06/15/2026
Every once in a while, someone asks Joanne and me how we got started in the wedding business.
Our story actually begins in December of 1988 when we were married. Just two days after our wedding, we opened our first restaurant in Interlochen, Bob & Jo's. Before long, we started receiving requests to cater weddings and special events. We gladly accepted those opportunities, and Joanne naturally took on the role of coordinating the weddings.
What we quickly discovered was that many brides and grooms were facing unnecessary stress and confusion on what should have been one of the happiest days of their lives. That's when we decided there had to be a better way.
Our vision was simple: create an all-inclusive wedding experience where couples could relax and enjoy their special day while our team handled the details. That vision led us to open our first wedding venue, Timberlee Resort, in the 1996. After four wonderful years, we made the move and opened GreyStone Weddings in 2000.
Along the way, we also operated La Belle Vue and later made the big leap by opening Visions on West Grand Traverse Bay. After 15 amazing years at Visions, we decided to focus our full attention on GreyStone, where our heart has always been.
This year, GreyStone celebrates 26 years, while the Sika family marks more than 55 years in the Traverse City hospitality and food service industry. Over the last 30+ years of weddings, we've seen just about everything—and learned a thing or two along the way.
GreyStone has always been a family business. Our son Jamie helps maintain our beautiful gardens and grounds, while our son Corwin works alongside me in our catering and banquet operations. We are also blessed with an incredible staff that we consider family.
From day one, weddings have been our focus. In fact, they're really all we do. Our goal has always been to provide a truly stress-free wedding day and an experience that allows couples and their families to enjoy every moment.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey is that we're now hosting weddings for the children of couples who were married at GreyStone years ago. There is something incredibly special about being part of multiple generations of family celebrations.
I love helping couples plan a day they'll remember for the rest of their lives, and I thank God every day that we have been trusted with thousands of weddings over the years.
If you're looking for a true wedding venue—not just a place to host an event—but a team with decades of experience that will be with you from the day you choose your date until the moment you say goodbye to your last guest, GreyStone is your venue.
Thank you for allowing the Sika family to be part of so many love stories. ❤️
