Reviews of St. James 1868 | Milwaukee Event & Wedding Venue. (Event Planner) in Milwaukee (Wisconsin).

St. James 1868 | Milwaukee Event & Wedding Venue

87 Reviews

86 Comments

Event Planner

Event venue

833 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233, United States

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Information of St. James 1868 | Milwaukee Event & Wedding Venue, Event Planner in Milwaukee (Wisconsin)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

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Reviews of St. James 1868 | Milwaukee Event & Wedding Venue

Hannah Davis

We got married in The Abbey at St. James 1868 a few weeks ago and it was the day of our dreams! The venue is gorgeous. We knew as soon as we toured it last year that it would be the perfect setting for our ceremony. My girls and 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 it was. Seriously the most beautiful venue around! 10/10 recommend!

Sarah DiStefano

Kate and the entire staff at St. James did a fantastic job for our law school gala event. The building is absolutely gorgeous and easily accommodated our 400 guests. 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. I almost wished I had gotten married in Milwaukee just so I could have it at St. James 1868.

Olivia Bohringer

To have held our 11/11 wedding at the St. James was a dream realized. To start, the space is beyond stunning - Kate and her team thought of every single detail - from the suites to 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.

Belinda Bonsall Leonard

I’m looking at photos of my daughter’s St. James wedding as I write this review. Of course, I’ve 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 restored…even the chairs provided by St. James are perfect, not only classy, but comfortable too. There are so many wonderful opportunities to embellish with florals, candles and rentals..though you wouldn’t HAVE to do a thing! The suites for getting ready are beyond perfect. We were so happy to be able to do our hair and make up, lunch and pre-wedding photos ALL at the St James 1868. We chose to rent the Hyde as well as the Abby, which took away all the potential stress that might have occurred with rain on the wedding day. In case of rain, we would have had the cocktail hour in the Hyde. But given our good weather we opted to have our cocktail hour outside in the beautiful courtyard. We had about 180 people and the space was absolutely perfect. I was worried about having a two hour cocktail hour, but everyone was having such a good time, and was so comfortable that we had to encourage them to go in for dinner! We used Gracious Catering and the staff kept everyone happy with generous amounts of delicious appetizers and cocktails. They even presented a private plate of the apps to the bride and groom so they could be sure to taste everything even as they greeted guests and took photos. While we were outside for cocktail hour, The Abby was “flipped” for the reception. I walked in before the other guests and was brought to tears (of joy!) with the beauty of it. The head table stretched down the aisle so everyone felt like they were close to the bridal party. We had 21 round tables of 8 in addition to the head table. The dance floor up front was generously sized with room for our big crowd to dance. We chose to set up a lounge with rented furniture up on the large alter area, and guests used it for photo ops, to relax, and to just enjoy looking out over the dance floor. The food served by Gracious was outstanding. Our guests are STILL talking about what a wonderful meal it was. Kate was a dream to work with at St. James. She was responsive to questions, available for in person consultations, and happy to offer suggestions when asked. I know I’ve written a lot already.. so I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking! (Lindsey Taylor Photography)

Kasia Ashwill

Kate was a pleasure to work with through the wedding planning process. She is always very professional and yet made an effort to connect with my family when we had our planning meetings. 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.

Rygine Tapiculin

We had our wedding at the Abbey, and my husband and I along with our guests loved inside the abbey as well as the large courtyard. The lights above the courtyard make it an even more 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 and super nice during the whole wedding planning journey !

Don Robbins

We had our wedding at St. James in December of 2022 and couldn't be more pleased. Kate, Tim, and the entire staff are top notch. Very responsive and no detail is overlooked. They are 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.

Mark Berns

I've gone to 2 events at Saint James in the past 18 months and they've been spectacular! The first was the Wedding Expo in spring of 2021 and the other was Derby Day (for the Kentucky Derby) in spring of 2022. Both events used both the Hyde & Abbey spaces. Each space is unique and the entire property has been incredibly restored to a beautiful level of luxurious elegance! I enjoyed seeing the old photos on the walls in certain hallways showing the property from many decades ago. The outdoor spaces are also fabulously wonderful. AI loved the attention to detail all throughout the property; even the bathrooms looked incredible! The staff present at both events seemed extremely helpful and accommodating to everyone they interacted with. Hopefully I'll get to attend another event there soon!

