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Weddings
x3 Award winner
Award winner thanks to recommendations from couples on WeddingWire.com.
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2014

War Memorial Center

From 1 to 300 guests
Ceremony/Reception
Outdoor/Indoor
Get Ready Rooms

Why couples loved this venue

  • Unique aesthetic style
  • Guests comfort
  • Amenities
Mikayla
Lillie
Megan
Traci
Samantha

Recommended by 97% of couples

About this venue

The War Memorial Center is a striking midcentury, modern-style venue designed by the renowned Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen. Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, this iconic landmark offers a contemporary aesthetic ideal for hosting memorable events. Its expansive plaza showcases breathtaking views of Milwaukee's skyline, including Lake Michigan, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakefront parks, the Hoan Bridge, and Discovery World. Located between Veterans Park and the Milwaukee Art Museum on Lincoln Memorial Drive, it is perfectly positioned for an unforgettable event experience.

Saarinen's design reflects abstract geometry, using plazas, courtyards, and the rooftop terrace to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces. These unique features make the War Memorial Center a photographer's dream, creating one-of-a-kind wedding portraits. A prominent mosaic on the west side of the building, crafted by Milwaukee artist Edmun Lewandowski, consists of 1.4 million pieces of marble and glass, adding an artistic touch to the venue and making it a beautiful backdrop for photos.

The Center also offers two private suites, each overlooking Lake Michigan, available for use from 8 AM to midnight. These suites feature east-facing windows for natural light and are secured with personalized key codes, providing a perfect space for preparations.

As part of your event, white folding garden chairs, speakers, a microphone with a stand for outdoor use, and indoor chairs and tables are provided. The Center’s team will handle all furniture setup and teardown at no additional cost. Additionally, ample parking is available for your guests, and the Mason Street entrance allows for convenient shuttle drop-off and pick-up access.

What you'll love about the War Memorial Center

The dedicated team will work tirelessly throughout the planning process to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. The unique architecture and views of Lake Michigan create a breathtaking backdrop for any soireé. Check out their Real Weddings to see what your celebration could look like!

Features

Just me

Experience

  • 8 years in business

  • We speak English

Links

Visit website

Weddings at this venue

Simone & Joe's wedding
Simone & Joe
42 photos
Amy & Colin's wedding
Amy & Colin
70 photos
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FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$5,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$4,000

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,500

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
Clean Up
Lighting/Sound
Set Up
Tables

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$0

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

1

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

7

Describe your venue:

Art Gallery
Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Beach
Government Building
Historic Building
Museum
Park
Rooftop
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What event items are available?

Altar/Arch
Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Furniture
Lighting
Tables

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

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of War Memorial Center

Weddingwire
4.9/5 44 reviews
Google
4.8/5 423 reviews
A
Allison Sent on 01/21/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible Wedding Venue - Stunning Views at a Great Value

We had an amazing experience having our wedding at the WMC! From great service to amazing views, this was the perfect facility for us. In addition, we loved supporting an organization that does so much for our community and our Veterans.
Mikayla
Mikayla Sent on 01/13/2025
5 out of 5 rating

An Unforgettable Wedding Experience!

We had our wedding ceremony at the War Memorial Center on October 4, 2024, and we couldn't have been happier with our experience! The venue itself is absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and a perfect blend of elegance and history that made our day so special.

Manda and her team were simply amazing! From the moment we first inquired about the venue, they were attentive, professional, and incredibly helpful. They made the planning process seamless, offering great suggestions and ensuring every detail was executed flawlessly. On the big day, they went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly, allowing us to relax and truly enjoy the moment.

If you're looking for a venue that combines beauty, exceptional service, and a unique Milwaukee charm, we highly recommend the War Memorial Center. Thank you, Manda and team, for making our wedding day unforgettable!
M
Matthew Sent on 05/03/2021
5 out of 5 rating

War Memorial Center

Seyaye and her team were so great to work with and provided top notch service throughout the entire process of our wedding planning. The venue was amazing for both the cocktail hour outdoors and the reception portion inside. We had to deal with some major obstacles the day of and Seyaye helped guide us through our problem and acted quickly to give us a great solution! We cannot thank her and her team enough and highly recommend the War Memorial Center for any wedding or event.
E
Emily Sent on 11/13/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect Venue right on the Lake

