The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy Wedding Films

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.

Armour House Weddings We Have Filmed

Amanda & Spencer

Amanda and Spencer’s September 2023 wedding moved from a first look in the gardens to portraits on the grand staircase and an outdoor garden ceremony in soft afternoon light. Their film has a deeply personal touch: the couple’s own letters to each other, read aloud and woven into the soundtrack. Floral design by Polly’s Petals, photography by Lauryn Schalk and makeup by Marissa Flood. Watch the full story →

Jennifer & Rock

Jennifer and Rock spent the whole day at the estate under Italian bistro lights, from Jennifer stepping into her Hayley Paige gown in the bridal suite to balcony vows, a giant guest photo from the balcony and a mock sparkler send-off at 10:30 p.m., while the party was still in full swing. Watch the full story →

Medena & Matej

Medena and Matej got ready at the Armour House before their Croatian celebration, a Hrvatska Svadba, at the Croatian Cultural Center in Chicago. Watch the full story →

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 →