Wedding venues and event locations have had a TOUGH go of it in 2020. With very few events actually happening and the ones that ARE happening being hampered by COVID restrictions, it has been far from a great year to own and run a venue.
I wanted to do a little write up of some of my favorites to shine a little light on some well known (or not so well known) locations to have your event. When the “smoke clears” and we are able to gather and celebrate in earnest again, I hope you will consider some of these great locations for your event.
And there’s ONE location that has been absolutely elusive to me since I started shooting weddings in 2008.
You’ll find that one at the end of that article. I LOVE it….adore it even….if I could re-do my wedding, I would hop all over it…..so if you’re planning a wedding there….HIT. ME. UP.
Without further adieu, here’s my favorites and places that deserve praise for being awesome.
BELOIT CLUB BELOIT, WI
I’m probably biased here. I grew up in Beloit, WI. When I was a 22 year old who just started dating my now-husband, I had found a job waiting tables at what WAS the “Country Club of Beloit”….one of the oldest Country Clubs in Wisconsin. And, not to be snarky, but damn if the building didn’t show its age. It was….charmingly shabby. Sort of. My husband and I had our own wedding reception there. Water stains on the dropped ceiling and all.
Enter Diane Hendricks. Billionaire philanthropist. She razed the old club and built the Beloit Club a handful of years ago. To say it’s a massive improvement would be an understatement. It’s GORGEOUS. The reception hall is well appointed and really beautiful. The grounds are sprawling and wonderful for portraits. Their food is top notch.
GORDON LODGE BAILEY’S HARBOR, WI
Gordon Lodge in Bailey’s Harbor, WI is not only GORGEOUS, but they have the distinction of having some of the best “customer service” and attention to detail I’ve ever witnessed as a vendor. They have it TOGETHER and every time I’ve shot a wedding there, they’ve been nothing but organized, professional, and attentive. Even to the other outside vendors. Four stars…..for sure!
HARLEY MUSEUM MILWAUKEE, WI
The Harley Museum is currently closed due to COVID, but when they ARE open and hosting events, they’re one of my favorites. Mostly because they offer a truly unique backdrop for portraits. They allow shooting within the museum for folks having their wedding and/or reception there, and it opens the door for some pretty killer images. Inside AND out. You don’t have to be the “biker type” to enjoy it either! It’s a truly “Milwaukee” venue.
CINDY’S ROOFTOP CHICAGO, IL
If you’re having a small, intimate “mini-wedding” reception but still want it to scream CHICAGO!…..I love Cindy’s Rooftop. First, their food. OMG, the food. So, so good. Second, you can’t beat the view. The rooftop terrace overlooks Millennium Park. I don’t think there’s a better view in the city, if you ask me (I get that I don’t LIVE in the city, so I may be just starstruck by the park view…..but damn….it’s purrty).
The best bit is Cindy’s is on top of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, which is GREAT for portraits (just make sure you get permission first).
BAYFIELD, WI
Yes. I get it. Bayfield, WI isn’t a “venue”, it’s a city. But, stay with me. I shot a wedding in Bayfield a few years ago and absolutely fell in LOVE with the whole area. The harbor is magical. The little downtown area is quaint and as if it’s from another era. I started making plans to retire there after only being there a few hours. Bayfield is a GREAT place for a “destination wedding” within your own state. It’s like another world.
THE IVY ROOM CHICAGO, IL
The Ivy Room wins with me simply due to pure BEAUTY. It’s like a little secret garden in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the big city. The portrait options rock and even the indoor venue location is pretty stellar. But, if you’re having a Chicago city wedding, you can’t beat it’s garden area….it’s just lovely.
ORCHARD RIDGE FARMS PAVILION ROCKTON, IL
Maybe it’s the Wisconsin in me, I’m a sucker for a good farm. Orchard Ridge is more of an upscale “farm-ish” type venue (you get a bit of the country/pastural feeling without the cow poop smell). It’s grounds are absolutely lovely and their organization reception-wise is really fabulous. They’re able to host larger gatherings, so once that’s a “thing” again, I can highly recommend putting them on their list of places to check out.
SERENDIPITY FARM WATERLOO, WI
The term “rustic” has been a TAD overused in the wedding circles in recent years, but it fits Serendipity Farm well. I grew to love this place quickly because its a restored Victorian farmstead and that is all the WAY up my alley. It’s simply precious….the barn is indeed straight up “rustic” (if that’s your thing). The grounds are heavenly and the house! OMG, the house. I could have moved right in.
PABST BEST PLACE MILWAUKEE, WI
I’ve never ACTUALLY looked, but I’m pretty sure I’ve shot more weddings/receptions here than anywhere else. It’s a place I’ve visited and shot MANY, MANY times and I never really get sick of it. They keep improving and adding on…..the surrounding area is very usable and has neat little nooks and crannies. My one complaint, if I have one, is that they got rid of easy “wide angle” access to the lit-up Pabst sign by putting parking directly in front of it……but that’s a small gripe. I can and have worked around that. It was just better “before”. But, all in all, I still have a love for Pabst Best Place.
OLD WORLD WISCONSIN EAGLE, WI
The first time I visited OWW was for a field trip. If I remember correctly, the school gave us the option to “dress up” in “pioneer” clothing for the trip. Pretty sure I was the only person who obliged. My grandmother was a chaperone for the trip and we bonded over our mutual love for living history museums. I made her take me back for my birthday that following summer. Since becoming a mother, I’ve taken Betty a handful of times…..each time making her dress the part because I’m the mom and I say so.
I have been obsessed with OWW ever since. It’s HUGE, there’s so much to see and it’s such a relaxing day just taking your time taking in the sites, the smells, the sounds, and the feel of the place.
If I could do my wedding over again…..I’d do it there.
Here’s the thing: I’VE NEVER SHOT A WEDDING AT OLD WORLD WISCONSIN.
Thirteen years, people. 250+ weddings. NEVER ONCE (with the exception of 2nd shooting gig about 10 years ago where I didn’t even get to do portraits!) have I shot a wedding at my most favorite place in the whole wide world.
Travesty! I know!
So here’s the deal……post-COVID madness……Y’ALL HAVE TO HOOK ME UP. I want to shoot there so badly. There’s SO much potential there…..the grounds are just a history lover’s playground. The buildings! The costumed docents! I am a complete nerd for OWW.
So, if you are willing to make my little photographer dreams come true, I would be eternally grateful. Old World Wisconsin is my white whale.
Planning your 2021 or 2022 wedding? Want some help with planning a tiny get-together to stick to the COVID regs or a larger event for when this is all a thing of the past? I’m here to help! Shoot me a message on the contact form and let’s get your story started!