Living in Kenosha means I’m only around 30 miles from one of THE best places for a wedding in Wisconsin, Lake Geneva ! If you’ve yet to experience this fabulous gem of a town in southern Wisconsin you are seriously missing out. The lakefront town is strikingly beautiful, endlessly charming, and home to some of my favorite wedding venues in the entire state ! From gorgeous outdoor spaces that provide beautiful garden party vibes, to modern wedding venues with the best offerings in terms of amenities, Lake Geneva has a bit of everything. That’s why today we’re taking a look at 3 of my favorite wedding venues of Lake Geneva, what to look for in a wedding venue, and talking a bit about what makes Lake Geneva so special. Let’s jump right into it !
Why Choose Lake Geneva
The beauty of Lake Geneva really can’t be overstated. The resort town has historically been a space for wealthy Chicago residents to retire or invest in lakefront vacation property. As such, the town itself has developed alongside its residents throughout the years and has become an insanely popular tourist destination. Between the beautiful lake itself, the historic buildings and mansions that make up the town, and a welcoming atmosphere that allows you to relax and enjoy yourself, it’s no surprise that so many fantastic wedding venues have been created in Lake Geneva !
In addition to this charm and beauty is the simple logistics that comes with planning a wedding in Lake Geneva ! Lodging in the town comes at a slightly higher cost, especially during the summer due to the high popularity and busy season for tourism. With that cost comes a top of the line experience though, and there’s no shortage of amazing lodging choices in town. The relatively close proximity to Chicago also makes it simple for any Chicagoans to get that destination wedding experience without the need to deal with airfare.
What to Look for in a Lake Geneva Wedding Venue
The Look and Feel
Before you start inquiring and touring potential wedding venues in Lake Geneva, you’ll first want to talk with your partner and discuss the vision you have for your wedding day. What does the space feel like? Are you looking to have an indoor or outdoor wedding? Is it going to be a big or small wedding? Be open with one another as you come up with a rough idea on what you want your wedding to look and feel like. Once you have that in mind, you can start to narrow down your search for the right wedding venue to spaces that can provide that experience. Then you can start working through the following points to narrow down the options further !
Capacity
One area of consideration that can be a pretty clear deciding factor in your wedding venue search is the capacity of the venue. To put it simply, if you want to have a large wedding you’re not going to be able to book a small, intimate venue for your celebration. On the flipside it’s also the case where some venues actually have a minimum guest requirement in order to book their space. As you begin looking deeper into your potential wedding venues make sure that their capacity aligns with the size of your celebration so you don’t waste time and effort on a venue that can’t possibly work for you.
Spaces Available
The next thing you’ll want to take note of when looking into potential wedding venues are the spaces they have available. I’m a HUGE fan of a venue that has a ceremony space, reception space, cocktail hour space, and dedicated getting ready spaces. Being able to have your ENTIRE wedding day at one location gives you peace of mind and freedom with your timeline to spend more time with those you love and less time traveling from A to B. It also helps having a wedding venue in Lake Geneva as you won’t have to travel far, if at all, for your wedding party and newlywed portraits !
Amenities
The final factor I want to mention are the amenities that these different wedding venues provide to their couples since they do vary quite a bit from venue to venue ! Some venues have a ton of amenities that are included in their booking fee, while others include some amenities and have others available as add-ons. Some venues offer very little in the way of amenities, and instead require the couple to hire other vendors in order to provide the necessary items and décor for their day. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, as they all offer a different experience for the couple, so it largely comes down to what you’re after. Do you want to keep things simple and have the venue handle everything, or are you more on the DIY side and want to organize all the details of your day? The choice is yours !
My 3 Favorite Wedding Venues in Lake Geneva
First on my list of fabulous wedding venues in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is none other than Horticultural Hall! This wedding venue, which you may recognize from my blog about Savannah and Chris’ wedding, is my go to recommendation for anyone looking for garden party vibes for their wedding day. Found in the heart of downtown Lake Geneva, just blocks from the lakefront, the Horticultural Hall offers a gorgeous wedding setting with minimal need for decoration. The amazing natural beauty of their garden makes for a dreamy outdoor wedding space, with plenty of portrait opportunities. The indoor spaces also have their own distinct and historic style to them, giving you the perfect space to dance the night away with your friends and family. I absolutely adore this venue, and can’t wait to come back in October when I document Christin and Josh’s wedding here !
Amenities and Notes at a Glance
Capacity for 160 Guests
Indoor Great Hall and Additional Loggia Area
Heated and Air Conditioned for Year Round Celebrations
Freedom of Choice for Catering
Single On-Site Getting Ready Space
7 Minute Walk from the Lakefront
Tables and Chairs Included
Just a couple miles north of downtown Lake Geneva is the next wedding venue on my list, Hawk’s View Golf Club. This wedding venue offers exceptional views of the Lake Geneva countryside, and is suited for massive celebrations of up to 280 guests. It’s a lovely space for weddings year round, but I have to say that spring and summer weddings here are simply spectacular thanks to gorgeous English Gardens. With beautiful portrait opportunities abound, helpful and attentive staff that make your wedding dreams a reality, mouthwatering in-house catering, and more to make your wedding an unforgettable experience, Hawk’s View Golf Club is a wedding venue that HAS to be on your list !
Amenities and Notes at a Glance
Capacity for 280 Guests
Covered Ceremony Space, Indoor Reception Space, and Outdoor Garden Ceremony Space
On-Site Getting Ready Space
On-Site Parking
Wedding Consultant
Additional Décor Options
On-Site Caterer
The third and final wedding venue I want to recommend in Lake Geneva is the wonderful Boxed and Burlap. While technically this venue isn’t actually in the town of Lake Geneva, it still is relatively close to the lake itself. Plus it’s only around 9 minutes from downtown, so I’d say it’s close enough to count ! You’re going to want to have Boxed and Burlap on your list of potential wedding venues as well since this space is phenomenal. The modern industrial space offers plenty of natural light, tons of space for up to 250 guests, and scenic outdoor spaces for portraits and ceremony options. There’s a lot to love here !
Amenities and Notes at a Glance
Capacity for 250 Guests
Indoor Reception/Ceremony Space, Outdoor Ceremony Space
Gorgeous Outdoor Portrait Opportunities
Single On-Site Getting Ready Space
Outdoor Patio
Indoor Bar with Package Options
As you can see there are some truly fantastic wedding venues found throughout the town of Lake Geneva. I love getting the opportunity to document weddings in these incredible spaces, and other locations throughout Lake Geneva, and every time it happens I’m always excitedly looking forward to the next time I’ll be back. If you’d like to have me document your wedding day in Lake Geneva be sure you send me an inquiry through my contact page so we can start planning your wedding day together !
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