Kelly Ebner

The staff and service at St. James are phenomenal. They go above and beyond to make your day perfect. The facility is stunning. Kate has created a space filled with luxury for all to enjoy. I have attended weddings and parties at this venue, and I look forward to many more. St. James 1868 is truly a luxury experience in the heart of Milwaukee.

Erin Archibald

One word to describe our wedding ceremony at St. James: MAGICAL! We couldn't have picked a more beautiful place to declare our love in front of our family & friends. We chose to decorate The Hyde so minimally because it is already so beautiful in its simplicity. Plenty of our guests not only noticed, but complimented, that choice of ours, and in response we give full credit to the St. James team in making The Hyde at such a beautiful space.

Jon Langan

We have been working with St. James 1868 since we toured the venue in November and couldn't be happier with our experience so far! Jo Young gave us our tour and she was terrific! She had such deep knowledge of the venue's history and answered all of the questions we asked throughout the walkthrough. Since our tour the staff have been available during every step of the wedding planning process, providing helpful advice along the way.The open houses they offer are very informative and have given us the opportunity to meet the whole St. James staff, as well as many of the vendors familiar with the venue. We highly recommend St. James 1868!

Deanna Wheeler

Where to begin with St. James?! I am a wedding planner and was so thrilled to do a full-service planning wedding here just last weekend at the Hyde venue. From the initial inquiry all the way to post-wedding, I have been nothing short of impressed with St. James in every way - the amazing design (Kate knocked it out of the park with all the detail and attention she put into designing the space), Jo who helped us get started and gave us all the information we needed on tours (also an angel on earth) and Tim and Julie who helped execute the day and managed everything on the day-of! St. James was a much needed venue in the Milwaukee area and not only does it speak for itself, the additional perks of having such a rockstar team truly makes their venue a no-brainer for booking. Keep in mind, we work at a lot of venues but St. James 1868 definitely stands out for their client care and experience and how much they genuinely care about their couples! We would not hesitate to book another wedding/event here and we know any couple or organization looking to host their event here will be in great hands! Thanks to this amazing crew for everything - words cannot sum up how wonderful of a time we as vendors but also the guests at my clients' wedding had! So many compliments all around from everybody!

Karin

BEAUTIFUL SPACE! If you're considering a Milwaukee wedding, you need to see St James 1868. Not only did they make the entire wedding planning process as easy as possible, but they 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!

Ryan Garcia

Just got married on August 27th, 2022 in the Abbey of the St. James 1868! My now bride and I instantly knew we wanted to get married here after visiting back in early 2021. There is 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.

Michelle Becker

I finally toured St. James 1868 and this place is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! A hidden gem in the Milwaukee area by far! YOU HAVE TO SEE IT IN PERSON to appreciate the uniqueness this venue has to offer! STUNNING!! Kate, the owner, took great care in keeping this historic church in tact but adding European flair to make it a “one of a kind” venue. You won’t be disappointed, dreams will come true here!!!

Lissette Sanchez Real Estate

First of all, I want to want to say that this place is always going to be super special for me and my family. Not only did my daughter get proposed at this location but also got married here. Everything was off the top the location every single thing, the entire experience, the service. I highly recommend this place..

Kristen Owens

The St James is truly in a league of its own when it comes to wedding venues. As soon as my fiancé and I stepped foot into the space for the first time, we knew we were somewhere truly unique and special. No detail was sparred in the creation of the St James and it shows. From the beautiful red doors at the entry of the property, to the gorgeous bride and grooms suites, the amazing ceiling and windows I guarantee you will be blown away.

