Top 6 Wedding Venues in Milwaukee
October 19, 2022Finding the wedding venue that is best for you as a couple can be a challenge. When it comes to looking in the Milwaukee area, couples are spoiled for choice. While that may be a good thing in the end, it can also be completely overwhelming for a couple already tasked with making hundreds of other decisions. This is why we have put together this resource showcasing some of the best and/or unique venues Milwaukee has to offer.
Putting together this list was not easy… Certain venues really shine in the summer, while others might best showcase their magic in the Autumn, and others still might be the perfect cozy winter venue. This is why the list is categorized by season. True, any of these venues are an amazing backdrop year-round. But if you want to squeeze the most out of your venue, consider narrowing it down by when you’ll be tying the knot.
While not an extensive list, hopefully you leave with a good sense of where to begin your wedding venue search so that you can tell your love story in the most unforgettable way possible. Having photographed at all of these venues and plenty more across Milwaukee and beyond, give us a shout if you have any questions about any of them!
Wedding Venues in the Milwaukee Area
Perfect for the Cold Season:
THE PRITZLAFF
First a hardware store, then a furniture store, now one of the coolest venues in the city, The Pritzlaff has a lot to offer couples keen to draw from the historical influences of Milwaukee. It’s location is also key; it sits at the corner of Plankinton and St. Paul by the Milwaukee River and on the edge of the Third Ward.
What makes the Pritzlaff such a great catch is its versatility; not only is there ample space inside for throwing one of the biggest weddings you can imagine (many different areas, the largest of which can fit 350 people), it also boasts an amazing outdoor space which sits between towering cream city brick buildings. Sheltered from the wind and all but the highest suns, it serves as an amazing location for your guests to enjoy an outdoor cocktail hour in what feels like a trip back in time.
Insider Tip: After your tour, stop in to the Explorium BrewPub tucked just steps away.
Want to see what it looks like? Check out highlights from one of our Pritzlaff weddings.
THE PFISTER
Also a Milwaukee landmark, The Pfister is a luxury hotel nestled downtown and boasting plenty of rooms for your guests and one of the coolest reception rooms you can find. It is also said that the Pfister has the largest collection of Victorian art in the world. The 24,000 foot space includes two Ballrooms adorned with incredible chandeliers, draperies, and accents which elevate the beautiful views of the Milwaukee that surrounds it. The Pfister includes bridal suites and on-site hotel planning, making it a good first stop for the couple who are looking to celebrate with the utmost class. If you are expecting more that 600 people, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
The starting cost for a wedding at the Pfister is $1,000. This increases during peak season. Catering options are also available.
Here are some highlights from one of our weddings at The Pfister.
PABST THEATER
If you’ve spent any kind of time in Milwaukee and enjoy live music, you’ve certainly heard of the Pabst Theater. Some couples are surprised to learn that this historic music venue is also a great location to throw a wedding. With suites under the stage ready made for Bride and Groom prep, enjoy getting ready in the same rooms that some of the most famous musicians to come through Milwaukee have spent time in. It is worth noting that the Pabst Theater Group has other wedding venues as well: Turner Hall Ballroom and The Fitzgerald.
Perfect for the Warm Season:
FOLK SONG FARM
This place runs like a top. Family owned, Folk Song Farm in Richfield (about 30 minutes outside of Milwaukee) has a beautiful red barn tailor made for weddings, complete with a Groom prep area on the ground level and a Bridal Suite adjacent to the main building. A large sweeping field provides an incredible backdrop to your outdoor ceremony, and provides the perfect excuse to take a stroll with your brand new spouse to some of the secret photo locations on site. Folk Song Farm can accommodate up to 320 people.
CUPOLA BARN
The Cupola Barn, located in Oconomowoc, WI, has a bit of everything. Two private areas for both sides of a wedding party, convenient bathroom options, a gorgeous barn with decks all around, ample outdoor space complete with an outdoor ceremony space paved in stone… the list goes on. Always immaculate, the Cupola is warm and inviting from every angle. The day starts in the “She Shed” and the “Hideaway” where you can relax in a temperature controlled environment in preparation for the ceremony. Then, follow the beautifully laid path from the barn to the altar where you’ll exchange vows with all of your guests present. As the evening wears on, roast marshmallows or smoke a cigar by the fire pit at the back of the property.
The starting cost for a wedding at the Cupola Barn is $6,500.
Perfect for Any Season:
URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER
A center dedicated to the radical belief that “nature is everywhere”, the Urban Ecology Center is one of the more unique venues on this list. First and foremost, this place is dedicated to providing a natural getaway for the greater the greater Milwaukee community. If you are into that sort of thing, this just might be the perfect place to get hitched. It’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, while also providing several great opportunities to take some really great photographs in a relatively small area. Just off the Oak Leaf Trail, the Urban Ecology Center is perfect for all seasons. In the winter, cozy up by the fireplace and create a warm and inviting wedding atmosphere. In the summer, climb the tower (complete with climbing wall affixed to the south side of it) and watch the sunset in the evening over a heavily forested section of the Milwaukee River.
The UEC has an industrial kitchen allowing for your caterer to go full-tilt on a delicious meal, along with all the tables and chairs you might need. Added bonus? When booking at the Urban Ecology Center, revenue goes toward supporting their mission to provide innovate, enriching environmental education to urban youth, adults, and families.
Want to see what it looks like? Check out highlights from one of our Urban Ecology Center Weddings.
Bonus Venue:
YOUR BACKYARD
It doesn’t have to be big and fancy. If a Wedding is about celebrating your love in front of the most important people in your life, why not keep it hyper-local? Some of the most amazing weddings I have had the privilege of photographing have been in a backyard with just a handful of people. Grab some chairs, make a backdrop, fill up some coolers, cater in tacos, away you go.