Today’s a wonderful day on the LAR Photography blog, as we get to take a look at one of my FAVORITE wedding venues near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Gage ! Like I did for The Brix on the Fox and Fairlie Chicago, today we’ll be looking at all of the different aspects that make The Gage such a phenomenal wedding venue. With over 30 years of experience, a breathtaking setting to enjoy, seemingly endless amenities, and more, there is a LOT to cover here, so let’s get right into it !
The Style and Setting of The Gage
The Gage is a special wedding venue in the sense that it really is THE whole package. As we’ll see throughout this article, there are a ton of areas where it becomes clearly apparent just how important each and every wedding day is to The Gage and their staff. The first example of this is the wonderful style and setting of the venue itself. The Gage sits in an old industrial building turned wedding venue in the West Allis suburb of Milwaukee.
Originally built in 1928 for the Allis Chalmers Tractor Division, The Gage has made it a priority to keep a connection to its industrial roots. Exposed metal support beams and classic cream colored brick walls are on full display, and enhanced with a chic design style to create a space that feels in tune with the history of the building while also being present in the here and now. It’s a venue with a beautiful and moody atmosphere, one that I just ADORE for my style of editing !
The Spaces Available at The Gage
An easy way for ANY wedding venue to get bonus points from me is if they make it so that the couple is able to spend the entirety of their wedding day at the venue if they’d like. This is the case at The Gage as there’s dedicated getting ready spaces for both wedding parties, separate ceremony and reception spaces, and plenty of portrait opportunities inside and out !
The main interior floor is the perfect space for an indoor reception, while the loft above is ideal for your ceremony to take place in. Both spaces can fit up to 300 guests as well, so you can have some truly epic celebrations at The Gage ! You’ll also find a double decker patio and balcony combo that are attached to the main floor and loft respectively. The abundance of space the venue provides also makes it a dream for wedding vendors. There’s ample space to prepare for the day, meaning we’ll all be at our best for your day and not be tripping over one another ! Finally, being located in the suburbs of Milwaukee means there are SO many unique portrait opportunities outside of The Gage as well as within !
The Included Amenities
Not content with being just a beautiful space for you to celebrate your wedding day at, The Gage offers couples a plethora of amenities to enjoy. These amenities, big and small, all come together to enhance the experience of your wedding, either by adding to the setting of the day or making your life simpler. Here’s a quick breakdown of the amenities offered by The Gage:
Table Options (Round, Banquet, and Cocktail)
Up to 300 Black Padded Chairs
Handcrafted Bar on the Main Floor, Cocktail Bar in the Loft
Audio Equipment
Adjustable Lighting (Color and Brightness) Throughout the Venue
String Lights Inside and Outside
Security Guard
The Staff and Service
Easily one of the best aspects of The Gage as a wedding venue is the fantastic service and level of care their staff put into every wedding. This care can be felt all throughout the planning process, not just on the wedding day itself. The Gage provides assistance with:
Planning
Timeline Creation
Day of Coordination
Setup and Teardown of Tables and Chairs (Décor Setup and Teardown can be Added for a Fee)
Bartending
Vendor Recommendations
And More !
The Gage really goes the extra mile to help couples in the planning process of their wedding, something that really sets them apart from other venues in the Milwaukee area ! They of course offer rehearsal opportunities, as well as a final meeting to discuss the specifics of your day to ensure everything is just right. In addition to that though, they also have their Client Resource Portal, which is a real game changer. This portal provides an insane number of resources for planning such as timeline suggestions, hotel recommendations, floor plan templates, and plenty more.
One final note I’d like to make about the service of The Gage relates to your catering and liquor options. The Gage has a list of approved caterers that the couple is required to choose from, though they are all extremely delicious so there’s no real concern
Accessibility and Logistics
The final bit of information I’d like to discuss revolves around the logistics of a wedding day at The Gage. Keeping in line with other aspects of the wedding venue, The Gage makes things as simple as possible for both you and your guests to fully enjoy your wedding day to the fullest. In terms of finding a place for you and your guests to stay, things could NOT be simpler ! With the venue being only 5 minutes from downtown Milwaukee, there are plenty of hotels for your wedding guests to stay at near The Gage, in fact there’s one just across the street ! The Gage has partnered with plenty of hotels in the area, and can recommend ones best fit for you and your guests, some of which even offer shuttle service to the venue.
Speaking of getting to the venue, for those looking to drive to The Gage there’s NO shortage of parking. North of the venue is a parking garage with close to 400 spaces available for use in addition to some street parking nearby. The Gage is also ADA accessible, and includes an elevator ensuring every guest is able to take part in your wedding day !
Finally, when booking The Gage you in turn reserve the entire venue for you and your guests to enjoy for the event. No other events will take place the day of your wedding, and you’ll have access to the space from 10am through midnight giving you plenty of time to enjoy yourselves.
An Astounding Setting for ANY Wedding Day
It should be pretty apparent now why The Gage is one of THE premier wedding venues of the Milwaukee area. The Gage provides couples with a wedding venue whose focus is solely for them to have the best experience possible, and they do so by excelling in each area we just looked at. Perfect for small gatherings, or celebrations of up to 300 of your favorite people, The Gage is a must consider for any couple planning their wedding in the Milwaukee area ! For more wedding planning tips or to see more of my work be sure to check out my blog. If you’re looking to book me as your wedding photographer head over to my contact page and send over an inquiry today !