The Top 9 Most Unique Wedding Venues in Wisconsin
Living in Wisconsin provides some incredible benefits – few are better than the venues the state has hidden all around. From epic lakeshore experiences to deep wood barn venues, Wisconsin has it all. We’ve searched all around to find those unique spots that are off the radar but still provide a stunning experience. Here’s our list of the top 9 unique wedding venues in Wisconsin.
INTRODUCING: A Newly Discovered Venue At The Bottom That Was Awarded By The Knot As A Top Venue in Wisconsin in 2022!!!
9. Cana Island Lighthouse
Location: Door County, WI
Capacity: 50
Built in 1869
Rating Online: 4.7 stars with 1,022 Reviews
If you’re looking for a completely out-of-the-box experience, The Cana Island Lighthouse is a completely different type of wedding venue than anything else. With incredible history and breathtaking views, this venue provides that once-in-a-lifetime experience for your big day!
With a shoreline location to have the perfect waves and beach sounds in the background, it’s no wonder this spot gets listed here. It’s different.
This lighthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and gives people a different overall feeling about weddings.
There are some drawbacks to this venue though. First, it’s a public location and they cannot/will not restrict access from the public – even on your big day. Second, the Lighthouse can only be rented for the ceremony, and they have nothing for a reception. Third, it’s a small venue that can really hold less than 50 people.
Another aspect to consider is the lack of parking and transportation to get to this venue. There are trolley you can rent which can make things easier, but keep this in mind.
One fun tip about this lighthouse is that you can actually walk up the stairs to the top! What a way to celebrate your big day than from the top of a historic lighthouse! It provides some of the most immaculate views in Wisconsin!
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of Cana Island Lighthouse at the website: www.dcmm.org/cana-island-lighthouse
8.Burlap & Bells
Location: Black River Falls, WI
Capacity: 200
Founded in 2013
Rating Online: 4.9 stars with 26 Reviews
A truly beyond-the-beaten-path type of experience hidden deep in the woods of Wisconsin is the event venue Burlap and Bells. This one of a kind experience provides plenty of flexibility for the creative mind to turn a wedding into a magical experience for everyone involved.
Burlap & Bells is a family-owned tree plantation with over 100 acres of beautiful landscaping and natural
scenery in all directions. Nearly endless rows upon rows of 40-foot tall trees provide a natural and yet idyllic space for that chic yet rustic wedding experience.
Guests and bridal parties can sit, eat, dance and walk all around the plantation. With plenty of wooden pathways and off-road aspects to enjoy, this space brings nature to the forefront without sacrificing any modern-day amenities. Sit in a rocking chair and enjoy a romantic sunset while watching guests dance in the open woods or in the pavilion.
Included in many of their packages is also a wagon ride for both the bridal party and wedding guests. This venue has a wide selection of décor and inventory that can be used for your big day also.
Getting married in the deep woods is definitely a unique and different experience. That’s why it deserves a space here on our list.
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of Burlap & Bells website: www.burlapandbells.com
7. The 513
Location: Appleton, WI
Capacity: 300
Built in 1922
Rating Online: 4.8 Stars with 62 Reviews
The 513 was also featured in our article about the best wedding venues in Appleton, WI here.
The 513 is a wedding venue that’s quickly rising the charts in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin for its unique charm and intimate setting. With luxurious amenities designed to minimize stress and maximize comfort for everyone, it’s obvious why this venue is on our unique list!
Located in the heart of downtown Appleton, this one-of-a-kind venue boasts an industrial chic vibe mixed with classic architecture you only get from historic buildings. With clean color palletes, decorative woodwork and distinctive architectural design, this venue can truly help make your ceremony and reception a never-before-seen event for everyone!
The building was originally built for a furniture manufacturer – Wichmann Furniture – but it was converted to an event space in 2010 and has been hosting big events ever since. And since it’s a private event space, you can customize the look and feel to your exact liking. The 513 has everything you need to create a wedding event of the decade that your guests will talk about for years!
The 513 has sought out and created partnerships with local vendors that can help you with everything from food and flowers to entertainment and photography. They don’t just offer recommendations for these vendors-they put them in touch with you as well.
Plus, because they have such a great relationship with their partners and see firsthand how they operate at their events, they are also able to provide feedback on your questions or concerns. This type of personalization makes planning a wedding at The 513 an absolute breeze!
