Wedding photography and videography in Waukesha County and Lake Country, Wisconsin, from VIDART — a Madison, Wisconsin studio that works across Waukesha County and Lake Country with no travel fee anywhere in our service area. Half-day and full-day rates, digital delivery included, no hourly surprises.
Local knowledge. The 18 Lake Country-area venues listed below are places we know well or have scouted; we plan your timeline around their light, not a generic one.
Simple pricing. $1,500 for a half day (up to 5 hours) or $3,000 for a full day (up to 10 hours), delivered as edited high-resolution JPGs in an online gallery and on a USB flash drive, with a print release. Albums, prints and archive drives are optional add-ons.
Photo and video from one team. Add videography at the same rate: one crew, one timeline, one contract.
Lake Country wedding venues we photograph
These are the Lake Country-area venues couples ask us about most. The notes are the things that matter when we plan a wedding day there — where the light is, whether the ceremony is indoors or out, what the room looks like once the dancing starts.
On the water
- The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant (Hartland – Nagawicka Lake, up to 250 guests) — Lakefront property dating to 1902; Pleasant View Pavilion (200 seated) and Fountain Patio outdoors over the lake; Grand Heritage Ballroom has a full wall of lake-facing windows; Nagawicka bridal suite and Boat House for the groom’s party.
- Golden Mast Inn (Okauchee – Okauchee Lake, up to 300 guests) — Lakeside ballroom and beach on Okauchee Lake; long-running fine-dining restaurant; sunset over the water.
Downtown, hotels, historic and industrial spaces
- Historic Courthouse 1893 (Waukesha – downtown, up to 300 guests) — Restored Romanesque 1893 courthouse with 25-ft ceilings and two event levels; bridal suite and groom’s room; vault spaces; all-inclusive packages.
- The Rotunda Venue (Waukesha – downtown, up to 210 guests) — Renovated historic downtown building; couples may bring their own caterer; no bar minimums.
- Tuscan Hall Venue and Catering (Waukesha – near Waukesha County Airport, up to 200 guests) — Historic ballroom with in-house catering and an outdoor space.
- Milwaukee Marriott West (Waukesha, up to 500 guests) — Full-service hotel ballroom; guest rooms on site; expect ballroom lighting rather than natural light.
- The Carriage House at Lac La Belle (Oconomowoc – Lac La Belle, up to 250 guests) — Contemporary ballroom with rustic details on Lac La Belle; lake views for portraits and outdoor ceremonies.
- The Valerie (Oconomowoc – Pabst Farms, up to 400 guests) — About 13,000 sq ft modern event venue with garden space next to a Staybridge Suites; on-site lodging.
- Oconomowoc Community Center (Oconomowoc – downtown, up to 250 guests) — New city-owned hall in downtown Oconomowoc; upper hall has lake views; municipal rental pricing.
- Red Circle Inn (Nashotah, up to 250 guests) — Historic inn with more than 175 years of history; garden and indoor spaces.
- The Delafield Hotel (Delafield – downtown Lake Country, up to 200 guests) — Boutique hotel with ballroom and garden; markets a full wedding weekend in one location; on-site lodging for getting ready.
- The Ingleside Hotel (Pewaukee, up to 450 guests) — Lake Country Ballroom and Oakton Ballroom; outdoor gazebo ceremonies; 192 guest rooms; attached 45,000 sq ft Springs Water Park.
Barns, gardens, country clubs and wineries
- Lilac Acres Event Venue (Waukesha – countryside, up to 175 guests) — Countryside barn venue with indoor and outdoor spaces and an on-site event house for getting ready.
- The Legend at Merrill Hills (Waukesha, up to 300 guests) — Golf complex on a farm-like property with a tiered waterfall as a portrait backdrop; ballroom reception.
- Rustic Manor 1848 (Hartland – Lake Country, up to 275 guests) — Modern black estate barn beside a historic 1848 brick home; loft overlooking the main hall; bridal quarters; full bar; heated and air-conditioned.
- Barn at Trinity Peak (Oconomowoc, up to 200 guests) — Rustic barn in a private rural setting with gardens and rolling-hill views; dressing room on site.
- The Cupola Barn (Oconomowoc, up to 200 guests) — 1840s cupola barn on five pastoral acres; open-field and barn-door backdrops.
- Western Lakes Golf Club (Pewaukee, up to 300 guests) — Golf course views and manicured grounds for outdoor ceremonies; all-inclusive packages.
If your venue is not listed, it is almost certainly somewhere we can scout before your date — ask when you check availability.
Getting married in the Lake Country area: licenses and civil ceremonies
Marriage licenses for Lake Country weddings come from the county, not the city. In Waukesha County the office is the Waukesha County Clerk’s Office at 515 W Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188. The license fee is $110 (cash, debit or credit). Waiting period: 3 days; $25 fee to petition for a waiver; license valid 60 days anywhere in Wisconsin; issued by appointment only Mon-Fri 8:30-3:30. Courthouse ceremonies are available in Waukesha County: circuit judges and court commissioners perform ceremonies in and outside the courthouse; the couple contacts the judge or commissioner directly and secures the officiant before applying. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official page before you book a date. If you are planning a courthouse or civil ceremony, our half-day coverage ($1,500) covers the ceremony, a celebration meal and portraits nearby.
| County | License fee | Waiting period | Courthouse / civil ceremony | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha County Waukesha County Clerk’s Office | $110 (cash, debit or credit) | 3 days; $25 fee to petition for a waiver; license valid 60 days anywhere in Wisconsin; issued by appointment only Mon-Fri 8:30-3:30 | yes – circuit judges and court commissioners perform ceremonies in and outside the courthouse; the couple contacts the judge or commissioner directly and secures the officiant before applying | official page |
Where Lake Country couples take their portraits
Portrait and engagement-session locations we recommend around Lake Country. Where a park or garden requires a photography permit, we arrange it as part of the day.
