St. James 1868

ng up the the wedding, the St James team was kind, open, and determined to make our wedding the day of our dreams. The entire process went smoothly and we could not be happier.

work with. Highly recommend this venue. We had such an amazing wedding day and all our thanks goes to Kate (owner), Kelsey (Venue Manager) and Rachel (Day of Coordinator) for making our vision come to life!

The property is a beautiful backdrop for wedding! Couples are often worried about where they’re going to take their photos if the weather isn’t ideal and the St. James solves that problem as it’s as stunning indoors as it is out. It’s the perfect space to take gorgeous photos - from getting ready all the way through dancing - and you don’t even have to step foot off the property. A photographers dream!

to be able to pick between 2 different venues each with incredible outdoor space. The groom and bridal get ready suites are an awesome perk as well. 12/10 recommend.

Hyde were amazing from top to bottom. Every detail from space design, to staffing, etc etc were thought out to guarantee that guests, family and the wedding party have an amazing experience. Bravo! Highly recommend for anyone seeking an amazing wedding!

planning meeting and finally the day of, every detail was well thought out and executed perfectly. You can tell the staff are very passionate about what they do and it shows. Between the Venue Manager and the Coordinator, they were with us every step of the way suggesting vendors, rentals and even lighting options that helped bring our vision to life. We are so incredibly grateful for such a beautiful day and for my daughter to have the wedding of her dreams. Thank you so much!

of the way. From the moment you walked up the steps, to heading to cocktail hour and back into dinner, the staff greeted you with a smile, answered questions and made sure that everything ran smoothly. We were worried it might be too noisy with the amount of people and music but the later part of the evening was very enjoyable - the bartenders took great care of us and we’re hoping to return for a Candlelight Concert.

ce and team change and develop as they are a relatively newer venue. Throughout the waiting, then eventual planning process, I felt very taken care of and knew the team's goal was to help ensure we pulled off a successful event. As a bride with many questions, it was so nice to receive quick responses to my queries and honest opinions when I asked for them. We decided to hire the month of coordinator through St. James as well which added a whole level of support (although the St. James staff was already doing a superb job!). I felt that the team did everything they could to make the day as seamless as possible. The weather the day of my wedding was on and off rainy which posed a threat to cocktail hour being outside. The rain finally stopped right before cocktail hour. St James staff worked quickly to dry off the courtyard and the furniture, so guests could still enjoy the space during that time. That meant so much to us! All in all, I highly recommend St James 1868. The space speaks for itself, and the team goes above and beyond to ensure your event lives up to and exceeds your vision. I cannot thank them enough!

't have to spend a whole lot of money on decor because the space speaks for itself. The staff was wonderful, very responsive, and accommodating to our every need. No detail was missed. Thank you for making our wedding day something out of a fairytale!

and she was not only friendly and welcoming, but on top of all the details which is an officiant's dream! I was also impressed with Kate, the owner, mopping floors before the event and cheerfully greeting guests as they arrived for the wedding. Eveyone is very 'hands-on', working hard to create the best experience for a couple's special day. The St. James 1868 has a feel of elegance, combined with exellent service. I can't wait to officiate my next wedding there. Kindly, Joan Fergus Master Celebrant Ceremonies by Joan

you turn is just perfectly designed. The team there is great, everything on our wedding day went off without a hitch, and it was an absolute joy to work with them. Our guests as well were blown away. The only thing I would make note of is what is included in the general venue pricing and what is an add on. For example, you do not get access to the bride and grooms suite until the afternoon without paying for access, certain tables cost more, ect. All was completely fine, just something to be aware of when budgeting! Overall, we loved our experience and are already hoping to have friends and family get married there just so we can go back to this magical space. Thank you St. James!

there at all. The property itself is beautiful! We added on the coordinator and worked with Danielle. She was amazing, totally worth it, and the day was perfect. There was a forecast for potential rain, but we made it through the ceremony and cocktail hour without a drop. Would 100% get married here again.