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of The 513 website: www.the513appleton.com
6. Madison Museum of Contemporary Arts
Location: Madison, WI
Capacity: 230
Opened in 2006
Rating Online: 4.5 Stars with 457 Reviews
Nestled in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Arts (MMoCA) makes an ideal wedding venue for any couple getting married in the Madison area. It’s a space that provides something you can’t find anywhere else in the state!
The museum and grounds provide you with all of the resources you need to throw an unforgettable celebration. Not to mention it’s also one of the city’s most beautiful locations!
With an imposing (yet elegant) entrance, striking garden beds, and a large-scale outdoor sculpture, and views of the Capitol, the museum makes a statement. Its style is bold and experimental, but also warm and welcoming for everyone.
The artistic feeling is an important part of many weddings. Couples choose to have their wedding in a museum because it helps them better express their own individual style as well as the theme of their special day.
You’ll find there’s more to each work than meets the eye; each sculpture and painting has a lot to say about American culture and the world around us.
Unlike many other venues in our area that can only accommodate one type of gathering or another, MMCA has the versatility that comes from being a non-denominational museum. The museum itself is also a gem.
It boasts numerous exhibits each year as well as regularly scheduled events like film screenings and music performances. What could be better than celebrating your love while enjoying local art?!
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of Madison Museum of Contemporary Arts at their website: www.mmoca.org
5. Fête of Wales
Location: Wales, WI
Capacity: 300
Rating Online: 4.6 Stars with 50 Reviews
Fête, in Wales, WI, might not be the first venue you’d think of for your wedding, because it’s not well known. Plus, it looks like just another historic building from the outside, a bit far from civilization. But Fete has plenty of amenities and aesthetic elements that will make it feel more like your own personal castle!
Fête is a one-of-a-kind wedding venue – literally – which is why it has to be on our list. The renovated mansion sits on acres of lush forest, only minutes from the cozy town of Wales. The perfect combination of modern and rustic decor makes the mansion feel perfectly at home surrounded by trees and open green space.
The countless windows made the entire place feel bright and breezy. There’s also a beautiful lake right
next to the property; a picturesque backdrop for taking gorgeous photos with your loved ones or even swimming if you’re feeling adventurous!
Fire tables and market lighting, a selection of a 38-foot bar, fire tables and market lighting, abundant photo opportunities, and plenty of individual suites are just a few of the amenities here. Fête offers numerous options for your special day with flexible spaces for large groups or intimate settings for small groups.
As you plan your ceremony and reception of your dreams, their team will ensure every detail is met. Their staff will work with you to make your day one that is memorable, exciting, and completely tailored to fit your vision. Everyone deserves a fun-filled wedding celebration where family & friends can share in all of the excitement! Your guests will love their Top Shelf open bar featuring premier liquor brands!
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of Fête of Wales at their website: www.feteofwales.com
4. Boerner Botanical Gardens
Location: Hales Corner, WI
Capacity: 200
Built in 1936
Rating Online: 4.7 Stars with 2,085 Reviews
The Boerner Botanical Gardens was also featured in our article about the top venues in Southern Wisconsin here.
Boerner Botanical Gardens first opened in 1936 and has since become one of greater Milwaukee’s most treasured landmarks and top wedding venues in the area. With its unique combination of natural beauty, gorgeous landscaping, charming architecture, and historical charm, Boerner Botanical Gardens offers guests one-of-a-kind wedding memories that will last them a lifetime. Hence why it deserves a place here on our list of the most unique wedding venues in Wisconsin!
Plan your wedding at this picturesque Milwaukee wedding venue that will surely impress your guests and leave them with fond memories they will never forget!
The Boerner Gardens is located on a 50-acre plot, these gardens contain 17 different gardens and greenhouses, each with its own purpose. The Rose Garden, for example, features more than 500 varieties of roses and is used to showcase annual rose shows. Other areas include the Shrub Mall – an outdoor area that’s an ideal location for wedding ceremonies – as well as both seasonal and perennial gardens.
When looking at unique and different wedding venue in the state, keep your options open by considering all that’s available at Boerner Botanical Gardens. When you combine multiple areas within one location, you can create a unique atmosphere tailored to your specific needs while still adhering to strict budget parameters.
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of Boerner Botanical Gardens at their website: www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org
3. The Farm At Dover
Location: Dover, WI
Capacity: 160
Built in 1874
Rating Online: 4.9 Stars with 81 Reviews
The Farm at Dover was also listed in our top barn wedding venues here.
