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.
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.
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 Armour House at Lake Forest Academy packages
2021 Wedding Package
50-230 guests
Peak pricing $120-145
Off-peak pricing $110-130
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
Write a review5.0 out of 5
6 reviews
- SJ
Steffee J.
The Most Beautiful Venue
We had our wedding at The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Christine was incredibly responsive during our planning process and answered every question we threw her way without hesitation. The space itself is stunning—elegant and sophisticated with so much character. The food was fantastic, and our guests are still talking about how good it was. On our wedding day, Christine and Robert kept everything running smoothly and made sure we stayed on track while handling all the details behind the scenes. They genuinely cared about making our day special and it showed in everything they did.
- BK
Becca K.
Director
This place was such a dream. I am SUPER picky about venues. I really wanted to find something with character and whimsy, plus beautiful gardens. The Armour House checked every single box for me. Christine was such a dream to work with as well. She was very quick to respond, made sure everything ran smoothly from the second we booked until the end of our wedding night. Our guests all told us it was the most beautiful wedding they’ve ever been to. And THE FOOD! omg. The food was a huge hit with everyone. It was so incredibly good there wasn’t a single bad thing. My weding day was the best day of my life and there wasn’t a single thing that went wrong and that’s largely because of the armour house and their staff!
- KW
Katherine W.
Beautiful & Easy Process!
I was married here on July 24, 2026. The day could not have been more perfect! They really have the planning and system down pat! It was a huge relief to be able to rely on Christine to support us throughout the process. The food was absolutely fabulous as well. Our guests are still raving about the venue and food! It was more than we could have ever imagine. Thank you so much to the amazing team!
- RV
Rev. Michael V.
The Definition of Luxury Wedding
The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy is the very definition of luxury. Classic elegance combined with the highest level of service will leave your wedding guests raving about your big day for years. As an officiant, ceremonies at the Armour House are always the highlight of my wedding season. -Rev. Michael Vargas
- EW
Eileen Weber
Fabulous Venue
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.
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