A wedding doesn't have to be a huge affair if that's not your vibe. A smaller gathering, often referred to as a micro wedding, would typically involve fewer than 50 of your close friends and family. Choosing intimate Chicago wedding venues has many benefits. Smaller spaces will usually be more cost-effective, and fewer people means the bride and groom will have the opportunity to really connect with each guest.
Chicago is a fantastic location for your wedding day. With Lake Michigan as your backdrop, a thriving food scene, the Chicago skyline, and lots of live music, there are so many reasons to exchange vows in the Windy City. And when you're ready to choose intimate wedding venues in Chicago, Giggster has the pick of the crop.
Whether you need a spot for the ceremony or just the wedding reception, we've got you covered. Elegant homes, charming lofts, historic churches, swanky ballrooms, and stylish rooftop lounges—you name it. Need in-house catering options, a bridal suite, outdoor space, or features like natural light and a decorative brick fireplace? No problem. Just download the Giggster app and start your search. You'll find amazing (and affordable) Chicago wedding venues and reception spaces that tick every last box.
Options with city skyline views, antique doors, or a lovely outdoor courtyard are all easily booked through the app.
Find a fantastic, cozy place to get married in every city neighborhood. From Garfield Park (don't miss the famous Garfield Park Conservatory) to West Town, Lincoln Park, and River North, there are locations spread all over.
Need ample room to set up the dance floor? Think about booking a grand ballroom, dance studio, or even a loft with impossibly high ceilings.
Outdoor space abounds, with everything from a rustic-style courtyard to rooftop bars and private backyards full of mature trees. Lush gardens and restaurant patios can also be perfect.
You can have as much decor and furniture as you want. Studios and galleries offer a blank canvas for customization, whereas dedicated event spaces typically have existing decor and wedding-appropriate tables, chairs, and place settings.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Whether it's inside, outside, or a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, the 391 intimate Giggster venues give you so many choices. Every venue is curated to meet the needs of discerning event planners, and you'll have every style at your disposal, from vintage and rustic to modern and minimalist. And, all this selection can cost as little as $25/hour.
Hassle-Free Booking: We know that when planning a wedding, you have a lot on your plate, which is why we strive to make venue booking a breeze. Everything is well-presented in the app, including images, pricing, availability, guest capacity, and amenities. Book in no time using the app or website, and communicate with property hosts directly.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: In case you change your mind, every Giggster reservation automatically gets 24 hours of free cancellation right after the booking confirmation is received. The only catch is that your booking should be made at least 48 hours before your wedding day.
Platform Protections: Giggster offers the option to add extra protection in case of accidental damage, liability, or last-minute disruptions. So, if you choose a venue like Chinatown Industrial Studio Loft With View, you can have peace of mind because you have the coverage you need.
It's worth taking a few minutes to determine whether or not Chicago is the right place for your momentous occasion.
Advantages
As a big city, Chicago wedding venues run the gamut, and that includes an enviable selection of smaller spaces that still have the trendiness and style that you'd expect here.
There's truly a neighborhood in Chicago for everyone. Pick a venue in your favorite area to benefit from the artsiness of Pilsen, the history of Old Town, and the modernity of Fulton Market, for example.
The food and drink here are absolutely world-class. Venue bartenders will mix you up a super creative signature drink for cocktail hour, and even in-house catering options will likely be provided by top chefs.
Disadvantages
Outdoor venues outside of summer should be used with caution. The famously unpredictable Windy City weather can quickly turn a memorable celebration into a soggy, windblown mess.
Popular areas like The Loop, Wicker Park, and Logan Square are short on parking options. Guests arriving by car will either need to pay a fortune or circle for ages to find a place to park.
Venue booking can be competitive, especially for summer dates. If you're booking at the last minute, you may not get your first choice. This applies to caterers and entertainers, too.
When you need a little inspiration, the Giggster app is the place to be, where you'll discover 391 intimate Chicago venues. Narrow things down by first selecting the type of space that fits your theme and overall wedding vision.
Ballrooms – Extra Elegance. Yes, even smaller weddings can still have a ballroom. You'll find all sizes available, and each has a mix of intricate chandeliers, luxurious draperies and carpets, and touches like beautifully decorated dining tables and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Art Galleries and Lofts – Chic Surroundings. When you need open space for dancing and like the ideal of art, like paintings and murals, as a backdrop, choose a Firehouse Chicago artist's loft or a functioning gallery. Even if you don't want the ceremony here, it's a great spot to host cocktail hour and the reception.
Backyards and Rooftops – Get Outside. If you're planning the nuptials to coincide with warmer weather, we have a bunch of amazing choices. Book a stunning rooftop garden with lovely views or a decked-out home with space and greenery in the backyard.
Restaurants – Warm and Cozy. Pick a quirky coffee shop featuring walls lined with board games, wooden tables, and an arched ceiling. Or, go for a posh supper club with vintage furniture and a moody ambience.
Churches – Conventional Space. Chicago churches are great as small wedding venues. Focus on a chapel with European-style wood paneling to avoid an empty feeling. Opt for something more modern or a Gothic church if that appeals, but you can always book just a single room to keep the aesthetic and not have too much space.
Wedding planning is big business, and that's because no one wants to forget something important. Small weddings have specific things you'll want to consider in addition to the usual items:
Get the Venue Size Right – You don't want the wedding location to be too big; it might look like a bunch of people didn't bother to show up. So, carefully evaluate the number on your guest list to get an idea of the size you need. Check this against the guest capacity listed in the Giggster app.
Focus on the Food and Drink – Because your wedding is small, you can potentially spend a little more on refreshments and even cater directly to certain guests' preferences or dietary restrictions. And, if you love Chicago and prefer a casual vibe, why not incorporate things like barbecue, deep-dish pizza, or hot dogs? Book early to secure your preferred vendors before others do.
Document Everything – With a limited guest list, you may have excluded some people. Hire the usual photographer/videographer, but also ask about livestream options or a wedding recap for guests who couldn't attend.
Prioritize Out-of-Town Guests – People who make the cut for your intimate wedding are already special, but the ones who make the journey deserve a little extra attention. Prepare goodie bags with a Chicago guidebook, water, sewing kits, and any other items you deem useful. Also, try to reserve some guest rooms so that all the guests can stay together.
Small weddings are great for many reasons, but the main one is that fewer guests mean less spending. To keep the costs down as much as possible, apply these tips:
Plan the meal and drinks carefully.
Look for venues in Chicago that offer catering and beverage packages, as you can often get a deal by combining everything in one place. Just watch out for higher-than-average markups. Book a space with a built-in bar, which will minimize the expense of building one from scratch. Also, a seated dinner can be pricey, so consider a buffet.
Adjust the wedding time.
Hourly venue rentals are often cheaper when you avoid weekend evenings. Can you get away with a brunch wedding on a Sunday? If so, you can usually secure unique spaces for a fraction of what you'd pay on a Saturday night.
Go digital.
Forego printed invitations in favor of e-vites. The savings are twofold here—you don't have to pay for the invitations, and there are no postage fees.
Playlist vs. DJ.
Will a playlist achieve the same atmosphere as a DJ? It's way cheaper and totally customizable. A playlist is also much more affordable than other music options, like live bands.
Weddings are an incredible way to celebrate love, and they don't need a mile-long guest list to be special. Using the Giggster app, you can find multiple spaces that will suit your intimate wedding needs. Book in mere minutes and then move on to sorting out all the other details!
