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Best Wedding Venues in Madison, Wisconsin

Are you looking for the best wedding venue options in Madison, Wisconsin? Look no further! I have compiled a list of my favorite venue options, all of which are stunning backdrops for your special day. Most of these venues are downtown or near downtown and each one provides beautiful spaces with varying room sizes and unique amenities to suit your ceremony and reception needs. I hope this blog will be your ultimate guide to finding inspiration for the best wedding venues in Madison.

bride and groom just married celebrating on state street with the capitol building in the background in madison wisconsin

Venues in this blog:



The Tinsmith

photos courtesy of The Tinsmith

The Tinsmith is a historic warehouse building that has been transformed into an industrial, modern, and elegant wedding venue close to downtown Madison. The space has separate, unique ceremony and reception spaces that each seat 200 guests. The space has fantastic natural light and looks great without needing too much decorating. This venue has quickly become one of the most popular and sought after venues in town since it opened a few years ago.


Guest Capacity: 200

Learn more on their website: https://www.thetinsmith.com/


Mansion Hill Inn

mansion hill inn google street view image best wedding venue in madison wisconsin
photo courtesy of Google

Mansion Hill Inn is a beautiful hotel and small wedding venue close to downtown Madison. The hotel sits in the historic Mansion Hill neighborhood. The inn is the perfect venue for a classic, elegant small or micro wedding. The Inn also can host you and your guests in the 10 luxurious hotel guest rooms. Imagine having an intimate ceremony and reception where your guests are all staying together! The venue is cozy, quaint, and has exceptional architectural features to become the backdrop for your wedding day festivities.


Guest Capacity: 24 seated for ceremony, 50 for cocktail style reception, 10 guest rooms

Learn more on their website: https://mansionhillinn.com/



Wisconsin Historical Society

photos courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society headquarters in downtown Madison could be the classic and sophisticated wedding venue for you! This grandiose building with ornate architectural features is located on the Library Mall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, and is close to the Lake Mendota lakefront (just across the street!). Ceremonies can be held in the Reading Room library, outdoors on the east terrace, in the main lobby, or in the auditorium. Receptions can be held in the main lobby or on the east terrace.


Guest Capacity: 200

Learn more on their website: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/eventrentals



Ellsworth Block

photos courtesy of Ellsworth Block

Located on the capitol square (above the Old Fashioned) with views of the Capitol building, this modern, industrial renovated historic space has lots of natural light, two beautiful grand staircases, and dreamy exposed stone and brick. The space is perfect for a romantic wedding setting.


Guest capacity: 120

Learn more on their website: https://ellsworthblock.com/



The Madison Club

photos courtesy of The Madison Club

Located in the heart of downtown Madison, the Madison Club is a timeless and elegant wedding venue with views of Lake Monona. Each of their unique rooms to choose from are classy and unique. The staff at the Madison Club provide excellent service for all of your wedding ceremony and reception needs.


Guest Capacity: 225

Learn more on their website: https://www.madisonclub.org/weddings



Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA)

bride and groom on stairs in madison museum of contemporary art in madison wisconsin
photos by Brianna Kraft Photography

Located on State Street in bustling downtown Madison, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is an exceptional gem of a wedding venue. The space is a contemporary architectural backdrop with tons of natural light. The grand staircase between levels offers stunning views onto State Street and is the quintessential place in the venue for wedding portraits. Ceremonies and receptions can be held outdoors in the rooftop sculpture garden or in the main lobby. The rooftop garden has stunning views of the Orpheum Theater and the Capitol dome.


Guest Capacity: 80-100 for sit down dinner, 230 for ceremony, 175 for cocktail-style reception



Memorial Union Terrace

bride and groom just married at memorial union terrace entry madison wisconsin university of wisconsin wedding
photos by Brianna Kraft Photography

What's more ideal than celebrating the best day ever at the terrace?! Located on University of Wisconsin-Madison's campus, the Memorial Union has direct access to Lake Mendota with the beer garden under the old trees, amazing sunset views over the lake, and of course those fun and colorful iconic terrace chairs. Watch sailboats go by and enjoy a cold beer overlooking the beer garden with your new spouse and all your family and friends at this venue. Tripp Commons, the Great Hall, and the Tripp Deck (rooftop) are the best spaces for receptions and ceremonies. There are also "club suites" (hotel rooms) on site.


Guest Capacity: Tripp Commons - 140 (round tables) & 220 (rectangular tables) Great Hall - 220 (round tables) & 300 (rectangular tables)



Monona Terrace

photos by Brianna Kraft Photography

The Monona Terrace is one of the most iconic wedding venues in Madison. The extensive rooftop terrace has 180 degree views of Lake Monona and views of the Capitol building. You can't go wrong with a ceremony on the rooftop with a backdrop of either the lake or the capitol. The venue has a long list of varying rooms to choose from, but the best ones for a wedding are the Grand Terrace, the Rooftop Gardens, or the Community Terrace.


