Top 5 Of The Best Chicago Wedding Venues

As a Chicago Wedding Photographer, I been able to photograph many beautiful Chicago wedding venues. However, there are some that are just absolute gems and some of the best of the best… IMO, of course. As a newly engaged couple, finding a Chicago wedding venue that fits your vibe to a tee is going to be one of the most important decisions you’re going to make. That’s why it’s my duty as a Chicago Wedding Photographer to spill the tea of the Top 5 Wedding Venues in Chicago you should get married at. From industrial modern vibes to straight up vibin’, each of these Chicago wedding venues holds their own character and charm. Perfect for any kind of couple out there looking for a good time and a baller Chicago wedding venue for their Chicago wedding.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Top 5 Of The Best Chicago Wedding Venues | Chicago Wedding Photographer — Photo by Openlands

The Garfield Park Conservatory is an iconic Chicago wedding venue for obvious reasons. This gorgeous conservatory is one of the largest botanical conservatories in the nation. Showcasing thousands of plants and lush flora, you basically have it all. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the busy city, you can escape to your wedding oasis at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Where indoors you are met with tropical temperatures and outside you are greeted with 10 acres of outdoor gardens. Truly, this is a one-of-a-kind and unique Chicago wedding venue for a gorgeous Chicago wedding experience.

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding Amenities

If you’re looking to have a Garfield Park Conservatory wedding, it’s also important to brush up on some of the amenities that they offer their couples. Their wedding amenities are what help build up and create your one-of-a-kind wedding experience for your Chicago wedding.

Some of the amenities that they include are:

Indoor & Outdoor Event Spaces
LGBTQ+ Friendly
Indoor & Outdoor Amplified Music
ADA Accessibility
On-Site Parking

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding Cost

Knowing how much a Garfield Park Conservatory wedding costs is also going to help in determining if this Chicago wedding venue is for you. Luckily, however, the Garfield Park Conservatory offers a wide variety of rental rates depending on which room you choose to rent out for your wedding. Keep in mind that you will need to know a rough estimate of how many guests will be attending your wedding in order to rent out a room that fits your budget and wedding size. If you decide on having a Garfield Park Conservatory wedding, you’re looking at a cost between $400 – $8500 depending on how long you’re wanting to rent their space for. Typically, they recommend renting out the entire site for your Chicago wedding, which covers 8.5 hours and all public spaces on site. This will cost you between $6,000 – $8,500 depending on the day of the week.

Check out Garfield Park Conservatory’s rental rates here.

Want To Book The Garfield Park Conservatory?

If you’re wanting to learn more about having a Garfield Park Conservatory wedding, you will need to contact their Special Events Manager.

Joan Colon

Special Events Manager, Chicago Park District

312-746-5250

joan.colon@chicagoparkdistrict.com

Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium is another Chicago landmark that gives you a unique wedding experience for your Chicago wedding. Located in Downtown Chicago, the Planetarium is Chicago’s astronomy and astrophysics museum. It quite literally gives you that “out of world” experience and makes for an incredibly memorable Chicago wedding, again, in my opinion. Not only does it step away from the traditional ballroom-esque wedding venue, but it completely builds an immersive experience for you and your guests. Like many of these Chicago wedding venues, it’s one of a kind and I’m completely obsessed with it.

When you decide to have an Adler Planetarium wedding, you also get beautiful Chicago skyline views, delectable food, and the universe as your stage… literally.

The Adler Planetarium Wedding Amenities

If you’re looking to have an Adler Planetarium wedding, it’s also important to brush up on some of the amenities that they offer their couples. Their wedding amenities are what help build up and create your one-of-a-kind wedding experience for your Chicago wedding.

Some of the amenities that they include are:

Indoor & Outdoor Event Spaces
Event Rentals
On-Site Getting Ready Suites
Setup & Cleanup Services
Table, Chairs, Glassware, Flatware & Linens
ADA Accessibility
On-Site Parking
On-Site Event Planner

Wedding Cost For Your Wedding at The Adler Planetarium

One of the best things about having a wedding at the Adler Planetarium is that you receive a customized quote made just for you. Things such as your wedding guest count, your wedding date, and the season all play a role in how much a wedding will cost at The Adler Planetarium. With that being said, I can’t give you an exact number as to how much having an Adler Planetarium wedding costs, as this is determined by the venue itself. However, on average couples who have an Adler Planetarium wedding spend as low as $6,400 to as high as $20,000. Again, this is completely determined based on the time of year, wedding size, and demand at the time of booking!

While this is a pretty penny Chicago wedding venue, let me tell you that the views and amenities are completely and 100% WORTH IT.

Want To Book The Adler Planetarium?

If you’re wanting to learn more about having your Chicago wedding at the Adler Planetarium, you need to submit an inquiry here!

