Planning your dream wedding starts with one big decision: finding the perfect venue. Are you looking for rustic or elegant? Simple or extravagant? Whatever your style, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center’s incredible versatility transforms your wedding vision into reality. The breathtaking landscape along Lake Michigan and our gorgeous environmentally conscious building create a backdrop you’ll never forget. Our dedicated event experts provide an exceptional experience for couples booking their one-of-a-kind wedding day here!
Planning Your Wedding
The first step on your wedding journey is to visit and let us show you around! Schedule a tour by filling out the online form or emailing at rental@schlitzaudubon.org. On your tour, we will walk through all available spaces, go over your ‘day of’ timelines, look through inspiration photos, and ease your mind that your wedding day planning will be stress-free and fun! From your initial inquiry through each step along the way, our team is here to help!
As you continue to research, be sure to read the reviews and hear about other couples’ experiences. These firsthand stories will help you visualize weddings and receptions at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in a new way. Check out reviews on The Knot and Wedding Wire!
Once you fall in love with Schlitz Audubon, pick a date using our simple online availability calendar. After selecting an open date that matches your favorite season or vibe, share that date with our team along with your estimated guest count and the bar package you’d like reflected in the estimate and contracts. We will then send over the contracts, fun and helpful planning information, and an easy online payment link for your rental deposit.
Building Your Team of Trusted Vendors
Congratulations! Once you’re officially booked, you’ll receive an incredibly helpful Welcome Wedding Guide. This has all you need to know about planning your wedding at Schlitz Audubon, including start times, ‘day of’ details, floor plan diagrams, FAQs, space measurements, and so much more!
Whether you’re a DIY couple who adores to create their own unique vision, or a couple who prefers outside creative direction, the options are endless. Schlitz Audubon is thrilled to partner with the best Milwaukee DJs, musicians, bakeries, florists, and photographers. We will immediately share their contact information to kick off your vendor research!
The @SchlitzAudubonVenue Instagram account is another great place to find vendors. If you like the style of a wedding you’ve seen on a post, vendors are always included in the caption!
Additional Unique Options at Schlitz Audubon
We offer a variety of nature-inspired ‘extras’ that can be added to your wedding ceremony and reception. A Raptor Meet & Greet gives your guests a chance to mingle with a selection of birds of prey from our Raptor Program, including bald eagles, hawks, owls, and a falcon. You can invite the birds to join your cocktail hour! Accompanied by the Center’s raptor handlers, they will be available for unforgettable photos and you’ll learn their stories. If interested, inquire about availability, as their schedule books up quickly!
Another popular addition at Schlitz Audubon is the addition of a Unity Tree experience during the ceremony. The Center provides a thriving potted tree nestled in soil along with different wording ideas for incorporating this symbolic moment into your ceremony. This special commemoration of your day will support the local habitat for years to come. Your tree is a tax-deductible donation to our Center’s mission and will be planted on our property. After the wedding, you will receive general GPS coordinates so you will know and visit the area of restoration welcoming your beautiful tree.
Add stress free natural decor options to your ceremony and reception with the help of our sustainable add on options. Schlitz Audubon has a gorgeous Ceremony Arch made from felled ash trees used during your ceremony without the hassle of transportation, set up, and tear down! Add the finishing touches of florals or fabric to make it your own. Repurposed wine barrels as cocktail tables and rustic tree slices for centerpieces are both rentable options as a special added touch!
Finishing Touches
Rest assured, we are here to help throughout the planning process and especially at our final planning meeting two to three months before your big day. You’ll meet with a member of the events team to check in and talk through timeline and details, review vendor and package selections, and make sure everyone is on the same page. While the team is available to you throughout the year for wedding questions, it’s important to revisit the beautiful vision you’re bringing to life as your date approaches.
To ensure all goes smoothly, the day before your wedding, your Event Manager will be onsite to run through your ceremony and answer any last minute questions.
The Schlitz Audubon event team, paired with your trusted group of vendors, is here to help make planning your wedding a seamless and fun process. Book your dream venue here at Schlitz Audubon and enjoy creating the celebration of your life!
Featured image credit: Morgan Franklin Creative