Guest Capacity: varies, can accommodate very large groups

Learn more on their website: https://www.mononaterrace.com/weddings/



Garver Feed Mill

photos courtesy of Garver Feed Mill & Google

Garver Feed Mill is one of Madison's newest wedding venues. This recently renovated historic grain mill has become a sophisticated modern and industrial space for weddings on Madison's east side. The large open space has grand exposed brick walls and a stunning exposed ceiling structure. A great feature of this venue is the available parking for guests. The large open spaces allows for customizable seating configurations.


Guest Capacity: The Atrium - 300

Learn more on their website: https://garverevents.com/weddings/



Overture Center for the Arts

photos courtesy of Overture Center & Google

Located in the heart of downtown Madison. the Overture Center is a stunning contemporary space with an abundance of natural light. The venue has capitol views and is just a few blocks from the capitol square. This elegant space is just as beautiful during the day as it is when the large glass walls are lit up at night. The venue is served by fantastic staff. There is plenty of parking nearby in the parking garage and plenty of restaurants and hotels within walking distance. Let this magnificent theater lobby set the stage for your wedding day festivities!


Guest Capacity: 25-350

See their



Olin Park Pavilion

photos by Brianna Kraft Photography

This cute pavilion at Olin Park is one of the most unique and underrated venues in Madison. Looking for a budget friendly but still gorgeous wedding venue? The park shelter is incredibly beautiful with it's white painted wood interior and sits on the amazing grounds of Olin-Turville park and nature reserve. There are stunning views of the Madison skyline across Lake Monona, direct lake access and boat launch, and even a beach! The old oak trees create the perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. There are easy hiking trails that go through an old growth forest to a prairie. The barn-like park shelter is open air, perfect for those who love the outdoors.


Important tip: 2024 reservations for Madison park shelters open starting November 14, 2023!


There are plenty of other amazing park shelters in Madison that can be the perfect venue for your outdoor wedding. Interested in renting other park shelters in Madison?


Guest Capacity: 150

Learn more on their website: Olin Park Pavilion Rental Info



Edgewater Hotel

photos by Brianna Kraft Photography

Are you looking for a sophisticated hotel wedding venue? The Edgewater might be just for you! This new hotel overlooks Lake Mendota and has a rooftop terrace for the perfect ceremony spot and a variety of rooms from large ballrooms to the intimate wine room for your celebration. The venue also has views of the capitol, several on-site dining options, and a spa and wellness center.


Guest Capacity: up to 350



Wisconsin State Capitol

photos by Brianna Kraft Photography

Did you know that wedding ceremonies are permitted within the public areas of the Capitol building? Have you considered eloping or having a small and intimate wedding ceremony inside the Capitol? The magnificent indoor space is open to the public and offers a variety of quiet corners within the common areas to host your small ceremony. As Madison's crown jewel, having the capitol as the backdrop for your wedding ceremony is a surprisingly budget friendly option for a ceremony space.


The process of having your small wedding ceremony inside the capitol common areas is relatively simple. You do not need to apply for a permit and you can just show up inside the capitol and get married if you meet the following criteria:


  • If you will be getting married within the common areas of the building,

  • are having 12 guests or fewer, and

  • will not need chairs

Important Tips:

  • Ceremonies can be held during the building opening hours, which are: Monday-Friday: 8:00am-6:00pm & Saturday-Sunday: 8:00am-4:00pm. Private events are not allowed outside these hours.

  • Fridays or other weekdays make great elopement days!

  • Ceremonies should last around 1 hour or less.

  • The public areas of the capitol can accommodate 12-50 people for a ceremony.

  • Wedding receptions are NOT permitted within the captiol, but there are lots of amazing spaces nearby to host a gathering after your ceremony.


Guest Capacity: up to 50

Learn more on their website: Capitol Wedding Ceremonies



Madison Public Library - Downtown Central

photos courtesy of Madison Public Library, Google, Brianna Kraft Photography

Do you and your future spouse love to read? Well, you should consider getting married at the library! Located in the heart of downtown Madison, the central library is a contemporary building with event space for weddings on the third floor. Spaces available to host a wedding event on the third floor include: The Madison Room (a bright and airy elegant space with amazing city views and a small rooftop terrace), the Community Room (floor to ceiling windows with city views), and the Art Gallery (a corridor lined with rotating art installations. The library stacks become a unique backdrop for portraits. All of the event fees support the library.


Important tip: Wedding bookings are full for 2024, but 2025 bookings open on April 1, 2024


Guest Capacity: 150

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