Katie Geis Artist & Event Painter

I've had the pleasure of painting at the St. James twice in the past month. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this venue and the owner/staff are! They are so kind and accommodating to everyone there, vendors included! 2020 has not been a great year for events and has made it extremely difficult for businesses, especially new ones (St. James) to succeed. Postponements and restrictions on guest counts have made for an interesting wedding season and has been very hard on venues, especially because it is very difficult to fill a date once someone has postponed. I'm so glad the weddings I've been to were still held, as it gave St. James a chance to show off how wonderful a venue they are. Both weddings I painted at St. James were perfect, despite the current situation. The staff took all the necessary precautions while still making it enjoyable for guests to attend. The venue itself is absolutely stunning and you can tell this was a complete labor of love. There's thought in literally every detail of this place. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Kate, twice. She makes a point to be involved with her events and she really cares about the experience you have there. I wish her and the Gracious Events staff all the best! If you're looking to have your wedding or event here, do it!!! Covid or not, it will be in good hands.

Steph - 5th Photography

St. James is a gem in Milwaukee. With it's endless charm and wonderful staff you can be sure that hosts and guests will be taken care of from the first interaction. The owner and interior designer of St. James is Kate Crowle, an entrepreneur, stylist and wedding professional. Kate and her team, along with Gracious, the exclusive caterer for the venue, are a team of visionaries and experts in their craft. I've worked with them for multiple events now and can only say that I'm beyond impressed with their professionalism, attention to detail and kindness with their clients. Kate, Marija and Vesna - thank you for being so wonderful to your visiting wedding vendor professionals; it's a joy and pleasure to work with you all.

Regine

I am beyond happy we picked St. James for our wedding venue! I cannot imagine having had my special day anywhere else. The space is absolutely stunning - both unique and timeless. 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.

Aileen Noll

I have watched St. James transform into the most gorgeous wedding and event venue. The renovations to the building provide a unique and impressive stage for any event, the attention to detail in restoring this historic building into it's glory is not something to be missed. I would recommend this venue for any event!

Renee' Jalbert

It’s hard to even know where to begin because there’s so many amazing things to say about both Kate, her team, and the St. James 1868. When my fiancé and I were searching for a venue 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.

Madison Garland

Where do we even begin! We could not be happier with our experience with the St. James 1868 team. Having volunteered may times at the Gathering, St. James is completely unrecognizable and the venue spaces that Kate and her staff have created are simply breathtaking. We could not recommend hosting your event at this venue enough! As we were St. James’s first wedding, there were some minor hiccups along the way, but when it counted St. James far exceeded our expectations! As you can see from the attached photos (courtesy of our amazing photographer Anna Page Photography – check her out, you will not be disappointed), St. James is absolutely stunning. Every single corner of this space is beautifully restored and decorated. We held our wedding in the smaller of the two venues, the Hyde. This space is filled with gorgeous woodwork, vaulted ceilings, breathtaking lighting, and so many decorative touches. It is by far the most beautiful wedding venue we could have chosen in the Milwaukee area! Even implementing COVID-19 distancing precautions, the space easily handled our 105 guests. In addition to the incredible indoor space, the Hyde (and Abbey) both have wonderful outdoor spaces. The Hyde’s outdoor space easily accommodated a bar, multiple cocktail tables and all of our guests. Not to mention the beautiful view of downtown! We utilized the outdoor space for our cocktail hour while the indoor space was flipped, of which the St. James team orchestrated seamlessly. We additionally utilized the same space for the dance floor later in the evening (keep in mind that City regulations limit noise levels at night – we had to move the party inside starting at 10:00pm, which we knew about ahead of time). As for the wedding party suites, our experience is likely to be different than other Hyde renters. As we were the only wedding on site, Kate graciously offered to us the Abbey suites free of charge! Not only are both the bride and groom suites decorated to the nines and spacious, they also offer TV and audio hookups, ping pong tables, and bar space. The wedding party suites are the perfect spots to get ready before your big day! On top of the beautiful spaces offered at St. James, the location couldn’t be better. The downtown location allowed our guests numerous choices for lodging all within walking distance of the venue. Our guests had no issue finding parking near the venue and our photographer had no difficulty finding the perfect spots for photos following our ceremony! While this next section will become less relevant in the not too distant future (fingers crossed), St. James was on-top of COVID-19 and the ramifications the pandemic might have had on our wedding day. Kate and her team provided us with frequent communications detailing relevant updates to Milwaukee and State COVID-19 orders. Kate ensured that we felt comfortable with our wedding date, with all things COVID-19 considered, and was extremely flexible. She offered multiple backup dates, alternatives, and even the option of a full refund secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic. Day of the St. James team did a wonderful job keeping our guests safe and that is really all we could have asked for! As we were St. James’s first wedding, we did run through some small stumbling blocks during the planning process. We are certain these will not be an issue in the future as they were related to a transition from an inhouse event staff/caterer to their new partners, Gracious. To be frank, it was quite frustrating. We had to repeatedly communicate to St. James and Gracious our wedding plans and point out contractual provisions and commitments from the previous event staff/caterer. With that being said, once we all got on the same page the process couldn’t have been smoother. Kate bent over backwards to make sure our wedding was special and was on site day of to make sure everything went off without a hitch! We are truly grateful for everything St. James and Gracious did and hope that everyone who chooses St. James 1868 has as wonderful of an experience as we did!

