With more and more weddings pushed from the last two years 2022, 2023 + 2024 wedding calendars are packed for vendors. On top of that many couples are deciding to downsize guests lists and opt for something more intimate. (No everyone of course, you all do you!) Let’s also keep in mind “intimate” has a different meaning to everyone, and I appreciate that!

intimate wedding venues are HOT right now

Venues are opening up left and right, and they are awesome! These days call for thinking outside the box and knowing some hidden gems, and more popular options for intimate weddings. I GOT YOU!

Here all some of my all time favs, and new spots I’m excited to visit.

Before you browse, if you are in search of an intimate venue you could absolutely check out:

Fav Restaurant/Brewery - ask them if the would be open to you buying out the restaurant for your event

Back Yard - Ask a friend or someone you know if you could rent their space or if they would welcome you there, note this does involve rentals of tables etc

Air BnB - OH goodness what you can rent on here is unreal! Make sure to ask you host if they are ok with you hosting an event

KEY

🌳- outdoor space (ground)

🌃 - rooftop/sidewalk outdoor space

💃🏻- 100 or fewer

Keep in mind that while many of these advertise seating 200 for dinner, that might be tight, and require tables to be broken down after dinner to open up the dance floor - that is why to me they are for sure more intimate smaller guest list venues!

Ambassador Hotel - 80 Guests Seated

This art deco hotel designed in the 20’s underwent a MASSIVE renovations in the 90’s. It still hosts the best 20’s design, an open lobby and amazing bar area with booths. The most lovely staff and magical space.

Anodyne - 200 Guests Seated

Your fav local coffee shop complete with loooooong bar (40 foot), stage and great smell! The people here are warm and wonderful and offer a unique experience for your day!

Baccus - 300 Guests Seated

Overlooking Lake Michigan this Bartolatta restaurant is very dynamic. While it can hold up to 300 guests fully rented, it is on this list because it also has multiple smaller spaces -Boardroom and Library, a Library patio, a Lakeview Dining Room, and a glass-enclosed Conservatory and outdoor patio with a magical view of Lake Michigan.

Birch - 🌳200 Guests Seated

Brought to you by the owners of Camp Bar, Birch is one of the only Tosa venues. With both beer + wine ON TAP this beautiful space offers in and outdoor options.

The Box - 🌃175 Guests Seated

Located right downtown, with some sidewalk cafe seating. All indoor seating + tables included in the rental! 1/2 a block from a street car stop, and right around the corner from multiple hotels! This venue is a blank slate for you to make your own.

Cafe Central - 🌳80 Guests Seated (in/outdoor space)

This location has a magical back garden with a full opening wall from a private indoor dining space. This versatile space is intimate and hugs you making you forget that you are in the city.

The Carriage House - 💃🏻75 Guests Seated

Formerly Movida, this space is right down in Walkers Point. Intimate and warm, this is the perfect spot with the best food coming to you from the Movida team.

Central Standard - 🌃120 Guests Seated (Great rooftop!)

New to Downtown Milwaukee this is a long awaited space! Anything from an intimate dinner for 20 to a rooftop event for 80, or a seated dinner for 120 this space will give you the city brewery vibes of your dreams.

Charles Allis Art Museum - 🌳120 Guests Seated

This venue stands alone with its beautiful grounds, but also as a partner to Villa Terrace they offer a Reception Space to a Villa Terrace Ceremony. Not only is the space beautiful but it is nestled into the East Side and had amazing art for your guests to view.

Cooperage - 🌳200 Guests Seated (but requires split level)

This space is AWESOME! The high ceilings, the massive bar, the very real industrial vibe with tons of windows. Everyone pours happiness here. They also have an awesome outdoor green space that hosts ceremonies, and a patio with fire pits!

Dandy - 75 magical, 150 Guests Seated

Where do we begin? Dandy is owned by a totally RAD (I never use that word) couple. They care for the space and know how to host an awesome event. The back main room boasts a skylit atrium, with bars in the 2 adjoining spaces. If you are a sucker for every corner having something fun to admire, and a bathroom that is stunning - this is your place. Less than 100 guests on a Sat might even get you a discount!

Filament - 200 Guests Seated

Part of the Ivy House + Milwaukee Air Waves Family, Filament is tucked into the 5th ward just a block from Purple Door (yes please!). This is industrial cream city brick meets modern wood warmth of the space. Bonus there is an awesome Air Bnb just floors up that would be perfect for getting ready.

The George + Madcap Lounge - 180 sit down upstairs, 50 seated downstairs only

This space requires little to know decor, and is bursting at the seems with cool vibes. Down in Walkers point, it is surrounded by cool food and easy access for travelers.

Good City - 🌃 Multiple options 20 Guests Seated to 100+

Offering multiple locations and options for spaces you can really dig around here to see what is a good fit for you. If you are a brewery loving couple come check em out!

Harbor House - 🌳46 Guests Seated in back Captains Room, 200 entire restaurant

Pretty much sitting in Lake Michigan Harbor house not only has amazing food but a cozy atmosphere. With an amazing patio offering views of both the lake and city skyline you can’t go wrong.

Hotel Madrid (Movida)- 🌳175 Guests Seated

Yum Yum Yum. Spanish tapis, and I am here for it. Also their vegan menu is UNREAL! This space is historic (over 100 years old), cool, and offers an excellent outdoor space as well - it is really an oasis - for sure a romantic garden ceremony could happen. Right in Walkers Point, and within walking distance to great after hours options, and The Iron Horse Hotel.