We are so blessed we found The War Memorial. The moment my fiancé (now husband!) and I toured War Memorial, we knew it was the perfect venue for our reception. The terrace is everything- you have so many amazing views- the lake, Art Museum, the city, the marina- and is a perfect spot for cocktail hour and/or pictures. We did our first dance with sparklers on the terrace and it was a dream come true! The Memorial Hall where dinner and dancing took place is also an amazing, wonderful space to make your wedding vision come to life! They set the lighting to whatever color you would like and it really adds to the "feel" of your special day. I highly recommend War Memorial! It is a hidden secret that I wish more couples knew about. The staff was also a pleasure to work with and another main reason we fell in love with War Memorial. Jennifer answered all our questions and felt like a friend when giving us a tour of the space. We had to postpone our wedding back in March (scheduled for an April wedding) and the War Memorial was so accommodating, flexible, helpful, and empathetic. They made it easy for us to postpone and when our day came along in October they made it SO special! They worked behind the scenes making sure our dream day was a possibility. We are so thankful for the War Memorial and the staff there that made our dream wedding a reality!
B
Brianna Sent on 11/08/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience in downtown MKE

My husband and I were very impressed with our initial visit to the property and decided to sign immediately. We loved the esthetic of the reception space and the added feature of the built-in uplighting. Jennifer was the event planner we worked with and she was very helpful throughout the process. Planning a wedding during COVID was very stressful and she worked to keep us informed of any changes as they came about. I would note that this venue is one of the most affordable options in the downtown Milwaukee area based on the research I completed. We paid $3,700 plus tax for a Saturday evening rental. We did not take the option to buy parking for our guests.
Lillie
Lillie Sent on 09/11/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful wedding venue

My wedding was beautiful here 77 degrees all the sail boats in the background. The bridal suite was huge perfect venue for a large event.
Megan
Megan Sent on 11/17/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Five Stars! Love this venue!

The War Memorial was the perfect spot for our wedding. Jennifer was very responsive and flexible with changing plans last minute when it rained on our wedding day. Everything turned out amazing, and the venue was everything we could have ever wanted for our big day!
Traci
Traci Sent on 09/30/2019
5 out of 5 rating

The Perfect Wedding Spot

This was the perfect venue. We did the wedding and reception right there, which made it so easy to transition and people didn't have to leave. The backdrop is perfect for pictures. The scenic views create a great backdrop no matter where you're standing. There was plenty of space to bring the dinner in doors at the last minute. They were able to make the change without any issue, appreciated the flexibility. People are still talking about the perfect space!
K
Kelly Sent on 08/26/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic, beautiful, best location.

We had our wedding reception here and it was better than we thought it would be! Our guests loved it too! The outdoor space is incredible and such a good way to kick off the night. The staff was great and the venue is so beautiful by its self there is no need to worry about a lot of decorating! The location is also great because it is so central. It is also really fun if you want to walk to the bars after the reception (Like we did!) it was also great for pictures because we didn't haven't to drive around the city, there were so many backdrops right on sight!
Photos done by Amy Bone Photography
Samantha
Samantha Sent on 08/10/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Modern Lakefront Venue with Everything!

Secretly the best wedding venue on the lakefront! We were looking for a venue that was downtown, on the lakefront, with indoor and outdoor spaces, big enough to hold all 250 of our guests, parking - and in our budget. I didn't think we could find something like that, but the War Memorial Center checked every box and more! The building's architecture is modern and unique. The venue has multiple spaces, and the entire center is reserved for your event! The outdoor plaza is huge and great for cocktail hour since it has the best views of the Milwaukee skyline hands down. The reception hall has been recently renovated and is modern with wood and gold accents, gold chandeliers, built in uplighting - just gorgeous. Tables and chairs are included and they do set up and take down for you! There is a separate, secure suite available to store your valuables and gifts during the wedding. Also, there is parking available for your guests if you need it (which is hard to come by downtown!). The events manager Jennifer was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her communication and attention to detail was such a comfort. I felt so at ease knowing she had everything under control as we were planning our wedding and on the day of. Everything was perfect, and I am so happy we chose the War Memorial!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

44
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
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Are you interested?

Team

Gina Leszczynski
Gina Leszczynski
Event Manager

Professional Network & Endorsements

Imagen Events Imagen Events Wedding Planners

Endorsed by Imagen Events at www.imagenevents.com

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War Memorial Center frequently asked questions

War Memorial Center includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by War Memorial Center for wedding events is known for:
  • Art Gallery
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet Hall
  • Beach
  • Government Building
  • Historic Building
  • Museum
  • Park
  • Rooftop
  • Waterfront
War Memorial Center offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
War Memorial Center offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
War Memorial Center offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
War Memorial Center offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Altar/Arch
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
War Memorial Center is recommended by 97% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in value, 4.9 in professionalism, 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in average response time and 4.8 in flexibility.
War Memorial Center currently offers 1 offer promotion for wedding services.
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