Anna Santaga

St James was an amazing venue for our wedding! There were so many guests that complimented the space and said the wedding felt so beautiful! Staff was very responsive in the planning and preparation!

Rebecca McCormack

St. James has a timeless beauty. Whether you want a modern even, or a traditional event, this place will meet your every expectation. The photography and videography is stunning both inside and out. It is also easy for guests to get to.

Cearron Bagenda

St. James 1868 is a place I will forever remember. My fiance Shawn proposed to me here and Kate and her team made it unforgettable. Kate helped Shawn with the flowers, champagne and even found a great photographer who captured the moment perfectly ! They had planned everything for a month and I was totally surprised, not to mention the space is absolutely gorgeous ! Highly recommend St. James 1868 and their team !

Jodi Graf

Absolutely breathtaking venue with every single most finite detail accounted for... You and your guests will be blown away by the beauty and appreciate the perfectly designed layout & decor. A unique & incredibly special spot for any type of event. So thankful a space like this has graced Milwaukee!

Wren Solares

We recently had a tour of St James 1868 and were blown away by the professional, loving care that was taken in remodeling this historic church and building. Kate is exceptionally skilled in creating a space that feels as though it has been there forever, to fit the history of the building, to utilize the existing building materials & to continue lasting memories of a stunning space in Milwaukee. There are endless possibilities to utilize and book St James 1868, from wedding ceremonies & parties, engagement parties, baby showers, fashion shows, exhibitions, even office space and more. It's not very often you come across such a special space as this, so make sure to take some time and include St James 1868 as part of your venue search. We loved our time there and can't wait for the next event.

Lori Biedrzycki

I had the pleasure of touring this stunning space for an open house. The details are amazing. What an elegant magical place to have a wedding or any special event.

Courtney King

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!

Rebecca Riley

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 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.

Dan Weber

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.

Catherine Leonard

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! More than half of our wedding came from all over the country and world and loved Milwaukee! Some have even booked trips back because they loved the city so much. Perfect location for a fun filled wedding weekend. Thank you for helping make my dream wedding St James team!

Grace McMillen

An incredibly unique and thoughtful venue in a beautiful part of Milwaukee! On our tour, Kate was kind, welcoming, and so gracious. She has thought of everything for this venue to make it the perfect experience for brides, grooms, and their guests. She restored the church so thoughtfully and has managed to make an old building look beautifully new while maintaining the character of the space. There are outdoor spaces for cocktail hours, the bridal suites are gorgeous, and both The Abbey and The Hyde are stunning venues. Kate is so wonderful to work with, and you really can’t find a more beautiful cathedral venue in Milwaukee! This venue is going to take off and get booked up fast, so don’t hesitate to schedule a tour!

TAYLOR TROVILLION

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.

