Located in the historic Cudahy Tower in downtown Milwaukee, Bacchus is an upscale fine-dining restaurant known for its classy atmosphere, curated wine list, and exceptional cuisine. It’s the perfect venue for an intimate Milwaukee wedding, rehearsal dinner, or welcome party. With its balance of architecture, design, and culinary excellence, Bacchus inspired us to create a wedding aesthetic that felt modern with a timeless edge.
There’s always something meaningful about planning an intimate wedding, and designing a celebration at Bacchus is no exception. We were immediately captivated by the glass-enclosed conservatory and adjoining outdoor patio overlooking Lake Michigan. Designing a wedding here felt natural, an experience where fine dining meets immersive design.
Drawing inspiration from Bacchus’s refined interior, we envisioned a modern coastal-inspired wedding infused with an old-money aesthetic. The design leaned into layered textiles, sculptural florals, and an emphasis on experiential dining to create a look that was upscale yet approachable.
For the ceremony, we styled dusty blue fabric to form a soft drapery backdrop that complemented the venue’s abundant natural light. Black velvet chairs and silk blue pillows added depth and luxury to the space. Balancing form and function, we collaborated with Yer Flora on textural floral sculptures made from Spanish moss, hydrangeas, gerbera daisies, and calla lilies, each arrangement designed to feel architectural yet organic.
The reception design brought a coastal touch to Bacchus’s modern setting. Blue velvet linens grounded the tables, while lamour satin tablecloths were pinned on the edges and cascaded and pooled on the tiled Conservatory floor. We kept the tablescape minimalist and intentional, incorporating bleached oyster shells with calla lilies spilling out as an homage to the restaurant’s coastal influence. Fresh oysters were also styled within the tablescape to celebrate Bacchus’s renowned culinary experience. Combining velvet, silk, glass, stoneware, and florals, the table became a textural art piece that felt modern and upscale.
Celebrating the restaurant’s fine dining, we created an oyster and champagne grazing table featuring Dom Pérignon served in scalloped coupe glassware alongside East Coast oysters on the half shell. Bleached oyster shells and luxe satin linens transformed the display into a statement moment for guests. Working with Events by Manna, we also created a dessert display featuring a towering blackberry mound cake as the centerpiece, surrounded by marshmallow cream cups, ladyfingers, blueberry and blackberry jams, and dark chocolate dipped sugar and water cookies. Each detail was designed to feel indulgent yet understated, an extension of Bacchus’s refined dining experience.
For this late-summer wedding at Bacchus Milwaukee, every detail was curated to feel modern, minimal, and coastal. The textures, materials, and color palette all spoke to quiet luxury, bringing together the essence of fine dining. This Milwaukee wedding design at Bacchus perfectly embodied what we love most: refined design, thoughtful experiences, and a setting that captivates guests.
Photo: Ashton Gonnering Photography
Design, Styling & Planning: Q Jancola
Venue: Bacchus
Florals: Yer Flora
Dessert: Events by Manna
Fashion Styling: Teak & Ivory Bridal
