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.


Galleria Marchetti - The Pavilion

Chicago, Illinois

Style: Family-owned event center located in the heart of the city, highlighted by an open-air courtyard which can be converted to an enclosed, air-conditioned venue via the retractable roof.

Catering: In-house
Price: $$ • $$$

Northerly Island

Chicago, Illinois

Style: Dramatic events inside the historic Terminal Building or under the spacious Lakeside Tent, set on a 91-acre peninsula surrounded by Burnam Harbor and Lake Michigan and with remarkable skyline views.

Catering: Preferred list
Price: $ • $$

Ravinia Green Country Club

Riverwoods, IL

Style: Magnificent North Shore country club set against a backdrop of a verdant18-hole private golf course and 100 lush acres of prime wetlands.

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$

Lacuna Events by LM

Chicago, Illinois

Style: Chic artist loft venue and rooftop
Fab Feature: Exchange vows with jaw-dropping skyline views on the cool rooftop deck, which is full of cool elements, like hand-crafted bench seating, a lattice-work trellis, and a built-in bar strung with café lighting.

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$

Makray Memorial Golf Club

Barrington, Illinois

Style: Upscale golf club ringed with natural beauty

Fab Feature: Exchange vows on the verdant lawns or next to the serene lake, snap memorable photos on the picturesque bridge, and then move the party into the Ballroom, which boasts wonderful views of the surrounding fairways and tree-covered hills through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Catering: In-house
Price: $ • $$

Daley Plaza

Chicago, Illinois

Style: Historic landmark plaza in the heart of the city

Fab Feature: There's nothing more dramatic—or more purely Chicago— than a ceremony set under the massive Picasso sculpture in this historic plaza, surrounded by soaring skyscrapers, a large fountain, and lush planters.

Catering: BYO
Price: $

Chicago's First Lady Cruises

Chicago, Illinois

Style: A floating celebration aboard one of six private vessels
Fab Feature: The vessels' open-air skydecks offer spectacular views of the shoreline & cityscape from Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.

Catering: Preferred list
Price: $ • $$

The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy

Lake Forest, IL

Style: Italianate mansion on expansive landscaped grounds

Fab Feature: The elegant Garden Room boasts a dramatic marble fountain and floor-to-ceiling arched windows overlooking the colorful, manicured gardens.

Catering: In-house
Price: $$ • $$$

The Grove Redfield Estate

Glenview, Illinois

Style: Historic country estate
Fab Feature: Built in 1929 and originally named “Windy Pines,” the home calls to mind a Northern European country house. In 1976 it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Catering: Preferred list
Price: $ • $$


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