Reception Sites 101: Historic & Unique

No bride dreams of a cookie cutter wedding; you want your day to be totally unique and unforgettably you. Of course, you’ll include plenty of personal details and might even tackle some DIY projects for a homemade touch, but one of the easiest ways to make your special day, well, special is to host the reception at a memorable venue.

What makes a memorable venue? Think: history, culture, and unique landmarks and locations. This is the Pinterest Age that encourages brides to embrace their individuality, and what better place to start than with the reception site — the backdrop of the entire event. Thinking outside the ballroom box when searching for a spot to host your wedding reception could create an amazing experience for you and your guests. Plus, you can rest assured that these unique locations are well-equipped with talented staffs to make your day go off without a hitch.

Begin your unique venue search by exploring local colleges, art museums, lodges, retreat centers, historic hotels, and rental spaces that boast some distinctiveness. In the Milwaukee area, you’ll find fabulous historic sites — decades-old buildings and spaces that are truly linked to the city’s history. For example, 1451 Renaissance Place was originally built as a Christian Science Church back in 1909, and The Grain Exchange was built in 1875 to house the Chamber of Commerce when Milwaukee was a leading producer of wheat. These sorts of sites offer character, elegance, and a blend of modern and vintage architecture for a timeless feel with lots of wow factor.

This wow factor accomplishes more than just impressing your guests, of course — it’s also as if the bulk of the wedding day decorating has been done for you! Some more modern or multi-purpose ballrooms can feel sterile and need a lot of dolling up in order to feel festive, but a venue with lots of character makes for an enchanting experience for you and your guests. The special details at a unique reception site like exposed wood beams, cream city brick, or gilded columns creates a romantic aesthetic that will leave friends and family feeling awestruck, even with little added embellishment.

Another cool thing about unique venues: they’re one-of-a-kind, just like you. No two brides are the same, and so exploring reception sites with some character will help you find one that suits your character. Are you a swanky bride? Inquire at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Want something more intimate and rustic? There’s the Hubbard Park Lodge. For the exotic bride, check out the Middle Eastern architecture at the Tripoli Shrine Center. And if you’re dreaming of a day that’s a total novelty, host your reception at the Milwaukee County Zoo. These are just the tip of the iceberg in a marvelously long list of unforgettable sites for hosting your wedding reception in Milwaukee and SE WI — sites as wonderfully varied as the brides themselves. Read on for a list of unique and historic venues — it’s a great way to start your search!

Historic and Unique Venues

1451 Renaissance Place
Alverno College
The Astor
Charles Allis Art Museum
DeKoven Center
Grain Exchange Room
Hubbard Park Lodge
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee County War Memorial
Milwaukee County Zoo
Potawatomi Bingo Casino
Pritzlaff Events
Red Circle Inn
Schauer Art & Activities Center
South Second
The Rotunda
Tripoli Shrine Center
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Wisconsin Club- City Club