Everyone knows that a wedding is one of the most expensive parties that you will ever throw. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Sure, some wedding venues may charge an arm and a leg, but many places provide quality, elegant, and ornate spaces at reasonable costs.
If you’re looking to host your wedding in Wisconsin, specifically, then you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of affordable venues that will surely please any couple!
But before we dive into all that Wisconsin has to offer, you should know that the average couple spent $21,464 on their 2021 wedding.
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This number is already several thousand dollars less than the national average, which should give you an idea of how far your money will stretch here!
So without further ado…here are 10 of the best affordable wedding venues in Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Historical Society – Milwaukee
If you and your love appreciate a venue that pairs elegant architecture with historic charm, then the Milwaukee Historical Society — an organization meant to celebrate Milwaukee’s storied past — may be the place for you.
This grand venue offers 8,000 square feet of meeting space that’s fully equipped to handle all of your wedding activities.
But before you dive in, you have to commemorate the occasion with photos taken in the building’s lobby. Here, ornate columns, high ceilings, and marble flooring will act as a stately backdrop.
When it’s time to exchange rings, you can choose between the Main Hall or a patio space that’s in full view of the gorgeous Père Marquette Park.
Rentals include access to the reception and ceremony space, standard wedding supplies, and bride and groom suites.
Price Range: $4,700 – $5.700 for venue rental; add-ons extra.
Capacity: Up to 75 guests.
Find Milwaukee Historical Society at Milwaukee History or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Irish Cultural and Heritage Center – Milwaukee
The Irish Cultural and Heritage Center is an organization that aims to unite Irish Americans with their cultural roots through various performances and festivities. However, it also doubles as an affordable wedding venue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lucky for couples, there are several indoor spaces for all of your wedding activities.
For example, you may consider The Erin Room, an event space that boasts large windows which allow for natural light to illuminate the space. There’s also a private bar available!
The Firth Province Hall is a mid-sized space with high ceilings and hardwood floors. It’s great for an intimate reception venue.
Lastly, the Heritage Center also has an onsite-theater, which is perfect for larger parties. It’s a great option for a reception space, especially if you plan to have video presentations.
Rentals include access to the ceremony and reception spaces, standard wedding supplies, and an onsite coordinator.
Price Range: $300 for a ceremony; $600 for a reception.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests, depending on the rental.
Find Irish Cultural and Heritage Center at Irish Cultural and Heritage Center or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Atrium – Shorewood
The Atrium is an industrial wedding venue, that offers several elegant indoor/outdoor spaces. And while weddings here can be expensive affairs, the base price to rent is definitely within most budgets.
Start your day by taking photos on the whimsical rooftop setup, which features lush greenery splashed amid an urban landscape. You can also exchange vows here as you overlook the gorgeous nearby skyline.
When it’s time for your reception, most couples head down to the main ballroom, a conglomerate of urban and elegant styles which features space for a sit-down dinner.
Basic rentals include the ceremony and reception sites, onsite coordination, and basic wedding supplies, such as linens, tables, and chairs.
For an additional charge, you can add things such as DJ services, catering, and bar packages.
Price Range: $5,000 – $6,000 for venue rental; add-ons extra.
Capacity: Up to 220 guests.
Find The Atrium at The Atrium or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Broadway Theatre Center – Milwaukee
The Broadway Theatre Center is perfect for couples who want their wedding to have a bit of a dramatic edge. Weddings here can be as much of an event as any stage production or concert.
Set your wedding apart from all your friends by displaying your names on the marquee outside. (Don’t forget the wedding photos!)
Once you’ve signaled the events to come, you and your guests can venture inside the theater and make use of several spaces for your wedding activities.
Whether you’re looking for a classic banquet hall or the floor of a stately theater, this venue has you covered.
Depending on the package, your rental can include access to the event space, standard wedding supplies, audio and visual equipment, and catering services.
Price Range: $750 – $4,500.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find The Broadway Theatre Center on Facebook or Instagram.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center – Bayside
The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is a conservation effort that offers hiking trails that run through over 185 acres of forests.
Weddings here benefit from the surrounding natural splendor, but you’re also free to dress the space up or down to your heart’s content.
Set against Lake Michigan, this venue offers near endless spaces that make great photo-ops. And once you’re done documenting the beginning of your marriage, you can venture to one of several venues to officially cement your commitment.
Many couples opt for an outdoor wedding, given the surroundings, and a popular location is the main pavilion, which offers gorgeous views of the property.
