Business Details
6 Years
experience
Luxury Wedding & Event Venues in Milwaukee
St. James 1868 is a luxury wedding and event venue rooted in Milwaukee's history while drawing inspiration from European elegance. Originally a 150-year-old church property, the venue has been meticulously repurposed into two distinct spacesThe Abbey and The Hydeeach offering a unique blend of historic charm and modern sophistication. Our dedicated team specializes in creating unforgettable experiences, from intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, with attention to detail evident in every aspect of our service. With over a decade of combined experience in event planning and hospitality, our female-led team brings both creativity and expertise to every event.We pride ourselves on offering customizable options, including exclusive rental collections, luxury getting-ready suites, and partnerships with top local caterers. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from couples who have celebrated their special days here, with particular praise for our seamless execution, stunning photography opportunities, and exceptional customer service.
Services
Wedding Venues
Event Rentals
Catering Services
Accommodations
Parking Options
Details
- Year established: 2020
Highlights and features
- Historic venues with European-inspired design and original architectural details
- Dedicated team with decades of combined event planning experience
- Customizable floor plans and exclusive rental collections available
- Luxury getting-ready suites with photography-focused design elements
- Partnerships with award-winning local caterers for exceptional dining experiences
What people say
Stunning venue
Amazing staff
Seamless execution
Unforgettable memories
Breathtaking beauty
Services
The Abbey Venue
The Abbey is a historic wedding venue featuring original Tiffany stained glass windows, 15th-century hand-carved panels, and antique fixtures. This space accommodates up to 250 guests for receptions or 200 guests for ceremony and reception combinations. The venue includes luxury getting-ready suites, an English-styled courtyard, and premium rental furniture to create customized layouts for elegant celebrations.
The Hyde Venue
The Hyde offers a modern loft-style setting with vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and original hardwood floors. Designed for smaller events, this venue accommodates up to 150 guests in a versatile space that maintains historic charm while offering contemporary flexibility for weddings and special events.
Event Rentals
Our exclusive rental collection includes patterned dance floors, French Louis chairs, and custom tables. Options range from medallion-patterned dance floors to natural wood designs, allowing couples to create personalized atmospheres that enhance their event's visual storytelling and guest experience.
People
Kate Crowle
Owner & Executive Designer
Kate founded St. James 1868 with a passion for historic renovation and European-inspired design. Her vision combines Milwaukee's heritage with international elegance, creating spaces that make wedding dreams come true through thoughtful details and photography-focused design.
Kelsey Hock
Event Coordinator
Kelsey brings expertise in event execution and bridal styling to our team. With experience in catering and day-of coordination, she ensures smooth planning processes and memorable celebrations while balancing her love for ballroom dancing and culinary adventures.
Jessica Rydlewicz
Cocktail Specialist
Jessica combines her event expertise with mixology skills to create memorable experiences. Her attention to detail enhances wedding celebrations through carefully crafted beverages and a passion for hospitality that elevates every event she supports.
Questions
What venues are available for wedding ceremonies and receptions?
We offer The Abbey (150-250 guests) with historic features, The Hyde (75-150 guests) with modern loft space, and full property rentals for up to 275 guests.
Are catering services included with venue rentals?
We partner exclusively with local caterers like From Scratch and Saz's for exceptional dining experiences. Beverage services are provided directly by St. James 1868.
Is the venue accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Our entire property is handicap accessible with ramps, elevators, and accessible entrances through the courtyard on Wisconsin Avenue.
Can we customize our event decor?
Decor customization is encouraged with pre-approved installations. We provide exclusive rental collections while prohibiting damaging elements like nails, balloons, or confetti.
What parking options are available for guests?
Street parking is available with free weekend access. Adjacent paid lots and a 45-space rental lot provide additional options, with valet services available through third-party vendors.
Reviews (6)
Rebecca Gutzmann
Jan 30, 2022
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We absolutely loved working with Kate and the entire team at St. James 1868. We booked the Hyde for our wedding reception, having only seen pictures online, as neither myself nor my husband lived in Milwaukee. My mom had spoken with Kate on the phone and we placed our trust in her from miles away. When we finally saw the Hyde in person, it was even better than online. The space is gorgeous and needs very little decoration. Kate responded to emails quickly and had an answer for every question I had. Her vendor recommendations (floral, catering, DJ, etc.) were fantastic as well. The weekend of our
Dan Weber
Jan 17, 2022
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Kate and St. James Team, We sincerely want to THANK YOU for having the vision and drive to create the St. James 1868 event space. Our Son and Daughter in Law's wedding was PERFECT!! We feel so very honored to have been able to enjoy your impeccable property and our guests were so very complimentary and impressed. Your staff was very professional and friendly and had every detail covered. It will be a cherished memory for us all.
Courtney King
Dec 26, 2021
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We unfortunately did not book our wedding at St James for date driven reasons, but we toured and the space is incredible. The detail, the consideration of the flow of the day, the two unique spaces giving brides awesome options... it was absolutely breathtaking. Jo was so helpful during the tour and passionate about the space. The location is ideal for pictures day-of, etc. I am envious of any bride who snags this venue, it is a dream come true!
Taylor Trovillion
Oct 14, 2021
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We are thrilled with the outcome of our wedding on 9/10/21 in the Abbey venue. We moved our wedding three times due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, and the St. James 1868 team and Gracious Events, their caterer, were so flexible. The venue is beautiful and offers many options to customize but the great thing was that we didn't need to do too much and kept within budget. Patio is beautiful. Onsite amenities to get ready were great. Their recommended vendor list was perfect and with that list all we required was a day-of coordinator through St. James/Gracious rather than a planner.
Belinda Bonsall Leonard
Sep 24, 2021
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Im looking at photos of my daughters St. James wedding as I write this review. Of course, Ive been looking at the photos constantly over the last couple of weeks, because the wedding truly was a dream come true! St. James 1868 is an exquisite venue. The dramatic arched ceiling, rich woodwork, and stained glass just takes your breath away as you enter. The 72 foot aisle makes for a stunning entrance for the bride. No detail was overlooked as the St. James was restoredeven the chairs provided by St. James are perfect, not only classy, but comfortable too. There are so many wonderful opportunities
Catherine Leonard
Sep 23, 2021
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The best decision of my wedding experience (besides my husband of course!) was choosing St James as our wedding venue. It is a beautiful and unique space that will remain classic until the end of time. I loved not having to worry about weather for our ceremony or reception, but still got to enjoy the court yard for our cocktail hour. Our guests were blown away by the beauty and grand-ness of the Abbey and loved not having to switch venues between the ceremony and reception. It photographed beautifully and had more than enough space for our 180 person guest list . It is also in a perfect location
