The Armour House is a 1908 Italian Villa mansion at 1500 W. Kennedy Rd. on the campus of Lake Forest Academy, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built for the J. Ogden Armour family, its marble staircase was designed with a wedding day descent in mind: daughter Lolita Armour walked it down in 1921. Today it’s one of the North Shore’s most requested wedding venues, holding up to roughly 250 guests across its Great Hall, Garden Room, and library.
Weddings We Have Filmed at The Armour House
Jennifer and Rock’s wedding brought Italian bistro lights and family Italian tradition to the estate, with balcony vows, a giant guest photo from the balcony, and a mock sparkler send-off at 10:30pm to catch the light while the party was still in full swing.
Watch the full story: Jennifer & Rock’s Wedding at the Armour House, Lake Forest
Amanda and Spencer’s September wedding paired a first look that moved from the gardens to the grand staircase with an outdoor garden ceremony. Their film includes a deeply personal touch: the couple reading their own letters aloud, woven into the soundtrack as the narration for their story.
Watch the full story: Amanda & Spencer: A Timeless Summer Celebration at The Armour House
Armour House Wedding Video: Amanda & Spencer
Watch our film from Amanda & Spencer’s day at Armour House, with floral design by Polly’s Petals, photography by Lauryn Schalk, and makeup by Marissa Flood. This is the same coverage style we’d bring to your Armour House wedding.
Hosting a Wedding at Armour House
Why Couples Choose Armour House
- The Great Hall: a marble mantel and grand staircase built for exactly this moment, seating up to roughly 250 for dinner and dancing.
- The Garden Room: floor-to-ceiling windows and a marble fountain overlooking the grounds.
- The grounds: 170 acres of Lake Forest Academy campus, with manicured gardens for outdoor ceremonies and portraits.
- The history: a National Register of Historic Places landmark with a genuine wedding legacy built into its architecture.
- All-inclusive service: in-house catering, bar, and a dedicated event manager handle most of the logistics.
Armour House Wedding Cost
Armour House is an all-inclusive venue: catering, bar, tables, and an event manager are typically bundled into the package rather than billed piecemeal. Rental structures have historically separated a ceremony fee from a reception fee for a set block of hours, with add-on hours available. Costs and guest minimums can shift year to year, so confirm current numbers directly with the Armour House events team.
Parking at Armour House
Valet parking is available on request through outside insured valet companies for events at Armour House. Ask the events team to arrange it as part of your booking.
Filming Weddings at Armour House
The marble staircase, floor-to-ceiling windows in the Garden Room, and the surrounding gardens give us a wide range of settings in a single location, from intimate detail shots to sweeping wide shots of the grounds. We filmed Amanda and Spencer’s wedding here, and the mix of historic interiors and outdoor space is one of the reasons Armour House is a favorite for cinematic coverage.
Armour House Wedding FAQ
Can you have an outdoor ceremony at Armour House?
Yes, the gardens and grounds are used for outdoor ceremonies and portraits, with the Great Hall or Garden Room available as an indoor option.
How many guests does Armour House hold?
Up to roughly 250 guests in the Great Hall, with smaller spaces like the library available for more intimate gatherings.
Is Armour House a historic building?
Yes. Completed in 1908 for the J. Ogden Armour family, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Armour House good for wedding films?
Yes, historic interiors, a marble staircase, and manicured grounds give a film a lot of visual variety in one location.
Getting married at Armour House? We know the staircase, the gardens, and the light. Check your date →