The Big Beautiful Greenhouse
If you’ve made the long, dusty drive down Harvard Rd for a Fête en Rouge or a wedding, you know the moment that big, beautiful white greenhouse pops up over the hillside like something out of a dream. That is the Greenhouse on Harvard, and for the third year running, they are opening their doors to host Vested’s biggest night of the year.
Before we dive into next week’s Fête, I wanted to share more about the people behind the Greenhouse. Owner Aly Elston shares how the venue came to be, what it’s like working with family, and what makes our night in red so special.
Photo by Emily Star Poole
What’s the story behind The Greenhouse on Harvard? What made you and Mike decide to open a venue where you did?
Aly: We started with an event rental business, which got us into the wedding industry. We delivered tables and chairs to multiple styles of venues and a lot of backyards. That got us talking about things we liked and things we'd do differently if we had our own venue. That talking turned into planning, and planning turned into buying property and building the Greenhouse. As for the location, we looked at other properties and, to be honest, each time we drove out to them it left us in a bad mood and at odds with each other, so we took that as a sign that we should look elsewhere.
Why a greenhouse? Were there any challenges with building the venue you didn’t anticipate?
Aly: When designing our venue we looked at what else was being offered in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area. We wanted to create something unique that would be timeless. I have always been drawn to glass structures and greenhouses - they are just so simple and beautiful with or without plants. We found some inspo photos and a company to work with and went from there. And if anyone did not have any challenges during the building process they can consider themselves lucky!
You work with your husband, Mike. What’s it like building something together, and how do you divide the work?
Aly & Mike Elston, Owners of the Greenhouse on Harvard
Aly: It's amazing that we get to live out here and work on our property. There are so many pros to being self-employed and the flexible schedule during the week allows for plenty of family time while still being able to get our work done. Mike is typically the one who is available during the weddings. He's great at thinking on his feet and loves to entertain. I prefer to do more of the behind the scenes work. We take turns doing tours and walkthroughs, and divvy up the clerical work. Oh, and Mike also does the phone calls since I hate doing that lol.
What kind of events feel most “you” at the venue? Is there a type of gathering you love hosting most?
Aly: Our annual Friendsgiving is an event we look forward to all year. It’s a chance for our friends to gather and for us all to enjoy the Greenhouse for ourselves and eat some good food. It's a different kind of hosting where we get to be in charge of the vibes, and I get to be a little creative with the decor and put some of my ideas to use.
What do you want people to feel the moment they walk through the door?
Aly: We want people to feel welcome and at ease out here. Most of our events are weddings, and on those days especially, we want guests to feel like they can take their time, not like we're rushing them through or cranking out ceremonies one after another. That's not the vibe. So much time and planning goes into a wedding day, and we want our couples and their guests to be able to relax and actually enjoy it.
Photo by Emily Star Poole
We’ve been down the long gravel road to the greenhouse for the Fête - you could say your venue is a bit of a hidden gem! What do you love about hosting events out here, away from the city center?
Aly: We love the wide open space and the peacefulness of the land, and love that guests can experience that even for just one night. The ability to spread out, the views, the ambiance, and the sunsets make it worth the scenic drive out here. It was quite a change of lifestyle moving from the South Hill out to Rockford but it has definitely grown on us. I'm not sure I had even heard of Rockford before starting this process but the town itself also holds some hidden gems.
What’s a detail about the space most guests miss on their first visit, but you wish they’d notice?
Aly: Some guests don't get to experience the Greenhouse all lit up depending on the timing of their event, so they miss out on how magical it looks at night.
Is there a moment or event you’ve hosted that stands out as a favorite so far?
Aly: Our very first event at the Greenhouse will always stand out for me. It was the most beautiful photoshoot right after construction was completed, and a couple weeks before the first wedding took place. I remember feeling so emotional that day, like it was the culmination of so much time and energy and work, and that we had actually done it and made this place a reality. We had an incredible team of vendors and talented photographers out, and they truly did the Greenhouse justice. There have been so many beautiful days since that over the last few years, but that one will always be a special one.
Photo by Steve Torres Photography
You have been the generous host of all three Fête en Rouge events, what makes the night so special?
Aly: The Fête is such a magical event!! It's one we look forward to so much each year, and I know we're not alone in that. I think what makes it so special is that all these amazing women and business owners come together for one cause. Yes, there is a chance you might walk away with some seriously cool prize and a tiny tattoo, but it's also a way to give back to the community and do some good for others. Personally, I love the camaraderie that comes from the evening, the shared memories that are made, the friendships that are formed, and also the stuffed red peppers. All of that, plus everyone is all dressed up and looking fabulous in red.
Why are our kids so cute and should they become best friends and maybe married someday?
Aly: They are the CUTEST. I love it when she gets in the car after school and says "I saw Luke today!" like it's a highlight of the day. Also I know of a venue they can use for their wedding lol.
What’s next for you or The Greenhouse, any changes or expansions on the horizon?
Aly: Mike and I are always coming up with new ideas and adding to the space. We have a couple of things in the works, including making updates to the catering and bar areas. Landscaping is always on the horizon (pun intended?), as we want to make more of the property accessible, provide more photo opportunities, and create other spaces that our guests can enjoy and take a moment to relax in. Think garden areas with bird baths and benches and overflowing with flowers.
Want to hear more about Aly and the Greenhouse? Be sure to check out Episode 4 of Vested’s Same Table, where we dive into venue ownership with two incredible female business owners in the event industry. Hope to see you at the Fête!