Downtown Chicago

We *heart* Chicago! Chicago has so many amazing wedding venues—we couldn’t stop with just one list of favorites…we have plenty of suggestions and faves, depending on what you are looking for. Downtown? Outdoor? Affordable? Yup, we found ‘em and we share them here.

(If you can’t get enough, see detailed info for all the Chicago wedding venues on our site.)


9 Cool Wedding Venues in The Chicago Loop

9 Cool Wedding Venues in The Chicago Loop

The Loop is a vibrant area in downtown Chicago flush with iconic attractions, breathtaking skyscrapers, and of course, the infamous Michigan Ave. But did you know that it’s also home to some pretty magnificent wedding venues? From an eclectic riverfront restaurant to a posh boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace, these Windy City beauties will have you swooning over their super-chic event spaces.


Here Comes The PRIDE! 13 of our favorite LGBTQ+ Friendly Chicago Wedding Venues

Here Comes The PRIDE! 13 of our favorite LGBTQ+ Friendly Chicago Wedding Venues

You won’t have to look hard to find a gorgeous LGBTQ-friendly wedding venue in Chicago. Home to the first officially recognized gay village in the country and the world's only outdoor LGBTQ history museum, it's easy to find a perfect place to celebrate your love. So whether you want to shout your love from a rooftop deck overlooking that iconic skyline, or in an elegant museum surrounded by priceless works of art, here are a few of our favorite locations that get that Love is Love!


12 Vibrant Venues for your Indian Wedding in and around Chicago

12 Vibrant Venues for your Indian Wedding in and around Chicago

Searching for that perfect venue to host your Chicago Indian Wedding? These stunning celebrations require a special location—one that not only provides a beautiful backdrop but can also accommodate a large-scale reception with ease. Here's our list of places that make the cut when it comes to event spaces, flexibility, and amenities for a grand affair.


Black-Owned Wedding Businesses You Need To Check Out

Black-Owned Wedding Businesses You Need To Check Out

Here Comes The Guide is mainly venue-focused, but we do have an exclusive selection of Certified By The Guide vendors in certain states. The wedding vendors listed below aren't just top-notch event professionals; they’re also black-owned businesses! Hiring one of these service providers for your wedding is one simple way to make a positive impact on African American businesses, and to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. And we stand behind them 100%.


Photo-worthy: 15 Iconic Chicago Engagement and Wedding Locations

Photo-worthy: 15 Iconic Chicago Engagement and Wedding Locations

From gorgeous rooftop decks with spectacular skyline views to lush gardens and manicured parks, Chicago has no shortage of beautiful places to tie the knot. And while these venues serve as stunning backdrops for your wedding all on their own, most are also just steps away from iconic city landmarks and attractions that make for some glorious photo ops. So if having jaw-dropping engagement or day-of pix is on your “must-have” list, then you’re going to love these picture-perfect locations!


Mad for Modern: 11 Chic Downtown Chicago Wedding Venues

Mad for Modern: 11 Chic Downtown Chicago Wedding Venues

Dreaming of a Downtown Chicago wedding with a modern vibe? From an urban garden to a swanky rooftop bar, this city is home to an eclectic mix of spaces that serve as the ultimate blank canvas for your contemporary celebration.


8 Holiday Party Venues in Chicago

8 Holiday Party Venues in Chicago

Dreaming of a Christmas party in snowy Chicagoland? If you're looking for a venue to host your off-site office party, we've got you covered!


5 of Chicago's Best Historic Wedding Venues

5 of Chicago's Best Historic Wedding Venues

If you love the architecture, elegance, and opulence of the Gilded Age or glamorous 1920s, Chicago offers a wealth of historic wedding venues that will transport you to a bygone era.


19 Gorgeous Garden Wedding Venues in Illinois

19 Gorgeous Garden Wedding Venues in Illinois

For many couples searching for a place to get married, sites that showcase Mother Nature are often at the top of their list. And if they offer something extra—like a historic mansion, spacious greenhouse, chapel, or gazebo—they're even more desirable.


