Armour House at Lake Forest Academy

. On the day of my wedding, the team laid out all my decor exactly as I had indicated on my plan which greatly reduced my stress the morning of. The food was INCREDIBLE! My guests were raving about the appetizers and entrees all night. If I could go back to the Armour house for a dinner, I would! My guests even told me how much they loved the servers and they were all so friendly. One of the team members helped bustle my dress at the end of cocktail hour, since I had so many points and my matron of honor was struggling. At the end of the night they helped pack all my decor! I am so grateful to have found this venue and team of people for my wedding. It was the perfect day and I highly recommend the Armour House to any bride!

d think you’d treat a bride who’s dropping 100k on her wedding a little better than this. There’s plenty of places to go if my money and time isn’t valued here.

en to. It truly felt like we were in a dream somewhere in France or Italy -- certainly not Chicagoland! Apart from the unbeatable scenery, both inside and outside, the food and staff were incredible. The food (both entrees and appetizers) was some of the best wedding food we had ever had, and all our guests raved about the food even after the wedding. So many people told us they had never had that high quality and tasty food at a wedding- it was true restaurant quality rather than "mass catering food". They also nailed our signature drinks just by us requesting them by name about 2 weeks before the wedding. Christine was also really flexible to allow us to get in early in the morning to do yoga before starting hair and make-up, which I really appreciated. Both the men and women got ready at the Armour House and we both were glad we did. The spaces are very large with beautiful balconies and great air flow/air conditioning for doing hair and makeup. Christine definitely has a well oiled system to make the day run smoothly. We had several specific requests throughout the whole day and she nailed them all. I will say it was a bit difficult to communicate with her far out from the wedding, but we had booked very early ahead and I understand our wedding was not the priority until closer to the date. I think she had a system of how she prioritizes and answers questions/emails, but I will say sometimes it was a bit tough when I was trying to get an answer that would impact other decisions, and I had to email several times for a response. However, this is a very small area of improvement, and again understandable because of how many weddings the Armour House has in the summer/fall. This should not at all deter you from this venue because the day of was absolute perfection. Christine and her team nailed all of our requests, and the venue itself could not be any more beautiful. Both me and my husband agreed that we would not have changed a single thing about our day, which I think is a huge testament to the whole Armour House team.

our daughter, our new son-in-law, our family and friends that attended. Strongly recommend this venue and its team. Thank you.

Gaither. Christine was incredibly difficult to work with and I am leaving this review because I wouldn’t want another bride to experience what I did.   Memorial table: We had our wedding coordinator set up the memorial table how we planned and discussed as this was a really sentimental and important part considering one of my parents is displayed on this table. Well, Christine went over and rearranged the table and had the nerve to approach my mother-in-law and tell her that the way the table was originally set up was wrong and she fixed it. Who is anyone to tell us how we should be memorializing our family members? It was just so disrespectful and hurtful.   Ceremony line-up: Another frustrating experience was right before I walked down the aisle.  When the wedding party was lining up right before the ceremony Christine was frustrated with people apparently not being in place fast enough. So, she yelled at everyone and even said we’re proceeding “with or without you” and this was mostly directed at our parents. I just can’t believe the level of disrespect to speak to my wedding party this way but especially my husband and our parents who obviously invested a lot of time and money making this day happen.   After ceremony: After the ceremony, Christine had the nerve to approach my mother-in-law to state that how she left the recessional was incorrect. According to Christine, the parents are supposed to be the last people to exit, but this was not our plan. My mother-in-law wanted to be the first person to congratulate us, and so she did. But Christine made a point to rudely approach her right after the ceremony to address her on how that wasn’t how it was supposed to go. It just baffles me that after the ceremony she would go out of her way to create yet another rude interaction especially since the ceremony is over and it quite literally doesn’t impact her in any way. What’s frustrating is that she took a really beautiful ceremony and soured it for my new mother-in-law. It’s painful to know that that is a part of my mother in laws memory when we reminisce about my wedding day.   Start of day:  When I first arrived to the venue at the scheduled time to get ready Christine was nowhere to be found. In fact, she never even made herself present or available at any point during my getting ready, wedding set up, first look, etc. I expected during this 7-hour time frame before the ceremony that she would at least say hello, offer congratulations, or check in to see if we needed anything with regards to set up, etc. To be honest, my first interaction with her that day was her screaming at our parents during the ceremony line-up. It was appalling that she made no effort to be polite and kind. These negative interactions with Christine were not just limited to me and my bridal party and parents, I had several of my vendors share their challenges and disrespectful interactions Christine had with them, both during my day and some previous experiences working at the Armour House.   Bridal suite:  Another unacceptable aspect of the day was the temperature of the bridal suite.  It was so unbearably uncomfortable and hot. The air conditioning didn’t work, and the outlets didn’t even have enough power to power a fan. It was 80 degrees outside and had to of been well over 90 in the room. The guy’s suite felt 30 degrees cooler. It was really challenging and difficult for our makeup artists and hair stylists. Not only was it an uncomfortable environment for them to work in, it also was hard for them to carry out mine and my bridesmaid’s visions as we were actively melting. It wasn’t until I sent a bridesmaid down the hall to check on the guys in the groom’s suite that we realized it was undoubtedly 30 degrees cooler in their room. And of course, Christine was nowhere to be found to address this issue.   Prior to the wedding: When my mother-in-law and I went to tour the venue 16 months out, Christine was so nice and pleasant. But right after we signed the contract the following week, her attitude completely shifted. Throughout the course of 16 months leading up to the wedding, Christine was brass in her communication, difficult to get ahold of, even with simple questions it takes weeks to get a response from her. In fact, I’ve had to resend emails to her numerous times to get a response. I had expected that she would be easier to get a hold of when we got closer to the wedding, but unfortunately, I was wrong. Even a week before the wedding she was still hard to get in touch with. Any verbal communications never seemed to stick with her, we would frequently have to follow up with multiple emails to recap important details that were clarified over the phone or in person during the rare times that she would actually be available to talk. For example, we needed to know the dimensions for the grand staircase railings and the fountain, so we could have garland and flowers made to fit these spaces. It took first asking her for these measurements in person which she said she would email, then a verbal phone call which again she said she would email, then 2 emails that I had to send asking again for the measurements. All in all, it took 2 months and 4 times asking to get an answer to a simple and time sensitive question. At this point, we were less than 90 days away from the wedding so this definitely created unnecessary stress and headache.   Final notes: When you opt for a venue of this price and caliber, you have baseline expectations that the venue coordinator is going to be respectful, reasonable to work with, and communicative. Christine was the complete opposite. Her rude demeanor was hurtful and offensive and she really put a damper on my wedding day and the whole process. As I look back and reflect on my wedding, my biggest regret is going with this venue simply because of having no choice but to work with Christine. Truthfully, if you have this kind of money to invest in your wedding, I urge you to look elsewhere as long as Christine is in charge at the Armour House. I would advise any bride to think again about deciding to move forward with the Armour House due to Christine’s ruthless conduct.   However, I do want to point out there was another contact at the Armour House that we got to work with later in the day that was truly so nice and kind, Gail. I believe she was an assistant to Christine. She was incredibly thoughtful through all interactions my bridal party and I had with her that day. I really do wish she was the person we could have been working with the entire time because I could tell she was truly wanted us to have a wonderful experience, which we certainly still did despite the frequent negative interactions with Christine. Gail was just a sense of light in the day and I really appreciated that.