Tasha Rae Tokarz

A truly stunning space from top to bottom. Every single detail was considered and meticulously executed. This is the type of venue that your guests will be talking about for years and years to come. A photographer's dream, there isn't a bad corner in the whole space. Extremely impressed!

Richard Kollauf

My daughter, Kristina, and son-in-law, Jacob, were married at the St. James Hyde venue on Friday, June 17, 2022. They also had their reception there. From the initial viewing till the stoke of the party’s end it was a glorious experience. We had to do several viewings because the couple live in Raleigh. Once by Zoom and again when they came to Milwaukee to visit. The process was complete and informative. Pricing options were numerous and reasonable. Materials were available in writing and electronically. Paying was by easy, understandable invoices with QuickBooks links for simple payments and receipts. The planning process was iterative, collaborative, and full of ideas. There are many seating, decoration, and venue-related options. The outdoor huge patio was perfect for a satellite bar and Hors D’oeuvres station. Lots of room and fresh air. The space itself was perfect for a religious ceremony and easily flipped to reception/dance floor with DJ station. The inside bar was impressive and completely stocked with whatever you want. The staff throughout the process was professional. I’m sure they all were taught by the owner, Kate, who is the ultimate host. So accommodating and responsive to even little last minute things. I am happy to post this review and would be a personal reference at the drop of a hat.

Annie Woehling

We have had such a wonderful experience working with St. James 1868, and are so looking forward to our wedding in the Hyde on August 5, 2022! Once seeing the St. James, it was really a no brainer to choose this for our venue. For starters, the space itself is immaculate - a renovated church modernized with beautiful details from light fixtures, to tables made of upcycled church pews, and fun decors that brings a lightness to the room. It was the picture of Kobe and Vanessa nestled in the corner by the bar that sold my fiance :). The getting ready rooms are well designed with again beautiful details like Anthropologie mirrors and comfy couches that will make for a wonderful backdrop for a few pre-wedding photos and a comfortable place to get ready or take a break throughout the evening! Okay, that's my rambling about the venue itself, but it was more so the incredible team that sold us so quickly! Jo Young, the event coordinator, could not have been kinder or more accommodating on our tour. Salema, the bar manager, even met us on the tour and gave us a complete, transparent run down of options, costs, etc. Not only were they professional and SO good at details of how our wedding would run, but they were so much fun! By the time we left, I felt like we were friends and could not wait to work with them, and really couldn't imagine a better fit. All that said, I am really excited for our wedding, and the St. James is such a huge part of that! Forever grateful to the team!!

Mary Norman

I cannot express how grateful I am for Kate and her team for making our wedding come true. I called Kate 8 weeks before our postponed wedding date. I am so lucky because they had that day available and helped me move my entire wedding from Chicago to Milwaukee in two months. The minute I made the switch the fun part of wedding planning came back. They helped me with everything from the vision to vendor suggestions I still needed to fill. Our wedding day ended up being the day I always envisioned and the property is so beautiful we didn’t have to go anywhere else for pictures. Book your next event at St. James 1868 you won’t regret it!!!!

Christy King

The Luxury Wedding Show was amazing! The St. James is such a beautiful venue! The space, combined with top notch vendors, made for a very memorable and gorgeous event. Kate and her vendors are incredibly talented. I would highly recommend.

Jordan Antinoja

We attended a party at The Hyde and since there was no event at the Abbey we also given a tour of all the facilities. The Bride and Groom get ready rooms for the Abbey are fantastic. Both venues have plenty of space and are very well thought out. It was a beautiful day outside so we spent a lot of time on the Balcony. Would recommend to anyone looking to have an event here.

Rebecca Hawkins

St. James 1868 is perfectly appointed, wonderfully managed, and stunning from top to bottom. It's the epitome of old-world charm and conveniently nestled in downtown Milwaukee. In a market saturated with many modern venues featuring cream city brick or rustic-chic barns, St. James stands out as timeless, European and elegant. With many options for booking from ceremony to full celebration, St. James has something for every couple and event. As an event florist, we have loved working in this space and look forward to years of beautiful, luxury events in this one-of-a-kind venue. Book a tour today!

