Carly Gritter, owner of Oak and Elm, has dreamt of opening a wedding venue in Holland, MI, since she and her husband, Cory, got engaged and then later married here in 2018. However, the vision for the venue didn’t take form until 2020, when the couple decided to put down roots in the area. For Cory, this meant returning to his hometown. For Carly, it meant giving up her job in commercial real estate management in D.C. to build what will soon be known as one of Holland’s most desirable wedding venues.
Carly’s high-end real estate background has given her an eye for modern luxury, evident in both the big picture and the intentional details of Oak and Elm. Details such as a towering, natural stone, indoor/outdoor fireplace, vaulted ceilings, beautiful wallpaper in the bridal suite, and a nine-foot, wooden entry door are just a glimpse into the thoughtfully designed space. Carly shared that after living out east for so many years, she was inspired by the many beautiful wineries in Virginia.
In fact, the venue is full of nods to Carly and Cory’s family history. The stones for the fireplace are imported from Brookfield, Wisconsin, her hometown. The architectural firm on the project is also out of Wisconsin. Additionally, Carly’s brother has had a hand in much of the building process. Cory and his family, especially his father, as well as their friends have been largely involved in bringing the vision to life. “It has been a real family team effort,” Carly shared. She is also grateful to have the Lakewood Construction team on the job. They’ve put in “a lot of hard work.”
Perhaps the most sentimental connection, though, is the name, Oak and Elm. Carly wanted to come up with a name for her venue that captured the spirit of her father, Perry Boyce, who passed away in 2014. “My family has always been into plants and trees,” she admitted. However, for Perry, trees were more than just a fascination. “He owned a landscaping company, and he had a big tree in his logo. So, we carried that through [to our logo as well].” The venue is set against a backdrop of forestry and features wooden accents throughout, creating the hidden oasis atmosphere that was so important to Carly and to her father. Walking around the property, you can’t hear any street noises or see any houses. Instead, “there are tons of birds and deer” that live in the woods near the property.
Oak and Elm is a beautiful event space, built to hold 200 guests, and it is incredibly customizable to each couple. “If you want to do rustic, I think that style fits. If you want to go super modern, you could do that. Or, more romantic and elegant, I think you can kind of do it all,” Carly explained.
A couple’s ability to customize their wedding doesn’t stop at the styling. Couples can bring in their own vendors so long as they are properly insured and licensed. When it comes to catering and bartending, Oak and Elm couples can choose whatever fits them best. “If you want to bring Chipotle, you can bring Chipotle,” Carly laughed. “We don’t care.”
Oak and Elm is full of intentional details such as outdoor fire pits for cocktail hour or small gatherings during the reception. The bridal suite features a full bathroom, including a shower, and six getting-ready stations. The groom also has his own getting-ready suite. The parking lot is tucked a short walk away, so parked cars won't disrupt the stunning view and intimate atmosphere. However, there is a drop-off zone for handicapped and/or high-heeled guests who’d prefer a shorter walk. The patio will also feature hanging lights and greenery. The large windows lining one side of the reception hall were thoughtfully designed to capture and display the Michigan sunset.
The venue will be available year-round, and with a November soft launch, Carly is hoping for a few Christmas events yet this year. They’re in the finishing phases of construction with a few items yet to check off: getting grass down and waiting for her custom, nine-foot door to come in, being the main two hold-ups. Oak and Elm will also have an outdoor covered pavilion that couples can use for a ceremony space—an addition that will be ready for 2027 spring and summer weddings.
When asked what her favorite part of a wedding is, Carly shared the following reflection on her own wedding day:
“My favorite part of my wedding was that I had all my friends and my family together in one place, which for my husband and me, was rare. He was in the military, so his friends are spread all over. I grew up in Wisconsin, went to school in St. Louis, moved to D.C., and now I’m in Holland. So for me, [the best part about weddings] is that people get to bring everybody together and get to enjoy everybody at one time, which is so rare in your life. You only have a few moments where you can really enjoy everybody all together.”
Carly is looking forward to hosting couples and their loved ones at Oak and Elm. She’s already booked the venue out for seven Saturdays; all reservations were made before the opening or any publicity efforts, which goes to show, perhaps Oak and Elm is exactly what Holland couples needed. “I’m nervous,” she shared, “but I’m really excited. I can’t wait to see it all come together.”
Follow along on Instagram for the latest from Oak & Elm.
Jade Havenaar is a Holland native and a life-long lover of the lake, coffee, and a good book. She’s a former middle school teacher and a published author. After marrying the boy she met in a bar and traveling the US together, she and her husband welcomed their first born and Jade happily added “boy mom” to the list of hats she wears. When she’s not writing or changing diapers, she’s probably out adventuring with her Golden Retriever, Henry.
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