in June of 2023 and we call it the best day ever and that is due to St. James staff and their exclusive vendor list. I was absolutely blown away at how perfectly the night was executed and how helpful all the St James staff was. Kate the owner was exceptional. As a nervous bride wanting the night to go perfectly, Kate would pick up the phone and call me to reassure me that her and her staff would make sure all the little details were taken care of and that I had nothing to worry about. She was right. Wedding planning is so stressful and the last thing you need to be doing as a bride and groom is hand holding your venue or vendors. Do yourself a favor and go with the best venue in MKE!

walk into the building you are not only greeted with the warmth and kindness from their lead coordinator (Jo) – but you are overwhelmed with the character and magnificence of the space itself. Jo’s energy, optimism, and detailed understanding of the facility bring to life the fairy tales that live within us all. Leading up to our wedding – the coordination and correspondence was always prompt, encouraging, and professional. The event manager (Juli), coordinators (Joe, Jess, and Ceci), and even the owner herself (Kate) were so unbelievably helpful and supportive with their lessons learned, best practices, and sound advice – with every day of planning, we grew more and more confident we could make our dream wedding a reality. We could not have asked for a better team to guide us through the stresses and challenges of planning and coordination! On our Wedding day, the team showed up in Aces. Again, from start to finish, they were available, flexible, and cooperative. For any wedding – the bride and groom are always pulled in a hundred different directions – and I can confidently say, without the team from St. James 1868 – our day would not have been as flawless and seamless as it turned out to be. Their full coverage of the day, positive presence, and elite level of care made us feel so loved, supported, and cherished that we are forever in debt to their thorough and selfless service. Regardless of what you’re planning, celebrating, or commemorating – you will never go wrong with this team. So rarely in life do we have the opportunity to work with such a well prepared, well equipped, and professional organization – yet when we do, it is immediately recognized as both an honor and privilege. While St James 1868 will always say it is their honor to work for their customers – I promise it is the other way around. You could spend the rest of your life looking for a venue with the character, beauty, and exceptional elegance of St James 1868 – and after a lifetime of searching you might come close, but you will never find the love, selfless support, and relentless pursuit for excellence offered by the St James 1868 Staff from start to finish. They are simply a cut above – and they are worth every penny. Thank you Kate for everything you did for us, and thank you to the whole crew for making our dream a reality! Respectfully, Mr. and Mrs. Jason R Kons

still a beautiful, perfect day.

mes. We fell in love with this venue and cannot wait for our wedding day. We especially are grateful with the amount of communication, support and advice that the team at St. James gives us along the way.

re thorough and have a solid vendor list - if we had to do it over again, its a no brainer that we would chose St. James again. During our day and the weeks following we received so many compliments for how beautiful the space was. It is truly so different from any hotel conference space. It looks incredible, both fully decked out or with the limited decorations like we had.

Kate and her team were so easy to work with throughout the wedding planning process, which was even more appreciated as we do not live in Milwaukee. The venue is absolutely breathtaking, and it is clear how much thought and attention has gone into every detail. I HIGHLY recommend the St. James as a venue if you are looking to host a beautifully magical event!

also have the most gorgeous European church style. We fell in love with the space the moment we saw it and are so happy that we said our vows here. Can't recommend St James 1868 and their team enough!

n the space for over a year from when we originally booked it, and am still in awe of all the details that made our milestone event so perfect. I honestly felt like we had three different venues at the Abbey - it was bathed in golden light for the ceremony making the space joyful and sacred, transformed to a classic and elegant venue for dinner, then magically turned into a night club for dancing! Kate and her entire team could not have been kinder or more helpful. The St James wedding coordinator, Katie, was a true angel and kept everyone calm, organized and allowed us to enjoy the experience without any worries. I wish I had more daughters getting married to be part of another wedding again here!

