Olde Wicks Factory: A Beautiful & Historic Venue

I’m generally reluctant to make public recommendations. It isn’t that they aren’t deserved — it’s that I’m a bit of a control freak. If I send a couple somewhere and it doesn’t deliver, that reflects on me. So when I tell you that The Olde Wicks Factory in Highland, Illinois is a venue I recommend without reservation, I mean it.

I’ve photographed there. I know the rooms. I know where the light is and where it isn’t. I know the staff by the fact that they know their couples — not as names in a booking system, but as people. That combination is rarer than it should be.

What it is

The Olde Wicks Factory is a special event center built inside a century-old pipe organ company building at 1100 5th Street in Highland, IL. Originally established in 1905, the 80,000-square-foot complex was purchased and restored by Jennifer Ostrander and her family. Their project was straightforward in intention and ambitious in execution: preserve the building’s character, and turn it into a space where events feel like they belong there.

They’ve done it. The bones of the building — the exposed brick, the timber rafters, the stained glass — aren’t decorative choices. They’re what was there. Which is exactly what makes the place photograph the way it does.

The spaces

There are five primary event spaces, and they’re genuinely different from each other. That matters for couples who need flexibility, and it matters to me as a photographer because different rooms create different images.

The Grand Hall

Seats up to 350. Exposed rafters, vibrant chandeliers, natural light. There’s a spiral staircase leading to a balcony with additional seating — and that staircase is worth knowing about. It creates an elevated vantage point I don’t get in most venues, and it frames a couple in a way that feels architectural rather than posed.

The West Hall

Also seats up to 350, and brings a completely different energy — rustic, warm, original exposed brick throughout. If your aesthetic is vintage without being precious about it, this is your room.

The Main Hall

The newest space and the largest, comfortably seating 500. Two bars, gorgeous chandeliers, open and airy. For a large wedding that needs to feel grand without feeling impersonal, this room handles it.

The Stained Glass Hall

This one seats 150 and it does something the other rooms don’t: the light moves. The stained glass windows cast color into the room as the day progresses. If you want ceremony photos that look like they were made rather than taken, put this space on your tour list.

The Gatsby Room

This is probably my favorite part of the building, and it doesn’t get talked about enough. Warm colors, dark tones, exposed rafters, brass chandeliers, tufted leather couches, a well-equipped bar. It’s designed like someone actually thought about what a room should feel like, not just what it should look like in photos. I’ve seen it used as a cocktail hour space, a getting-ready room, and a late-night retreat. It works for all of it.

The North Patio

Outdoor event space with landscaping and room to breathe. Ceremony ceremonies under open sky, dancing under lights. The outdoor-indoor flow with a venue this size gives couples options most comparable spaces don’t offer.

The suites

Dedicated bridal and groom suites, both thoughtfully designed. The bridal suite has a mimosa bar. From a purely practical standpoint, getting-ready rooms that are actually comfortable and well-lit make my job easier and the photos better. These are both.

What I’ve noticed as a photographer

Every corner of this building offers something. The historic architecture means there’s texture and depth everywhere — I’m not trying to create interest in a room that doesn’t have any. The mix of natural light and warm artificial light means I have options regardless of time of day.

The staff I’ve worked with remember their weddings. That sounds like a small thing until you’ve worked at venues where the coordinator is visibly doing this for the paycheck. Jennifer Ostrander’s team treats every event like it matters to them personally. That affects the day in ways that aren’t always visible in photos, but they’re there.

Contact and location

The Olde Wicks Factory | 1100 5th Street, Highland, IL 62249 | (618) 530-1339 | oldewicksfactory.com

If you’re planning a wedding in Metro East Illinois and haven’t toured this venue yet, go. Then call me.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Olde Wicks Factory in Highland, IL?

The Olde Wicks Factory is a special event center built inside a restored century-old pipe organ company building at 1100 5th Street in Highland, Illinois. Originally established in 1905, the 80,000-square-foot complex has been transformed by owner Jennifer Ostrander and her family into one of the most distinctive wedding and event venues in Metro East Illinois.

How many guests can The Olde Wicks Factory accommodate?

The venue has five primary event spaces with varying capacities: the Grand Hall and West Hall each seat up to 350 guests, the Main Hall seats up to 500, and the Stained Glass Hall accommodates up to 150. There is also an outdoor event space on the North Patio.

What makes The Olde Wicks Factory good for wedding photography?

The building’s original architecture — exposed brick, timber rafters, stained glass windows, and brass chandeliers — provides genuine texture and depth throughout. The Stained Glass Hall creates moving, colored light during ceremonies. The Grand Hall’s spiral staircase offers an elevated architectural framing point. The mix of natural and warm artificial light gives photographers real options at any time of day.

What event spaces are available at The Olde Wicks Factory?

The venue includes the Grand Hall (350 guests, spiral staircase, chandeliers), West Hall (350 guests, exposed brick, rustic character), Main Hall (500 guests, two bars, newest space), Stained Glass Hall (150 guests, colored light from original windows), the Gatsby Room (cocktail and lounge space with tufted leather and a full bar), the North Patio (outdoor ceremony and reception space), and dedicated bridal and groom suites.

How do I contact The Olde Wicks Factory to schedule a tour?

The Olde Wicks Factory is located at 1100 5th Street, Highland, IL 62249. They can be reached at (618) 530-1339 or through their website at oldewicksfactory.com.

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