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Milwaukee County's mission is to provide high-quality, responsive services that enhance self-sufficiency, personal safety, economic opportunity and quality of life for its entire people.
Milwaukee County is home to over 950,000 people living in one of 19 communities, which range in size from the City of Milwaukee, with 595,000 residents, to the Village of River Hills, with roughly 1,600 residents.
Still a manufacturing stronghold, the region features 16 Fortune 1000 companies and thousands of others in the financial services, medical device, hospitality and retailing industries.
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From stunning backdrops for your engagement photos to one-of-a-kind venues for your ceremony, Milwaukee County Parks offers the ideal destination for your day.
Some of Milwaukee County's most unique wedding venues are in Milwaukee County Parks. Your ceremony can be held outdoors on beaches, in park gazebos, botanical gardens and even a beer garden. It can be held indoors in iconic venues including the Mitchell Park Domes, the 1920s Brown Deer Golf Clubhouse or the South Shore Park Pavilion. The venue you select will determine the type of permit you need.
For a truly unique wedding, ceremonies for up to 50 people can be held in the Tropical, Desert or Show Domes at the Mitchell Park Domes during regular hours. Larger private rentals are also available for receptions in the lobby and the Greenhouse Annex through our catering partner, Zilli Hospitality Group.
The Domes: (414) 257-5600
Permit Application for Ceremonies During Regular Hours
Learn More About After-hours Ceremonies and Receptions
The upper level of South Shore Terrace, with views of Lake Michigan, can be booked for a ceremony, reception or party. You can use the caterer of your choice. Upper Level: (414) 257-8005
The lower level of the pavilion is home to the South Shore Terrace Beer Garden. The beer garden can be reserved for private use on Mondays and Tuesdays. Lower Level: (414) 257-5622
For outdoor weddings overlooking Lake Michigan, you can also reserve the East Lawn. Ceremony Fee: $400 East Lawn: (414) 257-4503 East Lawn Permit Application
Lake Park in downtown Milwaukee offers several stunning locations for ceremonies or photography including the Grand Staircase, the Lion Bridge, the Summer Stage and the Waterfall Ravine. A Special Events permit is required for rentals of these venues.
Ceremony Fee: $550 Lake Park: (414) 257-4503 Lake Park Permit Application
Boerner Botanical Gardens is ideal for everything from an intimate wedding for 30 guests in the annual garden gazebo to a large ceremony for 200 guests in the shrub mall. The historic Garden House can also be rented for use as a bridal room, or an alternative ceremony site in case of inclement weather. Outdoor areas are available spring to fall and remain open to the public.
Boerner also offers several indoor spaces for receptions through our catering partner Zilli Hospitality Group. Learn More About Indoor Events
Learn More About Outdoor Events
Wehr Nature Center, tucked away in the woods of Whitnall Park, overlooks Mallard Lake and offers intimate indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings. Urban Ecology Centers at Riverside Park and Washington Park also offer perfect venues for eco-friendly weddings.
Several parks in downtown Milwaukee provide unique outdoor wedding sites, including Cathedral Square Park, Ziedler Park Gazebo and Pere Marquette Gazebo. A Special Events permit is required for rentals of these venues.
Ceremony Fee: $550 Downtown Venues: (414) 257-4503 Downtown Permit Application
Seeking a unique space for a memorable reception? Milwaukee County Parks has venues ideal for receptions up to 500 people.
The Boerner Botanical Gardens Great Hall features a 21′ x 21′ dance floor, a riser, 60″ round tables with seating of eight guests per table, and upholstered-style chairs. Guests will enjoy the view of the Fragrance Garden.
Rentals and catering of Boerner Hall are provided by Zilli Hospitality Group. Contact Zilli for current rates at (414) 525-5635. Group admission rates to Boerner Botanical Gardens are also available.
The Mitchell Park Horticultural center, better known as The Domes, offers a one-of-a-kind destination for your event or wedding. Seated events can accommodate 275 guests, cocktail events up to 500 guests. Air-conditioning and Wi-Fi are available in the lobby area only.
Zilli Hospitality Group is the exclusive caterer at The Domes; this includes both food and beverage. Contact Zilli at (262) 547-9447
A historic park building with stately wood-beamed interior and brick exterior is located on the shore of Lake Michigan, offering a great view of the marina and the lake. The South Shore Terrace Beer Garden, on the lower level of the pavilion, is open from April to October.
Upper Level: (414) 257-8005
Milwaukee County Parks offer everything from lakefront backdrops to secluded waterfalls, all perfect for memorable engagement photography. To reserve our most popular locations for a professional photo shoot you'll need a photography permit. Our wedding and special event permits also include a photography permit.
Expand the area for taking your wedding photos! The Wedding Ceremony Permit allows photography in your reserved area only, but when you purchase a photography permit, you may use other public spaces so long as they are not reserved by a wedding party or paid event.
For more information or to reserve a time, call Boerner Gardens at (414) 525-5600.
Botanical Gardens Photography Permit Application
Take photos in the Tropical Domes, Desert Dome or the Floral Show Dome with up to 50 guests. For more information or to reserve a time, call (414) 257-5611 The Domes Photography Permit Application
The Domes Commercial Photography Permit Application
Reserve spaces such as the East Lawn at South Shore Park (above) or the Lion Bridges at Lake Park for formal photography. For more information or to reserve a time, call (414) 257-4503. Fee: $68.64 for first hour
Lakefront/Downtown/Special Event Area Photography Permit Application
Over 125 venues are available to rent in Milwaukee County Parks. Venues include park pavillions, golf clubhouses, community rooms and picnic shelters.
Brown Deer Park Boathouse sits on a hill overlooking the lagoon in Brown Deer Park. The rustic exterior and wooded setting create the effect of a country house. The rental area has a fireplace and wood beams. Call (414) 257-8005 to rent.
Capacity: 60
View the Rental Guide
This two-story farm home from the late 1800s offers a spacious interior and views of the beautifully wooded Grant Park Golf Course and the spectacular shore of Lake Michigan. During December the clubhouse is decorated for the holidays. Call (414) 257-8005 to rent.
Whitnall Park Beer Garden is an open-air beer garden in Whitnall Park with 24 craft beers on tap, including brews from Sprecher Brewery and other local breweries. Rent the garden for a business outing and we’ll provide the beer and service! Catering is available. (No outside alcohol can be brought into the beer gardens.) Groups can also reserve tables during regular business hours. Visit mkebeergardens.com for details. Call (414) 257-5622 to rent.
9480 Watertown Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (414) 257-PARK (7275)