the bathrooms, to the bars to the courtyard, there isn't a corner of the venue that isn't picture-perfect. We loved that the Abbey for our ceremony was such a timeless, beautiful space — our family loved that it was church-like, and we loved that we could experience a modern twist on a traditional space. The Hyde made for a perfect backdrop for our wedding party photos and later, our cocktail hour - both sides have such a distinct feel that were so fun to work with to bring our creative vision to life! The Abbey transforms into a different space for the reception...it's so cool to see it lit up as a backdrop for both the sentimental moments (first dance, speeches) and the party that follows. Our entire guest list was from out of town, and SO many raved that the trip was worth it just to see the St James alone. ----- What sold us on the St James wasn't only the space. It was the TEAM. You need a group of vendors you can 100% trust, and Kate, Tim, Kathryn, Katie and Jo were exactly that for us. They went above and beyond their roles throughout our planning process and our event, ensuring we were 100% confident in the run of show and details of our wedding, then taking incredible care of us throughout the wedding itself. They are absolute professionals - you won't find a better team to ensure your day runs as smoothly as can be, without ever letting the couple see how many logistics they're coordinating behind the scenes! ------ As a couple, we wanted a space that we could trust would be stunning on its own, let alone with the florals and decor we'd incorporate. We also wanted absolute peace-of-mind that the day would run without a hitch thanks to the team and the way the venue was laid out. If you're like us, you'll fall in love with the St James and the people who have poured their hearts in this space and the events they host - genuinely cannot recommend this space and this incredible team enough.

e perfect setting for our ceremony. My girls and I loved getting ready in the Duchess Suite - it was such a great way to start the day! We heard SO many amazing compliments from our guests. People could not stop talking about how stunning The Abbey was. Seriously the most beautiful venue around! 10/10 recommend!

is stunning and all in one spot! The get ready rooms are both to die for; the terrace for cocktail hour is enchanting and the ceremony/venue at the Abbey is absolutely gorgeous! The entire venue makes for perfect photos too! All of the staff were more than helpful to make everything from planning to the big day run seamlessly.

s filled our loved ones, it truly exceeded all of my expectations and more! This space is truly out of a fairy tale. From the moment we stepped inside we felt it in our hearts that this had to be it and goodness was it ever.

re romantic area at night. My guests said that my wedding venue felt like a castle, with there being many beautiful spots to take photos inside and outside. There was a wedding in the Hyde the same night and we didn’t hear them at ALL, and barely saw any of them. Kate swore that she’d do her best to make sure her team separates our weddings and she didn’t disappoint ! The primary reason we chose this venue is because there are designated rooms for the women and the men to get ready in. The lighting in the women’s room is PERFECT for putting on makeup, and I love how it had multiple large mirrors and a full bathroom. The guys room has a bar and ping pong table, perfect for them to pass time as the girls get ready. We had so many awesome photos taken in both decorated dressing rooms. Not only is this new venue beautiful, but also it has wonderful, kind people coordinating it. The venue workers could just do their job and go home, but they were so kind to everyone and interactive. My month of coordinator, Danielle, that I received through St James, was extremely helpful, continually offering to do big and little things for me. I appreciated how I was so nervous to walk down the aisle, but she didn’t rush me to make my way to the ceremony - she took the time to talk me through my feelings :) Kate and Tim were great this whole past year with the wedding process ! They were thorough with their communication, gave helpful suggestions, and were super nice during the whole wedding planning journey !

n a dream. Our guests adored it! The ceremony felt holy and set apart, and the reception was a huge party- the abbey and Hyde are both spectacular.

as perfect (downtown) for pictures and out of town guests. My husband and I are so happy that the St James 1868 team could be a part of all the special memories from the day, they were an amazing venue to work with. Everyone on the team was knowledgeable and helped us along the planning process- they took a lot of stress off our shoulders and it’s couldn’t have been better. So happy we chose the St James❤