6 Chicago Wedding Venues with Spectacular Lake Michigan Views

6 Chicago Wedding Venues with Spectacular Lake Michigan Views

Lake Michigan has always been a huge factor in what makes Chicago, Chicago. Besides its important contributions to the city's trade and transportation, its sparkling waters create an ever-changing source of beauty and drama. If you want your wedding to feature unforgettable Lake Michigan views (plus stellar service and great amenities, of course!), check out the places we’ve listed below.


Windy City Magic: 8 Chicago Wedding Venues With Glittering Skyline Views

Windy City Magic: 8 Chicago Wedding Venues With Glittering Skyline Views

The glittering lights of Chicago's skyline create a glamorous, romantic, wedding backdrop—one that's sought after by tourists and locals alike. A wealth of venue choices range from storied icons to hidden treasures, but all of the places featured here boast fantastic bird's-eye views of the Windy City.


11 Lofts & Industrial Spaces We Love For Your Chicago Wedding

11 Lofts & Industrial Spaces We Love For Your Chicago Wedding

Often historic and always architecturally interesting, lofts offer a wealth of design possibilities for a trendy, eclectic wedding - and Chicago is loaded with them! Whether you choose a repurposed old factory or a sleek urban gallery, these unique venues will have you swooning over their original columns, brick walls, exposed ductwork, and industrial lighting. Here's a look at some of our favorite loft-style venues that make for a super-chic setting for your celebration!


An Elite 7: Luxe Downtown Chicago Wedding Venues

An Elite 7: Luxe Downtown Chicago Wedding Venues

Luxury comes in many forms, and these downtown Chicago venues showcase them all. From gold leaf detailing and crystal chandeliers to hand-painted ceilings and rich, wood paneling, the event spaces in the following venues are both stunning and unique. Add exceptional services to the mix (think in-room spa treatments, afternoon tea and customized everything!) as well as plush accommodations and you’ve got all the elements for an unforgettable upscale celebration.


11 Stunning Chicago Wedding Venues For Your Small Wedding!

11 Stunning Chicago Wedding Venues For Your Small Wedding!

If you’re planning a small wedding, you may feel a little like Goldilocks as you try to find a place that fits your event “just right”. But if you’re searching in Chicago you’re in luck! The Windy City offers plenty of options for hosting an intimate wedding, from a private mansion or vintage loft to a sleek yacht or Italian restaurant, that all happily accommodate cozier celebrations.


You asked...We answered! 14 Affordable Chicago Wedding Venues you'll love.

You asked...We answered! 14 Affordable Chicago Wedding Venues you'll love.

Dreaming of a stylish, Chicago wedding that won’t break the bank? Here are a few practical tips that can help you have the celebration you envision and stay within your budget.


A Breath of Fresh Air: 9 of the Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Chicago

A Breath of Fresh Air: 9 of the Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Chicago

Chicago is fortunate to have a wealth of outdoor wedding venues. Want to get married in a gorgeous garden? On a yacht? At a historic private estate? Here are just a few of the al fresco ceremony and reception options you’ll find in and around the Windy City.


Good Eats, Good Ambiance: Chicago's Best Rehearsal Dinner Locations

Good Eats, Good Ambiance: Chicago's Best Rehearsal Dinner Locations

Chicago is a diner’s paradise, offering some of the best places to eat in the country. This is great news if you’re planning a rehearsal dinner because you’ll have plenty of choices. Here’s an enticing selection of the city’s restaurants—some are casual and some are more upscale, but all are happy to host your special event.


10 of Chicago's Most Unique Wedding Venues

10 of Chicago's Most Unique Wedding Venues

Chicago is not only the most visited city in the Midwest, it’s one of the most dynamic cities on the planet. From its fabulous parks and museums to its world-class dining, shopping, entertainment and hotels, it has everything you (and your guests!) could want—including a long list of amazing wedding and special event venues.


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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor