Looking for the best wedding venues in Chicago, Illinois? You’re in the right place! Chicago is not just a hub of deep-dish pizza and dazzling skyscrapers—it’s also home to some of the most spectacular wedding venues in the country.
This blog will guide you through nine standout venues in Chicago that truly rise above the rest. These venues are sure to make your special day as enchanting as the love story it celebrates. Let’s dive in!
1. The Skyline Loft at the Bridgeport Art Center
The Skyline Loft provides an industrial backdrop with vast open spaces and stunning city views. It’s ideal for large weddings and features raw architectural elements and a customizable layout.
Here’s what makes the Skyline Loft stand out:
- Space: It boasts 18,000 square feet of transformable space, providing a large, open canvas for any event theme or style.
- Views: Situated on the top floor, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Chicago skyline, especially stunning from sunset into the twinkling evening.
- Features: The loft features solid wood flooring with dramatic inlays, exposed brick walls, large skylights, and high wood-beamed ceilings, adding character and warmth to the spacious interior.
- Amenities: It includes modern comforts like HVAC for year-round events, a comprehensive on-site catering kitchen, unique draping options, and WiFi. Plus, it has practicalities like a large elevator capable of lifting cars or heavy objects for spectacular entrances.
- Accessibility: The venue provides adjacent complimentary parking, making it convenient for guests traveling by car.
The Skyline Loft’s vast, open space, along with its stunning views, makes it a perfect contender for couples who desire a memorable wedding day.
2. Stan Mansion
Stan Mansion is a historic event venue in Chicago with ornate interiors that reflect its early 20th-century origins. It features spacious rooms with detailed craftsmanship, suitable for elegant events.
What sets this Chicago wedding venue apart?
- Historic Building: Originally a Masonic temple, the mansion features a classic architectural style that adds a grand touch to events.
- Flexible Event Spaces: The mansion includes various spaces, such as a marble-lined lobby for receptions and a front garden for ceremonies.
- Bridal Suite: A spacious suite is available for the bridal party and is equipped with bedrooms, bathrooms, and a living area.
3. Chicago History Museum
Located amidst Chicago’s prominent architectural gems, the Chicago History Museum is an event venue that offers diverse event spaces surrounded by exhibits of the city’s rich history. It combines educational elements with a classic setting.
What sets this Chicago wedding venue apart?
- Architectural Elegance: The museum showcases Georgian-style architecture with large windows and high ceilings, providing a sense of grandeur and historical depth.
- Flexible Spaces: It accommodates various types of receptions and ceremonies with spaces like the elegant Chicago Room and the outdoor plaza that offers city skyline views.
- Unique Experience: Couples can enjoy their cocktail hour alongside exhibits, such as Chicago’s first L cars, adding a unique touch to the celebration.
- Capacity: The venue can host a seated dinner for up to 300 guests, a strolling reception for up to 350 guests, and more intimate gatherings in various configurations.
- Cost: Pricing for events varies with options ranging from $5,000 for daytime rentals to $10,000 and up for peak evening occasions, providing flexibility based on budget and timing.
The Chicago History Museum is perfect for couples looking for a venue that combines elegance with a rich narrative backdrop.
4. Morgan’s on Fulton
Morgan’s on Fulton features a contemporary design and a rooftop space with a retractable glass ceiling. It offers an urban feel in the trendy Fulton Market district.
What sets this Chicago wedding venue apart?
- Spaces: It features a multi-level setup, including an indoor penthouse and loft, along with a rooftop terrace equipped with a retractable four-season enclosure for year-round events.
- Amenities: The venue provides in-house catering, all-inclusive furniture, and customizable wedding packages aimed at creating a seamless experience. It also includes a basic A/V setup and string lights on the Penthouse level.
- Accessibility and Additional Services: The venue is ADA-compliant and offers various service enhancements, such as additional rental time and a dedicated bridal area on the Penthouse level.
The Theater on the Lake is one of the more unique event venues in Chicago because it boasts a location directly on Lake Michigan. It has a historic, renovated structure with large, open areas that cater to both indoor and outdoor events.
What sets this Chicago wedding venue apart?
- Location and Views: Situated on Fullerton Avenue along the lakefront, the venue provides expansive views of the lake, park, and city skyline, offering a picturesque backdrop for any event.
- Historical and Architectural Appeal: Built in 1920 and renovated in 2017, this prairie-style building features sweeping steel arched trusses and a rustic, warm interior with polished concrete floors and modern amenities.
- Flexible Spaces: With over 12,000 square feet of continuous space, it can accommodate large events! This includes plated dinners for up to 500 guests and receptions for up to 1,000. The venue includes various indoor and outdoor areas, like a 6,000-square-foot terrace and multiple green spaces for different event configurations.
- Customizable Options: Theater on the Lake offers full buyouts of the building and can be sectioned into smaller spaces, ensuring a fit for every event size and style.
This is an ideal venue if you are looking for a unique and scenic view!
6. Field Museum
The Field Museum provides a dramatic setting with options for event spaces among world-renowned natural history exhibits. The venue accommodates a range of events, from small gatherings to large-scale celebrations.
What sets this Chicago wedding venue apart?
- Versatile Event Spaces: The museum features a variety of spaces, from the grand Stanley Field Hall to more intimate settings like the outdoor terraces, which offer views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
- Unique Atmosphere: Eventgoers can enjoy a backdrop of world-famous exhibits! This includes dinosaurs like Máximo the Titanosaur.
- Customizable Options: The Field Museum accommodates everything from micro weddings to large corporate events. This is possible with flexible spaces that can be tailored to any size and type of gathering.
- Sustainability Focus: The museum emphasizes sustainability in its event planning. They offer eco-friendly catering and decor options that align with its conservation goals.
If you’re looking for a Chicago venue full of natural history and breathtaking architecture, this is the venue for you!
7. Galleria Marchetti
Galleria Marchetti is your go-to spot in Chicago if you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels like it’s in Italy. Located in West Town, this venue beautifully incorporates elements you’d find in a traditional Italian setting.
What sets this Chicago wedding venue apart?
- Event Spaces: The venue offers two main areas. The Pavilion is a large room with high ceilings and access to a garden, ideal for big weddings. La Pergola is smaller and feels like a cozy, covered outdoor space in Italy, perfect for more intimate gatherings.
- Outdoor Areas: Each space has its own outdoor area. The Pavilion connects to a garden with trees and flowers, which is great for outdoor ceremonies or receptions. La Pergola has a covered area that keeps the charm of being outdoors without worrying about the weather.
- Catering: The venue is known for its delicious food and a variety of menu options, and it also provides full bar service.
- Personal Touch: Owned by a family with nearly 100 years in the event business, they focus on personalized service, making sure each wedding feels special.
If you value great food and supporting small businesses, this is the perfect wedding venue for you!
Find High-Quality Event Rentals in Chicago — Reventals
Planning your dream wedding in Chicago? You’ve explored some of the most stunning venues the city has to offer. Now, it’s time to bring your vision to life with the perfect rentals. That’s where Reventals steps in as your go-to resource.
With a curated marketplace of high-quality vendors, Reventals ensures you receive top-notch service and the best prices. Send us what you want, and we’ll send you an invoice with the best pricing from our vetted network of local suppliers! Plus, with the Reventals Satisfaction Guarantee, you won’t have to worry about the quality or reliability of your rentals. We ensure everything arrives on time and in perfect condition, so all you have to do is look forward to your beautiful event.