The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy

All-inclusive venue

The venue takes care of it all - food and beverage, rentals, the works!

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $15,000 for off-peak dates, and $20,000 for peak dates

Packages

Prices start at $110

Catering services pricing

$140 per person for off-peak dates, with a minimum total spend of $14,000

Guest capacity

Up to 200 seated guests

About this venue

The house, known today as Reid Hall, was completed in 1908 and the family moved in on May 5, led by J. Ogden Armour, until approximately September of 1927. Many of the house’s mantle pieces, there are 15, and the paneling of the library reading room (or former living room), were imported from Paris, Vienna and London, including the marble dining room while the main walls are of Italian marble, the central panels of each wall have been painted over the plaster to simulate actual marble. It is also reputed that the marble staircase was built with the primary purpose in mind that their daughter, Lolita Ogden Armour, would descend the curving stairway on her wedding day, which she did in 1921, to John J. Mitchell, Jr. Eventually the property was sold to Lake Forest Academy where classes began in 1948. Today, Academy grounds total approximately 170 acres.

Seated guest capacity

50-200

Venue type

Historic Estates, Mansions
Parks, Gardens

Venue setting

Indoor
Outdoor

1500 W Kennedy Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Our event spaces

The Great Hall

Our mission is to create an unforgettable experience for our guests in a unique and timeless setting where you get more on the Northshore.

We feature beautiful outdoor gardens for ceremony as well as indoor space. There are multiple rooms for usage during the cocktail hour (inside and outside), dinner seating available outside for less than 100; seating inside for 100+, dancing space, late night food and separate area for setting up photobooths. Sparkler celebrations allowable outside in the back patio.

Guest capacity

50-175 Seated

50-200 Standing

Square footage

1,957

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Cocktail hour, Engagement party

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

Included in this room:

Original sconces, chandelier fixtures, hand carved crown moldings, brass fixtures, marble floors Ability to add uplighting Built in sound system Outdoor lighting in gardens and trees Working fireplace in Great Hall, multiple fireplaces for decor, workable pianos in multiple rooms

The Great Hall

Our mission is to create an unforgettable experience for our guests in a unique and timeless setting where you get more on the Northshore.

Guest capacity

50-175 Seated

50-200 Standing

Square footage

1,957

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Cocktail hour, Engagement party

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

Included in this room:

The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy packages

2021 Wedding Package

50-230 guests

Peak pricing $120-145

Off-peak pricing $110-130

Description

We feature a five hour package where bar service (top-shelf brands) are included, as well as signature drinks. Day of coordinator included as part of the rental. $30 per person for a facility fee per person for hosting, 21% service fee, and a City of Lake Forest 7.5% tax. We include all china, glass, and silverware table settings, white wood cushion chairs, reduced pricing on gold chiavari chairs, full length table linens as well as votive candles on each table and along the grand staircase.

Available services that can be provided by The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy

Services & amenities

Bar services
Catering services
Clean up
Dance floor
Dressing room / Bridal Suite
Event coordinator
Event rentals
Event staff
Pet friendly
Service staff
Set up
Wheelchair accessible
Wifi

Reviews

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5.0 out of 5

2 reviews

Write a review

Fabulous Venue
•Verified review
•Eileen Weber•Dec 17, 2024
The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy is an exceptional wedding venue that exceeded our expectations every time we works with them. Their communication style is attentive, detailed, and dependable throughout the entire planning process. The quality of their work and the overall ambiance is truly elegant, historic, and traditional. The attention to detail and the organized, reliable staff contributed greatly to making each wedding day run smoothly and seamlessly. We would highly recommend The Armour House to any couple looking for a beautiful, well-managed wedding venue with a wonderful team.
Venue Review
•Verified review
•Kelly B.•Aug 28, 2024
The Armour House is truly a dream venue, it feels like you're at an Italian villa but in the middle of Lake Forest, IL. The entire staff is fantastic and they also help manage day of coordinating. I could not recommend this venue enough!