Cheri Lang

The most beautiful venue in the Milwaukee area to host a wedding, social or corporate event. No detail went unoticed. Adequate and pleasing aesthetic that welcomes you into comfort. The Bride & Groom salons are stylish, spacious and inviting. The owner Ms. Kate Crowle is a peach to work with. Very attentive to their clients needs, within reason. I love designing in this space. Contact St.James to tour the venue and plan your next celebration.

Heidi Schrader

We had the best time attending an anniversary party at the Hyde of St. James! The venue was absolutely stunning, the staff was so accommodating and the food and drinks were fantastic. The ambiance of the cocktail hour on the outdoor terrace was perfect too. We were fortune enough to get a tour of the entire building. So much thought went into all of the design and details off the entire building. Great job, Kate! It is the perfect spot for a wedding or truly any event. There is so much history in the building too. Our dinner and cocktail tables were all made out of the original church pews. So cool! If you are looking for an unparalleled experience for your upcoming event, I highly recommend St. James!

Emily Lawrence

St. James 1868 was a dream come true. The ceremony space- The Abbey was absolutely breathtaking. The space is so beautiful and elegant. Although it is a big space and can hold up to 500 people, our ceremony felt very intimate as Colleen and Kate set up the space perfectly. Colleen and Kate were both amazing to work with- their communication was impeccable and they made our vision a reality. St. James 1868 was everything I dreamed about and I highly recommend it to any couple that is looking for a beautiful, elegant, romantic venue!

Nicolai Vincent

The Hyde was the perfect spot for us to celebrate our wedding day. We appreciate all the work the staff put into making our day special. We couldn't be happier with how everything turned out!

Lori E

This is a beautiful event venue! All the spaces are just magical! Every detail has been designed to make your day perfect!

Denise Watrous

We were absolutely blown away the first time we walked into the Abbey. So beautiful...it was everything I could have ever wanted for my daughter's dream wedding site! Every detail has been thought of, and I feel so confident that her day will be as perfect as can be. Working with Colleen has been a pleasure and we can't wait to also meet Kate! Being a professional photographer (including 20 years in the wedding photography business) means that I was for sure looking for a venue that would be worthy of a giant wall portrait in our home. We more than found it!! Every square inch of the Abbey is a photographer's fantasy and I cannot wait to choose which image I'll look at everyday and be reminded of this special day!

Britt Ahlgrim

The moment we walked into St. James, it took our breaths away. Kate and her team stopped at no detail to ensure this was a venue of luxury. We are getting married in october and are so excited to have our ceremony at the St. James. The Abbey provides us with the traditional feel that we want for our ceremony. Colleen was extremely helpful and responsive as we were deciding where to get married, and we absolutely cannot wait to say "I Do" in this gorgeous and historic venue.

Justin Bohler

We recently hosted about 30 family and friends at St. James to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. I can't say enough great things about the venue and the staff. The facility is very unique with a neat history and provides a great setting for any type of gathering. It was very easy to coordinate everything with the caterers leading up to the event and the day turned out just as we had planned!

Tish Taylor-Searcy

Hey There! Look no further. The St James is thee perfect wedding venue! I am so Godly glad I discovered the venue at the start of planning our wedding, fall of 2020. Call me old school, but for me I wanted to have a church feel on our wedding day. Honestly I wanted to feel like Princess Diana, lol. I also wanted to find a venue that did not require a ton of decor. If this is you St. James is it. Every inch of the venue is fabulous. The architecture is and will be your decor. The venue will also be selfie heaven for your guests. The staff is just as fab! Jo, Selema, and the owner/designer Kate treated us like family. Jo and Selema will go above and beyond to make sure your day goes very very smooth. On your wedding day you want to be calm and you want to have a peace of mind. It's very important to have vendors and a venue that wants that for mood for you just as much as you want it for yourself - the ladies of St. James get it. You will not be disappointed. Pinky Swear (wink) #searcyouslyinlove

Kylie Frick

St. James is a truly stunning venue - it's incredible to see the before and after photos and how beautiful Katie turned the space into. I haven't seen any other wedding venues in Milwaukee that have the same elegance, history and personality as St. James!

