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If you’re on the hunt for your perfect wedding venue, it can be a bit overwhelming to start by sorting through hundreds of options on The Knot. And due to the algorithms on these types of websites, you might not even be finding what you’re looking for!
Embarking on the venue hunt without a wedding planner can be a bit disorienting, so we’ve compiled some of our favorite venues in Chicago below to give you a jumping-off point. These are all venues that we’ve worked with in the past and are beautiful settings for tying the knot.
1) Firehouse Chicago
A hidden gem located in Edgewater, Firehouse Chicago is a historic and charming venue that can host up to 82 guests for a seated dinner. Fusing garden and antique styles, you can sense the care and attention that the space is given as soon as you walk through the front door. With decor elements already sprinkled throughout the venue, your wedding design can range from simple to extravagant and still bring out the beauty of the space.
The outdoor garden is a lovely spot for your ceremony and cocktail hour, and the photos you and your partner capture here will be stunning. Bonus! The marrying couple gets the opportunity to slide down the firepole for their reception introduction. Talk about a grand entrance!
Photos: AJ Abelman Photography
2) Fairlie
Lofty and industrial, Fairlie is a West Town staple with exposed brick and clean finishes. Towering ceilings make the space feel expansive, while their built-in flowy drapery can be used to section off parts of the venue and create a natural event flow. A central grand staircase creates a picturesque moment as you and your partner walk down the aisle or have a newlywed introduction! Host up to 250 guests for a seated dinner at Fairlie.
Photos: Brian Coss Photography
3) Colvin House
A more intimate venue, Colvin House is a gorgeous mansion with a rich architectural history. Located in Edgewater and capable of hosting 100 guests for a seated dinner, this venue is filled with intricate detailing, vintage furniture, and a glamorous chandelier.
With 16 rooms in the mansion, your wedding photos will reflect the elegance of the mansion. Plus, it’s just a short walk across the street to Lane Beach where you can capture even more photos on the day of.
Photos: Alana Lindenfeld Photography
4) Zephyr
The Motor Row District is home for the Zephyr, a loft space with exposed beams and an abundance of natural light thanks to skylights. Capable of hosting up to 200 guests for a seated dinner, this two-level venue truly can transform to feel intimate for a smaller guest count or spacious for a larger one.
One great benefit of hosting your wedding at the Zephyr is the ability to opt for their all-inclusive pricing. This can include catering, alcohol, equipment rentals, and more to make wedding planning easier for you and your partner.
Photos: EV Photography
5) Galleria Marchetti
This West Town family-operated venue is steeped in history and beauty. Each of their spaces offers a different design appeal from the Moroccan-inspired La Pergola for smaller guest counts to their garden-esque Pavilion for larger parties.
Holding up to 450 for a seated dinner in their largest space, Galleria Marchetti offers delicious in-house catering and a variety of amenities to ensure your vision is brought to life.
Photos: Jasko Photography
6) Room 1520
This venue is the perfect cross between loft and elegance. With eye-catching chandeliers and an all-white interior, Room 1520 is full of awe-inspiring glamour, while the exposed bricks and beams provide the more down-to-earth vibes of a loft space. It’s truly a blank slate, meaning you and your florist or designer can have lots of fun bringing your vision to life at this venue!
You’ll be able to host up to 150 guests for a seated dinner in this West Loop space. Similar to Zephyr, Room 1520 offers all-inclusive packaging to simplify your wedding planning.
Photos: Alana Lindenfeld Photography
7) WildmanBT
For local Chicago couples planning their wedding, one criteria for the venue search that we frequently hear is that they want to get married in a different venue than their friends or other family members. Look no further than WildmanBT! Available for weddings, social and corporate events, photoshoots, and more, this venue opened their doors in 2020 and impressed vendors and couples alike despite opening during a turbulent time.
Found between East Garfield Park and Humboldt Park neighborhoods, this loft industrial space is thoughtfully designed to create a functional and versatile wedding venue. With a capacity of up to 400 for a seated dinner, the possibilities are truly endless here.
Photos: The Gernands
8) VenueSix10
Located right on Michigan Avenue and steps from Grant Park, this sleek and modern venue has to-die-for views. With several spaces that can be used for your event, the largest room can seat up to 350 for dinner, and you can even book 3 separate spaces to create a progressive event flow from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception.
The chic, minimalist design of the venue will amplify the sophistication of your wedding, while the convenient location is perfect for a truly downtown Chicago experience.
Photos: Madi Ellis Photography
Still feeling overwhelmed by the venue booking process? Chat with our team today to see how we can help you source, tour, and book a venue that fits your vision and budget. Click HERE to schedule a totally free call!
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