We’ve photographed weddings all over the La Crosse area, and the five venues below are the ones where the setting does a lot of the work. Each has real landscape, real character, or both. Capacities come from each venue’s own information, so confirm current numbers when you inquire.

1. The Nature Place

Holds up to 200 guests. Tucked into Myrick Park, The Nature Place suits couples who love the outdoors but want a proper indoor room behind them. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in natural light, and the trails and marsh around the building give you portrait locations without a drive. It’s a modern space that still feels connected to the park around it.

We’ve photographed two weddings here: Nora + Akram’s multicultural wedding and a rainy-day wedding, which shows how the building handles weather.

2. The Greenhouse at Bittersweet

Holds up to 150 guests. Glass walls and ceilings let the outdoors in, so the light is soft and the greenery ends up in every frame. The room is small enough to feel intimate, which suits couples planning a cozy celebration with a garden feel.

3. Norskedalen

Holds up to 300 guests. Norskedalen is a heritage site in Coon Valley with rolling hills, rustic barns and log cabins, and the backdrops range from wildflower fields to century-old buildings. We’ve photographed a lot of weddings here and know its fields, creeks and hidden waterfalls well. Our Norskedalen wedding venue guide covers the spaces and the light, and two weddings show it in use: a waterfall first look and a summer wedding.

4. The Hatchery

Holds up to 250 guests. The Hatchery is a historic building on the bank of the Mississippi, right next to the international gardens, with exposed brick, wooden beams and a mix of indoor and outdoor space that gives you room to adjust the timeline. The open floor plan leaves space for a big celebration, and the textures do a lot for portraits.

5. Mt. La Crosse

Holds up to 300 guests. If a mountain backdrop appeals to you, Mt. La Crosse delivers, whether you marry at the base of the slopes or celebrate inside the lodge. We like couples among the trees and the rolling hills, and the lodge’s wood interior photographs warmly after dark. Our family took up skiing in the past year and we’ve visited a handful of ski hills around the Midwest. Mt. La Crosse stands out for its classic A-frame architecture and the St. Bernard Room.

Choosing among them

Each of these offers something different: greenery, history, or mountain views. If you’re weighing weather risk, The Nature Place, The Greenhouse at Bittersweet, The Hatchery and the Mt. La Crosse lodge all give you indoor space to fall back on. Our advice on rain on your wedding day covers how to plan around it.

Questions about La Crosse wedding venues

Which La Crosse venue holds the most guests?

Norskedalen and Mt. La Crosse each hold up to 300. The Hatchery holds up to 250, The Nature Place up to 200, and The Greenhouse at Bittersweet up to 150.

Which La Crosse venues work for a small wedding?

The Greenhouse at Bittersweet and The Nature Place are the most intimate of the five. For a downtown option, see our guide to The Charmant Hotel and a winter micro wedding there, or our list of the best intimate wedding venues in Wisconsin.

Which La Crosse venue is best for a rainy day?

Any of the four with indoor space. We’ve seen The Nature Place handle a rainy-day wedding well.

Do you photograph weddings around La Crosse?

Yes. La Crosse and the Driftless are home ground for us. See more of our work on our La Crosse wedding photographers page, and the people we’d call for the rest of the day in our La Crosse and Driftless vendor list.

Where can I see more Wisconsin venues?

Our guide to the best Wisconsin wedding venues covers the rest of the state.

If you’re looking for photographers who like great architecture, real landscapes and the quiet moments in between, we’d love to hear about your day. Reach out to us and we’ll talk it through.