10 Best Chicago Wedding Venues (From a Chicago Wedding Photographer’s POV)

I’m a Chicago wedding photographer who loves all things editorial, artsy, and a little offbeat. And I get to capture a lot of weddings like that at venues that hold that vibe well. So, if that’s what you love too… Don’t miss these ten Chicago wedding venues that are full of that energy.  

10 Unique Chicago Wedding Venues That You’ll Be Obsessed With

The Wellsley

Imagine walking into your reception with a glass of champagne in hand, a jazz playlist humming in the background, and everyone you love gathered around candlelit tables. That’s the energy The Wellsley brings. 

The Wellsley is a Chicago wedding venue that, honestly, is just fun. It’s the perfect spot for a chic dinner party vibe, and when I picture a wedding here, I think Art Deco energy, feather wedding dresses (this Pnina Tornai is to die for), and really good signature cocktails. It’s giving editorial vintage goodness, and I’m unwell over it. 

Here’s everything you need to know about The Wellsley: 

• Max capacity is 500 guests, so you can have a huge party here, but it also works so well for a more intimate wedding. 
• It’s all indoor, and honestly, it’s such a vibe. The cocktail bar’s aesthetic is so good that you don’t even need the option of an outdoor space. Plus, that means winter weddings here are so good.  
• They have all-inclusive package options that let you kick back and relax, covering everything from catering to in-house planning. And trust me, it’s amazing. 

Salvage One

If you live at the vintage store… You’ll love this one. When you walk in, you’re surrounded by eclectic decor and really rad exposed wood with your favorite Fleetwood Mac song playing in the background. 

Salvage One is like an editorial playground for me. It’s basically a thrift store-turned wedding venue, which is quite literally the dream. I shot a wedding here recently that I’m still thinking about, and it was full of funky vibes, unique accents (like the bride’s green shoes… LOVE), and a disco party meets record store atmosphere. Here’s an overview of the Chicago wedding venue: 

• If you’re dreaming of a big celebration where the dance floor actually fills up, this space handles it beautifully, holding 250 guests. 
• There are indoor and outdoor venue options here, and they’re all ridiculously good. 
• There are vintage Hollywood themed getting-ready suites here, and yeah… We’ll be getting some editorial bridal shots there, duh. 

The Fairlie

The Fairlie lets you breathe, as soon as you step into it. The wide-open space feels super inviting, and it’s the kind of place that just feels a little high-class, and you’ll fit right in with a cocktail in hand and old music in the background. 

The exposed brick gives me life, and it’s a space that’s modern, industrial, and built with you in mind. It lets you put your own spin on it easily, and if you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s completely unique to you, that’s exactly what you should be looking for. Here’s everything else you need to know:

• The Chicago wedding venue holds up to 250 guests in an open ballroom space, and it lets connections flow easily. 
• It’s fully indoor, but the space can be set up in so many different ways that it’s basically several venues all in one.
• The Fairlie offers all-inclusive packages that make planning actually feel really easy, and that’s something I love for you. 

The Colvin House

Okay, if you’re dreaming of a destination feel… The Colvin House is one to see. It feels like leaving Chicago and stepping into Europe, except without all the TSA agents yelling at you. The energy here is so good, giving effortlessly elevated in the best way. Also, the light in the garden here is unreal, especially right before sunset. It’s the kind of place where portraits feel effortless and real, which is so important to me as a Chicago wedding photographer. 

When you arrive, you literally feel transported to a different place. There’s soft Italian jazz that makes you dance in under string lights and probably a champagne tower and a giant tiramisu to your side. And yeah, it’s as romantic as it sounds. 

Need the deets? I’ve got you covered: 

• The Chicago wedding venue only holds up to 100 guests, so if you’re dreaming of a smaller, more intimate day, this is the one. 
• There are indoor and outdoor options here, and the outdoor ones have me screaming. Lush gardens and European-esque architecture?? Yeah, sign me up for that. 
• There are three themed getting-ready rooms, and they’re quite literally adorable. 

The Joinery

The Joinery is one of those places that you step into and you can immediately breathe. Your shoulders drop because you’re surrounded by familiar elements (vintage pieces, natural lighting, and pops of bright colors). 

I honestly couldn’t tell you my favorite part of The Joinery. The natural lighting, the teal chairs, the eclectic vibes… It’s all too good. This venue is built for the people who want to connect. The ones who want a natural flow to their day. Who probably, if I had to guess, spend more time at the thrift than at their own home. 

So if that’s you… Check out everything to know about this Chicago wedding venue: 

• The Joinery holds up to 160 of your fave people, and if I’m honest, that’s right around my favorite size for a wedding. That’s where you get to hang out with people intimately, but still have the celebration of a lifetime. 
• Whether you choose the indoor or outdoor options here, you’ll get soft lighting (that kind of feels like it was made just for you) and an intimate dinner party that feels filled with genuine belly laughs and wine cheers all night long. 
• There’s a speakeasy bar area inside the venue, so by the time the dance floor opens, the whole room feels like one big dinner party where everyone somehow knows each other.

Sarabande

Champagne coupe in hand, sparkles from your reception dress glittering against the wall, and your fave high-energy playlist on? That’s Sarabande energy. 