Hubbard Park Lodge - 🌳150 Guests Seated for Buffet

The history behind this space is always so interesting to me (check it out). This outdoor space here is stunning year round, offering the option to have your ceremony overlooking The Milwaukee River (like on the river banks). The lodge has the perfect supper club feel, and the beer garden next door is quite the perk.

Indulge - 💃🏻50 Guests Seated

Easily located in Downtown Milwaukee this spot is a small restaurant space that will provide most things you need to host your guests for dinner.

Kinn Bayview - 🌳While the hotel cannot host your wedding the first floor is Sorella’s Italian Restaurant can host small intimate wedding receptions. You can book the entire hotel for your guests and family with community rooms on each floor.

Kinn Downtown - 🌳Ideally *75-125 Guests Seated

Ohhhh girl! This place is brilliant. Sister to the above, I have only seen the space unfinished but the idea behind the layout of the guest floors is rooted in community and functionality. Then pop up to the rooftop for your ceremony/venue space, with sprawling city views. Right downtown you and your closest guests can stay on site, and enjoy the perks of the downtown life.

Lake Park Bistro - 🌳180 Guests Seated (entire restaurant), North Lake Room 48 Seated, South Lake Room 68 Seated, Pavilion 90 Seated

Classic, delicious, cozy, and magical views. Tucked right into Lake Park, with its own parking lot (yes!) you will be met with the most hospitable team, and a memorable experience. The space hugs you but the back wall of windows make you feel like you could reach out and touch the lake.

The Loft on Broadway - 200 Guests Seated

Taking over the Cuvee space The Loft on Broadway is right in the 3rd Ward, tucked above the hustle of the sidewalk. This warm space scoops you up and makes you feel like you are simultaneously in your own private space in the woods, but also in the city - celebrating with your favs.

The Mitch - 150 Guests Seated

With a selfie lounge in the basement, this venue is unique! They have a lot of amenities included while offering a blank slate space for you to make your own.

Nō Studios Rooftop - 🌃100 Guests Seated

This awesome space sits on top of a building that hosts creatives + artists and gives a space to socializing with purpose and collaborating. Their top floor is an amazing rooftop bar and lounge in the Pabst neighborhood.

Onesto - 💃🏻75 Guests Seated

Probably one of the most intimate spaces I have had the joy of working in. The food is amazing, the space is warm and welcoming, and again you are perched just above the music of The Historic Third Ward.

Pizza Man - 🌃100 Guests Seated

Looking from the outside you wouldn’t even be able to imagine the AMAZING jewel box space that sits on the 2nd floor. If you love pizza like I do and a space that can be open air if desired, this is for you. On top of that it is in a historic neighborhood with an old theatre!

Sanger House Garden - 💃🏻🌳

This sweet historic home sits tucked into Brewers Hill. You could pass it unknowingly, and perhaps love on the gardens. Go up those stairs and around the back, the gardens feel like a little dream land just for you.

Schlitz - 🌳 125-225 Guests Depending on which space

oh baby, I just adore Schlitz. This property is one the treasures of the north shore. From woods, to marsh, grassland to beach, look out tower to lodge, your wild heart will sing. You could get lost on their trails for hours if you wanted - ps animal education is an option for your day!

South Second - 225 Guests Seated. (split level)

South Second will definitely offer you a cozy but very industrial vibe. With high ceilings and a partial second level balcony this space is unique and convenient. You can host a ceremony for 150 guests and have to space transformed during cocktail hour.

The Starling - 🌃 200 Guests Seated

New owners, same amazing location, happy space. With floor to ceiling windows on the river side of the venue, this Third Ward Space is ground level with an amazing venue length deck overlooking river. This is a cozy space that holds more people than you would think, but still feels comfy with a smaller group.

Story Hill Fire House - 🌳150 Guests Seated

This historic bungalow firehouse right in Story Hill, has Milwaukee on one side, Tosa on the other and the Brewers stadium just minutes away. This is a space that feels like it is your own.

Tide House 🌳

Tide House is a very cool restaurant in Milwaukee’s 3rd Ward, they offer food and specialize in cocktails. Although they did not have wedding information, they have a beautiful courtyard space that would be perfect for a little reception.

Transfer Pizza 🌆

If pizza is your vibe, and low key is also on the menu this could be the perfect spot! They have a small space you can rent out.

Urban Ecology Center - 🌳 (Riverside Park)

The Urban Ecology Center is perfect for your adventurous city couple. The lodge is all log cabin vibes inside with a high ceiling first floor and balcony 2nd floor. Tons of perks listed on are their site with the space rental. You can also opt for your ceremony to be in a magical woodland space with quaint wood benches for your guests.

Villa Filomina - 🌳 Multiple options seating 45-225

This beautiful house on the east side of Milwaukee is an unsuspecting jaw dropper. With an outdoor space that allows for an intimate open air dinner or ceremony, your jaw will drop. Blocks from Lake Michigan but perfectly private and romantic. The inside of the house hosts a space for a larger group to dine and dance the night away!

Villa Terrace 💃🏻🌳

Few words are needed for this one, IYKYK. Walk through the main portion of this museum and your jaw will drop on the floor at the view of Lake Michigan. Both winter and warm weather weddings are pure magic here. With options for an indoor ceremony, terrace, or lawn ceremony, you can make your wedding you - while knowing the space is absolutely stunning no matter what.

Vista - 🌃 175 Guests Seated

This space on Old World Third will keep your guests entertained all day - with Camp Bar on the first floor there is always a place to hang out if need! The top floor offers a unique high to low ceiling opening into a vista space overlooking Milwaukee. The unique view and intimate space are for sure a hidden gem.

Think an amazing intimate wedding venue is missing? Let me know!