Milwaukee is a city of vibrant culture and historic charm, making it an ideal wedding destination. Imagine exchanging vows at the Ivy House, a former warehouse turned modern industrial venue with classic cream city brick and an outdoor patio perfect for cocktail hour. Or, celebrate at St. James 1868, a restored 150-year-old church with intricate architecture and an outdoor courtyard. The city’s blend of historic landmarks, lively festivals, and picturesque lakefront views creates a dynamic and memorable setting for your special day.
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Best Wedding Venues in Milwaukee
The Atrium
The Atrium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a contemporary, banquet-style wedding venue offering a blend of elegance and modern edge. Owned and operated by Paul and Natalia Hackbarth, the venue features an expansive main ballroom with rustic wood paneling and a beautiful skylight, creating an urban and industrial yet elegant ambiance. It also includes a rooftop garden and greenhouse, perfect for intimate ceremonies, cocktail hours, or exclusive rentals. The Atrium provides full-bar services, professional audiovisual and lighting equipment, and is partnered with Sound By Design for additional event services such as music, lighting, and videography.
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee, WI, is a charming and historic wedding venue that celebrates Milwaukee’s brewing tradition. This venue, nestled within the former Pabst Brewery, offers two distinct event spaces: the Great Hall and Blue Ribbon Hall. Both spaces feature German architectural influences, stained glass windows, and ornate woodwork, creating a unique and elegant atmosphere. The Great Hall can accommodate up to 250 guests, while the Blue Ribbon Hall has a capacity of 150. The venue provides a range of amenities, including event staff, tables and chairs, and a customizable bar package, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking a historic, intimate, and beautifully restored setting for their wedding.
Boerner Botanical Gardens
Boerner Botanical Gardens, located just 15 minutes outside downtown Milwaukee, offers a romantic and picturesque setting for weddings. The venue boasts lush scenery, magnificent lighting, and refined décor, with five formal gardens providing various backdrops for ceremonies and photos. Indoor spaces, including a ballroom with vaulted ceilings and full-length windows, offer natural light and elegant ambiance. The gardens and indoor areas can accommodate up to 300 guests, and the venue is supported by Zilli Hospitality Group, ensuring exceptional catering and event planning. The friendly and dedicated staff, particularly the event managers, make the wedding planning process smooth and personalized.
Bottle House 42 (The Venue) at The Milwaukee Brewing Company
Bottle House 42 is an approachable and modern restaurant and event space located in the heart of Milwaukee. The venue features a spacious beer hall, dining room, outdoor patio, beer garden, and a rooftop bar, all under an expansive glass ceiling and adorned with a large living plant wall. It was formerly part of the Pabst Brewery operations, specifically building #42, and now offers upscale brewhouse favorites, a diverse beer selection, and craft cocktails. The space is available for private parties, weddings, and various events, and it hosts regular entertainment such as open mic nights and comedy performances.
The Cooperage
The Cooperage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a riverside hub in the Harbor District, offering a versatile event space for live music, weddings, private parties, and special events. The venue, housed in a historic building that once manufactured barrels, features exposed brick walls, string lights, and a garden overlooking the Kinnickinnic River with a view of the Hoan Bridge. It includes an electric music venue, pedal-powered taverns, craft cocktails, and in-house catering by Taco Moto and Snack Boys. The interior space can seat up to 175-200 guests and accommodates larger gatherings for various events.
Greenhouse No. 7
Greenhouse No. 7 in Milwaukee, WI, is a unique and stunning wedding venue located within the historic Mitchell Park. This 15,000-square-foot glasshouse offers breathtaking views of the surrounding park through its picturesque windows. The venue is adorned with towering steel beams, rafters, and amber chandeliers, creating a romantic and luxurious atmosphere. It can accommodate up to 400 guests and is fully customizable to suit the couple’s vision. The natural light and outdoor feel, combined with the protection from weather, make it an ideal choice for weddings. The adjacent Mitchell Park Domes also provide additional spaces for photos and cocktail hours.
Historic Pabst Brewery
The Historic Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a landmark venue that celebrates the city’s rich brewing heritage. Originally founded by Jacob Best Sr. in 1844, the complex features a collection of historic buildings, including the Italianate-styled brew house, the German Renaissance Revival bottling house, and the massive malt house. Now, the site is home to Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, a charming wedding and event venue that retains its old-fashioned quality with German architectural influences, hardwood flooring, and beautiful stained-glass windows, accommodating up to 300 guests in its indoor and outdoor event spaces.
The Ivy House
The Ivy House in Milwaukee, WI, is a modern-style wedding venue offering a city-like feel without being in the city center. This private estate features two event spaces, including covered and uncovered outdoor areas, as well as indoor spaces with a rustic and industrial vibe. The venue is adorned with beautiful ivy and greenery, minimizing the need for additional decor. It includes a spacious bridal suite with a full kitchen and amenities, an in-house bar, and ample parking with valet services. Known for its exceptional service, stunning location, and flexible event options, The Ivy House is a top choice for couples seeking a perfect and stress-free wedding day.
Jan Serr Studio
Jan Serr Studio, located on the top floor of UWM’s Kenilworth Square East building in Milwaukee, WI, offers a unique and stunning setting for weddings. With 7,000 square feet of event space, the venue features an open concept floor plan, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, and a private covered balcony overlooking Lake Michigan and the Downtown Milwaukee skyline. The industrial-meets-modern ambiance, combined with exceptional catering by Saz’s and dedicated event planning, makes it an ideal choice for weddings. The first-floor gallery is perfect for intimate ceremonies or cocktail hours, while the sixth-floor main event space accommodates up to 405 guests, providing a seamless and elegant wedding experience.
Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum, located on the lakefront of Lake Michigan, is a prominent cultural institution. The museum comprises several buildings, including the War Memorial Center designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957, the brutalist Kahler Building by David Kahler in 1975, and the iconic Quadracci Pavilion by Santiago Calatrava, completed in 2001. The Quadracci Pavilion features a striking kinetic structure with a movable brise-soleil resembling a bird’s wings, and includes a grand reception hall, exhibition spaces, an auditorium, and a restaurant with panoramic lake views. The museum houses nearly 30,000 works of art and attracts over 400,000 visitors annually.
River Valley Historic Venue
River Valley Historic Venue in Milwaukee, WI, is a historic wedding and event space constructed in 1901 and meticulously refurbished. The venue combines vintage architectural design with modern amenities, featuring cream city brick, restored hardwood floors, and high ceilings. It includes a City View Room on the third floor with elegant lounge furniture and a Sonos sound system, offering stunning city views. The venue can accommodate up to 150 guests and provides a beautifully decorated bridal suite, onsite parking, and wheelchair accessibility. It is ideal for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions, with the option to choose custom caterers and bar services.
Sixth Floor Event Venue
The Sixth Floor in Milwaukee, WI, is a luxurious and independently owned wedding venue located on the sixth floor of the Hampton Inn & Suites hotel in downtown Milwaukee. This 5,400-square-foot space features a contemporary concrete floor, marble fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning city views, including the Milwaukee Symphony Hall and the 3rd Street food hall. The venue allows couples to bring in their own caterer and bar services, with no minimums. It includes amenities such as a dance floor, semi-catering kitchen, valet parking, and complimentary chairs and tables, making it an ideal and customizable choice for weddings.
South Second
South Second, located in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, is a modern and industrial event venue that honors the historic character of its building. The venue features an open-concept floor plan, allowing for endless design opportunities, and includes a mezzanine lounge with a bird’s eye view of the festivities. It boasts a new outdoor patio, bar, and balcony, and can accommodate up to 225 guests for seated events and 300 for cocktail receptions. The venue offers full-service event planning, exclusive catering by Saz’s Catering, and various amenities such as a private bridal retreat and reserved parking.
South Shore Pavilion
South Shore Pavilion, located on the shore of Lake Michigan, is a historic building offering a unique and picturesque setting. The venue features a brick, wood-beamed interior and provides stunning views of the marina and the lake. This charming space is ideal for larger private events and is operated by Milwaukee County Parks. Its historic 1930s architecture and beautiful vistas make it a one-of-a-kind location for hosting various types of gatherings and celebrations. The pavilion is available for bookings year-round, adding to its appeal as a versatile event venue.
St. James 1868
St. James 1868 in Milwaukee, WI, is a historic wedding and event venue transformed from a 150-year-old Gothic Revival-styled Episcopal church. The venue features two unique spaces: The Abbey, the former sanctuary with original Tiffany stained-glass windows, 15th-century hand-carved monastery panels, and original hardwood floors; and The Hyde, a former parish house gymnasium with a two-story vaulted loft space and British-inspired decor. Both venues offer luxury amenities, including outdoor spaces, dressing suites, and European-inspired interiors, creating an elegant setting for weddings and events.
The Starling
The Starling is a waterfront wedding venue located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, situated on the Milwaukee River Boardwalk. This modern venue offers a stunning backdrop for weddings, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed river views. The event space can accommodate up to 200 guests and features a large riverfront patio, a second-floor lounge, and balcony, all offering breathtaking views of the Milwaukee skyline. The team at The Starling works closely with couples to ensure every detail is carefully considered and expertly executed, making it an ideal and unforgettable setting for weddings. The venue includes services such as catering by Tall Guy and a Grill, bar offerings, and DJ services by Milwaukee Airwaves, enhancing the overall wedding experience.
Turner Hall Ballroom
Turner Hall Ballroom, constructed in 1882, is a historic venue in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. It is renowned for its High Victorian Romanesque architecture and holds designations as a National Landmark, a listing on the National Registry of Historic Places, and a local Historical Landmark. The two-story, 7,000-plus square foot ballroom features a grand space with customizable options, including bar packages and catering. It accommodates up to 987 standing guests and 400 seated for dinner, making it ideal for weddings, holiday parties, fundraisers, and various other events. The venue offers concert-quality sound and lighting, on-site event management, and technical support.
Villa Terrace
Villa Terrace in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is an Italian Renaissance-style villa built in 1924 for the Lloyd R. Smith family. Perched atop a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, the villa was designed by architect David Adler and named “Sopra Mare,” meaning “above the sea” in Italian. The venue features a central courtyard, formal gardens, a water stairway, and stunning views of Lake Michigan. It now houses the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, showcasing fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, along with wrought iron masterpieces by Cyril Colnik. The grounds include beautifully restored Renaissance gardens and offer a unique setting for weddings and other events.
Vista
Vista is a downtown Milwaukee event space located on Old World Third Street. It is situated in the heart of the city, surrounded by convenience and excitement, and is close to hotels, the 3rd Ward area, and Lake Michigan. The venue offers versatile event spaces on its second and third floors, which can be rented separately or together. It features a rooftop patio with a view of the Milwaukee skyline and provides in-house services including customizable bar packages, music, lighting, photo booths, and more. Vista is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and has highly-trained staff to assist with event planning.
The War Memorial Center
The War Memorial Center in Milwaukee, WI, is a prominent landmark and memorial dedicated to those who have served in the U.S. Armed Services. Designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen, the building was dedicated on Veterans Day in 1957. It serves as a hub for veteran activities, cultural events, and educational programs. The center features various exhibits, including the Lest We Forget – Wisconsin POW/MIA, Medal of Honor recipients, and an Honor Roll with an Eternal Flame. The building is also known for its stunning lakefront location, offering breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee skyline.