Sarabande is just cool AF, down to its name. I mean, being named after a dance that used to be banned for being too risquée?? I love them already, just for that. Seriously, though, this one is so good. It’s editorial. It’s artsy. And above all? It’s great for connection. I can picture a live jazz band, a burgundy color palette, and a sleek, satin dress like Liquid Gold by Sarah Seven in a place like this perfectly, and I’m obsessed. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

• Sarabande can comfortably hold 250 guests, and the whole day feels like a party. Connection flows easily here because the atmosphere was built with that in mind. 
• There’s a large patio here that’s great for cocktail hours, then there’s a seamless transition back to inside for the reception. 
• You can use any vendors you want here. When you’re not stuck to a list, you can make your wedding day exactly how you want it. 

Stan Mansion

Stan Mansion makes you walk in and straighten up, but not in a bad way. It’s just a place that feels immediately elegant and high-class, and if that’s your wedding vibe, I love that for you. 

Stan Mansion has ballroom energy without the stuffy feel, right in that sweet spot. I’m talking grand chandeliers, stunning architecture, and still enough breathing room to throw the best party of your life. If you want the elegance of a ballroom but still want your wedding to feel like a party instead of a production, this one hits the sweet spot. Here’s an overview of the main details: 

• You can invite up to 300 guests to your wedding at Stan Mansion, so that it’s definitely a celebration. 
• Every venue option here is indoor, but they each have their own unique personality, and one will fit your style for sure. 
• They have a preferred vendor list here, but it’s ultimately up to you to choose whatever vendors you want to make your day fully your own. 

The Ivy Room at Tree Studios

If you want your day to feel actually effortless (like, walking around talking to your favorite people with a glass of red wine in your hand effortless), this is one to see. 

The Ivy Room is forever one of my faves. It feels editorial and nostalgic, but still elevated and a little luxe. It’s really easy to move through with a space for each part of the day, so that weddings unfold really naturally here. And also… The ivy growing up the brick wall at the ceremony site?? To die for. 

I have a guide detailing how weddings here feel, but here are the logistics you really need to know about this Chicago wedding venue: 

• It’s better for more intimate weddings, holding up to 160 guests indoors. 
• They do offer outdoor ceremonies (with the ivy-covered wall as your backdrop) and indoor receptions, which flow so well. 
• They take care of it all, which means that planning = easyyy. Just choose the all-inclusive package option, and you’re good to go. 

The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

This one is that vibe where you walk in and think, “Wow… How did I get here?” because it’s just that good. If you’re dreaming of bubbly all night and a dim chandelier making up the lighting for your day, don’t miss the Chicago Athletic Association. 

The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel kind of invented luxury. The architecture is dreamy, the photo ops always have me screaming, and the ballrooms make the perfect spot for a candlelit reception that’s a dinner party vibe one moment and you head-banging in your reception dress the next. When the candles are lit and the music starts, the whole ballroom feels cinematic in the best way. 

Sounds like your fantasy? Get the details: 

• Max capacity is 250, so that party you’re dreaming of? It’s yours. 
• Everything is indoors, but the rooftop spot is a must-see, and the lighting here is truly insane. 
• They have all-inclusive package offerings, and they help you reach a new level of elevated on your wedding day. 

Salon 61

An artsy couple waltzing into Studio 61, signature cocktails in hand (and probably wearing at least something that has a pop of color in it), just makes sense. There’s probably some funky music on the radio (I’m picturing September) and your guests are probably dressed in bold colors and unique textures.  

Last but definitely not least, Salon 61 has my heart. The black and white checkered floor is already something straight out of my artsy little brain, and then adding in the stunning chandeliers and the chic wooden bar?? Iconic. The checkered floor and chandeliers create such strong lines in photos that even the simplest moments look editorial. Unique floral arrangements (with amaranth… Ugh!), simple, but bold, color palettes, and lace dresses (like Bleecker by Galia Lahav) just work here. 

If you love this one as much as I do… Here’s what you need to know:

• It’s a spot for smaller weddings, with a max capacity of 100. Honestly, I love that, though, because this is a space that makes you actually want to interact with your people. 
• The event space is indoor-only, but it’s so beautiful that you won’t even mind not having an outdoor option. 
• Everything is handled on-site through their all-inclusive package, so you feel taken care of, which is a whole new level of luxury. 

How to Choose the Chicago Wedding Venue That Feels Like You

If you’re reading this, wondering how you’re ever supposed to narrow it down to just one of these… I’ve got you. 

Take a deep breath. Think about how you want your wedding day to feel. 

Artsy and a little offbeat? That’s Salvage One’s atmosphere. 

Luxury and classy? That has the Chicago Athletic Association written all over it. 

Laidback, but still elegant? The Joinery, every time. 

Seriously, though, choosing your wedding venue isn’t just about what looks prettiest. It’s about what lets your story (and both of your personalities) breathe. It’s about how you want your day to feel, and choosing the space that lets that unfold easily and naturally. 

Wren and Rose | Chicago Wedding Photographer

Just know that with me as your Chicago wedding photographer, you don’t have to choose your Chicago wedding venue alone. I’ve seen how days at these spaces actually feel, so I’m always thrilled to guide you into which one fits your energy best. 

Click here to inquire about booking me, and we’ll create something special (that actually feels like you, trust me) together.