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Questions
Everything we are asked, grouped so you can find your question rather than read all of them. The homepage and the Weddings page each carry a shorter set that links back here.
The basics
How many guests can you seat?
Emerson Lounge seats up to 100 guests.
Where are you exactly?
Emerson is located at 3657 63rd St in Saugatuck, just minutes from downtown Saugatuck and a short drive from Lake Michigan.
What is included with the venue rental?
Venue rental includes exclusive use of the property for the entire day, access to the getting-ready space and Emerald Suite starting at 9 AM, round and rectangular tables, high-top tables, chairs, outdoor furniture, fire pits, and setup and teardown of these items. It also includes a layout meeting with our team and use of all outdoor spaces.
Booking and dates
Is my date available?
You can check before you contact us. Nothing is held until we have spoken and signed, so an open date is an invitation rather than a promise.
Do you hold dates?
No, due to having limited availability, we do not place dates on hold. Dates are secured once your contract is signed and payment is received.
What is the deposit?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your date and cover initial wedding costs.
What does a wedding start at?
Wedding venue rental starts at $1,900. Your total investment will depend on your date, guest count, and selections, including optional coordination or planning packages, decor, and bar service.
When is the final guest count due?
Four weeks before the wedding.
Is rehearsal time included?
A one-hour rehearsal from 8 to 9 a.m. the day before the event is included with the ceremony fee.
Catering, Desserts, & Dinnerware
What catering options are available?
Catering is available through our curated list of West Michigan caterers, with Coastal Reserve Catering as our exclusive in-house catering option. View our preferred caterer list here.
May we bring dessert or late-night food?
Yes, from a vendor with a food license and insurance.
Where do we rent dinnerware?
All dinnerware is required to be rented through the venue. The cost is $7 per person (plus a 20% service fee), which ihncludes all flatware, plates, and water goblets.
Bar & Alcohol
May we bring our own alcohol?
No, we require use of one of our bar packages that includes beer, wine, and liquor. Our bar packages can also be customized for an additional fee.
Can we customize the bar package?
Yes, additional options and customizations are available for an added fee.
When do we choose our bar package?
Bar packages are finalized closer to your wedding date once we have a more accurate guest count. Your Emerson event manager or coordinator will walk you through the available options and help you choose what works best for your group.
The day itself
What can we access the space?
The Emerald Suite opens at 9 a.m. Emerson Lounge opens at noon and closes one hour after the bar closes.
Will another event take place the same day?
The venue and its spaces are yours for the day, with our team focused on your event from start to finish.
What decor options are available?
We have an in-house decor company, Charm Decor House, where you can meet with the team to plan the details of your day. Rent from their collection or bring your own decor, the choice is yours.
Do we need a day-of coordinator?
We highly recommend enhancing your experience with our Wedding Coordination service, beginning six months prior to your wedding date, or our Full Wedding Planning service, beginning one year prior to your wedding date.
How many parking spaces are available, and may cars stay overnight?
80 spaces; overnight parking is permitted.
The 2027 expansion
How will we keep you updated?
We’ll keep communication clear throughout the process. Clients will receive updates by email as the 2027 expansion takes shape, and we’ll share behind-the-scenes progress on Instagram. Follow along to see what’s happening at Emerson.
Are you accepting new events in December and January?
We’re not accepting new events at Emerson in December or January while construction continues. We’ll resume events as we move into the 2027 season.
Still have a question?
Ask it in the form and we will answer it ourselves, not with a brochure.