For the reception, many couples venture indoors and host their reception in the Great Hall, an ornate banquet-hall type space that’s perfect for a sit-down dinner.
Rentals include the ceremony and reception spaces, a wedding party suite, a dressing room, and the use of a golf cart to transport you across the venue.
Price Range: $2,700 – $4,200 for venue rental; add-ons extra.
Capacity: 125 – 225 guests.
Find Schlitz Audubon Nature Center at Schlitz Audubon or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Stoney Creek Hotel – Wausau
The Stoney Creek Hotel is a hotel chain, meant to replicate the feeling of lodging in a riverfront cabin. From here, you’ll enjoy up-close views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding natural splendor.
If you’d like to have an outdoor wedding, you can wed along the verdant lawn, with the hotel acting as your backdrop.
For indoor affairs, you can take advantage of one of several ballrooms, which feature high ceilings and ornate finishes.
The best part about this venue is that it’s a pretty convenient place to wed if you plan on having a bunch of out-of-town guests.
Rentals include access to the ceremony and reception spaces, standard wedding supplies, such as tables, chairs, and flatware, an onsite coordinator, and bartenders.
Price Range: $1,700 – $2,000 for venue rental; add-ons extra.
Capacity: Up to 450 guests.
Find Stoney Creek Hotel at Stoney Creek Hotel or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Black Swan – Milwaukee
The Black Swan is a premier wedding venue, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nestled against the Milwaukee River, this space offers breathtaking river views, while providing elegant indoor spaces to host your wedding activities.
You can think of the main hall as a blank canvas, just waiting for your personal touch to transform it into an unforgettable space. However, hallmarks of the space are stately columns and low ceilings which give the space a cozy vibe!
Whether you’re hoping to have an utterly charming daytime wedding, where natural light can flood in and illuminate your floral decor, or a nighttime affair, where you can overlook the majestic beauty of the river, this venue has you covered!
Rentals include the ceremony and reception spaces, standard wedding supplies, and dressing rooms for all of your pre-wedding prep.
Price Range: $5,000 and up.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests.
Find Black Swan at Black Swan or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Sixth Floor Wedding and Event Venue – Milwaukee
If you’d like your wedding to resemble a black-tie gala at house party prices, then consider the Sixth Floor Wedding and Event Venue.
This elegant space sits on the sixth floor of its resident building, which means that you and your guests will be treated to awe-inspiring views of the Milwaukee skyline.
Because this venue spans over 5,400 feet, you and your gets will have plenty of room to have an elegant, stately ceremony and reception.
Rentals include the event space, standard wedding materials, and lighting features. However, the best part about this venue is that it doesn’t enforce any minimum policy, which helps to keep prices low. Plus, you can bring in any outside vendor that you wish.
Price Range: $2,500 – $6,200.
Capacity: 250 – 300 guests.
Find Sixth Floor Wedding and Event Venue at Sixth Floor Milwaukee or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Riverbend Venue at River’s Edge – Richmond
The Riverbend Venue at River’s Edge is a charming, rustic event space that sits on the Apple River and offers gorgeous views of the surrounding natural beauty.
You can start your day off by taking wedding photos along the bank of the majestic flowering river.
When it’s time to exchange your vows, well take your pick of the lot. If you’d like an outdoor wedding in Wisconsin, then you’ll set up along the river on the pavilion. After you’ve committed yourselves to each other, you can use the clubhouse for a cozy cocktail hour.
For your reception, you can use the outdoor patio, which comes equipped with a fire pit and tiki bar, making this a great space for an evening wedding.
Depending on your wedding package, your rental can include access to the ceremony and reception spaces, get-ready rooms, and standard wedding supplies. Onsite accommodations are also available.
Price Range: $2,000 and up.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Find Riverbend Venue at River’s Edge at Apple River or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Ingleside Hotel – Pewaukee
The Ingleside Hotel is a boutique hotel that offers full-sized service! Here, weddings are elegant occasions that neither you nor your close friends and family will ever forget.
This sprawling property offers seven total spaces to host all of your wedding activities.
Many couples opt to host their wedding on the hotel’s lush lawns, as the gorgeous architecture helps curate an elegant space for your nuptials.
After you’ve exchanged your vows, you can venture inside and host a dreamy reception inside of the main ballroom, a space that boasts high ceilings and opulent charm.
Depending on your wedding package, your rental can include access to the ceremony and reception space, get-ready rooms, and standard wedding supplies.
Price Range: $8,000 – $9,000.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests.