awe, rendering words inadequate to convey its stunning allure. As we celebrated our wedding at Armour House in early June, we are appreciative of Christine and the entire staff for curating an exquisite experience that surpassed expectations. From the start of our special day, the professional staff attended to every minute detail, ensuring that nothing was overlooked. Their thoughtful dedication allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the excitement of the occasion to create lasting memories with our guests. We extend a heartfelt thank you to the kitchen team, who not only accommodated our cultural traditions but went above and beyond to make it an integral part of our celebration. They displayed flexibility in providing special accommodations, such as working with Kosher meals vendors, incorporating customized courses, and offering a wide array of drink choices that held deep meaning for us as the bride and groom. One of the most remarkable features of Armour House is its versatility. The venue effortlessly transitioned from one space to another, allowing for a seamless flow throughout the day. Whether it was the intimate contract signing, the lively cocktail hour, the heartfelt ceremony, the joyous reception, or the indulgent dessert service, each space held its own charm, creating a truly versatile experience that delighted and captivated our guests. Amidst the whirlwind of a wedding day, Christine expertly handled a myriad of logistical elements, ensuring that every aspect ran smoothly. Her attentive management not only allowed us to fully relish the experience but also ensured that our guests received the utmost care and attention

o well presented! Many of our guests are still talking about how much they loved the appetizers, meal and drinks! The staff were polite and courteous to all of our guests. The Armour House is a very special venue and the service and attention to detail is beyond exceptional. What a magical day for our family! What a beautiful wedding! I will always be so very grateful!!! Thank you so very much Christine and to your staff for blessing our family with such a wonderful day!XOXO

ind another venue. I still haven’t heard back from them.

ienced was a complete lack of responsiveness. It took 5 days to reply to my original request, to which I responded back to within the hour. It has been 3 days since I asked to set up a tour and I have not been able to get back in touch with anyone. As I understand it is high season, and it is not lost on me that they are probably very busy, I feel that delayed responsiveness is a red flag when going through the stress of pinning down a venue. I’m disappointed because I fell in love with this venue and would have loved to explore the possibility of have our wedding here. However, since dates are filling up so quickly, we just couldn’t risk holding out for a venue that we have already hard a difficult time getting answers from right from the jump. I was disappointed with my experience.

helped us so much not only through planning but the day of. They respond quickly to emails, gave us all the information we needed, and overall were extremely helpful in the planning process. The day of they were running around everywhere ensuring everything was perfect. One of the best parts of this venue is the food. Every single person said it was the best wedding food they have ever had. Tons of options to choose from and everything is delicious. We also opted for a French fry bar and Lou Malnati’s pizza for late night food and mini milk shake shooters for dessert. All of them were an absolute hit! Most venues we looked at it was extra for multiple meal options, champagne toast, table service wine, plated dinner, etc. Everything here is included! All the little extras really made a difference for our guests. We wanted a venue that could do everything in house: catering, linens, ceremony, reception, everything. If you are looking for a nonstop shop where you can do everything in one place Armour House is it! There is no bad spot on this property when it comes to photos. We took pictures both inside and outside and at every angle everything is beautiful. We did our ceremony outside in the formal gardens and it was the perfect backdrop. It is truly such a unique venue and makes for the perfect backdrop from your ceremony to the reception. All of our guests complimented us on how unique and beautiful the venue was. It really makes you feel like you aren’t in the suburbs of Chicago rather in a mansion in Europe! I could go on and on about how much we love this venue. I 110% recommend checking out the Armour House if you are looking for a Chicago or Chicago area wedding venue! It exceeded all of our expectations and helped us create an absolutely perfect day.

how lovely this venue is. And, the staff worked from 8 am until midnight to ensure a perfect wedding.

ef). We had the venue for the whole day, and the setup was perfect. The getting ready rooms and balconies are plenty spacious. The staircase is always to-die for, and everyone did a phenomenal job setting up the various rooms. We used the "Little Theatre" for the ceremony, the library and garden room for the cocktail hour, and the grand hallway for the dinner. The food was fantastic, and we received so many compliments on both the venue and the food.

reat to work with them, they made every step of the process so easy and we felt so comfortable with them! I cannot say enough good things about this venue and the people that work there! I could not imagine getting married anywhere else, it was the best day of our lives and we owe it all to the armour house!

the day of the wedding. We highly recommend this venue - our guests had a great time & we were able to relax and enjoy the day without worrying about the details. Besides the great staff, the venue itself is absolutely gorgeous & the gardens are picture perfect!!

