Milwaukee is a phenomenal city to get married in. The city itself is beautiful and charming, there are plenty of lodging options for you and your guests to choose from, and there are of course PLENTY of fabulous wedding venues ! Some wedding venues are a cut above the rest however. Whether they offer a one of a kind setting for your day, a list of amenities long enough to make up a short novel, or a client experience that rivals that of the top venues in the country, there is a LOT to love here. With that in mind we’re going to take a look at 5 of my favorite venues as a Milwaukee wedding photographer, and what they do to set themselves apart. Let’s jump right into it, starting with the Milwaukee County Historical Society !
One of the most unique wedding venues you’ll find throughout Milwaukee is the Milwaukee County Historical Society, also known more simply as The Society. The Society is a gorgeous wedding venue that sits within a restored bank along the Milwaukee River. The interior of the building is remarkably beautiful, and offers plenty of space for a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The outdoor brick patio sits just outside the east side of the building and faces Pere Marquette Park and the Milwaukee River. This space makes for a phenomenal option for cocktail hour and your portrait photos, weather permitting. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that has an undeniable feeling of historic significance and unmatched elegance, The Society HAS to be on your list !
Things I Love as a Milwaukee Wedding Photographer
The On-Site Getting Ready Space.
Beautiful Interior and Exterior with Endless Portrait Opportunities.
Furniture Rentals Included when Booking
A Preferred Vendors List to Assist Couples
Space for up to 250 Guests
Did I Mention the Epic Portrait Locations?
Milwaukee is a city with a rich history of beer brewing as it’s where the original Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery was born ! To this day, Milwaukee remains on the forefront of beer production, and one brewery doing the most to keep them there is Pilot Project Brewing. This brewery acts as an incubator for small craft brewers to create their own beers, while also creating their own. More than that though, the space also acts as a spectacular wedding venue ! Pilot Project Brewing is a dream wedding venue for any couple that loves craft beer, an elegant and modern setting, and a customizable approach to creating the wedding day of your dreams. Pilot Project Brewing allows couples to pick and choose things like the spaces they want to reserve for their day, the food and drinks on their menu, and more, all in order to fully realize their wedding vision !
Things I Love as a Milwaukee Wedding Photographer
6 Options for Spaces to Rent
Capacity Ranging from 25 to 300+ Guests
Delicious Food, Beer, Wine, Mixed Drinks, and More
Rehearsal Dinner Options
Special Rate Offer to Stay at the Historic Brewhouse Inn & Suites
Centralized Downtown Location
Brewery Tour Portrait Opportunities
A longtime favorite venue of mine in Milwaukee has to be Riverwalk by Black Swan MKE. Black Swan MKE actually has two other wedding venues, Plant N° 4 and the Bianco Room, but today we’re going to be taking a look solely at Riverwalk. Found on the Milwaukee Riverwalk (I know, who’d have guessed !) Riverwalk is a stunning wedding venue that has a LOT to love about it. Having access to the beautiful riverfront for an outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour, and portrait photos makes this space easily one of the most scenic options in Milwaukee. The interior of Riverwalk can honestly stand completely on its own too though ! With gorgeous brick walls, exposed wooden beams, and a jaw dropping grand entryway, the spacious interior is a perfect option for an indoor ceremony and an epic reception !
Things I Love as a Milwaukee Wedding Photographer
Awesome Portrait Opportunities on the Riverwalk
Space for up to 300 Guests
A Warm, Rustic, and Stylish Interior
On-Site Getting Ready Spaces
Centralized Downtown Location
Comprehensive List of Recommended Wedding Vendors
It should come as a surprise to nobody that The Ivy House is on this list ! The venue is a part of the Two Birds Event Group, which The Society is also a member of. This team knows how to craft an amazing wedding venue from top to bottom that puts the couple’s experience at the top of their priority list. The Ivy House itself is STUNNING. The industrial warehouse with modern décor and amenities create a beautiful interior space for an unforgettable celebration. There’s also their lovely outdoor patio known as the Fernweh which can be used for a ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, portraits, or even just as an additional space for you and your guests to enjoy !
Things I Love as a Milwaukee Wedding Photographer
The Atmosphere Here is Just Chefs Kiss
Space for 300+ Guests
Beautiful On-Site Getting Ready Spaces
Wonderful and Spacious Outdoor Fernweh
Expansive Preferred Vendors List
Plenty of Portrait Opportunities Inside and Out
Last but CERTAINLY not least on our list today is The Gage ! This wedding venue is technically in the suburbs of Milwaukee, but it’s just too wonderful not to include on this list. I actually wrote an entire feature piece on The Gage which you should definitely check out, but we’ll cover some of what makes it such a great venue here still. Similar to The Ivy House, The Gage has a modern yet industrial style to it that is just an amazing setting to celebrate a wedding in. Combine that with the excellent staff, tons of amenities, and the multiple spaces available for you to use throughout your day, and it’s easy to see why this venue is a favorite of mine!
Things I Love as a Milwaukee Wedding Photographer
The Service Staff and the Level of Care They Put into Their Couples’ Day
On-Site Getting Ready Spaces
Wonderful Natural Lighting Inside
Multiple Indoor and Outdoor Spaces for Your Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, Portraits, and Reception
Space for up to 300 Guests
Those are 5 wedding venues that appeal to me as a Milwaukee wedding photographer, and by now it should be clear what makes each of these venues SO amazing ! If you’re looking to celebrate your wedding at one of these phenomenal spaces, and you need a photographer to document the experience, head on over to my contact page today. I’d love to hear from you and work with you to start planning your dream wedding day !
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