Need downtown Milwaukee venue ideas!

kbrantmeier

So I am newly engaged and would love to get married downtown Milwaukee, but the problem is that with our estimated guest list (350) and budget (haven't determined it yet, but know that a lot of Milwaukee is too expensive)..we aren't having much luck.

Could anyone give me any suggestions on a place that is reasonable for that many guests? It appears that we are going to be spending about $15-20k if we want to have in downtown.

We are looking at Discovery World, the Grain Exchange, Performing Arts Center, Intercontinental to name a few...can anyone give me pointers, tips, or reviews?!

kmatola18

The Italian Community Center can definitely accomodate a wedding of that size.  I'm not sure on price, but I recently attended a wedding there and the food was phenomenal!

Good luck and happy planning!

Jules08

We had started out with an estimated guest list of 330 and ended up having around 200.

Granted I was married in 2008, but I got married in downtown Milwaukee and my budget was half of yours.

My reception was at the Lakefront Brewery (it can hold up to 300 I think)

Turners Ballroom can hold up to 500.

GL.

boxcar

We're holding our ceremony and reception at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in September and we're very happy with everything so far.  Our food and beverage package would cost a lot more anywhere else and the caterer is providing almost everything so we don't have to worry about rentals.

The South Shore Pavillion is a really popular space because it's large and you can purchase your own alcohol, saving lots of money.  It is south of downtown, but has an awesome view of the marina and the city.

Alyssa0421

Is $15-20k your entire wedding budget or just for your venue/catering? My understanding is that those are more upscale venues and you would be paying a lot more than $15-20k for your whole wedding of 350 guests at one of those places.

We invited around 290 to our wedding and had about 190 come. We paid about $6200 for our caterer (Irene's, sit-down meal), $2400 to alcohol vendor for soda, beer, wine and champagne toast, and about $1500 for venue rental and parking at the Milwaukee War Memorial. Our wedding total with both ceremony and reception costs came close to about $25k for everything for 190 people. I also DIYed half the centerpieces, made our invites and programs, etc and used a lot of reputable but not pricey vendors.

We highly considered the Milwaukee Zoo Peck Welcome Center which can hold 500 guests and is pretty reasonably priced. We had prom there and it's a lovely facility. We also looked into Lakefront Brewery, which is very inexpensive for downtown, but they book very far in advance (already booked when we called 18-20 months out for summer weddings).

The War Memorial is also one of the most inexpensive downtown venues we could find that could fit 200+ guests. It also books super far in advance but we snagged our date in Dec 08 for May 2010.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

felicity and reverie

What about 1451 Renaissance Place? We had my high school proms there and it was a nice, large space. Their website says that they have had events with up to 600 people there, so there is more than enough room for what you want.

Here's the link: http://www.renaissanceplace.com/weddings.html

carrieh82

We are doing Lakefront Brewery next year and it is right around 11,000 for 300 people we have figured out.  Including beer and wine...

kkargus

We are having ours next year at the Humphry Scottish Rite Masonic Center.  They can seat up to 300 for dinner.  There is no minimum on food or beverage, but you do have to rent the space.  This is either $1450 or $1950 depending on the time of year.  My fiance and I wanted a downtown reception, without the feel of a hotel ballroom.  The food and beverage packages are reasonable. We had our tasting tonight and the food was great.

mmskaric

Our reception is going to be at the Milwaukee Public Museum. We didn't want a sit-down dinner and have a huge guest list, so this was the perfect spot. I must say though...our reception food and beverage will probably be around $17,000 alone.

allison9115

Ours is at the "Miller Room" which is attached to the restaurant Coast right across from the Art Muesum.  Zilli's Catering does the food and all the reservations even though it's O'Donnell Parks.  You could use the Harbor Lights Room which is right accross the street and holds about 300 (same caterer).  My future sister in law had her wedding there in May.  It was beautiful, the food was great, and it's all reasonably priced!!  This is the link to their website and if you e-mail them, they provide all the prices, deals, etc... http://zillihospitalitygroup.com/.

My word of advice would be to stop looking at places with Bartlotta's Catering with a budget like that.  We looked at Discovery World and I believe it was $7k to rent it with a minimum $18k food and beverage package!!!  If you need any help I'd be happy to give you any pointers!  I'm getting married this September and did all the big stuff nice and early!  Good luck!

jackie5387

I am having my wedding at the Hyatt Regency in two weeks. The do not have a room rental fee, just a minimum. Call and ask for Misty King. She is amazing! I am also have my cocktail hour up in Polaris without an extra charge. You may want to look into doing a Friday wedding if your on a tight budget. Your cost for almost everything will be less!

morticia7867

I looked into Discovery World and the Art Museum...$7000 for just the rental and $18k food minimum. We are getting married and having the reception at the war Memorial. $1700 to rent the venue. You have to choose from their catering list though. Our total budget is $11000 for 120 people. I am doing a ton of DIY incliuding the centerpieces and invites. Good luck!

Backpackers

I second the Renaissance Place - That's where we're having ours!

browneyedbride7

Grain Exchange will be WAY out of your budget, as well as Discovery World.  We have about the same budget as you and they are far too pricey. 

I would suggest the War Memorial if you want to do something outdoors.  The inside ballroom at the War Memorial is ugly in my opinion.  The carpeting makes me want to puke.

Renaissance Place is GORGEOUS and very spacious.  We would've probably had ours there if we had more guests.  LOL