The Waterfront Wedding | Elegant Riverfront Venue in La Crosse, Wisconsin

/ La Crosse Weddings, Wisconsin Wedding Venues / By
A groom kisses his dog during a wedding ceremony.
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A man in a suit and tie looks at his bride.
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A bride and groom kiss under a veil.
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A bride and groom embracing in front of a lake.
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A couple embraces in front of Christmas lights at their dog wedding celebration.
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A bride and groom exchange a kiss amidst the enchanting glow of Christmas lights.
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A bride and groom standing by a river at sunset.
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A bride and groom holding hands on a sidewalk in front of a lake.
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A couple, joined by their beloved dog, sharing a kiss at their wedding reception.
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If you’re looking for a wedding venue that offers refined dining, riverside views, and a peaceful downtown setting, The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern in La Crosse delivers timeless charm. With multiple event spaces, award-winning cuisine, and sunset portraits just steps from the river, it’s ideal for couples who want an elevated yet grounded celebration.

As a local photographer, I’ve worked weddings at The Waterfront that feel like upscale dinner parties — personal, beautiful, and full of meaning.

A Real-Feeling Wedding Story

Lauren and Mark wanted a wedding that felt intimate, but still carried weight. “Good food, good people, and a view,” Mark said. “That’s all we really wanted.”

They held their ceremony outside, overlooking the water with chairs set in a soft semicircle. The breeze was light, the sun gentle. They wrote their own vows and laughed through most of them.

Dinner took place inside The Cargill Room — long tables, soft lighting, and an easy flow between courses. Their first dance happened just after dessert, with the patio doors open and the river reflecting the last of the daylight.

Why Couples Love The Waterfront

  • Elegant riverfront setting with direct access to views and sunset portraits
  • Multiple spaces available — The Cargill Room, Tavern Patio, and more
  • Award-winning in-house catering with flexible menus
  • Private, central location — easy for guests to walk, stay, and celebrate
  • Works for both large and small weddings — from 30 to 200 guests

The venue feels both refined and relaxed — perfect for couples who want things done well, but without fuss.

What I Bring as a Photographer

  • Experience with lighting and portrait flow along the river
  • Guidance for sunset timing and patio portraits
  • Familiarity with The Cargill Room and reception pacing
  • Combined photo and video coverage for a consistent style and story

Best Times of Year for a Waterfront Wedding

Spring: Crisp skies and bright air
Summer: Long light, warm evenings, perfect river portraits
Fall: Golden trees and cool air along the water
Winter: Cozy indoor events with holiday elegance and candlelight

Let’s Photograph It With Warmth and Ease

If you’re planning a wedding at The Waterfront, I’d love to help capture it with clarity and calm — the way it really felt.

Contact me here to connect.

Explore more:
La Crosse Wedding Venues
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Where is The Waterfront located?

Right on the Mississippi River in downtown La Crosse.

How many guests can it hold?

The Cargill Room and Tavern spaces can accommodate small to large weddings — up to 200 guests.

Is catering included?

Yes — The Waterfront offers excellent in-house catering and bar service.

Can we take portraits by the river?

Absolutely. It’s one of the best features of the venue, especially at sunset.

