
I’ve heard Milwaukee called a great city on a great lake. Having your wedding at Villa Terrace will show you, and your guests, just how great that lake is. The views from Villa Terrace are stunning and it’s no surprise that most wedding ceremonies take place on the outdoor terrace overlooking Villa Terrace’s beautiful garden and Lake Michigan.
Even beyond the view, however, you’ll find Villa Terrace to be a beautiful wedding venue rich in Milwaukee history. Villa Terrace was built by Lloyd Smith, former President of Milwaukee-based A.O. Smith as a family home in 1923. Built in the style of an Italian Renaissance villa, you’ll find your Milwaukee wedding transported to 16th century Italy.
Villa Terrace Weddings
Villa Terrace works great for outdoor weddings and smaller receptions. An outdoor wedding can accommodate 120 guests, while the building can hold 80 for a seated dinner or 135 for a standing reception. If mother nature doesn’t cooperate, don’t worry – your outdoor wedding can be moved inside.

Although Villa Terrace works great for smaller receptions, many couples choose to use Villa Terrace for their wedding ceremony and have their reception elsewhere. In fact, the organization that runs Villa Terrace also runs the Charles Allis Art Museum on Prospect Avenue and offers packages for a Villa Terrace ceremony and a reception at Charles Allis. The Charles Allis Art Museum also has a beautiful outdoor space for weddings, so make sure to check them out too.

Art is Included at Your Villa Terrace Wedding
One of the unique things about Villa Terrace weddings is that the venue doubles as a museum. The upstairs of the venue is host to fine and decorative arts dating from the 15th through the 18th centuries as well as changing exhibits.
Your wedding guests are allowed to browse the museum during your event and the bride and groom’s changing rooms are located upstairs among the art. One cool thing about the bride’s room is that the window overlooks the terrace, so you can see your guests before they see you. I love that!

If you want your big day to have a view unlike any others, along with some great Milwaukee history in a unique setting, check out Villa Terrace. The weddings section of their website lists rates, packages and more. Special thanks to m three studio for the fabulous pictures in this article.