Imagine yourself walking down the aisle, not in front of hundreds of people, but in front of nature itself. That’s what truly makes The Farm at Dover a unique and out-of-the-box experience for a wedding ceremony!
As you look into your spouse’s eyes, a chorus of crickets provides the music to your vows and you can hear the sound of waves crashing on the nearby beach. That’s what The Farm at Dover Barn wedding venue offers couples – tranquility, luxury, and privacy to have their wedding ceremony and reception exactly as they imagined it.
The Farm at Dover Barn is a beautiful venue for an outdoor wedding in Wisconsin. The Farm is tucked away on 20 acres of land and surrounded by lush and full trees, and its secluded location makes it feel like you’re far from civilization.
There are separate areas for a ceremony and reception as well as plenty of space to explore during your celebration. It has everything you need to host your perfect wedding with stunning views, including restrooms and accommodations such as a large stone patio and 640 ft veranda.
And with indoor features like hardwood floors, plenty of large windows that let in lots of natural light, tables, and chairs-you’ll still have all those little extras that make your day truly memorable.
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of The Farm At Dover at their website: www.thefarmatdover.com
2. The Swan Barn Door
Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI
Capacity: 300+
Rating Online: 4.3 Stars with 157 Reviews
The Swan Barn Door has also been featured in our list of the best barn wedding venues here and the best venues in southern Wisconsin here.
Are you searching for that unique and perfect place to tie the knot, but dreading the hassle of planning? Well, your search ends at the Swan Barn Door wedding venue. They are more than just a venue-they’re an experience you will never forget!
With expert wedding planners at your side every step of the way, you can relax and enjoy every second of your day while their staff takes care of all the details that come with hosting an event this one-of-a-kind barn experience.
The venue provides a rustic feel with antique decor to make you and your guests feel right at home. The venue provides a dance floor, white wooden chairs and tables, as well as an outside deck for pictures. The fully insulated barn doors allow you to let in natural light while still keeping out the cold in the winter.
The property provides accommodations in a timber lodge, an orchard farmhouse, and a luxury condo. The lodge sleeps up to 20. The orchard farmhouse is perfect for small weddings and has a wonderful kitchen for your own caterer or use our onsite caterers. It also features high ceilings and rustic decor with a large stone fireplace. The luxury condos have three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchenette with a large fridge.
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of The Swan Barn Door website: www.theswanbarndoor.com
1. AND THE BONUS VENUE: RATED BEST VENUE BY THE KNOT© IN 2022
The Gardens Wedding Center
Location: Allenton, WI
Capacity: 150
Founded: 1844
Rating Online: 4.7 stars with 122 Reviews
If you’re looking for the ultimate combination of historical architecture with natural beauty outside, then you have always been searching for The Gardens Wedding Center! This completely different and unique wedding venue will surely knock your socks off with its perfect combinations!
There’s nothing more romantic than getting married in an 1800s chapel with stained glass and beautiful archways. But if you’re also thinking that you want an outdoor experience to walk down the aisle, they have that too!
Plus, This “hidden gem” venue has been a long kept secret in the central Wisconsin area. It wasn’t until The Knot© discovered this place in 2022 that it has started to hit the mainstream in terms of press and wedding coverage.
With breathtaking gardens and immaculate landscaping, The Gardens Wedding Center in Allenton, WI makes an ideal venue for your rustic wedding. This romantic location consists of 4 buildings, all of which can be used separately or combined to create an unforgettable setting for your ceremony and reception.
Scroll to see several photos courtesy of The Gardens Wedding Center throughout our gallery page here.
AVAILABILITY (Now booking through 2026)
INQUIRES
WRITTEN DIRECTIONS:
We are nestled in the country just 4 miles off I-41.
From the south: Take 41/45 North. When 41 and 45 split, take 41 North. You will pass Slinger/Jackson Exit. Within 10 minutes you will come to an exit for Washington Street, otherwise known as Hwy 33, Allenton Exit. Turn West (left) onto Hwy 33 to Hwy 175. Turn North (right) and we are a mile and a half on the left.
From the north: Take 41 South to Hwy 33, Allenton Exit. Turn West (right) onto Hwy 33 to Hwy 175. Turn North (right) and we are a mile and a half on the left.