The Waterfront Wedding
Bride in a white dress rests her head on the groom’s shoulder during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with seated guests visible in the background.
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A bride and groom share a first dance in the center of a dimly lit, elegant ballroom with round, candlelit tables surrounding them.
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A person in a lace dress is partially illuminated against a dark background, holding the lower part of the dress with one hand.
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A bride and groom kiss on the dance floor of a warmly lit wedding reception venue, with guests seated in the background and sunlight shining behind them.
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A bride and groom share a kiss while dancing at their wedding reception in a warmly lit venue with guests in the background.
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Silhouetted couple standing close together outdoors at dusk, framed by trees, with a faint light illuminating their outlines.
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A couple dressed in wedding attire stands embracing on a grassy hilltop against a plain white sky.
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A bride in a white dress sits in dim lighting against a brick wall, holding a bouquet, with soft light illuminating her face and upper body.
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A woman in a wedding dress stands by a brick wall, illuminated by hanging light bulbs in a dimly lit room.
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A man and woman stand close to each other in low light, with the woman's face partially shadowed. She wears a pearl necklace and an ornate dress. A brick wall is in the background.
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A bride in a white dress stands indoors near a glass door, with her reflection and outdoor plants visible through the glass.
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A couple stands facing each other on a foggy road, illuminated from behind by bright white lights, creating a glowing silhouette effect.
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A bride and groom stand close together in silhouette, facing each other outdoors at sunset, with mountains and trees in the background.
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A bride in a white gown and a man in a suit walk across a field toward a large barn as the sun sets behind the building.
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A couple stands close together under tree branches at night, facing each other in silhouette with soft backlighting.
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A woman in a wedding dress looks out from behind a glass door, touching the glass, while a man stands on a wooden deck outside with his back turned.
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Two men dressed in tuxedos embrace outdoors; one wears a white jacket and hugs the other from behind against a dark, leafy backdrop.
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A bride in a strapless dress approaches a groom from behind on a balcony, reaching out to touch his shoulder; landscape and trees are visible in the background.
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A bride and groom in formal wedding attire share a kiss outdoors, with trees and a building in the background, captured in black and white.
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A bride and groom stand holding hands outdoors, facing a group of people who are arranged in a semicircle under a partly cloudy sky.
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An older man in a suit and red tie smiles as a woman affixes a boutonniere to his jacket outdoors, with another man in sunglasses nearby.
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A bride and groom hold hands while walking by a lakeside at sunset, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
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A woman in a white lace dress looks at the camera while embracing a man in a navy suit outdoors.
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A bride and groom stand outside, facing each other. The bride smiles while holding a piece of paper. The background shows grass, trees, and distant hills.
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Two women in floral robes sit in a softly lit room; one applies makeup to the other, who is seated and facing her, with their reflection visible on a shiny surface below.
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A groom in a tuxedo stands with his arm around a bride holding a bouquet, both posing outdoors with green grass and trees in the background.
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A bride and groom embrace closely, smiling with their noses touching, under a sheer white veil outdoors.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other and holding hands by a lakeside at sunset, with trees and calm water in the background.
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A bride and groom stand embracing outdoors at sunset with a dramatic, cloud-filled sky in the background.
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A person in formal attire is seen through a partially open door, while another person in a white garment holds the doorknob in the foreground.
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A couple in wedding attire stands close together by a riverside at sunset, with a bridge and bare trees in the background.
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Two men in white dress shirts and suspenders stand in a room; one is smiling with hands over his mouth while the other looks down, holding a bag.
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A man and a woman in formal attire float on their backs in a shallow rocky stream surrounded by large boulders and greenery.
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A bride in a lace dress holding a bouquet stands next to a groom in a blue suit and floral tie; they look at each other and smile in natural light.
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A woman in a strapless dress stands against a patterned wall, facing a bearded man in glasses and a vest. Both look serious. The image is in black and white.
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A bride in a white lace dress walks with a groom in a formal military uniform on a dirt road at sunset.
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A woman in a white wedding dress and floral crown stands behind partially open glass doors in a softly lit room.
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A man and a woman, both fully clothed, sit in a shallow rocky river, holding each other closely and touching foreheads.
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A woman in a white hooded cloak and a man in a suit stand on a snowy overlook with railings, with a wintry landscape in the background.
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A bride with curly hair sits on a couch, wearing an off-the-shoulder lace wedding dress and a necklace.
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Overhead view of a couple embracing on a wooden floor next to a long, decorated table set with greenery and floral arrangements.