nue we had very specific boxes to check off. For my fiancé it was that it wasn’t in Illinois, and for myself, I wanted something that provided a European inspired vision since we don’t have estates or castles here in the Midwest. We also wanted to get married somewhere that guests could travel to and have a plethora of options to do before and after the wedding. My fiancé found the St. James 1868 on Married in Milwaukee and as soon as he showed it to me I knew it was the one. January of 2021 (only a week or so after getting engaged) we toured and fell in love with the venue almost as quickly as we had with each other. We felt we had to check other venues just to say we did but every time we’d find ourselves saying, “Well it isn’t the St. James 1868…” We got married August 27th, 2022 and it was breathtaking. There wasn’t a thing Kate or her team could have done to make it any better. Kate has created a truly luxury wedding experience. From the decor to the dream team she has for flipping the room during the cocktail hour and everyone in between, Kate is the real deal. It’s rare to have such open communication with the owner of the venue and to have them check in to make sure everything is as you hope and dream. She has set a beautiful standard for both Milwaukee and the Midwest and continues to be finding ways to make every couples experience one to remember. Weddings can be expensive and it can hard to find a place that is as naturally beautiful as this venue. If you’re thinking about cutting costs, this venue provides the most photo ready opportunities and stunning interior. You don’t need much to have the most elegant photos. Maybe some candles and flowers and before you know it you have the best photos you could imagine. We even opted out of a photo booth for our guests because we felt it would take away from the stunning look of the venue which already has so many photo opportunities. If you’re even vaguely considering the St. James 1868, take the time to tour and talk with Kate. Just like being married is hopefully a once in a lifetime experience, so will this venue be to your guests and you.

s a beautiful mix of historical and modern elegance that we couldn’t miss out on. The owner, Kate, was lovely throughout the whole process and guided us with a great vision that fit our personalities. I applaud the excellent communication, value, and overall pre-marital and day of experience. We are so happy to have chosen the St. James 1868 and would repeat it over and over again with the happiness experienced by us and our guests. Much love to the team for making our wedding the best of our days.

and very well-organized. The terrace made for a beautiful ceremony space, and some great photos later in the day. Overall, this was a perfect choice and it made for a fantastic and elegant wedding. :)

ng to reception. The historic property is exquisite and the staff handle all aspects of the wedding professionally and properly. Referral for a day coordinator was perfect as well. Great job! Thank you St James!

The repurposed church space gives a nice vintage vibe and is complemented by the modern and elegant interior design. The outside of the venue is equally beautiful, and there are countless spots to take photos. I toured several other places, but as soon as I saw St. James, I had to book it. Their team is great to work with and are genuine, kind people who will work with you to bring the vision of your special day to life! They have many great vendors to work with but are accommodating to others, and I was able to hire my own decorator and DJ. Communication was great, and my wedding day proceeded without any hiccups. So many of our guests commented on how beautiful the venue was, and we couldn’t have been happier with our choice.

ecause it was everything I wanted for my dream wedding and more.

tings. We were able to bundle the bar service to the venue and while some of the costs such as rentals were less straightforward, Kate and her team were always happy to walk us through them and make sure we were on the same page. Flexibility when planning is very important to me, and the process with St. James was very flexible. The venue itself is absolutely STUNNING, and I still remember how magical the reception room looked. We chose to have the ceremony and reception in the Abbey, with the cocktail hour in the Hyde, and when we walked through the Abbey after the ceremony and prior to the guests coming in, it was such a sweet time for us to see all the little details we'd created come to life.

e. Why wouldn’t I

8. The building is absolutely gorgeous and easily accommodated our 400 guests in the Abbey Ballroom alone. Although we wished the weather would have been better to take advantage of the courtyard, using both the Hyde and Abbey ballrooms really made all of our guests comfortable throughout the night. Throughout the entire process, Kate was transparent as well as incredibly insightful when selecting furniture, vendors, and more to make sure we had a great time. The service by the entire staff and just the little details, like the security guys opening the doors for guests as they walked in, really made the event. We were so excited to host our event here and can't wait to try and do it in the future.

y 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 wedding, my family stayed in the Airbnb apartment rental that St. James 1868 has next door. It was spacious, clean, and convenient. We headed over to the Hyde to use the Hathaway and Harrison suites to get dressed. The suites were perfect for getting ready and storing our things. Kate was there all afternoon and evening to ensure the night went smoothly. At night, the Hyde is beautiful with some soft uplighting, floral centerpieces, and the wood rental tables. It doesn’t need much décor as the space itself is stunning. Kate and her entire team did an incredible job helping me out through the entire process of planning our wedding. I highly recommend anyone searching for a venue in Milwaukee to consider St. James 1868.

!! 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.

s 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 all we required was a day-of coordinator through St. James/Gracious rather than a planner. We are thrilled with the outcome of our day.