Find Wedding venues for rent in Chicago, IL

About Chicago

Famed for its striking skyscrapers and bold architectural landmarks, Chicago perches on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois. It serves as a financial, cultural, and tech hub and has been consistently voted one of the best large cities with a rich history in the United States.

When it comes to tying the knot, Chicago wedding venues tick all the right boxes, with dramatic architecture and waterfront vistas as your backdrop. In the heart of downtown Chicago, a diverse array of unique wedding venues awaits, from every upscale international hotel and exclusive country club to glamorous ballroom and elegant estate. This vibrant area also offers stunning gardens and parks, ideal for hosting an unforgettable outdoor wedding party. With plenty of options, you can select a sophisticated venue with the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos.

In addition to the well-known Chicago wedding venue selections, you have the unique option to host your wedding in a hidden gem within the city. Choose from industrial-chic lofts, galleries bathed in natural light, or timeless historic homes. These event spaces, located near landmarks like the Chicago River, Millennium Park, the Old Post Office, or the Museum Campus, offer a setting of impeccable style for your wedding.

Wedding Options in Chicago

Executing a memorable and stress-free Chicago wedding day is all about having the right vendors on your team working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. As a large city, Chicago boasts plenty of wedding professionals who will get the job done, ranging from experienced photographers to creative florists and talented hair and makeup artists at your unique wedding venue.

Caterers
When it comes to dining, there is no shortage of catering options in Chicago, IL, whether you want a three-course meal or a buffet. You can select from fine-dining cuisine, rustic fare, or something more playful, such as burgers and donut wheels.

Florists
No matter what style or color scheme you’ve selected for your unique wedding venue, you’ll be able to find Chicago florists who can create your dream bouquet and beautiful boutonnieres to match any reception venue.

Photographer
The fleeting nature of your wedding day underscores the importance of securing a professional photographer to immortalize those special moments. Ensuring that your wedding photos reflect the beauty and essence of your chosen wedding venue is crucial. From all the candid moments of the getting ready session to the first kiss and the dance floor action, they’ll tell the story of your amazing experience so you can relive it again.

Wedding Companies in Chicago

When organizing a wedding venue, you can do it all yourself or let a team of professional wedding planners do the hard work for you. With years of experience under their belts, they know what works (and what doesn’t) and will ensure your special day is executed without a hitch. They are adept at selecting beautiful wedding venues across several locations, ensuring your celebration is nothing short of perfect.

Big City Bride
Based out of Lincoln Park, Big City Bride receives rave reviews from couples when it comes to their wedding planning talents. From open lines of communication to the warmth of their operations and the care of a family-run business, they also know the ins and outs of countless wedding venues in Chicago. They also have over 20 years of experience in the business so you can rest assured they know their game well.

Couture Events
Offering affordability and reliability, Couture Events organizes everything from intimate affairs to destination weddings and large cultural celebrations. Based in Lake View East, this wedding planning company employs a team of highly skilled professionals, including stylists and social media experts. They specialize in high-end corporate events and luxury wedding celebrations.

LOLA Event Productions
With over 100 years of combined experience, the wedding planners at LOLA Event Productions are second to none. The company has appeared on Brides magazine’s “Best of Planners” list, as well as in The Knot’s “Vendor Hall of Fame.” Based out of their Bucktown studio, LOLA prides itself on fostering an environment where clients can be creative and bring their visions to life.

Pros and Cons of Weddings in Chicago

The “Windy City” offers plenty of advantages for brides and grooms looking for their dream unique venue; however, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind.

Advantages

Diverse choice of wedding venues
Whether you’re after an intimate celebration in a newly renovated loft with exposed brick or want to book an artsy penthouse with 360-degree views, you can find event spaces with the beautiful backdrop and aesthetic you’re seeking.

Experienced vendors
With such a huge choice of experienced wedding vendors based in Chicago, you’ll have lots of options when it comes to finding your “dream team.” From florists and photographers to DJs and stylists, you can select those with the exact skills you’re looking for.

Affordable property prices
Compared to some of the United States’ other major cities, Chicago is relatively affordable. This means that Chicago wedding venues don’t cost as much to hire, helping to keep your wedding budget in check.

Easy transportation options
If you’re choosing a wedding venue with lots of out-of-town guests, getting to Chicago is a breeze. They can fly into O’Hare or Midway International airports, catch a train to Chicago Union Station, or drive along one of the highways that connect Chicago to major cities across the United States.

It’s a cultural and sporting hub
If you’re planning a destination wedding in Chicago, you (and your guests) can use the opportunity to experience the city’s legendary museums and sporting culture. See the Chicago Cubs or White Sox in action, visit the Art Institute of Chicago, and get hands-on at the interactive Museum of Science and Industry.

Disadvantages

Crime scene
Chicago has long been associated with some of the biggest names in crime, such as Al Capone and Baby Face Nelson. Unfortunately, the city still has a relatively high crime rate today.

Unfavorable weather
Chicago hasn’t been nicknamed the “Windy City” for no reason, and the wind can be relentless at times. Summers are often hot and humid, while winters can get incredibly cold with significant snowfall.

Traffic is notorious
It’s not uncommon for the city’s streets to come to a standstill during rush hour, so you may need to buffer in an extra hour or so to get to and from your wedding venue in Chicago.

Parking is difficult
Parking is also challenging, with finding a space in paid parking areas sometimes nearly impossible. Most locals use taxis or ride-share services to get around this problem, and it might be a good idea to recommend these to your guests also.

High taxes
In Chicago, groceries and restaurant bills are taxed, which is something to keep in mind when selecting your wedding caterer.

Famous Locations in Chicago

Chicago’s Lakefront
Chicago's Lakefront Trail is an 18.5-mile shared-use path where you can walk, jog, or bike along the beautiful scenery of Lake Michigan. Along the trail, you'll find several restaurants, shops, parks, beaches, museums, and other attractions. There are plenty of places along the shores of Lake Michigan for wedding photoshoots, including Promontory Point, Olive Park, and The Adler Planetarium.

The Loop
Home to many of Chicago’s architectural icons, this downtown area offers something for everyone. Here, you can find historic architecture, the Riverwalk, a lively theater district, and the Millennium Park. It is also an ideal setting for wedding portraits if you want the city’s striking buildings as your backdrop.

Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a neighborhood in Chicago with manicured gardens, a lily pond, a botanical garden, and green spaces overlooking the city. Here, you'll find famous attractions such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, and Chicago History Museum—enough to spend the entire day exploring.