22 Indianapolis Wedding Venues with Character

I love wedding venues that have character! Since I am a wedding photographer in Indianapolis, I’ve see lots of great venues (and some not so great ones too). My favorite venues around Indianapolis are the ones with the most character and charm in them. You don’t have to get married in a farm house to have a unique venue (though that is an option and you can read about my favorite rustic wedding venues in Indianapolis). There are lots of great venues around Indianapolis that offer elegance, charm, and style! I’ve broken my favorite options into a few different categories below – old world charm, great natural lighting, and garden feel. Almost all of these venues have the option to a do wedding and or reception at them.

Old World Charm: This list of venues offers beautiful dark wood, high ceilings, and stunning architecture. It’s an old world charm that you just can’t get in a modern hotel.

Columbia Club – This venue is located right off the circle in Downtown Indianapolis. The venue is full of beautiful dark wood and old glass windows. Their ballroom can hold up to 500 people while they have smaller spaces to hold smaller weddings.  Price – $$$$ website

Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station –  This venue has a few different spaces to choose from. The most over the top and notable location is the Elegant Grand Hall. Here you can have an over-the-top lavish ceremony and reception. For the more budget conscious bride you might want to consider one of their other spaces. The Illinois Street Ballroom has a great view of downtown Indianapolis.  Price – $$$$-$$$$$ website

Fountain Square Theatre – This is an old theater that as been transformed into a venue for all types of events. They will update the outside of the building/theatre which includes a marquee and poster display boxes to have your name and pictures on your wedding day. The venue can be used in many ways and it’s one of the more affordable options of the bunch.  Price – $$$ website

The Indiana Roof Ballroom – If you are looking for an elaborate wedding this is the place to get married. This large space offers room for your wedding and reception with lots of lighting and space options.  There is a stunning stage at the front of the venue which is great for a band or the wedding ceremony. The space is very open with tall ceilings.  Price – $$$$$ website

Rathskeller – The Rathskeller has that old world charm that you can’t pass up. It has a great location right off of Massachusetts Ave. though guest parking may be difficult if there is an event going on the weekend you get married. The venue is also more affordable than most of the other options in this category. Each room in the venue has a different feel but they all have lovely dark wood.  Price – $$$ website

Scottish Rite – The Scottish Rite has beautiful old world charm everywhere you look. They have a few different spaces to choose from for your wedding and reception. The Ballroom can hold up to 350 people while the Tilers room seats 50. This venue can hold weddings big or small and you are sure to have charm everywhere you look.  Price $$$-$$$$ website

 

 

Great Natural Lighting: As a photographer I love natural light, but you don’t have to be a photographer to love light. Here are a few of my favorite venues around the city that have great light in the daytime and great views in the evening.

Arts Garden – This venue was listed by Buzzfeed.com as one of the coolest places to get married and it happens to be right here in Downton Indianapolis! The venue is basically one giant glass room that overlooks downtown. There is lots of fun lighting that can be done to this space to make it even more interesting.  Price $$$-$$$$ website

Central Library in Indianapolis – The library has a 10,000 square foot glass atrium in the middle of the library. In the daylight hours it allows lots of natural light in. In the evening hours it offers unique and interesting architecture that can be beautifully lit. This space is huge and can hold as many as 500 guests.  Price – $$$$-$$$$$ website

The Indianapolis Zoo – There are a number of different spaces that you can use at the Indianapolis Zoo to host your wedding. There are indoor and outdoor options for both your wedding and reception. Most of the spaces have lots of windows or are outside so the lighting is just beautiful. Price – $$$$ website

Indiana State Museum – There are a number of different spaces you can rent in the museum. However my favorite space is the O’Bannon Great Hall and Ball Family Terrace. You can have a lovely outdoor ceremony on the heart of the canal and then move inside for the reception. They do also have a small garden area for weddings that is new for 2015. It’s lovely and provides a great backdrop of the city. They offer the option to just host your ceremony at this location. The reception area offers a huge window that offers lots of light and a lovely view of the canal. Price – $$$$-$$$$$ website

Skyline Club, Indianapolis – This venue has the best view of the city that I’ve seen! It’s lovely in the daytime but offers a spectacular view at night of downtown Indianapolis. It overlooks the circle. It’s located on the 36^th floor of the One America Building. Price – $$$$ website 

 

 

The Garden Feel: If you are looking to have a less urban wedding with more of an outdoor garden feel there are a few great options around Indy as well. Most of these options allow for both wedding and receptions on site.