Find The Ingleside Hotel at The Ingleside Hotel or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Best Wedding Venues
The Atrium
The Atrium is a destination wedding venue located in the quaint lake town of Solon Springs, Wisconsin. This unique spot offers several options for your special day. You can say your “I dos” outside surrounded by a forest in The Woods Ceremony Site or have your ceremony in a beautiful Greenhouse if there is inclement weather. Afterward, head over to The Atrium at The Atrium for a memorable reception.
The Atrium is a 3,800 square foot converted greenhouse with transparent walls and ceilings, making your indoor reception feel like you are outdoors. With huge sliding doors and soft lighting, the Atrium is the perfect place to celebrate your union. The event’s ample space also includes a bridal suite and a courtyard with lots of options for use.
Typical Cost: Wedding packages start at $4,000, depending on your date.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Bonus: The Atrium is pet friendly so that you can give Fido a role in your big day!
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Find The Atrium at The Atrium or Facebook or Instagram
Bullseye Golf Club
Looking for a more traditional Wisconsin venue for your dream wedding at an affordable price? The Bullseye Golf Club may be for you. Located in Wisconsin Rapids with amazing views of the Wisconsin River, this full-service wedding venue is an idyllic spot for a ceremony and reception. Established 100 years, the landscape at Bullseye Golf Club is mature with lots of trees.
You can say your vows on the patio, followed by a reception in the Banquet Hall. Bullseye Golf Club provides a wedding coordinator along with catering and bar services. There is a bridal suite to get ready and a dance floor to groove the night away. This intimate wedding venue is perfect if your guest list includes golfers and/or older relatives who prefer a more conventional wedding ceremony.
Typical Cost: Starts at $ $850
Capacity: Up to 220 guests sitting. Up to 300 guests standing
Bonus: Golf carts drive the wedding party to beautiful spots on the property for amazing wedding photos.
Find Bullseye Golf Club at Bullseye Golf Club or Facebook or Instagram
The Octagon Barn
If you’ve always dreamed of a country wedding, the venue at The Octagon Barn outside of Madison is a dream come true. The Octagon Barn was built in 1892 and has a rich history. This rustic spot is set in a beautiful landscape with rolling hills. Imagine cutting your wedding cake with a stunning view in the background.
There are indoor and outdoor options for the ceremony and reception. In addition to the rustic barn, there is a stone dining hall with a patio. In the summer you can take your wedding photos in a field of wildflowers. Event staff will set up and take down tables and chairs for a worry-free and memorable day filled with country charm.
Typical Cost: Starting at $5,400.
Capacity: Up to 200 seated guests
Bonus: Save money by hiring your own caterer and bringing your own alcohol with a licensed bartender.
Find The Octagon Barn at The Octagon Barn or Facebook or Instagram.
Ellsworth Block
Ellsworth Block is a unique venue with views of the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. The building is over 150 years old and has been completely renovated yet has kept its historic charm. Although the venue is an indoor space, it has an outdoor vibe with a window ceiling over top of the Atrium.
The Maeder Room can be used for both the ceremony and reception. The original exposed brick walls provide a warm and elegant atmosphere for you and your guests. The room has a lot of light between the Atrium skylight and large windows that offer a stunning view. The perfect spot for your classy and classic city wedding.
Typical Cost: Starts at $500
Capacity: Up 75 seated guests and up to 125 standing guests.
Bonus: The location is in downtown Madison on Capitol Square. Perfect for guests to continue to party late into the night after the reception.
Find Ellsworth Block at Ellsworth Block or Facebook or Instagram
Eden for Two
Eden for Two is an outdoor venue in Germantown, Wisconsin, with beautiful flowers, trees, a waterfall, and even a pond filled with koi fish! Imagine how amazing your wedding photos will be in this breath-taking garden setting. Eden for Two is perfect for larger weddings with 86,000 square feet and room for up to 300 guests standing.
Receptions are held in a wedding tent, and there is a clubhouse complete with a bridal suite and restrooms. You can bring your own alcohol and pets are permitted on the property. Celebrate your special day surrounded by beautiful gardens in this unique outdoor setting.
Typical Cost: Starts at $1,100
Capacity: Up 250 seated guests and up to 300 standing guests.
Bonus: The waterfall powered by a windmill is the perfect spot for your wedding photos.
Find Eden for Two at Eden for Two
The Venue at River’s Edge
The Venue at River’s Edge is located in Waterloo, Wisconsin, and is full of historic charm. Once used as a community center for the town, The Venue at River’s Edge has been fully renovated into a unique spot to tie the knot. The luxurious Main Hall boasts a stage, chandelier, late 1800s bar, and large outdoor deck.
