The Best Wedding Venues in Madison, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin State Capitol Building
I have to start with my favorite building in the Madison, the 300 foot behemoth in the middle, the capital. I remember as a kid I thought every state had a building like this. Wow. That is not the case. I mean look up the Dakotas Capital buildings. They are just office buildings. That’s just unfortunate.
I have had many wedding party’s, engagement sessions, and grad sessions (go badgers!) here.
The capital is almost a perfect wedding venue. My critiques are more about the auxiliary facilities that a more conventional venue would have.
While you can reserve a space here in the rotunda, they don’t close the building while you’re having your wedding. I would reccomend having your ceremony therefore at an unconventional time, to have the least amount of foot traffic in the building.
There is also no bridal suite or real getting ready space, so be dressed and in your wedding attire before you arrive.
That being said. This is a dream location from a photography perspective.
The photos will look distinct, like they are straight out of a movie. There is so many options, from the out door observation deck, to the interior and all of its little side corridors to the exterior of the building and beautiful surrounding area.
I really recommend having your wedding inside if you’re at all interested in that. I believe you basically just have to ask nicely and the staff will give you the go ahead. It’s not quite that simple but its close.
It feels really special on the inside and it’s so easy to take a huge variety of photos here.
Simply put, the capital is just a really nice place to take photos. There is a surprising amount of natural light on the inside. The exteriors neutral color pallet really makes this an ideal place to take photos. As you the subject of the photo will pretty much always pop out of the frame.
Olin Park
Olin Park is across lake Mendota from the main Madison skyline. There are great views and a nice (I would say medium sized) building for a reception type of space.
What makes this a great wedding venue?
The park is deceptively large, and there are a nice variety of ceremony locations. You could set up with lake views towards the city, or in a more secluded nature vibe.
This park is still more than close enough for a quick drive downtown to a another reception venue or just photos near the capital, Monona Terrace, and other iconic Madison destinations.
I love the massive trees here and the feeling of space. It feels like there is room here for your guests to spread out and enjoy yard games, and fire pits on a summer night.
Summer here is beautiful but I think fall is my favorite. There are so many large trees that the fall colors just take over.
The Memorial Union
The Memorial Union on Campus is so much larger than just the terrace. Although I would of course recommend stepping down to the terrace for a pitcher or enjoying the sunset views from the piers.
This is to me one of the ultimate wedding venues in Madison. There is a large ballroom for dancing and reception activities. I have seen ceremonies on the second level terrace spaces, which would be stunning as well.
I think that this is a fantastic choice for a wedding with a guest count of less than 150ish. While the spaces available are stunning and have huge value especially to UW Madison Alumni. They are not THAT big.
This is also of corse very close to Bascom Hall, State Street and many other Madison favorites.
One think to note: Memorial Union books far in advance (18 months-ish), and uses a lottery system. This is a very, competitive reservation.
The Edgewater
This is almost a tie for the top spot on my list.
The Edgewater really is “The Place For Everything Madison” like they say on their website.
You have views of the lakes, campus, and the capital.
The Edgewater has some of the best sunset views in the city. Either from the indoors, upper observation areas, or my favorite down on the docks right next to the water.
I think one of the biggest selling points for the Edgewater is you can absolutely do everything here. And not miss out on anything.
The getting ready spaces they have here are actually beautiful, which is often not the case.
There are multiple stunning ceremony spaces that can harbor 300 guests, or even more for a perfect micro wedding, like the Sky Bar.
Then step into the restaurant or one of the ballrooms for cocktails.
Go to the capital for group photos, or stay here and go down by the water, or explore the different outdoor spaces, the Red Crown Club, or the Sky Bar.
Then dance the perfect summer night away outside in the Grand Plaza. Or a colder fall night in the Grand Ballroom.
My favorite area is the Grand Plaza the outdoor space is just perfect for a ceremony or reception space.
I think one of the coolest sunset ideas is renting an antique boat and going out just the two of you, and of course me, your photographer for some sunset/ blue hour photos.
The Monona Terrace Rooftop
While the indoor spaces of the Monona Terrace are nice too. I think the rooftop is the single coolest place to have a wedding in Madison.
So what makes this the best wedding venue in Madison?
The views are the best in the city.
You feel like you’re flying over Lake Mendota and apart of the skyline at the same time.
I loved the view down MLK boulevard towards the capital building. The pedestrian walk way is one of my favorite photo locations in the City.
Since the Monona Terrace is purposefully built as an event venue, they have the infrastructure to support a wedding. There are getting ready areas, indoor spaces, bathrooms for more than one person.
The rooftop is HUGE. The gardens add a lot to the space as well, it does not feel like you are just in the concrete jungle.
Like the Edgewater you could go for an evening boat ride and have an epic drone photo of you two with the Monona Terrace lit up behind you and the sunset and I mean come on that sounds just epic.
Honorable Mentions & Fun Venue Ideas
Grace Episcopal
Grace Episcopal is my top pick for best church to have a wedding in Madison. While Madison has a number of beautiful church’s, this is my top choice. This is because of its location, and how beautiful it is.
What makes this a great wedding venue?
Stunning church right next to the capital!
Great access to the Capital, Monona Terrace, Edgewater, and many local hotels and restaurants.
The building is truly beautiful.
The courtyard is perfect for a first look.
The Backyard Wedding Venue
Having your wedding venue be in a family or your own backyard is actually a fantastic option.
Besides some obvious cost savings you get complete control over you own space.
The biggest downside is having to do much more planning and preparation.
Kwik Trip
I mean come on. Just go for a pit stop and get yourself some glazers and chocolate milk. Refuel.
The Oaks
What makes The Oaks a great venue?
Lots of space!
The outdoor space is really beautiful and large.
Clubhouse is great for getting ready and maybe a drink.
Picnic Point
What makes Picnic Point a great wedding venue?
Perfect for a small wedding ceremony.
Great views of the lake and city.
There is a perfect spot on the very edge of the peninsula for a ceremony.
Tons of shoreline to explore.
Rentals near the dells
Actually some of my favorite weddings of all time were at airbnb’s and vacation rentals. These give an almost destination feel.
Devils Lake
While absolutely gorgeous, can be crowded.
Top of the bluffs are where I actually had my first wedding ever.
Great for smaller intimate ceremony’s
Down on “sea level” is better for larger groups and your grandparents.
Any local Airbnb on the Lakes
Anything farther out near the dells or Wisconsin River counts here too. They even give more of a unique destination wedding venue type of feel.
Lake and water views always make me feel like I am somewhere just a little extra special. I love the destination feel of these places even within an hour of Madison or Milwaukee.
A different take, door county/ the UP destination wedding.
Beaches make for great photos!
Links to where you can find more information about some of the venues mentioned:
Wisconsin State Capital Reservations: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/asgt/submenu/legislative-business-ceremonial-reservations/
The Edgewater: https://www.theedgewater.com/meetings-events/weddings/
Grace Episcopal: http://www.gracechurchmadison.org/your-marriage-at-grace
Monona Terrace: https://www.mononaterrace.com/weddings/
Memorial Union: https://union.wisc.edu/host-your-event/weddings/