The Milwaukee Wedding Guide to Getting Married in Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is filled with renowned restaurants, lakefront views, and tons of killer breweries—making it a hotspot for Midwestern couples to host their big day. Nestled right on Lake Michigan, Milwaukee weddings are known for having some of the best backdrops, since many of the venues overlook the Great Lake, too. So, if you’re in the midst of planning your special day and are thinking about having a Milwaukee wedding, then we’ve got you covered. We created a go-to guide that will answer all of your burning questions about Milwaukee wedding venues, accommodations and more.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Milwaukee weddings.

The Basics

Like we said before, Milwaukee is known for having some of the best breweries and beer in America. So much so, that it’s often referred to as the Brew City. This makes it a great place for beer lovers and young couples to host their big day. Not only is it known for bringing in millennial couples, Milwaukee is also nicknamed Cream City because of the city’s iconic cream colored brick. So, if you’re looking for a city that has some old-world-charm for your big day, Milwaukee’s historic brick doesn’t disappoint.

Many couples choose to host their wedding in this Midwestern city because it’s such a versatile city. With over 150 state and county parks, 17 museums—like the famous motorcycle museum, the Harley-Davidson—and over 150 different restaurants and bars, Milwaukee is a dream city in the hosting any kind of wedding or wedding aesthetic.

Getting There and Getting Around

While being only an hour away from Chicago, Milwaukee is an easy city to travel to and from because it also has an international airport—so don’t stress if you have a lot of out-of-town guests. General Mitchell International Airport is located just five miles south of downtown, Milwaukee and has tons of non-stop flights and airlines.

Once you get into Milwaukee, the city has plenty of transportation options, like even a summer circulator the Milwaukee Trolley Loop. Other methods of transportation include the Skywalk system, which is is a downtown connector system that connects the east and west sides of downtown over the Milwaukee River. Milwaukee also has Taxi and Uber options if you’re hoping to stay a little out of the downtown area.

Weather

Milwaukee definitely is a city that has all four seasons—so expect a winter wedding to be snow-filled and pack your sunscreen if you’re marrying in the summer. The Brew City’s climate is heavily influenced by Lake Michigan and also it’s midwest location in the U.S. This means it isn’t the warmest of states. However, in July the temperatures can rise to the 80s making summertime and early fall the most popular months for weddings.

Wedding Venues

There are plenty of Milwaukee wedding venues that are perfect for creating a wow-worthy setting for vows and celebrating. Whether you’re hoping to have an outdoor wedding—like a scenic Lake Michigan ceremony site—or looking for something indoors—like a ballroom or banquet hall—Milwaukee venue options are almost endless. Some of the most popular venues this year include The Miller Room, Pabst Brewery Place and Discovery World.

Marriage Laws

If you’re getting married in Milwaukee then you’ll want to get your Wisconsin marriage license certified before the big day. Every state has different requirements or marriage laws (like having a certified birth certificate or presenting a photo ID), that must be done before the wedding. Without a certified marriage license you won’t be able to get legally get married in the city—so make sure you check off all the necessary requirements before the big day.  

Wedding Accommodations

It’s always a good idea to provide your guests with hotel recommendations that are near your wedding venue. One of the good things about hosting a wedding in Milwaukee is that it has a lot of hotel options around the metropolitan area. This means it will be easier for you and your out-of-town guests to book a place to stay for your wedding. The most popular areas for hotels are Downtown, near the airport, off of Highway 100 and 1-94 and near Moorland Road and I-94. These four areas are the best places to look for hotels that are close to your venue and also provide hotel room blocks for the big day.

Things to Do in Milwaukee

Looking for some fun activities for your guest to enjoy when they get into the city? Milwaukee is a great place to explore—especially for out-of-towners. Just make sure to add some of these must-see attractions to your wedding website for your guests to check out while they are in town.

• Harley-Davidson Museum

If you love motorcycles, then we highly recommend checking out his museum. The Harley-Davidson Museum is filled with classic motorcycles, including a bike that once belonged to Elvis Presley!  

• Milwaukee Art Museum

Artsy people will love spending the day at Milwaukee Art Museum. It’s one of the biggest museums in the country and has over 25,000 pieces throughout the museum.  

• Lakefront Brewery

Calling all beer lovers! Lakefront Brewery is a Milwaukee landmark with has some of the best craft beer. Founded back in 1987, Lakefront has been the first certified organic brewery in the country, the second brewery in the country to make pumpkin beer and the first brewery in to brew a gluten-free beer.

• Doctor’s Park

With lots of beautiful nature and scenery, Milwaukee's parks offer plenty of hiking options that your guests can explore and get a nice #gram. One of the most popular is Doctor’s Park that has some of the best views of Lake Michigan.

• Bradford Beach

If you’re hosting a summer wedding, then definitely add Bradford Beach to your list of things to do around Milwaukee. This beach is right off of Lake Michigan, and during the warmer months, it’s filled with people sunbathing and playing volleyball.

• Discovery World

Discovery World is a great place for guests to visit during their stay in Milwaukee. This science museum has tons of freshwater exhibits to see and is located right on the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Milwaukee Wedding Inspiration

Ready to start planning your big day, but need help choosing your wedding decor? Just check out these Milwaukee weddings that are filled with steal-worthy ideas for your big day.

Elena and Peter’s waterfront wedding in Milwaukee

Mandy and Matt’s vintage loft wedding in Milwaukee

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