us as we navigated the ever changing covid wedding rules. They were also fantastic at accommodating our requests. The food was amazing and we get compliments about how our food especially the pork osso bucco. Our guests also keep complimenting how elegantly our wedding flowed from ceremony to cocktail hour and beyond. We would highly recommend the Armour House to any couple getting married in Chicago.

red so she was out for a lot of the planning, but she still made sure to be there for the wedding!! We hired them as soon as we heard they had given 2020 brides a full refund. We knew our money was safe with them, and we knew they were honorable people to do business with. Our wedding was a DREAM!!

to us. Also they take extreme precaution with COVID :) Thank you so much for everything!

s as good as any 5 start restaurant I have ever been to, on par with places like Everest, Gibson, RPM, etc. Christine was great in organizing and planning our wedding with our other vendors. Our guests commented that it was the best wedding they had ever been to, everything was perfect!!

ng, being there was stunning and the history behind the venue was an added bonus. We found this hidden gem in Chicagoland and never looked back. The moment we went on our first tour we knew this was where we would get married. The whole entire team is amazing, everyone from the Christine's, Alisa, Shayna to the Chef and the banquet staff. Alisa became our Catering Manager halfway through our planning process and jumped right in. She was just as detailed as I was and as a bride that was very reassuring. We will never be able to say more about the staff and how great they were, especially day of, there is not one thing I would change about the day and you knew the Alisa and her staff had everything seamlessly moving along. The food was awesome! We knew it was the first time we read the menu, then at our tasting it was even better and day of the chef and his team crushed it. The chef even came out and said hello, it was so fun to thank him in person and that he had the chance to come out and see all of our guests enjoying what he created. Thank you Armour House for making our day so special and beautiful!

surpassed our expectations - the food was delicious, the ceremony was lovely and Christine and her crew did a FANTASTIC job setting up and helping with whatever we needed. She answered all questions and kept everything organized. She stayed helping us gather things and cleaning up on our wedding night until midnight (maybe even later!) even though she had to get up the next morning for ANOTHER wedding and do it all again. These people work hard and make sure everything goes smoothly. Thank you, Christine and the rest of the Armour House staff for making our special day SO incredibly special. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

very flexible. We had signature drinks with our last name written in them, and the bartenders actually practiced making the signature drinks a few weeks before our wedding to ensure that they got them right. We had a tasting the December before our wedding and a decor meeting in the March/April before to go over all of the details. Alisa and Christine were always quick to answer our questions. The head chef, Mark, was very sensitive to our guests' dietary restrictions and even set up a few phone conversations with guests to ensure that he could make something to accommodate their restrictions. Overall, everything ran smoothly, and we were able to have the wedding of our dreams. We would ABSOLUTELY recommend this venue.

ur first look pictures in the garden to the amazing reception, we couldn't have asked for anything more. The Armour House is one of the most beautiful wedding venues I have ever seen. Our family and friends can't stop talking about our reception, the food to the cocktails to the experience. There was some staff turnover during the middle of our planning but Alisa and Christine helped ease the transition smoothly and never let us feel like we were left behind. We live out of state and I couldn't have planned this without their unending support and advice. Also the food is AMAZING. Thank you for such an amazing day from beginning to end!

. The food is delicious. And the staff work diligently to ensure everything runs smoothly at the event. Our friends, families, and my husband and I have very special memories to treasure from our wedding thanks to the Armour House.

ures. I can't imagine a better setting for a wedding. But what you're never sure of when you book a venue is how much you can rely on the staff to care as much about your daughter's "big day" as much as she does. Well, the entire staff of the Armour worked tirelessly to make sure the evening went perfectly. A special thank you must to go to Christine Sward. Christine was my contact throughout and my praise for her just doesn't do her justice: she answered all my questions promptly and completely, she made suggestions, she worked with all our crazy ideas, she was INCREDIBLY organized, and she worked with us to keep our expenses within budget. Christine may have just put more work into this wedding than we did. She was there at 9am the morning of, after not going home until 1am after the wedding from the night before. The rest of the staff was also incredible: always pleasant, highly skilled, gracious, etc. Several of our guests commented on the stellar service during cocktail hour and dinner. The only negative to the Armour House is that, because it is such an incredible venue, it books up 1-and-a-half to two years in advance. If you're newly engaged and looking for a place to create some amazing memories and photos, make an appointment now! Thank you so much Christine and staff!

