our story

Built in 1850, the historic homestead was established in the rural suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina by Adam Ivy using the value of a single piece of gold dust earned from a local gold mine. After almost 40 years raising his family in the home, Adam Ivy sold the house to Dr. James D. Nisbet.

It was then that Dr. Nisbet retired from New York City, renovated the house, and built multiple barns for the estate to operate as a working dairy farm until the late 1950s. After he and his wife died, the house sat vacant until Dr. Nesbit’s descendant, Genie Graham and her husband, Terry, purchased the 33-acre estate in 1978.

After raising their children on the property, their daughters were married in their own backyard. The Grahams realized their property was unique and in 2012, they opened up their garden estate to the public so others could create lasting memories with their own families and loved ones.

Kelly Martin

The Wedding Whisperer

After earning her master’s degree in professional counseling from Georgia State University, Kelly decided to switch up her career and follow her passion for planning weddings + events in 2003. With over 20 years of experience in the event industry, Kelly joined The Ivy Place as the venue manager in February of 2023. Her wealth of knowledge about the Charlotte wedding scene makes her the go-to contact for engaged couples and their planners.

Kelly is partial to garden venues, as she was married to her husband, Brad, 20 years ago in an outdoor garden venue in Georgia! When she’s not giving tours or talking weddings, you can find her at home - decorating, entertaining or hanging out with Brad and their sons, Colby and Cooper. You may even spot 18-year old, Colby, working behind the scenes at The Ivy Place!

  • Stuart Graham

    The Manager

    Son of Genie and Terry and a graduate from University of South Carolina, Stuart left the banking corporate world in 2020 to join the family business. As the Business Manager for both the venue and the working farm, Stuart is always thinking up new + innovative ways to improve The Ivy Place experience. You will likely see Stuart everywhere around the property! From being the face of the Berry Farm, to wedding-day setup and prep, Stuart is an integral part of all facets of The Ivy Place.

    Married to Julie since 2005, they have 3 kids together – Sarah, Rachel and Stuart. When he’s not at The Ivy Place, you can find Stuart and Julie cheering on their kids at all their sporting + outdoor events. Like his dad, Stuart also believes in giving back to the community and serves as the treasurer for his church and councilmember for the Town of Van Wyck.

  • Nancy Graham

    The Flower Child

    Daughter of Terry and Genie, Nancy was the first person to get married at The Ivy Place, paving the way for one of our most popular ceremony sites, aptly called “Nancy’s Arbor.” A licensed landscape architect with a degree from Clemson, Nancy joined the family business in 2021. With her extensive knowledge and passion for flowers, Nancy has expanded the flower farm and added even more beautiful varieties of cut flowers. She also heads up the Garden Design branch of The Ivy Place, designing residential and commercial gardens + landscape.

    At The Ivy Place, you are most likely to see Nancy spending time with her babies (flowers). And at home, she is happiest gardening, or playing with her actual (human) babies, Edie and Winston.

  • Genie Graham

    The Gardener

    A Charlotte native and master gardener, Genie met Terry in her junior year of college while studying abroad in England. After returning to the states in 1976, she finished her studies at Randolph-Macon College in Lynchburg, VA, earning a bachelor’s degree in history. The following year, Genie and Terry had a garden wedding in her parent’s backyard. In 1978, Genie put her gardening skills to the test as she and Terry began the transformation of their newly acquired family property. From a neglected and overgrown “jungle” to the ethereal English-cottage gardens you see today, Genie has been working hard for over 40 years to build and maintain her beautiful gardens.

    Genie is happiest in her flower gardens. If you don’t see her weeding or planting in the gardens, you may find her relaxing on the front porch with a book in hand and possibly a cat (or two) at her feet.

  • Terry Graham

    The Farmer

    Also known as “Mr. Fix It”, Terry is a native of Northern Ireland. Born and raised on his family dairy farm near Londonderry, he is no stranger to “a hard day’s work.” After meeting his wife, Genie, in college in England, Terry graduated with a degree in Agriculture, and followed Genie back to her hometown of Charlotte. In 1978, they moved to Van Wyck, SC and began their labor of love we now call The Ivy Place.

    Most of the structures you see at The Ivy Place were built by Terry’s own two hands. You will most likely find him working in the fields, riding a tractor, or picking various fruits and veggies from the berry farm. Terry is also a big believer in giving back to the community and serves on the Lancaster County Council.

We are a family-run business committed to preserving the natural beauty of our land and protecting it from development. Our family has partnered with Katawba Valley Land Trust, placing more than 1,000 acres and 3.7 miles of Catawba River frontage in conservation easement.

Settled on 33 acres,

The Ivy Place is not just an event venue.

We are also home to a working farm with a private, separate entrance. Known for our flowers and fresh blackberries, strawberries and blueberries, we love to host visitors in the Charlotte area for you-pick family fun and a wide selection of local produce.

Couples frequently embrace the rustic charm of a farm setting by incorporating elements such as fresh florals, locally sourced honey, farm-fresh produce in dinner or drinks, and handcrafted items into their welcome bags.

Vendor Partnerships