Are you looking for park wedding venues in Madison, Wisconsin to host your wedding ceremony and reception? Look no further! I have compiled a list of the prettiest park shelters for wedding venues in Madison that would be stunning backdrops for your special day. Each one of these parks provides beautiful spaces to suit your indoor or outdoor wedding ceremony and indoor or outdoor wedding reception needs at a City of Madison park.
Overall, it is super easy to get married and hold your wedding reception at a City of Madison park shelter. I hope this blog will be your ultimate guide to finding inspiration for your park wedding in Madison, Wisconsin!
City of Madison Parks Venues in this blog:
Important tip: 2025 reservations for Madison park shelters open starting in November 2024! Weekend summer dates fill up quickly, so book in advance!
Olin Park
Photos by Brianna Kraft Photography
This lakeside park has a cute reservable park shelter pavilion that is one of the most unique and underrated wedding venues in Madison. If you are looking for a budget friendly but still gorgeous wedding venue, Olin Park might be the right fit for you. The park shelter is incredibly beautiful with it's white painted wood interior and sits on the amazing grounds of Olin-Turville park and nature reserve. The barn-like park shelter can be fully enclosed or open air, perfect for either an indoor or outdoor wedding reception. This park is perfect for those who love the outdoors.
Olin Park has stunning views of the Madison skyline across Lake Monona, direct lake access and boat launch, and even a beach! The old oak trees create the perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. There are easy hiking trails that go through an old growth forest to a prairie. The park offers a wide variety of areas for photos, including by the lake and in the old growth forest.
Park Amenities:
Restrooms available in an adjacent building
Parking
Lakeside views on Lake Monona
Forest hiking trails
Boat launch and docks
Beach access
Guest Capacity: 150
Learn more on their website: Olin Park Pavilion Rental Info
Location: 1156 Olin-Turville Court, Madison, WI
Burrows Park
Photos by Brianna Kraft Photography
Burrows Park has a beautiful stone open-air park shelter that is reservable to host your wedding reception in a park in Madison. There is a large open grassy area under the trees overlooking the lake to set up an outdoor ceremony. The park shelter has two stone fireplaces inside that can be used to make a wood burning fire. There are approximately 16 picnic tables provided in and around the shelter. You can bring in your own table settings, catered meal, and drinks (no glass).
My husband and I hosted our tea party themed engagement party at Burrows Park and it was the perfect elegant outdoor space to host our family and friends in the summer. We brought our own drinks, snacks, and yard games and enjoyed the park.
Park Amenities:
Restrooms available in an adjacent building
Parking
Lakeside views
Dock
Guest Capacity: not specified
Learn more on their website: Burrows Park Shelter Rental Info
Location: 25 Burrows Road, Madison, Wisconsin
Gates of Heaven
Photos by Brianna Kraft Photography
Gates of Heaven is a reservable park shelter in James Madison Park on Lake Mendota and is a popular location commonly used for intimate wedding ceremonies in Madison, Wisconsin. The historic stone building is currently non-denominational and anyone can rent it for their small wedding ceremony, but the building is a former synagogue. It was built in 1863 and moved to its current location in 1971.
The space has a small lofted balcony that provides unique views during a wedding ceremony of the main floor. There is also a basement area that can be used for getting ready. The main hall has a beautiful wood floor, an ornate wood "altar" piece, and decorative arched windows that let in lots of natural light. The building is open and available to rent year round and has a heated interior in the winter. Unfortunately, food and beverages (including alcohol) are prohibited in the park shelter. You are able to bring in your own free-standing decorations, such as florals.
Overall, Gates of Heaven is a beautiful small wedding ceremony venue. If you want to host your wedding reception at a nearby restaurant, here are some great options:
Some excellent options downtown near the capitol for post-wedding celebratory dinner/drinks include:
Lucille (they have a private vault room that makes for an excellent event space),
Cooper's Tavern (they have a second floor event space AND a cozy private dining cubby that make for memorable dinners),
The Great Dane,
The Statehouse at the Edgewater Hotel,
Merchant,
and so many more!
Park Amenities:
Restrooms available in the lower level of the building
Parking (limited to 24 spaces)
Lakeside views
Lake access to Lake Mendota
Beach
Adjacent to James Madison Park
Guest Capacity: 98 folding chairs provided
Learn more on their website: Gates of Heaven Shelter Rental Info
Location: 302 E Gorham St, Madison, WI 53706
Tenney Park Pavilion / Filene Park
Photos by Brianna Kraft Photography
Tenney Park Pavilion (known as the John Wall Family Pavilion) is a reservable park shelter at Tenney Park in Madison, Wisconsin. The shelter is fully enclosed and the indoor space is open year round. There is an outdoor covered patio area with picnic tables. The shelter overlooks the lily pad ponds and is adjacent to the steel bridge.
Tenney Park is one of my favorite parks in Madison. (Are you sensing a trend?? Madison has awesome parks!!) Tenney Park is located on the east shore of Lake Mendota and has lovely ponds filled with water lilies, lakefront views, stone bridges and meandering pathways. Tenney Park is home to the lock and dam, a lighthouse, and the breakwater pier with lovely sunset views over Lake Mendota. The Tenney Park Locks are also fun to watch boats traversing between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota on the Yahara River.
While the John Wall Family Pavilion is a great place to hold an indoor wedding reception, there are two options for an outdoor ceremony. One option is under the old trees across the street at Filene Park. The other option is in the grassy area on the other side of the steel bridge.
Park Amenities:
Restrooms available in the building
Kitchen with refrigerator, sink, serving window
Parking
Lakeside views
Indoor gas fireplace Outdoor covered patio with picnic tables
Guest Capacity: 20 banquet tables with chairs inside
Learn more on their website: Tenney Park John Wall Pavilion Shelter Rental Info
Location: 402 N. Thornton Ave Madison, WI
There are plenty of other amazing park shelters in Madison that can be the perfect venue for your outdoor wedding. Interested in renting other park shelters in Madison?
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