ing was less organized the day of because of this. I was disappointed that I had to worry about the "day of" details not being put out and/or being moved around. In addition, I was disappointed to hear from several guests that one of the bartenders was less than friendly for the price that we paid. Overall, a beautiful venue and I wouldn't have done it differently. Advice: with the change of positions, get a day-of coordinator to alleviate any day-of stress.

bout being interested in the Armour House, I was given all the information I needed without asking for anything specific. The planning sheet with cost estimates they give you, is very accurate. Then, Dean gave us a tour and to be honest that is what sold me. I thought if this guy is in charge of my wedding, it is going to run smoothly. Dean and Alisa answered all of my million questions via email very promptly. There is an overwhelming amount of decisions to make when it comes to your wedding and they are there with advice every step of the way. Even the way they break up the meetings makes planning easy. I was pretty sure I was in great hands leading up to the weekend and then the rehearsal made all the nervousness disappear. Dean runs the rehearsal with the precision of a drill sergeant. Focusing on every little detail that will make the presentation absolutely perfect. The day of was absolutely the best showcase of service I have ever seen. From the moment we arrived it was like they were preparing for a grand ball! I saw the wait staff having a meeting in the marble room. and Dean was there directing every vendor. As I got ready in the bridal suite with my bridesmaids I looked out and Dean was even trimming the bushes in the gardens! The best part was the little details that you never think about. Exactly when to enter during the grand introductions, how to cut the cake, etc. Dean somehow magically appeared every time you thought to yourself "I'm not sure how to..."! Christine even put together a tray of appetizers so the wedding party could eat them after pictures. All the other important things to think about regarding a venue are positive as well. The Armour House is beautiful. It makes your guests feel like they traveled back in time to an Italian Villa. It is convenient to Chicago. It is classy & elegant & timeless. The food is amazing! My wedding was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. And many other people told me and my parents the same thing. It is not a budget wedding option but that is part of what makes it so special and unique. It is expensive but not at all overpriced. The easiest decision we made for our wedding.

oved that it wasn't your typical reception banquet hall or no empty ballroom. The only real decorating we did were the flowers. All the different rooms add such a fun and unique spin. The library was quieter for older guests, and the marble room was perfect for our photobooth! Everyone who worked there, especially were extremely Dean and Alisa were beyond helpful throughout the entire planning process. I work nights as a nurse and my husband is 9-5 and they were very accommodating of our crazy and differing schedules. They made sure my day was stress free and went smoothly. The food was incredible and every little detail was thoughtfully planned out.

t a wedding. Everything was so well organized and so beautiful. It was the best day ever, and I will be forever grateful for all that they did to help.

ne of the nice things about Armour House is that they have their own caterer so it helps with cutting things off your list to find. Also, we got married in doors (it was April but a gorgeous day, we lucked out) but I would recommend having ceremony and reception there. My husband and family members truly hate the 3-4 hour gaps from churches to reception. The only negative comment is how slow they are to getting back at you until you're a couple months out from your wedding date. I was persistent and they were very courteous and gave me a wonderful overall experience.

wedding, the Armour House won't disappoint.

Working with Dean and his team was incredible- if you have them as resources, you certainly don't need to hire an additional planner or coordinator. The team is extremely professional and takes pride in their venue and work. Dean took us through every single detail of the planning process and had our day-of timeline laid out by the minute. He and his team were responsive and answered all our questions and were accommodating of all our requests. They let us personalize our wedding as much as we wanted and we never felt like we were limited in options. There were a few things on the day of our wedding that didn't go quite as planned, and Dean and his team addressed them immediately. For example, we had a glass box for cards that got cracked at some point (could have happened during transport to the venue- not the fault of the venue). When I pointed this out, the team said they'd take care of it and, next time I saw it, there was a bow made of ribbon and some flowers taped to the side of the case blocking the crack from sight. There will ALWAYS be things that don't go quite as planned and it's important that the venue/staff is able to step up and handle any issues, which Dean and his team did flawlessly. The staff was SO friendly and helpful the night of our wedding. The venue itself is stunning- we barely had to do anything in terms of decor. Our guests are still raving about how beautiful the venue was and how wonderful the staff was. This was the wedding of our dreams and looked just like a fairytale. The food was also DELICIOUS.

