Chicago is rich in culture and history, but it’s also a landing spot for some of the most upscale and memorable nuptials. The Windy City offers dozens of event locations, but which is best? We’ve sorted through the best Chicago wedding venues, so you can start planning your dream day.
Small Venues
When gathering just your closest family and friends, it’s nice to know that these quaint venues raise the bar. Choose any of them to get that special level of service that comes with a small wedding.
1. Ravenswood Loft
Previously known as the Lillstreet Loft, this Ravenswood venue has 2,000 square feet of well-lit open space for your wedding. This flexible venue offers two private bathrooms, a kitchenette, A/V tech, licensed and insured bar staff, and access to rental and décor services -- all starting at $100 per hour. Use their catering services or bring your own. The space seats up to 80 comfortably. Learn more here.
2. Tanta Chicago
Whether you choose the open rooftop terrace or take your wedding inside the private dining room, Tanta Chicago creates delicious moments for your party of up to 70 seated guests in the River North district of Chicago. Enjoy several custom dining and bar packages to suit your budget, and get access to a team of floral arrangers, chefs, and A/V specialists. Your Peruvian-style celebration is just a click away. Learn more here.
3. The Smith on Lake
For an intimate affair with up to 40 seated guests, The Smith on Lake is a go-to Chicago destination. Their inspired menus showcase the best of local ingredients, while their hospitality team goes the extra mile to ensure personalized and attentive service for each attendee. This rustic, West Loop venue can bring together every beautiful detail for you. Learn more here.
4. Pars Cove Restaurant
Even the most modest of weddings deserve the special touches that Par Cove provides for parties of up to 30. A full bar and the decadent flavors of their world-class Persian/Mediterranean cuisine meld together to create the kind of memories you want to associate with your blessed union. This venue is in the heart of Lincoln Park and also provides an affordable option for rehearsals and receptions. Learn more here.
5. Wheeler Mansion
This historic mansion serves as a romantic backdrop to the first day of the rest of your life together. The lavish décor, elegant and organic-focused menus, and attentive chef and staff will ensure every detail is fitting for royalty. Extras include private transportation to and from McCormick Place, shoeshine, dry cleaning, fine china and silver service, as well as packages for any budget. The space seats celebrations of 80, with room for over 100 standing guests. Learn more here.
Mid Sized Venues
These locations give you a bit more space for the money. Choose among some of the finest venues for parties between 100 and 200 guests.
6. Exchange 312
This elegant, yet trendy event space is located in the heart of Wicker Park and accommodates guests from 100 seated to 150 standing. The built-in bar, mid-century wooden tables and chairs, and exposed Chicago brick bring luxury to your event while keeping the experience comfortable for all your guests. This venue is BYOB, so you can decide what your caterer will serve on your big day! Learn more here.
7. The Pillar Loft
This West Loop venue seats 120 comfortably with their ground-level open floor plan featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and brick and sandstone walls. With an hourly price starting at just $400, this pet-friendly, accessible building boasts the original charm of the former Fulton Market lofts with the convenience of modern updates. Affordable and flexible, wedding parties can bring their own catering and drinks for the customized experience of their choosing. Learn more here.
8. Bad Hunter
With a focus on vegetables as the star of their dishes, Bad Hunter offers seating for up to 80 guests – with standing room for up to 150. Wedding receptions are hosted in the Herbarium, where the staff concentrates on creating an intimate dining experience for every guest. This West Loop eatery has a minimum food buy of $3,000 and offers a dedicated events kitchen, valet, custom cocktails, onsite catering, pastries, rental coordination, and much more! Learn more here.
9. Grand Salon Ballroom Park Hyatt Chicago
Enjoy the convenience and world-class service of the Park Hyatt Chicago hotel mixed with the personalized charm of your unique wedding motif. This venue offers 5,000 square feet for 150 seated comfortably, along with the options for linens, glassware, convenient room blocks, personalized catering and wedding cake service, dancefloor setup, a dedicated wedding planner, and pre-wedding services – such as brunch or rehearsal dinners. Bonus: Selecting this downtown locale gets the lucky couple complimentary suite accommodations! Learn more here.
10. Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers
With the focus on detail that the Sheraton hotel masters, this party space offers over 40 rooms to choose from for your perfect layout. Let the staff take care of everything from linens to A/V to the special menu. This stunning River North location also gives you lake and river views you won’t find anywhere else! Learn more here.
Large Venues
If your guest list count is in the hundreds, consider these handpicked locations. They are considered among the Best Chicago wedding venues for their size and service offerings.
11. Morgan’s on Fulton
With four separate event spaces that can be rented individually or as one, the Morgan’s on Fulton venue gives you upscale surroundings for your nuptials in the middle of the Fulton Market district. Photo ops abound in this venue that displays polished concrete, exposed wood beams, and space for everyone to celebrate the happy couple. Invite up to 500 guests and have them enjoy the rooftop with penthouse, Studio C, Studio M, or the Gallery. Learn more here.
12. Thalia Hall
This historic landmark sits in the Pilsen neighborhood and can comfortably seat up to 240 guests or standing room for 800. Solid wood floors, a balcony, elevators, full bars, and a state-of-the-art sound system give you the experience of the bright lights for your epic event. Designated staff will wait on you hand and foot to ensure your wedding is the best ever. Learn more here.
13. Theater on the Lake
Enjoy one of the only Lakefront venues in Chicago with room for up to 1,500 guests! Theater on the Lake is a fully-enclosed space with an unobstructed view of the South skyline and Lake Michigan. This historic building continues to carry the charm of its 1913 beginnings (including the arched steel pavilions and brick design) while giving wedding parties access to modern amenities that will truly elevate any wedding event. Learn more here.
14. Newberry Library
This historic research library in the River North is just steps from the Magnificent Mile and offers multiple venue options for your big event. A marble staircase, intricate neo-Romanesque design details, and mosaic flooring are combined with updated sound and lighting features to bring you the best of old and new. Choose between the Lobby, Ruggles Hall, Rettinger Hall, or Baskes Boardroom. Seating ranges from a few dozen to up to 500, with Wi-Fi and comfortable seating features throughout. Learn more here.
15. Lincoln Park Zoo
Looking for a unique way to exchange commitment vows? Consider taking advantage of the perks that the Lincoln Park Zoo offers in one of two event options. Café Brauer gives you both indoor and outdoor space with the historic landmark building of the Prairie School. This brilliant atmosphere features Tiffany-inspired glass chandeliers, stained-glass windows, sky lighting, tile mosaics, and unparalleled views of the park and city. It’s adjacent to the prairie pond ecosystem and boasts a variety of flora and fauna for your 500+ guests to enjoy.
Alternatively, the entire zoo is up for your use with seating option for 5,000 or more of your closest friends. Choose to host your event in the Park Place Terrace & South Lawn, the Kovler Lion House, the Farm-in-Zoo, the Regenstein Macaque Forest, or virtually anywhere you choose. The décor options in one of the best wedding venues in Chicago are truly endless. Learn more here.
With a variety of large, medium and small wedding venues, Chicago offers a wedding for everyone, no matter your price point. Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a lavish bash, one of these stunning Chicago venues can help make your big day picture-perfect.