City View Loft Chicago

If you’re a couple looking to really soak up that industrial modern-type vibe, then City View Loft Chicago is the place to be. City View Loft is a beautiful event space in Chicago that offers 13-foot timber ceilings and views of the Chicago skyline. The space offers tons of natural light as well as brick accent walls giving that stunning Chicago industrial look that many of you may be looking for. I mean, we are in the heart of the Windy City, right?!

One of the many benefits and why it’s a couple’s top choice for a Chicago wedding venue is due to its customizability. You are given an open floor plan and can truly transform the space to be whatever you want it to be. For many couples, this gives you the chance to create the wedding of your dreams without having the wedding decor or space clash with your vision. This could be a major plus for any couple wanting to transform a blank slate into their perfect Chicago wedding.

City View Loft Chicago Wedding Amenities

If you’re looking to have a City View Loft Chicago wedding, it’s also important to brush up on some of the amenities that they offer their couples. Their wedding amenities are what help build up and create your one-of-a-kind wedding experience for your Chicago wedding.

Some of the amenities that they include are:

Setup & Cleanup Services
Tables, Flatware, Glassware, Linens & Chairs
On-Site Event Planner
On-Site Parking

Wedding Cost For Your Wedding at City View Loft Chicago

For a Chicago wedding venue, City View Loft offers some great rates for couples wanting to tie the knot at this industrial Chicago wedding venue. As for many Chicago wedding venues, factors such as your wedding size, time of year and demand will play a role in their wedding rates. Currently, however, if you’re looking to have a City View Loft Chicago wedding, you’re looking at a cost between $4,500 – $7,500.

Want To Book The City View Loft Chicago?

If you’re wanting to learn more about having your Chicago wedding at the City View Loft Chicago, you need to submit an inquiry here!

Cafe Brauer at The Lincoln Park Zoo

Cafe Brauer is located inside the Lincoln Park Zoo and is the perfect Chicago wedding venue if you’re looking for a timeless and classic wedding venue with a twist. This stunning wedding venue overlooks the Lincoln Park Zoo’s nature boardwalk and also has views of its pond’s ecosystem. You also have views of the surrounding park and the Chicago skyline. So it’s basically safe to say that Cafe Brauer is the sh**.

It’s a historic Chicago landmark, offers a versatile setting for any couple, and has some of the best scenery of any Chicago wedding venue. With stained glass windows, towering ceilings, and sparkling chandeliers, you can absolutely have your fairytale wedding here.

Cafe Brauer Wedding Amenities

If you’re looking to have a Cafe Brauer Chicago wedding, it’s also important to brush up on some of the amenities that they offer their couples. Their wedding amenities are what help build up and create your one-of-a-kind wedding experience for your Chicago wedding.

Some of the amenities that they include are:

Indoor & Outdoor Event Spaces
ADA Accessibility
On-Site Getting Ready Suites
LGBTQ+ Friendly
Indoor & Outdoor Amplified Music

Wedding Cost For Your Wedding at Cafe Brauer

For the stunning scenery and the top-quality amenities that this Chicago wedding venue offers, their rates are absolutely phenomenal. Of course, your wedding budget is going to determine whether or not you can have your Chicago wedding at Cafe Brauer. However, I do have to say that the cost is well justified and completely worth it. Rates for a Cafe Brauer wedding range between $4,500 – $9,500. This is all dependent on the time of year and day of the week!

You can view their current Chicago wedding rates here.

Want To Book The City View Loft Chicago?

If you’re wanting to learn more about having your Chicago wedding at Cafe Brauer you need to submit an inquiry here!

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

If a more intimate wedding is more your speed, I would highly recommend checking out the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. While this may come last on the list, this Chicago wedding venue does not come last in my heart. In fact, this is one of my favorite Chicago wedding venues, and here is why. It’s a hidden garden tucked away amidst all of the noise of the crazy city. It serves as your own private oasis for your intimate wedding and is absolutely the perfect wedding escape for any couple. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool was originally built back in 1889 and since then has continued to be a stunning landmark here in Chicago. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is located inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory and serves as the perfect intimate wedding space!

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool Wedding Amenities

Since the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool typically caters to intimate weddings, they don’t offer many amenities for their couples. This is because the space truly does speak for itself. This is the perfect Chicago wedding venue if you’re not wanting to do much decorating and have the venue speak on its own. With little to know the effort involved, you can have your intimate Chicago wedding in no time with minimal work. You can fully enjoy your wedding experience and not have to worry about anything else.

Wedding Cost For Your Wedding at The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

In order for you to have your Chicago wedding at The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, you will be required to purchase a permit in advance from the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Rental fees are around $350 and include one hour of event time and exclude set up and clean up time. It’s best however to contact the Lincoln Park Conservatory directly to determine if there are any other additional fees you need to pay. You can contact them at info@lincolnparkconservancy.org.

Want To Book The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool?

If you’re wanting to learn more about having your wedding at The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, submit an inquiry here!