team. Throughout our 18 months of planning, Dean ensured we were timely with our decisions, and answered any questions we had. The food was incredible, and our guests cannot stop raving about their meals! The backyard of the Armour House provided the most beautiful pictures I could ever imagine. I would definitely recommend the Armour House to anyone in my network.

from the moment we met Dean and saw the Armour House that this had to be the location of our reception. Its absolutely stunning and we loved that it was a historic building and was modeled after an Italian Villa. While its beauty hooked us, its dedicated team really made this venue incredible. Dean is very knowledgeable and walked us through everything. By the time our wedding came around we were confident that it would go smoothly. He is very organized and has been in the business for a while. Its clear that he loves his job, and it was a joy working with him.

elievable. Dean was a joy to work with throughout the whole process and he made us feel confident that our wedding would go smoothly. He is very organized and you can tell that he truly loves his job. We will never forget how amazing our wedding was and how much everyone raved about the venue. You will not regret having your wedding here!

and historic indoor spaces, and everything was set up perfectly. All of our guests commented at how amazing the venue looked, how good the food was and how much fun they had. Dean and Christine, thank you for helping to make our day so special, everything honestly seemed to go perfectly. I know you have so many brides and grooms but we always felt like you were there for our questions and replied so promptly. Thank you again!!

celebrate the beginning of our marriage. The grandiose beauty of the mansion and gardens give it the "wow" factor that absolutely dazzled our friends and family, but somehow there also exists a warmth and a welcoming atmosphere that puts you at ease, a rarity in venues of this caliber. For us, it was the perfect combination. Dean and his staff went above and beyond to ensure that our day ran smoothly. The food was excellent from start to finish as was the quality and expertise of the bar service. The AH team was also very helpful in ensuring that I was organized during the planning process, lending me lists and charts, answering questions I might have, etc. My husband and I are beyond happy with how our wedding day panned out at this Chicagoland treasure and would absolutely do it all over again (if only!). Thank you, Armour House Team! :)

to make whatever dates they had available work! It wasn’t the gorgeous scenery the makes me inclined to write a review, however, it was the amazing staff. Right from our very first meeting together, I could tell Dean and his team were very experienced. And perhaps more importantly, even though Dean’s knowledge made it clear he had hosted countless weddings in the past, not once did I feel that my wedding was “just another event.” Dean and his team consistently answered my million-and-one questions thoroughly and with patience. Though I had a strong sense of what I wanted my reception to be, Dean was quickly able to fill in the gaps, and point out things I would never have thought about. From the number of highboys needed for the cocktail hour, to the timing of the first dance, to anticipating the needs of our guests. Another thing worth noting is that Dean and his team were so involved from start to finish (and especially the day of), that I didn’t need a “day of” wedding planner – which is a huge bonus when you’re budgeting for a wedding!

f thoughtfully and discreetly. The Armour House is beyond beautiful and the grounds are the perfect backdrop for the ceremony of your dreams. Kelly and Kevin Arrogante

ony, to the indoor ambiance and exceptional food service. If you are considering this venue, you will end up with the most beautiful photographs! Not only is the venue gorgeous, the level of attentiveness from the staff is exceptional. Because of Dean's exceptional level of service we didn't need to spend extra money on a wedding coordinator or planner. He is so passionate about his job and does everything he can to make sure your wedding is everything you dreamed of! Thank you, Armour House, for a day we truly will never forget!

ht of everything. The day of, everything went so smoothly and I didn't have to worry about a thing. The food was delicious too. The venue was beautiful and at the end, all of our stuff was packed up and placed together for us. I am so glad we chose the Armour House for our very special day.