SAUGATUCK — Wedding planning is often the beginning of a big life change. But for Holland resident Candice Grinwis, getting engaged was the catalyst for an entirely new career.
Grinwis, now Candice Grant, and her husband, Brian, are the owners and operators of Port 393, a wedding and event venue on Cleveland Avenue in Holland. The couple will add a second venue to their operations, Ivy House, in the coming months.
More: New wedding venue to open its doors in Holland
More: Holland wedding venues booking into 2023 after restrictions expire
More: Historic chapel to reopen as wedding venue in Fennville
The beginnings of Port 393 were laid when Candice developed a special attachment to vintage furniture while planning her wedding. In October 2018, she took her own collection and opened My Vintage Affair — a rental company that provided vintage cups, plates, furniture and decorations for weddings.
That business, located at 729 Lincoln Ave. in Holland, closed when the couple began plans for their own 12,000-square-foot event venue, Port 393. The newly constructed building has a capacity of 375, with two full-size bars and five individual restrooms.
After construction and pandemic delays pushed the venue‘s opening back to June 2020, Port 393 became one of the most popular centers in Holland — with local and nonlocal couples booking into 2023.
And now, the time has come to go a step further.
“With Port 393, we really found our passion,” Candice said. “We just absolutely love what we do. The fact is, 2022 is going to be a huge year for weddings, so if ever there was a need for another venue, it’s now.”
Several months ago, the couple stumbled upon a former plant nursery on Blue Star Highway in Saugatuck. That property will soon become Ivy House.
“It was already absolutely beautiful, with all kinds of plants and greenery all around,” Candice said. “It also has a greenhouse, and we thought it would be so beautiful to have a wedding ceremony in a greenhouse. It’s a little bit different.”
The seven-acre property already has two storefronts that will make handy suites for couples to get ready, plus space for an outdoor cocktail hour. Candice and Brian are also planning a 7,000-square-foot reception building.
“We have a lot of clientele that like the idea of something more barn-like, but they don’t like the idea of not having climate control,” Candice said. “They want beautiful, nice bathrooms for their guests, and a luxurious-feeling reception space with coverage and comfort.”
The couple plans to open Ivy House in June 2022, but began their marketing campaign in mid-September.
“We have over 30 weddings booked already,” Candice said. “The need was huge, and this is such a unique space, having an entire property instead of just a building. We’ll be able to do a lot of beautiful things with lighting and plants and greenery.”
Candice and Brian, who prefer to be hands-on with their couples, plan on splitting their time between the venues by traveling throughout the day.
“Every single Friday and Saturday, we’ll be visiting both venues a couple of times,” Candice said. “It’s a huge priority for us, and honestly, it’s also such a joy for us. We’ve met the most amazing people.”
Both venues are also available for family reunions, corporate events, baby showers and more. To learn more, visit ivyhousemi.com and port393.com.
— Contact reporter Cassandra Lybrink at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.