How to Have Your Perfect Winter Wedding at The MAC

A winter wedding can be a magical event that warms your guests’ hearts and leaves them with a lasting memory of your special day.

There are plenty of reasons to go with a winter date: you're competing with fewer couples for vendors and venues, your guests are less likely to have scheduling conflicts, and a winter setting can have a wonderfully romantic, elegant, and fun atmosphere. If those are your goals, here are the reasons to consider allowing the Milwaukee Athletic Club (The MAC) to be the backdrop to your winter wedding. One of our very own MAC Makers, Jenna Kashou, had her winter wedding at The MAC (pictured), and you can read first-hand about her special day here as well!

A Breathtaking Venue

The MAC, located in the heart of the city, is a beautiful, historic building that provides guests with an unforgettable experience. A $70 million renovation was completed in 2022, and all the grand spaces were updated in a way that retained their elegant feel. Throughout the building, your guests will marvel at the views of Milwaukee’s skyline and of Lake Michigan.

Your friends and loved ones can stroll among the towering columns, dine under the decorative hand-painted ceilings, and be awed by the 24K gold leaf throughout. There are many gorgeous spaces to choose from depending on the size of your gathering.

The Grand Ballroom is extraordinary and ornate and can accommodate dinner and dancing for up to 250 guests. Nestled on the fourth floor, this 5,000-square-foot room is a perfect space for you to decorate and make your own. It features classic black-and-white accents paired with stunning Swarovski crystal chandeliers. And if you need more room, there’s an option to add an extra area with a built-in bar.

The slightly smaller Olympic Ballroom features a massive carved Wiken fireplace with images of Wisconsin sports at the turn of the century (and in this historic building, that refers to 1900!). Everyone feels like a VIP during any event held there, and it’s a great space for a cocktail hour before a dinner in the Grand Ballroom.

Other smaller spaces at The MAC can be perfect for more intimate gatherings. The 1882 room, located on the third floor, is ideal for a rehearsal dinner or shower. The smaller Poage Room on that level is another good option. The name pays tribute to George Poage, the first African American athlete to win an Olympic medal. The MAC sponsored him so he could compete at the Olympics in St. Louis in 1904. Add in the MLB MVP-themed baseball Yeli hospitality suite, the signature indoor golf suites or our bridal gallery suite to your package to complete your special weekend event planning!

Whichever space(s) you select for your winter wedding, the moment your guests walk into the grand foyer they will immediately feel the classic elegance and timeless charm of The MAC and be hit with its overwhelming “WOW” factor that’s totally InstaReady.

A Highly Skilled Team Behind You

Planning a wedding is super exciting but can also be stress-inducing. The team at The MAC will be with you every step of the way to impart the wisdom they’ve gained assisting countless couples over the years.

“I really enjoy hosting couples for the tastings,” says Katie Shorts, The MAC’s senior event sales manager. “They get to meet with our executive chef, Tom McGinty, and talk about all their wonderful food and drink options. Then we go over every detail to make sure the day is exactly what the couple wants. We talk about vendors, the timeline, the floor plan, the decorations, and everything else. I love getting to know the couples and bringing their vision to life.”

Katie tries to set the tastings about six months before the wedding date. She’s been managing events for 15 years and has gotten quite good at assisting couples, whether they need a lot of guidance or very minimal help in creating their special day. 

Food and Drink

Chef Tom’s culinary team is highly talented and experienced. The catering menus are created using fresh ingredients, and the offerings are sure to please your guests. With a variety of dishes to choose from, including braised short ribs and maki rolls, there are options to delight any palette.

You have tremendous freedom to decide what you’d like served and how you’d like it handled. (Of course, our experts are always willing to offer suggestions about things that have gone over extremely well at other weddings.) Whether you’re wanting a seated dinner, buffet-style service, or passed appetizers, we will work with you to ensure your vision is brought to life.

If you’ll be offering your guests alcohol, bar service is handled by our experienced and knowledgeable team, who specializes in handcrafted cocktails. They can even help you design a signature cocktail for your special occasion.

Whether you want champagne hand-passed or displayed in a stunning tower or wall arrangement, we can help make your celebratory toasts extra special moments to cherish. 

The Little Touches

It may not be your deciding factor, but since The MAC is a premier city club that has built a reputation for making its members always feel welcome, you can rest assured knowing your guests will enjoy an unmatched level of service. We look forward to discussing all the things that matter most to you about your special day and how we can help you create the wedding of your dreams at The MAC. Please email us at Events@TheMACWI.com to get started.

One thing to consider as you plan: We welcome weddings by members and nonmembers alike. (Non-member event dates are available within 18 months in advance of their wedding date).