The Cooperage is located in Milwaukee’s Harbor District. Named for the building’s storied past, the brick walls once housed Milwaukee’s cooper’s trade: the manufacturing of barrels and casks. This historic building can host a number of different events either indoors or outdoors with covered and uncovered options. The Cooperage has an industrial feel, with steel beams, exposed ductwork, iron hand railing, wood finishes, and statement brick interiors. The bar is placed in front of a wall of windows that allow tons of natural light to seep through. It’s a really unique looking space.
Milwaukee has so many gorgeous modern wedding venues to choose from. With a variety of historic “cream city brick,” renovated factories, or light filled new builds, I don’t think you can go wrong. Below is a list of some of my favorite options, ranked by a Milwaukee wedding photographer.
1. The Factory on Barclay
The Factory on Barclay is located in the Original Cheesehead Factory building in the Harbor District of Milwaukee’s Historic Walker’s Point. The 7,800 square foot multi-purpose venue space offers three unique areas to choose from and can be rented separately or in combination. This venue can accommodate a wedding ceremony in the Warehouse and flow into the reception in the Main Factory with no interruption. The Factory on Barclay wedding venue is located in more of an industrial area, but there are many walking distance options for portraits if you do not want to travel off site.
Venue Specs:
- Venue capacity for up to 400 guests and banquet seating for up to 320 guests
- 7,800 sq. ft, The Main Factory, The Warehouse & The Mezzanine .
- Outdoor deck patio with an additional 1200 sq. ft of space
- 400 mahogany chairs and up to 30 – (60”) or 30 (66″) round tables included
- 10 hour rental period to provide for vendor set-up/breakdown
- High-end glassware included for bar service
- Bartender labor included in rental price on Friday and Saturdays
- Floor plan design, planning & coordination included
For more information about The Factory on Barclay, visit their website.
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Jesse & Nicole wed at The Factory on Barclay. View their blog post here.
2. The Ivy House
The Ivy House is another former warehouse, turned wedding venue. Fitting for an “Ivy House,” ivy hangs from the bar’s pergola and the ballroom’s beams. This wedding venue is also Milwaukee’s Historic Walker’s Point neighborhood. A large highlight of the Ivy House is the large outdoor space. The space is designed with all the right details in mind – lots of landscaping, a large bar, outdoor fireplaces, etc.
Venue Specs:
- 300+ Guests
- Milwaukee Airwaves is exclusive DJ
- Getting Ready Suite (The Penthouse)
Learn more about The Ivy House on their website.
3. Gather at Deer District
Gather at Deer District is a gorgeous event space right across the walkway from Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum. Floor to ceiling windows create the perfect flood of natural light making it picturesque for your daytime ceremony and portraits. Guests can enjoy the attached outdoor patio throughout your event no matter the weather. Gather at Deer District is in a great location – close to lots of bars and nightlife, but my favorite thing about this wedding venue is it’s clean, modern lines and huge windows.
Venue Specs:
- Up to 300 seated guests
- On-site food and beverage service
- Outdoor patio
- Tables and chairs included
- Event management team
- Plates, napkins, glassware and cutlery included
Learn more about Gather at Deer District here.
4. The Pritzlaff
This building was built in 1875 and has recently been renovated. 26,000 square feet of floor space is surrounded by Victorian era arched windows and gritty cream city brick. The Pritzlaff property is divided into four separate spaces. Address 325 can host or seat up to 315 guests while address 333 can accommodate up to 600. Combined, the Pritzlaff can welcome up to 1200. The venue space is beautiful, but if you ask me, one of the coolest parts about the Pritzlaff is the rooftop access. On the rooftop you can take photos with the entire city skyline in the background.
Venue Specs:
- Can accomodate up to 600 guests
- Tables, chairs, decor, etc all available to rent
- Works with an approved catering list. To see the full list, visit their website.
Learn more about having your wedding at the Pritzlaff.
5. The Cooperage
Venue Specs:
- Up to 175 seated guests
- Must use venue food service
- Chairs, tables and linens included
Learn more about The Cooperage by visiting their website.
6. The Atrium
The Atrium is a unique industrial event space in Shorewood, Wisconsin. The first floor main room is beautiful, but one of the most unique features to this venue is the rooftop garden. The rooftop can be used for ceremonies, as part of your event cocktail hour, or rented on its own for more intimate gatherings.
Venue Specs:
- Capacity up to 220 guests
- Must use a preferred catering partner
- Your choice of exclusive event services from Sound by Design including music/MC, videography, lighting, photo booth, and more.
Learn more about The Atrium by visiting their website.
7. The Gage
The Gage is actually located in West Allis (still close to downtown Milwaukee). This is an industrial but chic space, originally home to the Allis Chalmers Tractor Division. The exposed cream city brick, exposed beams and touches of metal are complemented by Edison lighting, creating a warm, inviting, one-of-a-kind backdrop for your wedding.
Venue Specs:
- 7,000+ square foot event space
- Up to 300 guests between the main floor and loft
- Two getting-ready suites
- Ample on site parking
- Indoor Ceremony Options
- Tables and chairs included
- Event staff and security guard
Learn more about hosting your wedding at The Gage.
8. The Filament
The Filament is a modern event venue, located in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. The historical Cream City brick is one of the main focal points of the space, along with the custom filament bulbs and chandeliers. This venue is owned by the same team that owns The Ivy House. For me, a highlight to this venue is the large getting ready space and the prime downtown location (great options for both industrial and river photos).
Venue Specs:
- Up to 200 guests
- Tables and chairs included
- Milwaukee Airwaves Partner
- Can bring in off-site catering
- Equipment Rentals Available
Learn more about the Filament by visiting their website.
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Angie & Ryan wed at The Filament. View their wedding blog post here.
9. The Garage
The Garage is located on Milwaukee’s Harley-Davison Museum campus. This industrial venue, that is part of 1903 Weddings at the Harley-Davison museum, can be styled to be however you want. The space is very modern and features cement floors, large glass garage doors, and exposed duct work. One of my favorite things about this venue is the location. The Harley-Davison campus is located in a great spot in Milwaukee and offers tons of portrait options without taking your wedding party off site (river views, downtown Milwaukee views, etc).
Venue Specs:
- Up to 420 seated guests
- Includes tables, chairs and linens
- Indoor and outdoor spaces available (including patio space)
- In-House sound system & microphones
- Free museum admission for all guests – how cool!
- Complimentary parking (first come, first serve)
- On-site catering
Learn more about The Garage here.
10. The Starling
The Starling is located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, right on the water. The (almost) brand new space offers a large botanical moss wall and floor to ceiling windows that face the water. The Starling is owned by a great team – the owners of The Ivy House, Filament, and Milwaukee Airwaves. I love the location of this venue and the beautiful riverwalk views.
Venue Specs:
- 200+ guests
- Outdoor riverwalk space available
- Exclusive partnership with Tall Guy and a Grill catering
Learn more about The Starling here.
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Not a fan of Modern Wedding Venues? Check out my other Milwaukee Wedding Venue blog posts for more wedding venue suggestions.
