The Elmhurst Park District is pleased you are considering Wilder Mansion for your special event. Located just 18 miles from downtown Chicago, this fully restored 1868 venue is the perfect place for your gathering or occasion, and our staff will be happy to help make all of your arrangements. The opportunities are endless, and an exclusive list of pre-approved caterers is available to help take your event to the next level.
The reviews are in and Wilder Mansion is proud to make the list of The Knot Best of Weddings 2021. This accolade represents the highest-and most-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, a leading wedding planning and registry brand and app.
The reviews are in and Wilder Mansion is proud to make the list of The Knot Best of Weddings 2021. This accolade represents the highest-and most-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, a leading wedding planning and registry brand and app.
Services
Take a vivid step back in time as you host an event amongst the elegance of the 1800s with the latest in 21st century amenities and comforts. With over 9,000 square feet of rental space, Wilder Mansion can entertain up to 250 guests. Wilder Mansion is available seven days per week, with rental packages that include use of the entire Mansion or specific rooms.
Whether it be an intimate party for 20, a large cocktail reception, or a seated dinner for all your family and friends, Wilder Mansion can make your party happen. Utilize a single room, an entire floor, or the whole Mansion and make the most out of your next party or social gathering. Our caterers will handle all your food planning and decorating needs and we're here to coordinate all the details.
With ample space for a small meeting or a large corporate gathering, Wilder Mansion is an excellent place to host your next business occasion. Whether you're using a single room or the entire Mansion, our in-house staff will help you coordinate the details. See our amenities page for a full list of house equipment including tables, chairs and audio/visual equipment.
Before the property that became Wilder Park was acquired by the Park District in 1921, it was carefully tended and landscaped by some of Elmhurst's most prominent families. Wilder Park's development into a garden spot began in 1868 when Seth Wadhams purchased a treeless farm called "Burnhams Lot" and built a home, calling it "White Birch."
Wilder Mansion has a number of different rooms on each floor. Each main room can hold between 60-80 people. The second floor can hold up to 200 people in multiple rooms, depending on table and chair configuration. Your rental fee includes use (by you and/or your caterer) of the facility during your contract hours, our inventory of tables and chairs, and staff to oversee your event.
Reviews (25)
Jillian Wiegel
Dec 11, 2019
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We were married this past October and we could not have asked for a more perfect day!!
My husband and I live out of state and were worried about how difficult it would be to plan a wedding without physically… being there to see everything. The Mansion staff was AMAZING. They answered our emails quickly, sent photos and even opened the Mansion when it was closed so our families could see our venue choice.
Our photos turned out absolutely gorgeous. We also took a few photos in the greenhouse as well! In general, I have nothing bad to say and highly recommend Wilder Mansion for weddings!
My husband and I live out of state and were worried about how difficult it would be to plan a wedding without physically… being there to see everything. The Mansion staff was AMAZING. They answered our emails quickly, sent photos and even opened the Mansion when it was closed so our families could see our venue choice.
Our photos turned out absolutely gorgeous. We also took a few photos in the greenhouse as well! In general, I have nothing bad to say and highly recommend Wilder Mansion for weddings!
Chris K.
Dec 05, 2019
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We fell in love with Drury Lane for our Reception Venue before we had a Ceremony Venue in mind. Being a graduate of Elmhurst College, I remembered Wilder Mansion although truthfully had never been inside. We decided to check it out to see what it was like, and the minute we walked in my wife and I were sure we had found our space. When having a fall-winter wedding not in a church, it is hard to find a venue that is unique. Oftentimes brides and grooms end up in a ballroom for their ceremony and for their reception and we knew that was not what we wanted. Well we hit gold with Wilder. It provided
Nancy R.
Dec 01, 2019
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We attended a wedding this weekend at the Wilder Mansion. The mansion is lovely however the woman that was the wilder staff person was a huge disappointment. My daughter and her fiancé visited the manor in the spring and the staff was very cordial. The woman there this weekend had really poor people skills. She totally lost control of the Friday rehearsal. The minister stepped in and we got through it. The mansion was rented from 1:00 until 5:30. We brought decorations for photos. She told the family they had to remove all the decorations before we had taken all our photos. So the bride and
Dianna Mohrmann
Nov 25, 2019
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I am so pleased my husband and I had our wedding reception at the Wilder Mansion. Meagan helped us with all of the pre-planning, and she was friendly and engaging. She helped us make sure we had all the details in order before the wedding. On the day of the wedding we had Peg and Dani helping make sure everything ran smoothly, and they both did a… great job helping to ensure everything went off as planned. The mansion is beautiful with so much natural decor that we didn't need to do any extreme decorating. I also think the Bride's room is the biggest perk, as my bridesmaids and I definitely
