Where Nashville’s History Meets Modern Romance at ELM
Some wedding venues are beautiful. Others tell a story. At ELM, couples find both.
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, ELM occupies the former Elm Street Methodist Church, a landmark built in 1860 and thoughtfully restored as one of the city’s newest event venues. Today, the restored church hosts weddings, celebrations and corporate gatherings while retaining the architectural character and history that make it distinctive.
For co-owner Genie Lee, restoring the building meant preserving an important piece of Nashville’s past while creating a space designed for the city’s future.
“I’m a Nashville native and grew up in Brentwood,” Genie said. “I have always loved historic buildings and the stories they carry. ELM brought together that appreciation for preservation with the opportunity to create a beautiful, meaningful place for people to gather.”
Genie and her business partner, Andrew Tuttle, a Brentwood resident, undertook the transformation of the historic church into a modern event venue. From their first walkthrough, they shared a clear vision for what the building could become.
“We knew from the beginning that we wanted the building itself to be part of the experience,” Andrew said. “Clients shouldn’t have to transform the space before it feels special. The history, architecture and natural beauty are already here.”
The venue’s character begins with the building itself. Originally constructed as Elm Street Methodist Church, it is Nashville’s last remaining Italianate-style church. During the Civil War, the building served as a hospital. Thomas Ryman, who later built the Ryman Auditorium, worshipped there before constructing one of the city’s most iconic music venues. The property later became home to Nashville architecture firm Tuck-Hinton before beginning its newest chapter as ELM.
“Nashville has changed tremendously, and we have lost many buildings that once helped tell the city’s story,” Genie said. “We saw an opportunity to preserve one of those places and give it a new purpose. The goal was never to erase its history, but to ensure that its story could continue.”
Bringing the 166-year-old structure back to life was not without challenges. Unexpected discoveries surfaced during nearly every phase of construction, requiring the team to balance historic preservation with the functionality and technology of a modern event venue.
“With a building this old, you can’t approach the renovation with a rigid plan,” Andrew said. “The building reveals things as you go, and you have to be willing to adapt and find solutions that respect what is already there.”
Today, ELM blends historic architecture with contemporary design. Original architectural details are paired with a clean, editorial-inspired aesthetic that feels elevated while remaining warm, inviting and approachable. The result is a venue with a strong identity that still gives each couple the freedom to make it their own.
ELM accommodates up to 350 guests and can host everything from intimate ceremonies and elegant receptions to corporate functions, live music performances and private events. Its flexible spaces, private Loft Suite and abundant natural light allow couples to hold multiple parts of their wedding day under one roof. The venue also offers something rarely found in downtown Nashville: convenient, on-site parking.
“We have 64 gated parking spaces on-site, which is incredibly rare for a downtown Nashville venue,” Genie said. “It may not be the first thing a couple thinks about when choosing a venue, but it has a real effect on the guest experience.”
Since opening, ELM has quickly become one of Nashville’s hidden gems, with much of its growth fueled by word-of-mouth recommendations. The venue has also reconnected many Nashvillians with a building they remember from its earlier chapters.
For Genie, some of the most meaningful moments come when couples experience the space for the first time.
“There is a moment during a tour when a couple stops looking at the building and begins imagining their wedding here,” Genie said. “You can see them picturing the ceremony, the reception and the people they love filling the room. Knowing those memories could begin here is incredibly rewarding.”
As Nashville continues to grow, Genie and Andrew hope ELM becomes known not only as a wedding venue, but also as a place that honors the city’s history while embracing its future.
“Our hope is that ELM becomes a place people see as authentically Nashville,” Genie said. “Not simply because it is located downtown, but because it reflects something genuine about the city: its history, its creativity and its ability to evolve without forgetting what came before.”
For couples walking through ELM’s doors for the first time, Genie hopes the venue feels both distinctive and meaningful.
“I want couples to feel that they have found a place with real character,” she said. “ELM already has a remarkable story. Their wedding becomes an opportunity to add a new chapter to it.”
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