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A newlywed couple shares their first dance as guests watch, with the bride’s dress swirling and the groom lifting her in a formal, dimly lit reception room.
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A groom in a dark suit dips and kisses his bride in a white dress on a dance floor during their wedding reception, with guests seated in the background.
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A person in a lace wedding dress walks down a hallway, photographed from behind in black and white.
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A bride and groom face each other across a stair landing, with a bright window between them in a black-and-white setting.
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Two men in dress shirts and suspenders stand indoors; one is smiling with hands over his mouth, while the other looks down and holds a bag.
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A bride in a white wedding dress sits indoors reading a note, while a small dog sits on the wooden floor in front of her.
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A bride feeds a groom cheese curds in front of a food truck at night; both are dressed in wedding attire and smiling.
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A bride in a white dress stands on a wooden bridge, looking back, while a man in a blue suit stands in the foreground out of focus. Lush trees surround the bridge.
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A man in a vest and tie and a woman in a lace dress lie side by side in shallow water, holding hands and looking up.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors holding hands, surrounded by green trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage.
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A bride and groom stand holding hands in front of a large window set in a brick wall, looking at each other.
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A bride and groom share a kiss at their wedding ceremony in a rustic hall, with guests seated and watching in the background.
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A woman in a lace wedding dress sits and smiles with her eyes closed, resting her chin on her hand.
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A bride in a white wedding dress and a groom in a military uniform sit closely together on a rustic rope swing in an outdoor grassy area.
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A bride in a strapless gown wipes her eye during an outdoor wedding ceremony, surrounded by guests, in black and white.
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A couple in wedding attire stands outdoors holding large coconuts in front of their faces, with palm trees in the background.
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A bride in a lace dress and an older man in a suit wipe their eyes while standing outside near a staircase.
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A woman and an upside-down man reach toward each other outdoors, framed by trees, with water and mountains in the background.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors, holding hands and smiling, with rocky mountains and trees in the background.
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A bride and groom stand together under a large tree in an open grassy field at sunset.
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A bride and groom sit on a rustic wooden fence overlooking a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and autumn foliage.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors, facing each other and smiling, with green and yellow autumn trees and a distant hill in the background.
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A person styles another person's hair in a dimly lit bedroom with a large bed and framed pictures on the wall.
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A couple stands on a sandy beach at night, illuminated by bright backlighting as raindrops or snow fall around them.
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A bride and groom share their first dance in a wooden barn while wedding guests watch in the background.
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Two men in tuxedos dance closely together at an outdoor event under a tent, with seated guests and string lights in the background.
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A bride and groom walk along a snowy path in a grassy landscape at sunset, with the sun shining between distant hills.
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A couple embraces on a grassy hill at sunset, with dramatic orange clouds filling the sky behind them.
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A bride and groom walk hand in hand down a wet alley at night, surrounded by guests holding sparklers, with brick buildings and shadows visible on both sides.
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A bride and groom kiss while dancing closely at their wedding reception, surrounded by seated guests in a large, decorated banquet hall.
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A bride and groom stand side by side outdoors on patchy snow and grass, with the bride holding a colorful bouquet. Their faces are not visible.
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Two people walk on a wooden path through a field with pine trees and misty mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
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Silhouettes of two people by a lake at sunset; one skips a stone across the water while the other looks on.
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Bride and groom walk through a crowd of people holding sparklers at night, with smoke and lights creating a festive atmosphere.
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A couple stands facing each other near a waterfall at dusk, silhouetted against the water and twilight sky.
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A bride and groom laugh joyfully while holding each other, surrounded by cheering guests, with mountains and cloudy skies in the background.
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A bride and groom stand hand in hand facing a calm lake under a cloudy, overcast sky, surrounded by mountains.
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A couple stands on rocky terrain atop a mountain, with the man leaning in to kiss the woman in a flowing red dress as wind blows her hair. Mountains and sky are in the background.
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A bride and groom stand in the center of a path at night, surrounded by guests holding lit sparklers as smoke drifts through the air.
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A couple in formal attire kisses under a wooden pergola at night, surrounded by falling snow illuminated by warm lights.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, holding a bouquet, with autumn trees and cloudy skies in the background.
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A bride and groom stand together inside a bar decorated with vintage beer signs and brick walls, with a counter and barstools in the background.
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A couple embraces on a grassy hill at sunset, with dramatic orange and pink clouds filling the sky behind them. Trees are silhouetted in the background, perfectly capturing a moment that any La Crosse WI Wedding Photographer would love to frame.

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