J. W.
Oct 22, 2019
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Threw a reception gathering at the Wilder and couldn't be happier. The mansion staff were very great at helping out with things, and even made sure we were aware of things we didnt know we had to be aware of! The staff was amazing, and the place was very clean. All our guests were very impressed with the facility. We used both floors and used the upstairs for food, while downstairs was lounging and dancing. Everyone commented on how it was very nice to have multiple litte areas that were tucked away to chat and mingle instead one large huge banquet hall room. I would definitely use this
Alicia Calabrese
Aug 09, 2019
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Claudia Ruiz
Jun 26, 2019
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Jenny Liz Smith
Dec 06, 2018
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While I really really appreciate the gesture for organizing special kids day I thought the organization was lacking today. The lines for the balloon artist and to meet Santa were long. But maybe cuz it’s a free event?? I personally would rather pay and enjoy myself and family. They should have had at least 2 balloon artist. My son loves them. But… the challenge with raising a special needs child is that they have short attn span and lack patience. Maybe they could have made some balloon animals ahead of time?? To save time and headache?? Just a thought.
I thought the event would have
I thought the event would have
Tony N. Emily Espana
Jun 05, 2018
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David Z.
Apr 21, 2018
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Great to know that the Wilder Mansion still serves Elmhurst. I stacked the shelves there 64 years ago when it was Elmhurst Public Library, ran the driveway like the wind with Dale McCoy, skated on the pond in winter, got mentored in Algebra on a park bench by Del Meitz, visited the conservatory at Easter to see Wilbert Schmidt's Lilly displays and marveled at the arching Elms on Cottage Hill described by Dr. Marquardt as the "most beautiful street in the world." "Our Town" was a magical place and it's good to hear that much of it is still there.
Sheri Campanella Frulla
Apr 15, 2018
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Adam Greer
Jan 04, 2018
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Erika P.
Sep 18, 2017
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As a guest at a baby shower held here, I was very impressed. The ambiance was lovely, clean, and inviting. The staff were courteous, the layout was spacious and I'd recommend it for smaller gatherings. The only downside was the parking seemed limited, but I was parked in the north lot, which only had about 15 spaces. There may have been more.
Amy S.
Aug 31, 2015
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While I do think my wedding was beautiful and the day was wonderful I would not recommend using Wilder Mansion. We wanted a simple, local wedding and didn't want to spend a fortune but it is really just not possible in this venue. The price for the preferred caterers was truly shocking. My best piece of advice would be to get quotes from the preferred caterers before you book this place. For the price we paid we could have had the wedding at other venues that were more beautiful and had amenities like refrigeration and kitchens. I really just wanted a simple day and simple event and I
Tracy B.
Jan 07, 2015
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When I saw this venue, I knew it was the perfect place for our wedding! Since we were holding the ceremony at the same place as the reception, I wanted someplace special and beautiful and the Wilder Mansion did not disappoint. Our guests raved about the Mansion, saying it was one of the most amazing places they have ever seen.
The Wilder coordinators, Meagan and Heather were so helpful. Their service went above and beyond my expectations. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding and they helped make that happen.
The Wilder coordinators, Meagan and Heather were so helpful. Their service went above and beyond my expectations. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding and they helped make that happen.
Cher M.
Oct 11, 2014
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The Wilder Mansion is a renovated home built in the late 1800s. The building is divided up into rooms upstairs and down. This makes it an unorthodox choice for a huge event, but the space is really perfect in my opinion. There are larger areas and small areas with comfy seating. It makes for a great mix of areas for any social event. My work hosted a large (100+) person event here, and it was fantastic. The building was spotless and well lit, and the period details repaired perfectly. The staff were friendly, gracious, and helpful. The mansion is a unique and interesting venue, and a great place
Ally H.
May 29, 2014
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We had our wedding at Wilder on May 17th, and honestly, we couldn't have asked for more from start to finish with the Wilder team.
We worked with Meghan from the very start, and she was fantastic! She answered all of our questions, and in a puntual manner (we heard back within a 24 hour period) and beyond doing her job, she gave us plenty of advice and helped us to calm down when we were having issues with every vendor. she made me feel like at least that aspect of my wedding was controlled and I didn't have anything to worry about there. Heather on the day before the wedding and the
We worked with Meghan from the very start, and she was fantastic! She answered all of our questions, and in a puntual manner (we heard back within a 24 hour period) and beyond doing her job, she gave us plenty of advice and helped us to calm down when we were having issues with every vendor. she made me feel like at least that aspect of my wedding was controlled and I didn't have anything to worry about there. Heather on the day before the wedding and the
Bridget C.
