall sunshine. Their coordinator, Nature Miller with The Grant Collection, kept everything flowing so smoothly that Madison and Jason could actually enjoy it.
Portraits around the property
We snuck away for a few more portraits before the reception. The wind caught Madison’s veil outside the greenhouse, and the floral mural wall gave us something fun and different.
An Ivy House reception
The reception hall at Ivy House is bright and airy, with vaulted wood beams and big greenery chandeliers. Green linens, rust napkins, amber glassware and Mitten Floral centerpieces carried the fall colors through every table.
A grand entrance as the Cloonan family
This was one of the coolest moments of the day. Madison and Jason got engaged a couple of years ago and have since welcomed their children, so for their entrance they introduced each side of the family one by one, finishing with their own: the Cloonan family. Madison was finally a Cloonan, and the whole room cheered. Matthew Duncan had every guest spinning their napkins over their heads, which always makes an entrance feel so epic.
Dinner and dessert
Dinner from Coastal Reserve was as beautiful as it was delicious. For dessert, Sweet Details GR brought s’mores tarts, cupcakes and towers of treats. The owner is a dear friend of mine, and her desserts never disappoint.
First dance and a full dance floor
Madison and Jason’s first dance was full of smiles. For the father-daughter dance, Madison danced with her dad while Jason danced with their daughter, and it was one of the sweetest moments of the night. Then Matthew Duncan opened up the dance floor and kept it full until the very end.
Late night snack? Back Alley Pizza from nearby Douglas, and it didn’t last long.
Vendors
Venue: Ivy House, The Grant Collection
Coordinator: Nature Miller with The Grant Collection
Photographer: Kara Hanes Photography
Catering: Coastal Reserve
Florals: Mitten Floral
Desserts: Sweet Details GR
DJ: Matthew Duncan Music
Hair and Makeup: Bombshell Blow Dry Bar
Bridal Gown: The Wedding Shoppe
Late Night Snack: Back Alley Pizza
Planning your Saugatuck wedding
Whether you’re dreaming of a greenhouse ceremony at Ivy House or something right on the Lake Michigan shoreline, I’d love to hear about your plans. Reach out here and let’s chat.
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