- Lapham Peak (Kettle Moraine State Forest) (Delafield) — 1,233-ft highest point in Waukesha County with a 45-ft observation tower; prairie, oak woods and long views at golden hour. Permit: State park vehicle admission sticker required; DNR land, not covered by the county park photo permit.
- Retzer Nature Center (Waukesha) — Prairie, woodland and trail setting on the county’s west side; environmental learning center building. Permit: Waukesha County commercial photography and videography permit required for engagement, wedding and portrait sessions; stay out of prairie and Grow Don’t Mow areas; no pets.
- Minooka Park (Waukesha) — Wooded county park with trails and open fields south of the city. Permit: Waukesha County commercial photography permit required.
- Naga-Waukee Park (Hartland/Delafield – Nagawicka Lake) — Beach and wooded shoreline on Nagawicka Lake; rustic timber and forest backdrops. Permit: Waukesha County commercial photography permit required.
- Nashotah Park (Nashotah) — Forested county park with lakes and open meadows in the heart of Lake Country. Permit: Waukesha County commercial photography permit required.
- Fox Brook Park (Brookfield) — Beach and lake setting inside suburban Brookfield; popular family and engagement spot. Permit: Waukesha County commercial photography permit required.
- Frame Park and the Fox River Riverwalk (Waukesha – downtown) — Riverside park and scenic Riverwalk along the Fox River next to the historic downtown; evening light on the water. Permit: City of Waukesha publishes special-area fees and policies for Frame Park rentals; check with the city before commercial shoots.
- Downtown Waukesha (Waukesha) — Historic downtown with brick storefronts, the Fox River Riverwalk and the 1893 courthouse; hosts concerts, a farmers market and festivals.
- Fowler Park (Oconomowoc) — City lakefront park between downtown Oconomowoc and the lakes; classic Lake Country water views.
Good to know. Waukesha County’s population was estimated at 417,210 on July 1, 2025, up from 406,978 in the 2020 census, across 549.72 square miles of land. The City of Waukesha has close to 72,000 residents, making it the seventh-largest city in Wisconsin, and sits on the Fox River about 15 miles west of Milwaukee. Lapham Peak in the Kettle Moraine State Forest near Delafield is the highest point in Waukesha County at 1,233 feet and has a 45-foot observation tower.
Wedding videography in Lake Country
Our video coverage is filmed by a second shooter working alongside the photographer, so neither one is in the other’s frame. You receive an edited highlight film plus the full ceremony and toasts, with clean audio from wireless lavaliers and the DJ board.
Looking for film only? See Lake Country wedding videography, or watch recent work in the video portfolio.
Pricing
Same rates for photography and videography. Book one, or add the second for the same price.
| Coverage | Photography | Videography | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half day — up to 5 hours | $1,500 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Full day — up to 10 hours | $3,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
Every booking includes professional editing, an online gallery, a USB flash drive with the edited high-resolution JPGs (or the finished films), and a print release so you can print anywhere. Videography includes an edited highlight film plus the full ceremony and toasts.
Albums, parent albums, prints, canvases, archive drives with the RAW files and discs are available as add-ons — see the pricing page for the full list. A $300 non-refundable deposit holds your date; the balance is due on the day. Destination weddings are the full-day rate plus travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding photographer cost in Lake Country?
Wedding photography in the Lake Country area typically runs from about $1,500 to $4,500 for a full day. VIDART charges $1,500 for a half day or $3,000 for a full day, and videography is available at the same rates on its own or as an add-on.
Do you charge travel fees to Lake Country?
No. Lake Country is inside our service area, which covers Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan with no travel fees. Destination weddings outside the Midwest are the full-day rate plus travel.
Can you photograph a courthouse or elopement wedding in Lake Country?
Yes. Our $1,500 half day covers a civil ceremony, a celebration meal and portraits nearby. Courthouse ceremonies are available in Waukesha County: circuit judges and court commissioners perform ceremonies in and outside the courthouse; the couple contacts the judge or commissioner directly and secures the officiant before applying. Check the county page for current rules.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular Saturdays from May through October in the Lake Country area book 9-12 months ahead. Off-season and weekday dates are often available on shorter notice.
How long until we get our photos and video?
Finished files take 2-12 weeks depending on the season and our editing backlog: edited photos usually arrive in 2-6 weeks and finished films in 4-12 weeks. If you need something right away, we can deliver the unedited JPGs – or raw footage on request – within 72 hours of the wedding.
Do we need a permit for photos at Lapham Peak (Kettle Moraine State Forest)?
State park vehicle admission sticker required; DNR land, not covered by the county park photo permit. We arrange permits as part of the day wherever they are required.
Do we get the raw files?
You receive every edited high-resolution JPG in your gallery and on a USB drive with a print release. An archive hard drive with all the RAW files is available as a $250 add-on.
Beyond Lake Country
We photograph weddings across the Midwest with no travel fee inside our service area: Milwaukee, Chicago, Green Bay, Rockford, Dubuque, Davenport and the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Appleton and Oshkosh, Iowa City, La Crosse, Minneapolis and St. Paul, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Des Moines and Omaha, Wausau, the Driftless Area (Dodgeville–Platteville), Madison, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, Door County, Galena, Kenosha and Racine, Janesville and Beloit, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Sheboygan, Kohler and Fond du Lac, Peoria and Bloomington-Normal, Rochester and Winona, Grand Rapids and Holland, South Bend and Elkhart. We also produce corporate video and film production.
Check your date
Peak Saturdays in the Lake Country area book 9–12 months out. Send your date and venue and we will confirm availability within a day.