If you love history and historic buildings, you’re in the right town. Milwaukee is filled with historic wedding venues – so many that you’ll have a hard time deciding which to host your wedding. So scroll down and enjoy the ride as we show you some of Milwaukee’s most amazing historic wedding venues.
1. Villa Terrace
Originally built as a family home in 1923, Villa Terrace resembles an Italian Renaissance Villa. It has one of the best views of Milwaukee’s lakefront, which is why so many couples choose it for their outdoor ceremony. The Villa Terrace is run by the group that owns the Charles Allis Museum, so make sure to check out both. Photo by Michelle Kujawski Photography.
2. Turner Hall Ballroom
Turner Hall is definitely in our top 5 favorite Milwaukee venues. Its raw, unrefined space was first built in 1882. It has survived two fires (look at the ceiling) and pushed on to become one of Milwaukee’s best places to host to concerts and weddings. Photo by Happy Gnome Photography.
3. The Historic Pritzlaff Building
Built in 1875 as Pritzlaff Hardware, The Historic Pritzlaff Building is now one of Milwaukee’s hottest wedding venues. With four unique warehouse spaces, cream city brick and preserved cast iron columns, having a Priztlaff Building wedding is both historic and awesome. Photo by Reminisce Photography.
4. The Grain Exchange
One of Milwaukee’s most-amazing historic venues, The Grain Exchange is a favorite of ours. This 1880 downtown building once housed Milwaukee’s Chamber of Commerce and as an added bonus, its exclusive caterer is Bartolotta’s. Photo by The Paper Elephant.
5. Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
We love the very Milwaukee history of Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery. Built in 1858, Best Place has two venue spaces and parts of it were originally the Pabst Brewery corporate offices. In fact, Captain Frederick Pabst’s office and desk are intact and can be incorporated into your wedding. Photo by Reminisce Photography.
6. Milwaukee County Historical Society
The Historical Society was originally a bank where the top 7 Milwaukee brewing companies kept their money. Now this 1913 building is spectacular for weddings. We love the vaults (2 of which you can use) and the large “MKE” letters that originally hung on City Hall. Photos by Amarie Photography.
7. Anodyne Coffee – Walker’s Point
Built in 1922, and located in the trendy Walker’s Point neighborhood, Anodyne Coffee is host to some amazing Milwaukee weddings. During prohibition, the building was used for “water bottling.” We did a photo shoot at Anodyne in 2014 and we’ve heard #MKECouples rave about it ever since. Photo by Happy Gnome Photography.
8. The Villa Filomena
Tucked away in a historic neighborhood on Milwaukee’s lower east side, The Villa Filomena is full of history. The Villa was built in 1874 as the family home for Great Lakes ship captain Robert Patrick Fitzgerald and has a capacity of 250. Photo by Twin Lens Weddings.
9. Cuvée
Cuvée is located on the top floor of an 1893 building in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward. This loft-style, cream city brick space always impresses. Photo by Happy Gnome Photography.
10. Charles Allis Art Museum
Built in 1911 as a home for the Charles Allis (first president of the Allis-Chalmers Company) family, The Museum is a hidden gem in Milwaukee’s Brady Street area. The Charles Allis Art Museum is in run by the group that owns the historic Villa Terrace, so make sure to check out both. Photo by Little Giant Photography.
11. Onesto
Located in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, Onesto is a historic and hip wedding venue. Built in 1895, its NYC loft-style decor is right at home in the Third Ward and we absolutely love the space. Photo by Reminisce Photography.
12. Wisconsin Club
Built in 1848, the Wisconsin Club takes elegance to a new level. We love the hand-carved wood throughout, especially the staircase. Photo by Tres Jolie Photography.
13. The Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Built in 1927 in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, The Hilton is a classic art deco hotel. As Milwaukee’s largest hotel, it can host weddings with up to 500 guests and even has an outdoor space perfect for ceremonies. Photo sby The Paper Elephant.
14. The Pfister Hotel
We are big fans of weddings at the historic Pfister Hotel. Built in 1893, The Pfister has always been about luxury and elegance and even hosts the largest hotel collection of Victorian art in the world. Photos by Amarie Photography.
15. The Rotunda
The Rotunda was built in 1913 as the first Federally built and owned Waukesha Post Office and later renovated as a branch banking facility. The circular coffered dome which features a beautiful stained glass skylight is a major highlight of this wedding spot. Photos by Michelle Kujawski Photography.
16. 1451 Renaissance Place
Originally opened as a Christian Science church in 1909, 1451 Renaissance Place is now a historic gem for weddings. We love the neighborhood, the elegance and its large capacity. Photo by Reminisce Photography.
17. Milwaukee Athletic Club
The Milwaukee Athletic Club‘s current location was built in 1917. Spanning 12 floors, with hotel facilities and a rooftop deck, it continues to be a historic wedding venue located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee for members and nonmembers alike. Photo by Janviere Photo.
18. Engine Company No. 3
Built in 1904 as a fire house for the Walker’s Point neighborhood, today’s Engine Company No. 3 serves up delicious food and amazing events. Look thoughtful the space and you’ll find remnants of the building’s past life on the walls. The historic and unqiue space is now perfect for weddings and rehearsal diners, so check it out! Photos by The Paper Elephant.
19. Cafe Hollander – Tosa
If you’ve ever visited Wauwatosa’s charming village, you’ve no doubt seen and/or been to Cafe Hollander Tosa. We aren’t sure of the building’s history but one thing is for sure, it’s a gorgeous space. Their upstairs provides for a private event space that works perfect for weddings, with plenty of beir and food to go around. Photos via the Lowlands Group.
20. Hilton Garden Inn – Downtown
We love stopping into the The Hilton Garden Inn just to take in all the historic charm. Located in the heart of Downtown Milwaukee, the hotel works for weddings, rehearsal dinners or as accommodations for you and your guests. Bonus, they are located across the street from the Grain Exchange. Photo by 414 Photography.
21. Mercantile Hall
We got the chance to visit Mercantile Hall for a wedding last summer, and wow, it was amazingly cool. This former retail building located in historic Downtown Burlington was re-vamped into a wedding venue in 2017. Historic charm is abound in the space with original wood floors and exposed cream city brick fit with any style. Photos by Autumn Silva Photography.
22. Tripoli Shrine Center
Completed in 1928, the Tripoli Shrine Center is an architectural replica of India’s Taj Mahal. Walk inside, and you’ll be amazed by the detail throughout. Photos by Janviere Photo.
23. The University Club
The University Club of Milwaukee is a spectacular venue located in one of our favorite parts of town. The club, which was built in 1928, sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and is filled with historic charm. Photo by Michelle Kujawski Photography.
24. St. James 1868
When you’re talking historic Milwaukee venues mixed with modern flair, you have to put St. James 1868 at the top of your list. A former church built in 1868, the space has been transformed to host spectacular weddings. Two separate venues, outdoor spaces and an elegant European inspired design set the venue apart and make it awesome. Read more in our St. James 1868 article.
