If you've ever had a romantic escape to Chicago, IL, you'll know it's a hotspot for couples, with its scenic walks along the lake or hot-tub boat rides. Watch the gorgeous sunset from the Chicago skyscrapers with your partner, or explore the gorgeous gardens and conservatories to make new memories together. Chicago is also a fantastic city in which to tie the knot!
If you're looking for the perfect wedding venues in Chicago, Giggster gives you hundreds of affordable yet spectacular event locations so you can walk down the aisle in front of your loved ones in an amazing venue of your choice, whether you're looking for a romantic, rustic, or backward wedding vibe.
Chicago Wedding Venues Curated by Giggster
From retro cafes and rooftop terraces to spacious and luxurious homes, the Giggster app has some of the best wedding venues for couples so you can create an amazing day that you'll never forget.
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If you want to embrace the gorgeous skyline of the bustling city, choose a rooftop terrace in downtown Chicago where you can enjoy a cocktail reception with loved ones.
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For a creative space, book a gallery or loft where you can enjoy a huge space filled with lots of natural light. It's the perfect spot for daytime weddings.
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If you want a glamorous wedding, choose a spacious, upscale home in Chicago that's filled with many rooms you can use for various wedding activities. It's also got a beautiful green garden that's the perfect backdrop for all your wedding photos.
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For a wedding space filled with unique character, book a historical venue in Logan Square with a gorgeous ballroom, lounge, built-in bar that's perfect for cocktail hour, and a romantic fireplace.
Transform Your Wedding in Chicago Starting at Just $25/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From historical venues with chic high ceilings to glamorous dining rooms with photo backdrops for taking special pics, Giggster's 391 inspirational wedding spaces give you many options so you can find the perfect spot in which to tie the knot.
Hassle-Free Booking: Whether it's the pricing or feature details of venues you're after, Giggster lets you know all the info before you book your favorite spot. Our special, hand-picked spaces start at just $25/hour!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If something happens, causing you to cancel your upcoming event, Giggster offers free cancellations for bookings canceled within 24 hours of confirmation, as long as you made the booking at least 48 hours before your event.
Platform Protections: To cover you for things that can go wrong on your special day, Giggster offers optional protection packages that cover damage and liability. So, you can book amazing venues like New Space | Tables & Chairs Included | Free Hour with confidence!
Pros and Cons of Weddings in Chicago
You might love Chicago for being romantic and offering lots for visitors in terms of elegant architecture, various attractions like Millennium Park, and its gorgeous beaches. But is it the best place in which to celebrate your special day?
Advantages
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Chicago is a city that's excellently geographically located, making it accessible for guests arriving from other states.
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Chicago boasts lots of delicious food that you can include in your wedding, like its signature deep-dish pizza. Go gourmet with your cuisine, or opt for street food!
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Chicago is a great city in which to enjoy the water because it offers many lakefront wedding venues.
Disadvantages
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Chicago has a large population and limited parking, which can make traffic challenging.
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Chicago experiences brutal winters that are filled with below-freezing temperatures, ice, strong winds, and snow.
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Chicago doesn't have any mountains, so if you're hoping for fantastic mountain views as a natural backdrop to your wedding, you'll be disappointed.
The Best Type of Venue For Your Wedding in Chicago
So, what kind of wedding venues in Chicago are you hoping to find? Here are some of the best to check out on Giggster's 391 listings so you can start planning an unforgettable wedding experience.
Elegant Studio Bar and Event Space – Small Wedding Parties. If you love bars, book a chic Bucktown studio bar with bar stools, chairs, cocktail tables, and VIP booths. It's filled with stylish furnishings and a colorful bar for sharing signature wedding cocktails with loved ones.
Sunset Loft Studio – Beautiful Wedding Snaps. What's a wedding without amazing photos of the event? Book a unique wedding venue that's cozy and decorated in wood and brick, with huge windows that let in the gorgeous views of the sunset. It's perfect for capturing glowy, gorgeous bridal pictures at the end of the day.
Beautiful Brick Coffee Shop – Casual Weddings. If you don't want a big fuss for your wedding day, book a coffee shop wedding venue in Chicago's South Side. It's got an outdoor wedding area where you can relax under gorgeous trees while snacking on delicious pastries.
Hidden Gem Museum and Mansion – Historical, Glamorous Events. Looking for some unique wedding venues? Head to an elegant museum with exhibits and Lake Michigan views. Stroll across the Italian marble floors and enjoy natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Modern Lofted Inner City Apartment – Stylish Chicago Skyline Views. A spacious, tastefully decorated loft is one of the best Chicago wedding venues if you're looking for a cozy yet stylish home in which to celebrate your special day. It's got a rooftop venue that's perfect for sunset cocktail hour or throwing the bouquet!
Pet-Friendly Event Space – Pet-Friendly Parties. Book a pet-friendly downtown venue with high ceilings, stunning chandeliers, and skylight atrium windows. This way, you can include Fido in your event!
Planning Your Wedding in Chicago
Once you've found your Chicago wedding venue from Giggster's 391 glam and chic listings, you can start the overwhelming task of wedding planning! Here are some tips to think about that'll help you get started.
Avoid Blackout Dates – When planning a date for your Chicago wedding, make sure you don't choose a day when there's a big event happening in the city, as this could affect travel, traffic, and venue availability, totally blacking out your event. It can also cause challenges for your guests.
Make It a Personalized Affair – Make your wedding day special by displaying some relationship memories in your venue. This could include showcasing memorable photos from different stages of your relationship, sharing mementos from your travels, or including other things that make your day unique.
Choose a Color Scheme For Your Venue – You should bring your wedding color scheme to the venue to reflect your personal style and the wedding atmosphere you'd like to achieve. And, add glam fabrics like velvet or chiffon to bring elegance to your outdoor celebrations.
Select Whimsical Lighting – A few lighting accessories can help to bring elegance and a touch of whimsy to your wedding day. This could include lighting installations, lanterns, or string lights. Play around with different options to transform the space.
How to Save Money on a Wedding in Chicago
Weddings can be some of the most expensive events to plan, but you don't have to blow your budget when hosting your special occasion.
Choose cost-effective wedding invitations.
Sometimes, there's nothing more elegant than sending your guests paper wedding invitations. If you're non-negotiable on having paper invitations, choose matte paper card stock as it's friendlier to your budget.
Have your ceremony and reception in the same place.
It's so much more affordable to stay in the same event venue for your entire wedding, as it'll prevent you from having to plan two parties, one for the ceremony and one for the reception. Rather only pay for the amenities, features, and decor you need for one wedding venue.
Consider outdoor wedding venues.
Having a backyard wedding can be much cheaper than opting for a full indoor celebration, as it encourages a casual dress code and you can make the most of the natural beauty outside as your wedding decor.
Why not have a vegetarian menu?
Skip the meat options and bring down your wedding costs! By choosing a vegetarian wedding menu, you'll also feel like you're doing a good deed for the environment, which is a great way to start a new chapter in your life.
Chicago Weddings with Giggster
If you're tying the knot soon, consider throwing your big wedding 'do in Chicago! On the Giggster app, you'll find hundreds of stunning indoor and outdoor wedding venues to make your special day unique and memorable.