Emily Head

Working with Katie, Colleen & the entire St James team has been such a dream come true. After our initial venue fell apart due to Covid, St James stepped in & welcomed us with open arms just a month before our big day. They made the transition easy, fun & stress free and we can't thank them enough! Their team is knowledgable, quick to respond if any questions or concerns popped up and were extremely easy to work with. In the end, our "backup" plan ended up being even more gorgeous than our original plan because of how incredibly stunning St James is. If you are looking for a timeless, classic & grand wedding venue that will never go out of style, you have found the perfect spot!

Amy Bohler

We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary at St. James 1868 and it was a dream come true. The venue is beautiful and very accommodating. They listened to my vision and dreams for our 10 year and made it all come true. The night was beautiful in which made it possible to enjoy the outdoor patio space as well as the indoor Hyde. You will not find a more accommodating venue in the Milwaukee area. Our guests are still raving about not only the venue but the catering as well.

Brittany Schoenick

I can't recommend the St. James enough. Every detail in this meticulously renovated space is stunning and so well thought out. On top of the beautiful space, Kate, Jo and the team, went above and beyond to make our day picture perfect, and to make us and our guests feel welcomed and at ease. They were wonderful to work with - detail-oriented, organized, quick to communicate, and so kind.

Stephanie Zimmer

Kate is brilliant! This venue is absolutely stunning. The care and creativity that have gone into this loving restoration are just incredible. Kate and her team have thought of every little detail to make your event special and she will work with you on whatever you need. She's flexible, thoughtful, and so understanding. Highly recommend booking here - you will NOT regret it!

anish dave

We were looking at venues for a destination event. Originally our thoughts were booking something in Chicago in late August. After checking several venues, we felt they were very much the same. We were looking for something unique and charming, when a friend suggested St. James 1868 in Milwaukee. We setup an appointment and the owner, Katie Crowle gave us a tour of the venue. Wow to the design and attention to details!! The question now is do we book the whole church or one of the two venues. If you are looking for something unique and out of the ordinary, you definitely don't want to miss this hidden gem!!

John Anderson

Expect to be impressed--OVER THE TOP IMPRESSED!!!! The attention to detail, finishes, lighting, furnishings, and workmanship of St James 1868 is absolutely outstanding. I loved touring the facility with Kate, Colleen, Bella and Marija and relishing in all of the renovations and upgrades. We got in the car after our tour and we both said 'We've found THE place.' Two requirements we had for our September 2021 wedding was we wanted Gracious Catering as our food and beverage provider (this was non negotiable) as well as ensuring we selected a venue with a 'WOW' factor. St James 1868 and Gracious Catering is that perfect combination. We've hired Gracious Catering many times in the past throughout the years in addition to hosting smaller parties at their restaurant in Wawautosa--FireFly (pka Bjonda). We have never ever been disappointed in the food or their service. The team at Gracious is beyond courteous and helpful and the food is incredible! We plan to host our rehearsal dinner at FireFly and follow up with our wedding day and reception at St James 1868 'The Abbey' with the team from St James 1868 and Gracious Catering taking care of our guests.

Annie Hoy

The venue is absolutely stunning and stands out among other venues I've toured in Milwaukee. The European ambiance is so unique and the large open spaces really allow you to incorporate all the elements you want for your dream wedding. I also love the outside spaces available for guests. On top of that, the staff was incredible! Highly recommend this venue!

Kelly O'Malley

The St. James is absolutely stunning! Kate gave an excellent tour and really showed us how this space can be used in various ways. I’m still in awe of how absolutely gorgeous it is. It is a dream wedding venue!!

Ethan Brittingham-Jimenez

AMAZING STAFF AND SPACE! My fiance and I toured the Hyde and fell in LOVE with the venue! We were welcomed with open arms by an amazing team of hardworking women who helped us with any questions and concerns we had. We 100% recommend this amazing gem in the heart of MKE.

