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About

On WeddingWire since 2018

A historic wedding venue in Lake Forest, Illinois, Armour House prides itself on creating an unforgettable wedding experience. Timeless and unique, the one-of-a-kind venue artfully combines classic elegance with modern appeal. Embodying the essence and style of each fairytale union, Armour House is sure to leave you and your guests in awe on your big day!

Facilities and Capacity
Located on the Lake Forest Academy campus, Armour House comfortably hosts up to 250 guests. Couples have the option of hosting their ceremony and/or reception in any of the following indoor and outdoor spaces: the Great Hall, with its large marble mantel and glorious grand staircase; the Garden Room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and marble fountain; the Little Theater, with theater-style seating or the Marble Room, with its beautiful marble-textured walls.

Services Offered
Armour House offers a variety of wedding-related services. Options include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Consultation
  • Event rentals
  • Outside vendors
  • Get ready rooms
  • Setup
  • Cleanup
  • Wireless internet


Cuisine
Armour House offers an assortment of in-house catering services. For a delightful reception experience, said services include:

  • Tastings
  • Server(s)
  • Hors d'oeuvres
  • Plated-style dinner
  • Buffet-style dinner
  • Station-style dinner


Other Facilities
Armour House couples benefit from a number of versatile spaces in which to host wedding-related celebrations. Most notably, the venue's Library — with its warm wood features — boasts a relaxed atmosphere ideal for intimate post-wedding festivities.

Other Services
Interested Armour House couples have the option of including bar services with their knot-tying celebration. Said services include:

  • Liquor license
  • Bartender(s)
  • Open bar
  • House beer
  • Specialty beer
  • House liquor
  • Premium liquor
  • House wine
  • Signature drink


Location
Armour House is conveniently located in Lake Forest, Illinois. Less than 30 minutes from O'Hare International Airport, the glamorous venue is less than 10 minutes from a variety of local attractions, such as MacKenzie Ice Arena and Meadowood Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

1

Describe your venue:

Garden
Historic Building
Mansion

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Furniture
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
November
December
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Message vendor
4.7 out of 5 rating
27 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.7 out of 5 rating
94% Recommended by couples

22 User photos

27 Reviews See all
Lauren
Lauren Getting married on 04/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Armor House at Lake Forest Academy - A Photographer’s Dream Venue

Where do I even begin? The Armor House at Lake Forest Academy isn't just another wedding venue; it's a canvas on which every photographer dreams of painting their masterpiece. As a wedding photographer, there are places that leave you awestruck, and then there's the Armor House. Every nook, corner, and open space offers an enchanting backdrop for breathtaking photos that can turn any ordinary moment into an extraordinary one.

From the immaculate grounds, infused with the rich legacy of history and classic European architecture, to the meticulously preserved interiors that tell tales of elegance and grandeur, every inch of the Armor House sings a song of timeless beauty. The natural lighting filtering through the century-old trees, the sprawling manicured lawns, and the tranquil water features; everything about the venue screams perfection.

Yet, what truly elevates a photographer’s experience at the Armor House is the heartwarming and diligent staff. Their impeccable attention to detail ensures that the environment remains pristine, making our job of capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments seamless. And speaking of the staff, special mention must go to Kristina, the day of coordinator. With her calming presence, she effortlessly bridges the gap between dream weddings and reality. Her intuitive understanding of a photographer’s needs, combined with her unwavering dedication to ensuring that the couple's day goes off without a hitch, is genuinely commendable. Working alongside her felt like dancing; every step choreographed, every move fluid.

I genuinely cannot wait to be back at the Armor House. Every experience there feels like the first - full of excitement, wonder, and sheer amazement. To couples looking for a magical venue, and to fellow photographers in search of picturesque locales, look no further. The Armor House is where dreams come to life, and I, for one, am eagerly awaiting my next chance to capture them!

IG-LaurenAshleyStudios
E
Emily K. Married on 10/03/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Elegant and charming.

Lake Forest Academy is my alma mater, so I knew the space well before booking it. Christine, the event manager, was organized and walked us through all of our options (mostly remotely) while we were living abroad. She was very flexible about doing a tasting when I was in town for a few days. The food was wonderful (we had a fully vegetarian wedding with a few vegan/GF guests), the service was highly professional, and the space is (as you can tell from pictures) gorgeous. Armour House itself is magnificent with its staircase, fireplace, high ceilings, and romantic details (e.g. the fountain). The gardens are kept neat and are easy to walk through. (We had our ceremony outside.)

There were plenty of spaces for guests to socialize in, as the library was open for coffee and dessert, the patio had outdoor seating, and the dancing was slightly separated from the main hall. This was great for people to find some quiet to have conversations, but it also meant that with a small party (54 guests), it felt like everyone disappeared after dinner. I'd suggest a printed wedding timeline on the tables or regular announcements from the MC so that everyone gathers in one spot for special moments (e.g. first dance).

My only complaint would be that the catering service was almost too efficient, and would clear drinks from the table when someone stepped away for a moment.

I highly recommend Armour House and I hope to attend another wedding here!
S
Sharon B. Married on 02/15/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Availability

Our wedding venue flooded due to excessive raining 24 hours prior to the wedding. Christine was able to provide a solution for our guests at a reasonable price.

We ended up not booking the venue due to timing, but they provided a much needed ray of sunshine in a crazy day.
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Awards

27

Real Weddings

April & Noah
41 photos · 08/07/2021
Christina & Eddy
71 photos · 08/17/2019

Professional Network & Endorsements

2 Endorsements
Hitched by MV - Wedding Officiant - Rev. Michael Hitched by MV - Wedding Officiant - Rev. Michael Wedding Officiants

The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy has everything you would expect from a north shore wedding venue. They will help make your big day an experience you and your guests will remember forever. I look forward to officiating your ceremony at the Armour House. Best wishes!

Lake Forest Flowers Lake Forest Flowers Wedding Florists

Armour House is an intimate location for a wedding venue. Beauty both inside and outside, you can have a lovely ceremony in the garden or inside the mansion. The service and attention to detail by Christine and Alisa is excellent and you worn't be disappointed. Lake Forest Flowers loves working with Armour House to create the perfect day for their couples!

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Armour House frequently asked questions

The space offered by Armour House for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Mansion
Armour House offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Armour House offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
Armour House offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
Armour House offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Furniture
  • Tables
Armour House is recommended by 94% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.7 in quality of service, 4.7 in average response time, 4.7 in flexibility, 4.7 in professionalism and 4.6 in value.

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