The Venue at River’s Edge offers a “stress-free weekend” package where you get to have the whole venue to yourself from noon on Friday to noon on Sunday. Tables and chairs, a bartender, and a wedding attendant are included. The property’s 2,500 square feet of facilities have plenty of restrooms for guests; great for larger weddings.
Typical Cost: Starts at $3,800
Capacity: Up 250 seated guests and up to 300 standing guests.
Bonus: When you book The Venue at River’s Edge, you get access to the Main Hall and the Lower Hall, which is perfect for your rehearsal dinner.
Find The Venue at River’s Edge at The Venue at River’s Edge or Facebook or Instagram
YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa
Do you and your soon-to-be husband or wife love the woods and camping? If so, then the venue at the YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa is the perfect destination wedding spot for you! When you book Camp Nawakwa you get access to the property for 48 hours. There is a beach where you can say your vows and a rustic lodge that can feed up to 150 guests. You also get access to Camp Nawakwa’s recreational equipment, including canoes, kayaks, and more.
Guests can stay at the YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa for an additional lodging fee. There is an Island Cabin perfect for the bride and groom with privacy, a fire pit, and 360-degree views of the lake. There is also a Bridge Builder Cabin that sleeps up to 24 people and several other smaller cabins that can house 4-6 guests. Turn your special day into a memorable special weekend with this unique wedding venue.
Typical Cost: Flat fee of $1750 for the use of the venue
Capacity: Up 150 guests
Bonus: YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa is located on Big Crooked Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Wedding guests can enjoy hiking, fishing, or just sit back and relax and view the wildlife.
Find YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa at YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa or Facebook or Instagram
Best Outdoor Venues
Lake Geneva Cruise Line – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to over 15,000 lakes, making it a popular destination for lakefront weddings. However, it’s one thing to have a wedding alongside a lake, but it’s another to have a wedding while floating on top of the lake. The latter is what Lake Geneva Cruise Line makes possible.
The cruise line offers a fleet of eight boats, which hold between 14 and 156 passengers. Couples can reserve any of the available boats to serve as their perfect wedding venue. And if you don’t want to host the actual ceremony on the boat, you can dock along Pier 290 and hold it there. It holds up to 300 guests.
Price: $3858 and up.
Capacity: 14-126 guests per boat. 300 guests for the pier.
You can find Lake Geneva Cruise Company on Facebook and Instagram.
The Enchanted Barn – Hillsdale, Wisconsin
The Enchanted Barn is the perfect spot for couples who value a rustic, charming atmosphere. The property sits on 160 acres of farmland and offers several amenities, including a bridal suite, fieldstone patio, and a stone entrance decorated with wildflowers.
The central attraction is, of course, a multi-story, 200-year-old wooden barn. Perched on the top of a hill, it offers guests a picturesque view of the property. After the ceremony, many couples use the barn’s exterior as a location for wedding photos.
On top of that, The Enchanted Barn also offers in-house chefs and award-winning bands that couples can hire. If that’s not enough to convince you, maybe the fact that it’s a repeated winner of Wisconsin Bride’s best wedding venue award will.
Price Range: $4,000 – $15,000
Capacity: Up to 250 Guests
You can check out Enchanted Barn on Facebook and Instagram.
Old Rittenhouse Inn – Bayfield, Wisconsin
The Old Rittenhouse Inn has become one of Wisconsin’s most popular spots to host weddings and vow renewals. And with good reason! The property, consisting of two historic Victorian houses, is home to a stunning courtyard where many couples choose to tie the knot. In addition to its enchanting architecture, the Inn offers couples a scenic view of Lake Superior.
However, the true beauty of the Old Rittenhouse Inn lies in the fact that it can accommodate small wedding parties (perfect for elopements) or larger groups.
Price Range: $3,400 & up
Capacity: 10-200 guests
You can check out the Old Rittenhouse Inn on Facebook and Instagram.
The Hidden Meadow & Barn – Pepin, Wisconsin
If sprawling meadows, twinkling fairy lights, and fresh-country air are must-haves for your wedding, then look no further than The Hidden Meadow and Barn. This magical venue is located smack dab in the middle of a splendid patch of meadows and hills, giving guests a one-of-a-kind view.
Couples have the option to wed inside or outside the property’s extravagant open-sided barn, which is made from rustic, unfinished wood and decorated with crystal chandeliers. The ceremony meadow, which overlooks the Back Valley, is another option for the vow exchange. During the reception, guests can socialize by playing games provided by the venue or enjoying the enchanting glow of a bonfire.
