Why Western Wisconsin?
Each year, as engagement season ramps up and wedding planning gets underway for those newly engaged couples, I see them posting in the Facebook groups that they’re looking for wedding venues within a certain range of the Twin Cities. I think people are often surprised to find that Western Wisconsin venues are not all that far away from the cities and can check many of the boxes, often at a more affordable rate.
Below are a few of my favorites. As a bonus, couples who are the first to book at these venues will receive a $200 discount on their wedding package.
La Pointe Events in Somerset, Wisconsin
LaPointe Events
Years ago, LaPointe Events was home to a campground that was the location for many fun memories along Wisconsin’s Apple River. Later it became a restaurant known as General Sam’s, and a few years ago, they opened their new wedding facilities.
The new building is a modern black a-frame style surrounded by tall pine trees. Inside, you’ll find a modern white interior that gives couples a blank slate to work with that will ensure your photos turn out beautifully.
You can have your wedding on the banks of the river or inside, and couples have gotten creative with their reception spaces over the last few years.
The venue has two separate getting-ready spaces for couples that are completely separate, making it easy to have plenty of room for both sides of the wedding party to spread out.
Finally, LaPointe has an option for some guests to stay in their cabins overnight after the wedding which is super convenient!
Even the outside of the suites at LaPointe Events are adorable!
The inside of the getting ready suite at LaPointe Events is filled with natural light that is perfect for photos and for makeup
The Aisling
The Aisling is a venue located at Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, Wisconsin. The golf course is home to rolling hills and is surrounded by beautiful homes. The native landscape around the golf course is filled with native prairie grasses. Just a few minutes away from the venue, you can find some of my favorite views in all of the St. Croix Valley.
The venue itself is a beautiful, modern facility with clean white lines and plenty of natural light to provide great photo opportunities inside and outside. The Aisling provides a few options for couples to choose from for backdrops that can fit just about any vision you have for your wedding day.
Belle Ame Vineyard in River Falls, Wisconsin
Belle Âme Vineyard
Located just on the outskirts of River Falls, this venue has been around for some time. It recently changed ownership, and the new owners at Belle Âme Vineyard recently wrapped up a renovation on the interior of their venue. The interior gives modern vibes with features that offer a romantic twist. You’ll find gorgeous wallpaper that adds an iconic touch throughout the venue.
The Tasting Room at Belle Ame is a gorgeous gathering space for your guests
The bar inside of the tasting room is thoughtfully designed for your guests to visit and gather together.
The rennovation includes cozy places for guests to sit and visit during your wedding day.
The venue provides a getting-ready suite for the bride and her side of the wedding party that is nothing short of adorable.
Feature walls are a great backdrop for photos while you're getting ready for your day
With plenty of room, this getting ready suite is perfect for you and your wedding party to get ready
Outside, you’ll find the vineyard to be a great backdrop for your ceremony. The vineyard is nestled in the hills of the St. Croix Valley, and the exterior of the building makes it feel like you have escaped to a Tuscan-inspired village right here in Wisconsin.
Plenty of room for guests to enjoy the scenery at Belle Ame!
The pavilion is a perfect place for guests to visit while they're still outside.
Tattersall
If you’re from the cities, you probably have heard of Tattersall Distillery. Their first location in Minneapolis is a favorite for many, and they expanded to River Falls in 2021 where they renovated an old Shopko building and moved their production operations, opened a restaurant, and a banquet hall.
Now, the venue hosts weddings and is set up for events indoors and outdoors. They have an amphitheater that couples can use if they choose to get married outside that is perfectly set up for a wedding. Inside, there are a few things that couples will utilize on their wedding day. There are getting ready suites for both sides of the wedding party. The banquet hall can accommodate hundreds of guests and is designed to look less like a banquet hall and more like an old-fashioned, cozy restaurant. The barrel room is also an option for much smaller events and has loads of character for an intimate wedding experience.
The venue is located in River Falls which has nearby Kinnickinnic State Park, a great option for couples who are looking for some outdoor photos at some point in their day.
Maidenwood
Maidenwood is a little farther than the rest of these venues, but it is worth it. Couples can choose from two of their outdoor sites. One is nestled in a pine forest and makes it feel like you’re getting married in the middle of the forest.
The other option is in a prairie that overlooks the bluffs of the Mississippi River. The prairie is spectacular (coming from a plant nerd, that is high praise) and is a perfect place for a ceremony.
The barn on site is not a traditional barn and the interior is white with good lighting inside. Finally, the venue provides vintage a vintage-looking getting-ready space for couples to use.
The white shiplap helps add texture while still providing couples with a blank slate for their decor.
The Prairie overlooks the amazing bluffs of the Mississippi River.
Just a short walk from the barn, the pines give a completely different feel for couples at Maidenwood
