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Milwaukee’s Top Waterfront Wedding Venues

September 9, 2020 by Greg Quigley

Milwaukee's Lakefront Wedding Venues
Browse the top lakefront and riverfront venues in Milwaukee. Photo by Amarie Photography

Milwaukee is blessed with tons of great wedding venues – from unique, to historic, to modern we pretty much have it all. And one type we have a ton of is waterfront wedding venues and that’s what this article is all about.

Check out some of Milwaukee’s top lakefront and riverfront wedding venues below. Note that not all of these venues’ outdoor spaces have enough room for a 300 person wedding (but some do!), however, they will still fit an outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour or even just a setting for some amazing photos.

Lakefront Wedding Venues

Most of these awesome wedding venues have views of beautiful Lake Michigan. Check out their ceremony options facing the lakefront and even consider your outdoor wedding reception with some amazing lake views!

War Memorial – Lake View

Milwaukee Lakefront Wedding Venues - War Memorial
Milwaukee County War Memorial – Photos by Reminiscence Photography

If you want to be outside and right on the lakefront, the Milwaukee County War Memorial is your spot! Their outdoor space has enough room for ceremonies and receptions – or have your ceremony outdoors and move inside where their ballroom features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Milwaukee.

Villa Terrace – Lake View

Milwaukee Lakefront Wedding Venues - Villa Terrace
Villa Terrace – Photos by McNeil Photography

There’s no other lakefront wedding venue with a view like Villa Terrace. Period. Inside you’ll find a museum and the garden area is the perfect place for a tented receptions.

South Shore Pavilion – Lake View

Lakefront Wedding Venues Milwaukee - South Shore Pavilion
South Shore Pavilion. Photos by Autumn Silva Photography

South Shore Pavilion is located in Bay View’s South Shore Park right on the lakefront. It even has a beer garden next to it!! However, the part most #MKECouples love is the gorgeous lake views!

Milwaukee Art Museum – Lake View

Milwaukee Lakefront Wedding Venues - Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum. Photo by Brian Slawson Photography

One of the top wedding venues in Milwaukee (if not the world), the Milwaukee Art Museum is a gem we should be proud of. And you’ll get stunning lakefront views when you tie the knot in the iconic Quadracci Pavilion.

Lake Park Bistro – Lake Views

Milwaukee Lakefront Wedding Venues - Lake Park Bistro
Lake Park Bistro. Photos by GE Creative

Lake Park Bistro is located in Milwaukee’s Lake Park and can work great for smaller weddings or rehearsal dinners. The restaurant sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan with some gorgeous views! If you need a little more space, there’s options to buy out the restaurant and/or do a tented event.

Schlitz Audubon – Access to the Beach/Lake

Outdoor Wedding Venues - Schlitz Audubon
Schlitz Audubon. Photos by Brian Slawson Photography

If you haven’t been to Schlitz Audubon get there now! Weddings in this natural space are simply stunning. The property runs along Lake Michigan and has access to a beach, which can make for some great wedding photos. Also check out their green wedding commitment and note that they do have ceremony-only options.

Discovery World – Lake Views

Lakefront Wedding Venues in Milwaukee - Discovery World
Discovery World. Photos by Reminiscence Photography

Discovery World is one of Milwaukee’s top lakefront wedding venues and for good reason. Located right on the lakefront, its Pilot House boasts a 360 degree, panoramic view of Lake Michigan and attached patio. Also check out The Pavilion, their newest space featuring outdoor patios with lake views.

Milwaukee Yacht Club – Lake Views

Lakefront Wedding Venues - Milwaukee Yacht Club
Milwaukee Yacht Club. Photos by Amarie Photography

Located right on Lake Michigan, this private club offers some amazing views and several configuration options. We love their outdoor patio with bar and the lake views you get indoors.


Wedding Venues with River Views

These venues don’t have lake views, but they are all venues located on the beautiful Milwaukee River. Many of them offer outdoor spaces where you can tie the knot and party down with amazing river views.

Harley-Davidson Musuem – River View

Outdoor Venues - Harley Davidson Museum
1903 Events at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Photos by Paper Elephant Photography

If there’s one venue that has TONS of outdoor options it’s 1903 Events at the Harley-Davidson Museum. From simple ceremonies overlooking the river, to elaborate tented events your options are endless. Fun fact, the Museum is located on a 20 acre peninsula and surrounded by water on three sides!

The Cooperage – River and Hoan View

Riverfront Wedding Venues - The Cooperage Milwaukee
The Cooperage. Photos by Gavyn Taylor Photo

The Cooperage is one of our favorite new Milwaukee wedding venues, and for good reason. They are just so badass. Located right on the Milwaukee River, a wedding at the Cooperage offers amazing river views as well a views of the Hoan Bridge – it doesn’t get more Milwaukee than that!

Hubbard Park Lodge – River View

Riverfront Wedding Venues - Hubbard Park Lodge
Hubbard Park Lodge . Photos by Catherine Winkelman Photography

Hubbard Park Lodge is rustic, charming and provides some amazing outdoor spaces. Located in Shorewood, just along the Milwaukee River, the river views here are amazing and we love the ceremonies we’ve seen.

The Riverwalk Venue – River View

Riverfront Wedding Venues Milwaukee
The Riverwalk Venue // Photo by Happy Gnome Photography

Formerly known as “Black Swan” The Riverwalk is located, you guessed it, on the Riverwalk in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. Walk out the back door and you’ll be on the beautiful Milwaukee Riverwalk overlooking the Milwaukee River.


Related:

  • Milwaukee’s Historic Wedding Venues
  • Milwaukee’s Modern Wedding Venues
  • Walker’s Point Wedding Venues

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ceremony, reception

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