As far as the wedding party, the Wedding Cottages provide plenty of space for all of the pre-wedding grooming and pampering to make your wedding memorable.
Price: Contact venue.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
You can find The Hidden Meadow & Barn on Facebook and Instagram.
The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
If you’ve always wanted to wed on the grounds of an Italian-style villa without crossing the Atlantic ocean, then you should consider The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum. Originally owned by the family of Lloyd Smith, Villa Terrace is now a public art museum that doubles as a popular wedding destination.
Located near Lake Michigan, this romantic wedding destination offers wedding parties multiple areas for their ceremony and reception and also spaces for photos. Some couples opt to wed near the fountain in front of the family’s home, but the main attraction is definitely the Renaissance garden.
It is located at the base of the hill the home sits on and is surrounded by waterfalls, authentic Italian greenery, and views that will surely take your breath away.
Price: $3,000 for the ceremony/$7000 for the ceremony + reception.
Capacity: 120 guests
You can find The Villa Terrace Decorative Art Museum on Facebook and Instagram.
Bay Shore Inn – Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
The Bay Shore Inn is the perfect venue for couples who may want a small, intimate wedding ceremony but don’t want to compromise spectacular scenery. The multi-story resort sits just off of the water, providing wedding parties with a romantic view of Waterton Lake.
Most couples opt to wed along the shoreline in the evening. Then, under cover of nightfall, they can then fire up the bonfire and bask in the warmth of burgeoning love.
Plus, it can also serve as lodging for out-of-town guests.
Price: $2500 and up.
Capacity: up to 220 guests.
You can find The Bay Shore Inn on Facebook and Instagram.
The Edgewater – Madison, Wisconsin
Waterfront weddings will always be a part of Wisconsin wedding culture, but The Edgewater Hotel provides a more grandiose experience. Located just off of Mendota Lake, the hotel’s unique location makes it prime real estate for stunning water-side sunsets.
Most couples wed on the property’s Veranda, which sits so close to the water you can almost reach out and touch it. You can also exchange vows on top of the hotel at the Sky Bar, which overlooks the entire property. On top of that, the hotel offers in-house wedding concierge and spa services to ensure no need goes unfulfilled on your big day.
The Edgewater is located in the middle of a bustling college town, so there’s plenty for guests to do while they’re in the area.
Price: $15,000 – $18,000
Capacity: up to 400 guests.
You can find The Edgewater on Facebook and Instagram.
National Railroad Museum – Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin
Outdoor weddings don’t always have to center around garden venues and waterfront properties. If you’re the type of couple who crave adventure and like to think outside of the box, then the National Railroad Museum might be for you.
The Museum provides ample space for couples to wed and take photos in front of their majestic trains on display. They even allow you to marry on the trains. You can also utilize the River Outdoor Fox Space, which offers a gorgeous view of the Fox River and gorgeous greenery and foliage.
Plus, in the days before the wedding, you and your guests can take private tours of the exhibitions and learn about the history of our country’s vast and expansive railway system.
Price: $1,200 and up.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests.
You can find the National Railroad Museum on Facebook and Instagram.
Bridle Barn & Gardens
Bridle Barn & Gardens is the perfect venue for couples who want a traditional barn wedding but lean more towards luxury than rusticity. The central barn, which was built in the 1870s, is still standing, but it’s been fitted with modern upgrades. There are also acres of meticulously planted gardens filled with gorgeous roses, hydrangeas, and tulips.
Couples have their pick of several spots to wed, including a barn, several gardens, and a stone pergola that sits near a private onsite lake. Thanks to lanterns, the already gorgeous property transforms into a dreamy landscape at night. Plus, the wedding party can get ready for the big day in the renovated farmhouse.
Price: $80 per head.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
You can find Bridle Barn & Gardens on Facebook and Instagram.
The Gardens Wedding Center
As a church front property, The Gardens Wedding Center is perfect for couples with religious inclinations. But it’s also much more than just holy ground. It’s also a great spot to experience a fairy tale here on earth.
The venue is situated on three acres and offers couples four distinct buildings to host their nuptials. Just outside of the chapel lies a courtyard fitted with white, log tables – a perfect spot for exchanging vows and taking photos. Lush flowers and vegetation decorate the grounds, and carved dirt paths help give the place a storybook vibe. Plus, there’s also a beautiful stone path that leads to an onsite pond.
Price: $3500 – $5000
Capacity: 75 to 150 people.
You can find the Garden’s Wedding Center on Facebook and Instagram.