There are so many decisions to be made when planning your wedding. From picking a date, to the color of the bridesmaid dresses, it can often feel like the possibilities are endless. One of the first and most important decisions of the entire planning process is choosing your venue. As with all choices, there are a lot of options for Wisconsin wedding reception venues!

To begin, you can quickly narrow down your choices by keeping a few things in mind:

1. How many guests will you be inviting?
2. What are you envisioning for your day? Modern and minimal? Cozy and intimate? Bright and open?

As you get clear on guest count and what direction you want to head aesthetically, the venue choice becomes much less daunting as not all venues will fit the day you are planning.

I have rounded up a list of 29 of the best Wisconsin wedding reception venues — and categorized them based on style. I hope this is helpful as you begin planning! Remember to have fun and be confident in your decisions; it is about what you are wanting and envisioning for YOUR day!

Garden Venues

• Villa Terrace Art Museum With its historic Mediterranean-inspired architecture, grounds’ gardens, and convenient location in downtown Milwaukee, the Villa Terrace is one of the state’s most stunning and exquisite wedding venues.
• Paine Art Center and Gardens One of our all-time favorite venues! The gardens and on-site historical buildings are truly breathtaking with endless opportunities for photos and for guests to enjoy exploring.
• Green Bay Botanical Gardens Perfect for those wanting an outdoor garden wedding with onsite reception venue. There are beautiful backdrops everywhere you look!
• Paoli Mill Terrace and Park An intimate and unique blank canvas for building the outdoor wedding ceremony and reception of your dreams. Tucked away in the small town of Paoli between the Old Stone Mill Building, the creek, and a beautiful wooded area.

The Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Historic Venues

• The Madison Club One of our favorite venues in Madison! The charm and character that differs from room to room throughout the entire club is such a treat! It is also conveniently located to the Capitol Square.
• The Waters The perfect location for a nautical wedding. The property is adorned with a beautiful historic building for the reception, lawn space for the ceremony, and plenty of lakefront views!
• The Wisconsin Club An elegant, timeless ballroom located in downtown Milwaukee. One of the city’s most luxurious venues.
• Garver Feed Mill A historic, 100-year-old mill in downtown Madison featuring a large atrium space for your ceremony and/or reception, as well as an elevate adjoining lounge to host your guests for cocktail hour.

Garver Feed Mill in downtown Madison, Wisconsin

Golf Club Venues

• Bishops Bay Country Club Breathtaking lake and Capitol views with a charming clubhouse or tented reception options.
• Oneida Golf & Country Club We love the timeless touches and natural light the reception space has to offer.
• Geneva National Resort and Club Nestled on a hill on Lake Como, there isn’t a bad view on the entire property! We also appreciate how flexible the staff is for photos, helping with transportation and allowing couples to shoot on some of the property’s most beautiful spots.
• The American Club You can’t go wrong with the outdoor and indoor options available at the luxurious American Club or Whistling Straights in the village of Kohler — from the courtyard at The American Club, to the Straits Chapel, to the Irish Barn and Terrace at Whistling Straights.
• The Oaks Aside from the picturesque Oaks surrounding the property, one of our favorite things about this venue is the white tent available for outdoor receptions. The natural light is to die for!
• SentryWorld Golf Course A wonderful venue located in Stevens Point in Central Wisconsin. Lots of options for ceremony and reception spaces.
• The Legend at Brandybrook We love this venue for its close proximity to downtown Delafield and more specifically, The Delafield Hotel and St. John’s Military Academy. All together, these three locations make for a breathtaking wedding day.

The grounds at Oneida Golf & Country Club in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Art Centers

• The Overture Center The most exquisite venue for a modern, city vibe in the heart of downtown Madison. White walls, ceilings, and floors, with three stories of windows lining all exterior walls.
• The John Michael Kohler Arts Center A sleek and modern building sharing a property with a garden, sculptures, ruins from a 1904 building, and a historic old house. The best of all worlds in downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
• Milwaukee Art Museum On the lake in downtown Milwaukee, a luxurious venue providing its guests with minimalist vibes, lots of windows, unique lines and textures, lots of white and lots of natural light.

The Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin

Resorts/Hotels

• The Osthoff Resort Located in the charming village of Elkhart Lake and on Elkhart Lake itself, the Osthoff is a beautiful venue for both wedding ceremonies and receptions. See for yourself!
• The Edgewater Hosting views of both Lake Mendota and The Wisconsin State Capitol, The Edgewater provides a luxurious and all-inclusive experience for all of its couples.
• The Pfister Hotel With ornate ballroom options located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the historic Pfister Hotel is the perfect venue for a classic couple with timeless taste.

The ballroom at The Edgewater Hotel in downtown Madison, Wisconsin

Rustic Venues

• The Lageret An old tobacco warehouse turned wedding venue, The Lageret is truly one-of-a-kind. Open brick and original beams provide rustic yet industrial vibes located in downtown Stoughton, Wisconsin.
• The Fields Reserve Located just outside of Madison, The Fields Reserve is a unique barn venue with light blue and white barn options, as well as spaces for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies.
• Sugarland Barn From the majestic old oak tree as a ceremony backdrop, to the charming plantation-style farmhouse on property, Sugarland Barn has endless options for guests to gather and photos to be taken.
• The Farm at Dover A truly magical setting with gardens, forests, and the great old barn!
• Over the Vines A barn AND a vineyard — need I say more?!

The ceremony space at The Lageret in Stoughton, Wisconsin

Industrial Venues & Other

• The Tinsmith Located within walking distance of incredible restaurants and hotels downtown Madison, this historic venue (originally built in 1925!) features a stunning Atrium entrance that brings the outdoors “in” year-round.
• The Ivy House What was once an old warehouse in downtown Milwaukee is now a beautiful wedding venue featuring modern industrial touches, a plethora of indoor live greenery, and a large outdoor patio for a ceremony and/or cocktail hour.
• The Ledgecrest Reserve Designed by a seasoned wedding planner, this venue was “meant to be photographed in.” It features an abundance of natural light, oversized crystal chandeliers, and an outdoor courtyard.

The Tinsmith reception space in downtown Madison, Wisconsin

For more planning tips, check out more of our ‘For Brides’ posts on the blog!