Styled Shoot: Rustic chic cocktail party
Built in 1919, The Carriage House is one of the oldest buildings at the estate. We’re excited to see new life breathed into it. With exposed brick, cement floors, and wood details throughout - it lends itself to either an industrial or rustic vibe. The Carriage House sits right on the edge of the Saugatuck Dunes State Park and has beautiful views of both the forest and Felt Mansion. It provides a more casual and intimate setting for smaller events.
Part of the fun of a destination wedding is not only getting a mini vacation, but spending more time celebrating with your friends and family. Forgoing a traditional rehearsal dinner and opting for a welcome cocktail party is a great way to make sure you get to spend more time with your guests! This styled shoot gives you a little idea of what that might look like. We worked with an awesome team of event pros to bring this concept to life.
Holden Michael Events led the way with planning and design. Here’s what they had to say about the shoot:
Designing for a cocktail party is as much about the layout and the flow of the space as it is the decor. You want to create spaces for conversation. The communal farmhouse tables, mix of metal stools and bistro chairs, as well as soft seating from Alpine Events did just that. These also brought in a mix of different wood tones and metals, which played off of the rustic feel of the Carriage House and grounded design. We elevated the design with a few specialty linens, pops of gold in the decor, and the beautiful florals.
We were excited to have Jeanne from Back to the Fuchsia help with the styled shoot! She is a local florist based in Saugatuck who works with many of our couples each summer and we are always excited to see her arrangements. These certainly did not disappoint - the pops of color were perfect for the fall. The pampas grass and bunny tails brought a touch of boho and whimsy.
Of course, you can’t forget the entertainment! When couples ask about a photo booth - Box 6.23 is always at the top of our list. They know how to do fun. Their stylish backdrops and props make taking a photo or creating a Boomerang an absolute blast.
A huge shout out to Samantha Joy Photo for capturing the styled shoot. Check out the photos below!
Credits
Planning & Design: @holdenmichaelevents | Photography: @samanthajoyphoto | Rentals: @alpineeventsmi
Decor Rentals: @eventsicandy | Vintage Glassware: @gigiandlaclede | Specialty Linen Rentals: @bbjlinen
Floral: @back2thefuchsia | Photobooth: @box6.23
Written By: Derrick Bassett-Alee, Venue Manager for The Felt Estate. Derrick has been a venue manager for The Felt Estate since 2018. He oversees wedding, corporate event, and private event rentals for the estate.