The Historic Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens in Fishers – This venue is lovely and is located on a park. The gardens that surround the park are great for the ceremony and then the reception can be held indoors where there is lots of charm. The picture opportunities are endless here! The house isn’t huge so this venue is more suited for weddings with 100 people or less. However if you would like your reception to include tents on their lovely property the venue can hold up to 300 people. Price – $$$ website

Avon Gardens – This venue is by definition a garden. It’s full of lots of greenery and flowers. There is no indoor part to this venue but they do have a covered area. It’s lovely for Spring, Summer, or Fall weddings! Price – $$$ website

Butler University and Holcomb Gardens – One of my favorite places to shoot is this Holcomb Gardens on Butler’s campus. It is also a great place to get married. The area is always very well maintained with beautiful flowers in the Spring and Summer and lovely changing colors in the Fall. Butler offers a number of locations on its campus to have your wedding reception and ceremony. Price – $$$-$$$$ website

Community Life Center at Washing Park East – This venue is great if you want to have an on-site wedding ceremony. The venue offers both indoor and outdoor options for the ceremony and both options are lovely. The outdoor option is in front of their crystal tower in the lovely court yard. The indoor option is under the beautifully lit (with natural light) Rotunda. You can’t go wrong with either option! Then when it’s time for the reception you can just move into one of the lovely ballrooms. Price – $$$ website

Coxhall Gardens –  This venue is located in a lovely neighborhood in Carmel, IN (just north of downtown). The entirely outdoor space is lovely. There is a stunning amphitheater that has a waterway and gazebo in the center. This would be a lovely stop for a wedding. When the wedding is over Ritz Charles will set up a large white tent for the reception. This venue can hold 260 people if you want a dance floor (more if you don’t). Price $$$$ website

The Indianapolis Arts Center – This venue was voted one of the top 10 budget friendly venues in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Arts Center is in Broad Ripple. It offers unique indoor and outdoor spaces. You can have your wedding and reception here. If you are on a budget and still want a unique location you need to check out this venue! Price $$-$$$ website

Indianapolis Museum of Art –  The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) has an endless number of options to choose from in terms of space for your wedding and reception. If you are looking for the garden feel I would recommend the Formal Gardens. Here you will see lots of very well groomed greenery. It’s over the top and beautiful! Then you can move on to the reception on their grounds as well. There are also a number of locations for your reception at the IMA. My personal favorite is the Garden Terrace. This space is small and will only hold 60 guests. If you are having a larger wedding I would recommend the Alliance Sculpture Garden which will hold 350 seated guests. Keep in mind that this venue is not likely for the budget conscious.  Price – $$$$$ website

Laurel Hall – This old mansion holds weddings and receptions for 200 or less guests. It has a lovely garden feel on the outside and a beautiful old world feel on the inside. It’s a lovely place to hold both your wedding and your reception. Inside the house you will find lovely hardwood floors and lots of character and details. Outside you will find beautifully polished gardens that include fountains and lots of flowers and greenery. You really can’t go wrong with this venue. Price – $$$ – $$$$ website

The Mansion at Oak Hill – This venue also has both indoor and outdoor spaces for your wedding and reception. The venue has a bit of a southern flair to it. Inside this building you will find lovely marble fire places, tall ceilings, and beautiful picture windows. What’s not to love?! Price $$$-$$$$ website

R.L Wilson House – This venue is brand new. It opens in Spring of 2015. The beautifully renovated Victorian home hold 60 guests while the outdoor area holds a little over 150 guests. The whole property has a lovely Victorian garden feel that you are sure to love. This home is located in Noblesville, IN.  Price $$$ website

Willowfield Lavender Farm – If you are looking for a unique garden experience this is your venue! The lavender fields are beautiful and like nothing you have seen before. There are a number of spaces to host your ceremony and reception at this venue.  Price – $$$ website

I hope you find this list of Indianapolis wedding venues helpful! Did your favorite venue not make this list? If not, leave a comment below with some information about the venue.

After you choose a wedding venue and date the next step in the wedding planning process is to choose a wedding photographer. If you are looking for an Indianapolis wedding photographer be sure to reach out and let me know. I would love to learn more about your wedding.