The Madison Concourse Hotel Wedding Venue Guide

If you’re dreaming of a downtown Madison wedding that blends style, comfort, and convenience for your guests, The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club is one of the top venues in the city. With elegant ballrooms, experienced event staff, and the Wisconsin State Capitol just steps away, this hotel offers a polished and seamless wedding experience.

As a Madison wedding photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to capture weddings throughout the venue — from emotional first looks on the Capitol lawn to packed dance floors in the Grand Ballroom. If you’re looking for a wedding day that’s effortlessly elegant, centrally located, and easy for guests, Concourse has you covered.

Why Couples Choose the Madison Concourse Hotel

  • Prime downtown Madison location near Capitol Square
  • Flexible ballrooms for weddings of all sizes
  • Full-service wedding packages and in-house catering
  • Governor’s Club rooms for elevated guest experiences
  • Convenient lodging, getting-ready space, and parking on-site

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

The hotel offers over 27,000 square feet of event space. Whether you’re hosting 50 guests or 400, there’s a ballroom configuration that will fit your day.

Grand Ballroom

With room for 400+ guests, this space is ideal for large celebrations. High ceilings and neutral decor make it easy to customize with your own floral and lighting style.

Capitol Ballroom

Perfect for mid-sized weddings with up to 175 guests. Located on the main level and beautifully finished.

Madison/Wisconsin Ballroom

A versatile option that works for ceremonies, receptions, or a combo of both. Great for guest counts in the 100–200 range.

All ballrooms come with elegant lighting, modern finishes, and a professional events team to guide setup and flow.

Getting Ready at the Governor’s Club

One of the best perks of this venue is access to the Governor’s Club — a private hotel floor offering panoramic views of downtown Madison. Couples who stay here can enjoy complimentary breakfast, top-shelf cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts throughout the day.

It’s a great space for getting ready photos, quiet moments before the ceremony, and even a nightcap after the reception.

Portraits Near the Capitol and Downtown

The Madison Concourse Hotel is located just a block from the Wisconsin State Capitol. Most couples choose to do their first look on the Capitol lawn, take wedding party photos along State Street, or grab some golden hour shots on the rooftop or terrace.

Some favorite photo spots nearby include:

  • Wisconsin State Capitol
  • Monona Terrace
  • State Street
  • The rooftop of the Concourse Hotel
  • Capitol Square at sunset

Everything is walkable, which means less travel stress and more photo opportunities.

What’s Included in Their Wedding Packages

The Concourse offers full-service wedding packages designed to make the planning process smoother. Packages typically include:

  • Complimentary menu tasting
  • Dedicated getting ready space for the couple
  • In-house catering and full bar
  • Champagne toast for all guests
  • Tables, chairs, linens, and simple decor
  • Gift and card tables
  • Discounted guest room blocks
  • Complimentary suite for the couple on wedding night
  • Space for rehearsal dinner or post-wedding brunch

You’ll also be paired with a coordinator who will work with your timeline, vendors, and layout needs.

Visit the venue’s site for details: The Madison Concourse Hotel Weddings

Tips for Planning a Seamless Day

  • Reserve the Governor’s Club suite early for the best views and prep space
  • Plan your first look at the Capitol in the morning before the square gets busy
  • Use the rooftop and lobby areas for indoor portraits if it rains
  • Add custom uplighting or soft drapery to personalize the ballroom
  • Consider staying two nights to enjoy the lounge and wind down after your event

Real Weddings at the Concourse

Weddings at the Madison Concourse are elegant and joyful, and they photograph beautifully. The staff is experienced and friendly, the layout is easy to work with, and the flow of the day tends to be relaxed and guest-friendly.

If you’d like to see examples of past weddings I’ve photographed here or other Madison-area venues like The Edgewater, Le Chateau, or Monona Terrace, just send me a message and I’d be happy to share.

Contact me here to talk through availability or build your dream coverage.

Is the Madison Concourse Right for You?

This venue is a great fit if you want:

  • A full-service hotel wedding
  • Easy downtown access for guests
  • Proximity to photo locations and the Capitol
  • Space for large receptions
  • A place where getting ready, ceremony, and reception all happen on-site

It’s one of the most stress-free venues in the Madison area for both couples and guests, especially if you’re planning from out of town.

How many guests can it accommodate?

Up to 400 in the Grand Ballroom, with several smaller options for more intimate gatherings.

Can we do the ceremony and reception here?

Yes — many couples do both in the same ballroom or use one space for each.

Is it good for winter weddings?

Yes. It’s fully indoor, centrally located, and offers direct access to lodging, which makes it a great option year-round.

Does it include parking?

Yes — there is a connected parking garage and options for guest valet.

Are there hotel rooms for guests?

Absolutely. You can reserve discounted blocks, and there are options for standard and upgraded stays.

The Madison Concourse Hotel 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 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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A couple dressed in wedding attire stands embracing on a grassy hilltop against a plain white sky.
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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 woman in a white lace dress looks at the camera while embracing a man in a navy suit outdoors.
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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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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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