May 18, 2014
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I had my dream wedding the other day at the Wilder Park and reception at the Wilder Mansion. Meagan was divine. She helped my husband and I create a special, fun, elegant and classy wedding and reception. She answered all of my emails right away and helped answer any and all questions I had( there were a lot). Heather was also a dream! She helped us with the day of and made it such a smooth, fun, flawless day! My guests could not stop raving about the beauty of the park, the conservatory and the mansion.
There is a beautiful bridal room where all the girls and I got ready. It has a huge mirror
There is a beautiful bridal room where all the girls and I got ready. It has a huge mirror
Anthony W.
May 26, 2013
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Renovated and run by the Elmhurst Park district this turn of the last century mansion is beautiful and intimate. The interior has a light and airy spring feel about it. My wife and I had our wedding here and everyone loved it. The staff was kind, flexible, understanding, and helpful during the (often stressful) planning. (Thank you Megan and Heather!) It doesn't hold a lot of people on one floor but you can rent out two floors and some outdoor space if you need it but if you have a huge wedding it probably wouldn't suit you. The smaller rooms made for better interaction between
Gary J.
Oct 29, 2012
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I had my mother's wake/visitation at the WIlder Mansion in Jan 2012. It was the first wake in the mansion since the original German owners over 100 years ago. Heather and Meagan were so helpful in our time of grief. It was a wonderful celebration of my mother's life in Elmhurst for over 45 years. All of the visitors that came loved the mansion and the caters (CHOW of Elmhurst) were great. Everyone will remember my mother and it was a great closure for all of the family and friends. I plan to have my wedding here too! My mother used to take me to the Wilder Library in the 1950s and 1960s
Dwight D.
Jul 07, 2012
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Had our wedding in Wilder Park & reception in Wilder Mansion in late May 2012.The wedding coordinators, Meagan & Heather, and their intern, were great. We booked a year and a half early so were able to lock in cheaper rates as well as a Sunday discount. We worked with Meagan until the wedding rehearsal and with Heather afterwards. They were very professional and flexible in working with us.
Some benefits about having a wedding and reception at Wilder Park and Mansion: there is no travel for guests between ceremony & reception, they have a good variety of caterers which you must select
Some benefits about having a wedding and reception at Wilder Park and Mansion: there is no travel for guests between ceremony & reception, they have a good variety of caterers which you must select
Johanna C.
Jul 02, 2012
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We had our wedding here in July 2011, and it was exactly what we hoped for. The entire experience was absolutely wonderful. Our point person, Meghan, was so helpful and responded to all of my emails very promptly, and let me visit the Mansion a few times, once with my photographer so he could see the place and test out some shots.
Our wedding rehearsal went very smoothly, and this is where we met our day-of-coordinator, Heather. She was wonderful and very professional, and made sure we had thought of everything.
When we booked the venue in the Spring of 2010 and the prices were very reasonable
Our wedding rehearsal went very smoothly, and this is where we met our day-of-coordinator, Heather. She was wonderful and very professional, and made sure we had thought of everything.
When we booked the venue in the Spring of 2010 and the prices were very reasonable
Amy J.
May 21, 2012
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Went to a Yelp even here and it's a very beautiful house! There are many rooms, none of which are too spacious. The upstairs just kept going and going. When I thought I had been in every room, there was another! The front outside was very nice with benches and a fountain. It was perfect for the type of event I attended, with many vendors!
Curt L.
Nov 12, 2011
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Marcus W.
Sep 07, 2010
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I am a wedding DJ and have done multiple weddings here.
I just have to say, BEAUTIFUL!
The Mansion is gorgeous and the staff is awesome.
Heather and Meghan are a pleasure to work with every time!
I love this place so much that I sent my friends there for their wedding! They loved it! They booked it!
We had their wedding there last night and what an amazing night it was!
If you are looking for something a little different, with a lot of class, yet without the pretension, this is the place for you!
And its affordable!!!
I cannot wait to work here again!!!
I just have to say, BEAUTIFUL!
The Mansion is gorgeous and the staff is awesome.
Heather and Meghan are a pleasure to work with every time!
I love this place so much that I sent my friends there for their wedding! They loved it! They booked it!
We had their wedding there last night and what an amazing night it was!
If you are looking for something a little different, with a lot of class, yet without the pretension, this is the place for you!
And its affordable!!!
I cannot wait to work here again!!!
