The 10 Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Chicago!
As wedding planners in Chicago we see a lot of venues! Almost ever single one of our clients getting married in Chicago are looking for a venue with an outdoor area! Outdoor venues in Chicago are hard to come by thanks to the 8 months of cold weather. But not to fear! We have curated a list of our favorite indoor/outdoor wedding venues in Chicago for you to check out! If you are engaged and you are looking for a wedding planner in Chicago contact us for even more venues we love.
Details about the venue:
This unique venue the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago has beautiful filtered light no matter the weather. Stunning architectural features with a ceiling you can hang fabulous lights and/or floral from. This venue can hold 160 guests seated comfortably. It feels like you’re outside! And don’t forget to check out the amazing upstairs speakeasy and airbnb! The outdoor space is a small patio that can fit 100 seated right outside of the main space.
Why we Love this Chicago venue:
Even if you have a larger guest count and need to host your ceremony and reception indoors at this venue you still feel like your outdoors because of the gorgeous filtered light in the space! Also: you can still have a fabulous cocktail hour outside!
What you should know about this venue:
The patio must close by 10pm since this venue is in the residential area of Logan Square. But not to fret! Your ceremony and cocktail hours will be over well before this time!
Details about the venue:
This intimate LGBTQ owned venue in Chicago is tucked away in the charming Andersonville neighborhood. This venue holds 80 people max inside and out so it’s perfect for the couple who want a relaxed, casual and intimate vibe. The outdoor space has two locations you can get married in front of - a colorful mural with kites or an ivy wall! The grass is _____ so you don’t have to worry about your heels sinking into the dirt and it always looks green even if it rained the night before! The indoor space is a garage style that overlooks the backyard so you have a flow between the two spaces. There are cute shelves that mask the bathrooms where you can add your own personal flair.
Why we love this Chicago venue:
You can have a food truck cater the entire wedding and they will roll into the backyard! You guests can line up and grab dinner! The flow between the indoor garage style venue and the outdoor backyard is fabulous!
What you should know about this venue:
Although this venue has beautiful wooden farm tables and chairs inside, you will need to rent your own chairs and tables for the outdoor portion of the space. A lot of couples decide to have a short ceremony and have their guests stand which is doable with the smaller guest count! Also keep in mind that if it’s raining you will need to hold the ceremony inside which is more of a limited space because of their tables and chairs.
Details about the venue:
If you’re looking for the best skyline in Chicago - look no further because this venue has a fabulous rooftop where yes - you can get married! This venue can hold 300 guests or more if you pair the hourly rooftop venue space with their Reverie Gallery. If you have a more intimate vibe you can pair the rooftop with the Blank space gallery.
Why we Love this Chicago Venue:
The entire vibe of this venue is super funky and bold. The photo opportunities are endless. There are murals throughout the entire building. And like we already said - the best view of the gorgeous Chicago skyline from a rooftop!
What you should know about this venue:
The rooftop is available to both event spaces. Because of this you may not be able to use it at your preferred time if another couple has it booked. Make sure you like the funky vibe of the lofts because if it’s raining you will need to switch indoors!
Details about the venue:
This super unique venue has one of our favorite indoor/outdoor options because of their floor to ceiling windows in their indoor space! The flow of the indoor to outdoor is also fabulous. You can get married outside infront of the skyline and lake Michigan then have cocktails on the terrace with the same view and then have dinner indoors at night with a night skyline view!
Why we love this Chicago venue:
High ceilings, great backup rain plan! If the weather is no bueno on the day of your event you can still have the gorgeous Chicago skyline in the background of your ceremony and the entire space is windows so there is fabulous light whether it’s raining or sunny! The location of the venue is amazing for pictures and most Saturday nights there are fireworks you can watch!
What you should know about this venue:
There is a very short window for load in here because it is a museum by day! So if you are ambitious with decor make sure you have a team of fabulous professionals who are running the show! Because this is a museum your ceremony time will need to start a few hours their closing time which means that in late September or October you may not be able to get married outside because you will be in the dark!
Details about the venue:
This super unique venue has 2 event spaces. One on the north side which is a bright atrium that has great filtered light (not shown here) and one on the south side which has a lofty, antique like vibe with a gorgeous outdoor courtyard. This venue has everything you need: different break out spaces, fun artistic details like chandeliers, lounge pieces, round tables and metal chairs. Plus the bathrooms and wedding suites are to die for! We love the wooden details and brick walls inside the south space!
Why we love this Chicago venue:
The outdoor courtyard is tucked away from the street which makes it intimate and quiet. We are obsessed with the outdoor courtyard which features antique columns that bring a dramatic and classic edge to the space. Spice it up with a gorgeous arbor or just use the space as it is.
What you should know about this venue:
The outdoor courtyard only works in tandem with the South space rental. You can’t rent the north space atrium and add on the outdoor courtyard unless you want to buyout both event spaces!
