Armour HouseAppetizerBacon wrapped scallopBandCarmalized Onion TartletGarden Room DancingSweetheart TableCoffee ServiceWelcome TableGarden Room Cocktail HourHead TableLibrary Cocktail HourWelcome SignageEscort Card TableLibraryGreat Hall Table CenterpieceGarden Room FountainCaprese SkewerMarachiAppetizerGreat Hall CeremonyGreat Hall CeremonyGreat Hall DiningLibraryTomato Feta Bruschetta EndiveAppetizerEscort Card TableCo Mingle for Bride & GroomWelcome TableSignature CocktailsGarden Room CeremonyBeef WellingtonBacon Wrapped ScallopUpper Patio Cocktail HourAhi Tuna on Meso SpoonCaprese SkewerBridal BalconyBridal BalconyGroomsmen BathroomGrooms RoomBrides BathroomBrides Makeup RoomBrides RoomGreat Hall Kings TableLibraryLower Patio BandGarden CeremonySweetheart Table for 2June GardensBridal PartyGuest ArrivalBridal Get Ready RoomThe PagodaHere comes the brideSeptember weddingOctober weddingJuly weddingSpectacular Outdoor CeremonyCheers to NewlywedsAppetizer SelectionsThe Grande StaircaseGarden Room FountainThe Great Hall Dining RoomFirst DanceAlways save room for dessertNight Time Celebrations
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About
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.
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A beautiful, unique, regal and classic venue! Highly recommend - a hidden gem!
Armour House is a truly magical and unique venue - such a hidden gem! We had our wedding here in July 2024, and it was such a special day; our guests were so impressed. The building and grounds are beautiful - the vibe is so elegant and bridal, without feeling at all commercial or cheesy. It has a really warm, regal vibe compared to all other venues we've been to. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and maintained - by our late July date, the flowers were perfect. The food and staff were amazing - we received compliments on both (many "best wedding food ever" comments). The food tasted exactly as it did at our tasting, which is impressive at scale (we had approx. 180 guests). The staff was attentive, responsible and kind. We got ready at the venue, in addition to doing the ceremony and reception there, and it was so convenient and easy - could not recommend doing everything on site! The reception space has the dining room, garden room for dancing, patio for hanging out, and library for bar, desserts and photo booth - having all of those spaces at our disposal excellently accommodated all guests' needs and preferences. Christine, the venue coordinator, was helpful and knowledgeable. I'd still recommend hiring a month/day of coordinator (we worked with Chelsea at the Gilded Aisle) as Christine is focused more on venue operations than your day of wedding operations. All in all, fabulous venue, could not recommend more!
+4photos
Diana Sent on 05/08/2024
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
5 stars! Felt like I was in a dream!
We got married here last weekend on May 4th, 2024 and couldn't be happier. Looking back, I think this was the best day of my life! Christine and the Armour House team were a pleasure to work with. They were very professional, answered all my questions, and did not miss one detail. Some comments I received from guests were that this was the most beautiful wedding they've ever attended, they felt like they were in a hollywood/gatsby movie, and the steak was the top 5 steaks they've had in their lives! If this venue is in your budget, DO IT! IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL
+8photos
Lauren Sent on 08/29/2023
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
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
+14photos
Emily Sent on 06/29/2022
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
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!
Laura Sent on 09/17/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Highly recommend this venue! Amazing service and a beautiful setting.
Christine G. went above and beyond for our special day. She made the planning process seamless and kept us on track, never forgetting even the smallest details.
Our wedding was perfect and this setting is absolutely beautiful. Amazing experience!
Sharon Sent on 09/14/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
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.
Yasamin Sent on 09/04/2019
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
A Perfect Day at the Most Amazing Venue
We got married at the Armour House in August, and it was a great experience from start to finish. The food was great, the venue is obviously stunning, and Christine and Alisa were very flexible. We had signature drinks with our last name written in them, and the bartenders actually practiced making the signature drinks a few weeks before our wedding to ensure that they got them right. We had a tasting the December before our wedding and a decor meeting in the March/April before to go over all of the details. Alisa and Christine were always quick to answer our questions. The head chef, Mark, was very sensitive to our guests' dietary restrictions and even set up a few phone conversations with guests to ensure that he could make something to accommodate their restrictions. Overall, everything ran smoothly, and we were able to have the wedding of our dreams. We would ABSOLUTELY recommend this venue.
Ann Sent on 10/20/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
Breathtaking Venue and Gardens
The Historic Armour House provided a unique and timeless setting for my son's and daughter-in-laws wedding. Their dream wedding came true at this prestigious mansion with grandeur gardens. Our guests were so impressed with its beauty they are still talking about it. The food was delicious with beautiful presentation. The service was outstanding! I highly recommend this venue to everyone!
Paula Sent on 09/04/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
I just spent the last year+ planning my second daughter's wedding at the Armour House, and if I could give them 10 stars, I would. The beauty of the venue speaks for itself in pictures. I can't imagine a better setting for a wedding. But what you're never sure of when you book a venue is how much you can rely on the staff to care as much about your daughter's "big day" as much as she does. Well, the entire staff of the Armour worked tirelessly to make sure the evening went perfectly. A special thank you must to go to Christine Sward. Christine was my contact throughout and my praise for her just doesn't do her justice: she answered all my questions promptly and completely, she made suggestions, she worked with all our crazy ideas, she was INCREDIBLY organized, and she worked with us to keep our expenses within budget. Christine may have just put more work into this wedding than we did. She was there at 9am the morning of, after not going home until 1am after the wedding from the night before. The rest of the staff was also incredible: always pleasant, highly skilled, gracious, etc. Several of our guests commented on the stellar service during cocktail hour and dinner. The only negative to the Armour House is that, because it is such an incredible venue, it books up 1-and-a-half to two years in advance. If you're newly engaged and looking for a place to create some amazing memories and photos, make an appointment now! Thank you so much Christine and staff! And credit for the beautiful photos goes to Ruthie Hauge Photography...she's amazing! (separate review)
Olivia Sent on 03/06/2018
5 out of 5 rating
5.0
The Armour House was AMAZING! Dean & Christine were beyond professional, flexible, and accommodating. My wedding day was perfect, it was honestly a dream come true!
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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!
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!
Armour House includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables
Armour House includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
Cake Cutting
Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Armour House includes:
Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Wine
Limited Bar
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
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 4.7 in value.
