With some of the most famous architectural landmarks in Illinois, like the Cloud Gate in Millennium Park and the Navy Pier, stunning green spaces like the Lincoln Park Zoo, and breathtaking museums such as the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum, it's no wonder millions of visitors flock to Chicago every year.
Whether you’re looking for big Gothic or Victorian churches, themed restaurants with exquisite menus, or the most incredible rooftop terraces, Giggster has the best venues for your luxury wedding. From Erie St in the south to Clark St up north, there’s a venue for all tastes in Chicago.
With Giggster, finding the most unique wedding venues in Chicago is a walk in the park. To get started, download the Giggster app on your mobile device and refine your search with filters based on your budget or the type of venue you need. Get your wedding rolling and fill it with unforgettable moments!
With a rich history, a unique historic charm, and home to the Chicago River, plus incredible indoor and outdoor spaces such as the Chicago History Museum, you'll never run out of Chicago wedding venues.
Need a sophisticated space in a luxurious neighborhood? Book a rooftop terrace with a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and make your wedding the event of the season.
Looking for a more classical space? Consider a retro church or chapel in a historical neighborhood, complete with gorgeous stained glass windows and art pieces.
Are you going for a more private celebration? Book a home in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Chicago and celebrate with your closest friends.
Book a restaurant in Downtown Chicago and choose between retro, modern, or industrial vibes. Browse the extensive menu and make your wedding a hit!
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From themed diners & restaurants and the classic churches & chapels to the most unique rooftop terraces, you'll discover 391 unique spaces for your wedding and Chicago's best-kept secrets with Giggster!
Hassle-Free Booking: With Giggster, finding the perfect venue for your luxury wedding has never been easier. Browse all the venues from the Giggster website, or download the app on your mobile and check all the options on the go. Refine your search with filters to find the venues that match your budget and start preparing everything. With Giggster, you can find venues in Chicago starting at just $25/hour!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Many challenges can lead to canceling or postponing an event, and at Giggster, we know it all too well. With our new cancellation policy, you can get a full refund on any booking canceled within 24 hours of booking confirmation, provided you made the booking at least 48 hours before the actual date of the event.
Platform Protections: Purchase Giggster’s optional insurance package and plan your wedding with complete peace of mind. With this, you can book stunning venues like Stunning Chicago Penthouse Loft with Skyline Views without worrying about damage and liability.
Before falling in love with a sophisticated venue, here are the pros and cons of choosing Chicago as the destination for your unforgettable wedding experience.
Advantages
As one of the most diverse cities in the US and a true melting pot of cultures, you won’t have trouble finding the most bridal party venues in Chicago. Let the Chicago skyline paint the perfect backdrop and create unforgettable moments!
If you love green spaces and the outdoors, Chicago is the perfect location for you. Take your attendees on a visit to the most iconic landmarks, such as Lincoln Park and Grant Park, and get them inspired for your upcoming wedding ceremony.
Public transport in Chicago is easily among the best in the country, with plenty of bus networks, trains, and commuter rails; your out-of-town guests will love it. Only the likes of New York and San Francisco rank higher than Chicago in public transport!
Disadvantages
Chicago is a fairly expensive city, whether you’re hosting a party or looking to move. Still, it’s more affordable than other major cities in the US, and if you use a platform like Giggster, you can find amazing deals.
Winters in Chicago are quite cold and harsh, with frequent snowstorms and freezing temperatures. If you’re thinking about an outdoor wedding party, plan it for the summer!
While it’s true that public transport in Chicago is among the best in the country, it’s also a nightmare to navigate due to its very high population density, ranking 5th in the US. Avoid rush hour traffic like the plague, and plan your special events before or after, especially close to Michigan Ave!
You've chosen the theme and figured out your budget, so it's time to have some fun. If you like legendary spaces like the Artifact Events venue and the Lakeside Room, you won't be disappointed. With Giggster, you can find similar venues, whether you want a grand ballroom or an intimate setting for taking romantic photos.
Church – Timeless Elegance. Are you going for a classic vibe? Choose between a Gothic church in the Illinois Medical District and a retro chapel with an exposed brick finish close to the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Complete with stunning chandeliers, polished concrete floors, and stained-glass floor-to-ceiling windows, churches in Chicago are perfect for all kinds of intimate celebrations.
Restaurants – Cocktail Hour. From modern restaurants with Chateau-style interiors and the most immersive private wine cellars, complete with the most extensive selection of drinks, to 1950s retro restaurants with antique decorations and an inviting atmosphere and complete with an urban elegance, you can find all these when you download the Giggster app.
Rooftop Terraces – City Lights. Book a modern rooftop terrace in eastern Chicago and let the stunning Navy Pier or the city skyline paint the perfect backdrop. The biggest rooftop terraces in Chicago have thousands of square feet of space and come with everything you need, from fancy seating and shading to a grassy sculpture garden area with plenty of natural light.
Houses – Modern Luxury. If you’re looking for the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor, a suburban house in an affluent neighborhood might be for you. These types of houses in Chicago typically have modern interiors with top-of-the-line equipment and appliances, plus an intimate outdoor courtyard area with comfy seating. Turn this blank canvas into the perfect space for an unforgettable event!
Whether you're planning your own wedding or a friend's, here are the steps to planning an amazing wedding day, from determining your budget to the wedding cake!
Define Your Budget – Before diving into all the complex aspects of planning an unforgettable wedding, you first have to determine your budget. Sit down with your partner and have an honest conversation about how much you’re comfortable spending, and it’ll save you a lot of time and money down the line.
Pick the Venue – After defining your budget, the most important step of the wedding planning process is, without a doubt, picking the venue. The venue will set the tone for your special day, and the right one can elevate your wedding ceremony to legendary status. From the Giggster app, you can browse the top Chicago wedding venues and find your perfect match!
Decide on the Wedding Menu – Weddings can definitely take their time, and ensuring your attendees are properly taken care of should be a priority for you. Hire a local caterer or chef, or find out if the venue offers in-house catering. Craft a delicious wedding menu, and your attendees won’t forget it!
Extend the Invitations – After everything is ready and you’ve crossed all the t’s and dotted all the i's, it’s time to send out the invitations. A good rule of thumb is to send the invitations one or two months in advance to give your attendees plenty of time to plan ahead.
Whether you decided to hire a wedding planner or if you'd rather do all the planning on your own, here are some tips to maximize your budget.
How flexible are you with the date?
If you want to save money on your wedding, one of the easiest ways is to plan it for the off-peak or the shoulder season. In Chicago, the off-peak season starts around November and lasts until April, and this is when you should plan your wedding for maximum savings. Your attendees will also get the best deals on flights, so it’s a win-win!
Consider a more exclusive menu.
The menu is one of the biggest items on any wedding budget, with the average wedding menu reaching 30% of the total wedding budget. One of the best ways to reduce costs on your wedding is to consider a more select menu with just a few types of finger foods and canapes, and two or three signature drinks, plus the classic wines.
Pick a non-traditional space.
Venues listed as wedding venues are usually subject to markups, especially during the wedding season. If you’re planning your wedding on a budget, use a platform like Giggster to find the most unique, non-traditional event spaces for your wedding party!
With Giggster, you can find the perfect venue for your wedding in no time—from stunning rooftop terraces close to the iconic North Michigan Avenue, also known as the Magnificent Mile, to a luxurious downtown hotel close to the Art Institute of Chicago. Find the venue of your dreams and get your wedding rolling in minutes!