Details about the venue:
This classic Chicago staple at the Lincoln Park Zoo is a favorite. There are several outdoor spaces to choose from like the honeycomb about a mile from the building that holds the main event space. The honeycomb features a fabulous view of the Chicago skyline. You can also have a ceremony onsite at the venue on one of the outdoor wings.
Why we love this Chicago venue:
So many outdoor locations to choose from with a great back up rain plan! If it’s raining the outdoor wing at the main space has a roof so you can still get married outside! This venue has incredible picturesque photo opportunities from one of the best views of the Chicago skyline to the gardens around the zoo. The filtered light inside the space is stunning and we are in love with the high ceilings and architecture.
What you should know about this venue:
This venue books up on Saturdays June - October almost 2 years in advance so if you love it you better jump on it! The flow at this venue can be tricky on a hot day. During the hottest months like July and August many guests like AC so they might hang out in the main space well before they are invited since the ceremony and cocktail hour generally takes place on the wings of the venue or offsite at the honeycomb. Guests have to walk thorugh the tempting air conditioned main space with their tables to go back outside for cocktail hour!
Details about the venue:
This mansion was built in 1913 and is in the gorgeous Oak Park suburb 20 minutes outside of Chicago. The mansion sits on a stunning park which is part of the Oak Park District so it is gloriously well maintained. The park has lots of trees, a huge space where a tent can be placed, a green house and even an outdoor dance floor. Inside the mansion are beautiful staircases, chandeliers, salons and a stunning fireplace. This venue includes white garden chairs and round tables as well as antique furniture and beautiful wedding suites to get ready.
Why we love this Chicago venue:
The expansive space of the park that the mansion sits on. There are so many different areas you can get married like under the trees, infront of the mansion, and even in their small greenhouse. The outdoor area can hold about 300 guests but even if you have a small wedding it can be intimate and charming.
What you should know about this venue:
If you have a large guest count over 150 guests you will need to be creative if it rains. The inside of the house is literally a mansion so your guests will be divided into different rooms. If you wish everyone to be in the same space you can host the event outdoors with a larger guest count but it is required that you get a tent.
Details about the venue:
This colorful and super unique venue has it all: a rooftop with a view of the Chicago skyline, a colorful garden space, and even glass blowing demonstrations for your guests! The indoor area of this venue is very industry because it is quite literally a warehouse! The indoor area also has a glass blowing area where you guests can perk up on benches with a drink in hand and watch it live in real time. Guests can also enjoy the front of the building in the gift shop where many glass art is displayed.
Why we love this Chicago venue:
So much variety for the flow of your event! You can get married at the garden outside in front of the color glass art, have cocktail hour on the rooftop and dinner/dancing inside. Or you can have the ceremony on the rooftop cocktails/dancing/dinner inside and in the garden! Up to you!
What you should know about this venue:
The rooftop can be loud because the Metra train is right there so be prepared for this! Ask what the schedule looks like and time your ceremony around. The venue does not include tables or chairs so you will need to get this from your caterer or your planner.
Details about the venue:
This artifact store by day event space by night in Chicago’s west loop neighborhood is filled with lots of fun antiques, eclectic tables and chairs included in the fee with a stunning outdoor courtyard that has a bathtub toilet fountain (yes I said that) and a fabulous Chicago sign that lights up at night. The indoor space has 2 levels. The first floor is the artifact shop that is always changing. Here you will find the indoor ceremony options which are pews that overlook a stunning chandelier columned focal point. You will also find fun artifacts from pool tables to giant elephants.
Why we love this Chicago venue:
There is so much character here at this venue that you don’t have to put too much effort into the overall design. The venue fee also includes ecelectic tables and chairs which makes the styling and design process easier for you. They have a large preferred caterer list which helps with budget and they have lots of space! If it’s raining and you can’t get married outside, they have an incredible indoor ceremony option.
What you should know about this venue:
The outdoor courtyard is not symmetrical and doesn’t hold a large guest count. You will need to be creative with your ceremony set up outdoors. The outdoor area is also very rustic with an “overgrown” vibe. If you want more of a polished look this isn’t your venue!
Details about the venue:
This long awaited venue is brand new to the Chicago wedding and event scene. The Art Deco details and insanely high ceilings make this venue an architectural dream in Chicago’s downtown loop. This historic landmark has marble for days and gold accents and a hidden botanical garden rooftop! There are several breakout spaces on the venues second floor with cozy lounges and stunning bars.
Why we love this Chicago venue:
There are so many combinations of floor plans you can have for your event at this space. The variety makes planning an event here extremely exciting and individually you! The urban rooftop has stunning views of the Willis Tower and pretty native Chicago flowers to make for a truly unique experience!
What you should know about this venue:
Parking and load in is very very tricky at this venue. We highly recommend going with valet if you have a large group from out of town who needs to park or shuttling your guests to the venue from your hotel. We also recommend working with a skilled event planner who understands how to navigate load in at a historic building downtown!