MAKKi O

The jaw dropping venue Kate has made could not have encompassed our classic, elegant, and timeless wedding we wanted any better. We absolutely picked the best venue.. hands down!

Meg Murphy

Our experience working with Katie and the venue was overall top notch! Every element of the venue has an interesting story and the attention to detail throughout the space is incredible. You can tell from the minute you step inside how special of a space this venue is. We highly recommend checking it out!

Donald Michna

St. James 1868 has two elegant class A event spaces inviting weddings to networking events. The owner and visionary behind the beautiful venue space is Kate Crowle. She has revived the historical St. James church to be a modern beauty!

Molly Prom

I recently attended an event at St. James 1868, and let me tell you... this venue is AMAZING. From the ambiance of the event space, to the loveliness of the outdoor patio, to the delicious food and drinks–everything was spectacular. If you're looking for a truly unique and beautiful event space to wow guests, look no further.

Laury Veksler (LoLo)

What a treat it was to tour this amazing space. The attention to detail is by far, more exquisite than any other venue I’ve seen. This woman created and owned business is truly remarkable. The owner Kate, thought out every detail. There isn’t a wall in this place you won’t want to have photographs taken. There is no reason to visit a park for photos. The terrace and courtyard offer everything you’ll want or need. I found this to be an amazing space/venue for several occasions. Weddings, baptisms, sweet 16, 50th anniversary, retirement, holiday parties, engagement, graduation, vow renewal, memorial celebrations of life, funerals ETC!! For everyone who loves to selfie, hashtag, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat... Kate even made several cool spots just for that. Truly an amazing space!

kayla heise

The most breathtaking venue in the state of Wisconsin. Not a detail has gone missed and everything is so conveniently located all in one place. I love the Royal European wonderland you are instantly transported to as soon as you walk up to the door. This venue is heaven on earth.

Sam Haynes

I have had the pleasure of working with Kate on multiple occasions..her attention to detail, professionalism, and graciousness to everyone around her make her the perfect host for your festivities! I highly encourage you to secure your booking at St. James 1868!

Hannah DaGiau

The venue is so beautiful! The high arches, stained glass windows, bridal suite and indoor/outdoor elements of St. James are unlike any other venue in the area.

Charity Moser

We were ecstatic with how our wedding ceremony and reception went at St. James - The Hyde. Everything went perfectly and there were so many compliments on how beautiful it was. Highly recommend!

Jeff Schmidt

Simply stunning venue. The St. James team knocked it out of the park for my sister's wedding in September 2020! Excellent food and a top-notch experience all around.

Rebecca Knox Captain Save A Home (Captain Save A Home)

Elegant, memorable and breath taking...This venue space is incredible!! Katie Crowle's talent and reknown eye for style is showcased throughout. Looking forward to returning for future events.

Gloria Witt

We had the opportunity to your this amazing venue. There are two halls with outdoor options and gorgeous bride and groom suites. This new, exciting, and rich venue is a wonderful addition to downtown Milwaukee.

Jessica Graesser

This venue is absolutely amazing! Perfect for any special event. Beautiful space for large or small crowds. The decor creates for incredible photo opts. Great location and so much fun!

Jennifer Keippel

The space sold itself but Kate and her team went way out of there way to make my family and I feel important and answer every and any questions. I can honestly say you won’t get the attention to detail anywhere else!

Jill Czajkowski

Gorgeous And creative venue with indoor and outdoor spaces. Awesome location on Wisconsin Avenue.

Latessa dyson

We took our engagement photos at this location and they were very accommodating excellent would definitely recommend them

Greg Umhoefer

Incredible facility that will soon be known as a top Wisconsin wedding venue!

Catherine Erwin

Absolute perfection from staff to venue!

Neille Rogers

Such a beautiful venue

Joseph Eustermann

Kelly Roecker

Francisco “Cisco” Dubious

Paul Cooke

Madison Weyker

Christina

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