Are you engaged? Congrats! If you’re thinking about getting married in the Windy City, refer to this Chicago wedding guide to help you get started planning.
Getting married in Chicago is a memorable experience. A historic city with stunning architecture, museums and waterfront restaurants, Chicago is a diverse and welcoming place for all kinds of wedding celebrations.
You might be trying to decide where to get married in Chicago or where to host a wedding reception that best fits your theme and aesthetics. Chicago is a large city with numerous possibilities for memorable wedding venues. Some of the best locations to get married in Chicago are listed below:
Being surrounded by art gives an indoor venue a uniquely beautiful setting, making galleries some of the best places to hold a wedding in Chicago. Galleries display the latest art and popular culture trends, and several Chicago galleries book spaces for events like wedding receptions. Some venues, like Floating World Gallery and the Zhou B Art Center, also have ceremony spaces, letting you tie the knot and jump right into celebrating the beginning of your new life in the same place.
You can opt for lavish or minimalistic decor for your gallery wedding, as most gallery venues will work with you to bring your wedding vision to life.
Chicago is home to a multitude of museums that host both public and private events. You’re sure to find a venue that suits the interests you and your partner share, whether you enjoy art, culture, history, science or astrology.
Depending on the facilities, you might be able to book a ceremony room and hold the reception in the same building. Some venues also offer outdoor options, like the picturesque sculpture garden with its view of Lake Michigan at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
If you’ve always dreamed of your wedding reception featuring a U-505 submarine, the Museum of Science and Industry has you covered. Few venues other than a museum would allow you to host your reception in a copper-domed rotunda with a historic locomotive and airplane.
If you’re looking for a romantic, relaxing atmosphere, organize your wedding at a winery or brewing company where your guests can enjoy the dining room and in-house drinks. Some venues double as restaurants, like the Moody Tongue Brewing Company, where you can hold a reception with a banquet menu and options for plated fine dining.
Other wineries have stunning outdoor spaces that make great opportunities to take wedding pictures or hold the ceremony. Find a venue with customization options like City Winery, where you can hold the ceremony and reception with in-house wines and chef-prepared food.
With their open-concept floorplans and high ceilings, a converted warehouse can make a romantic space for a special ceremony. Each repurposed industrial building retains a part of the city’s past, making this an excellent option for history buffs. This venue is also ideal for larger wedding receptions, though some will hold more guests than others.
Some venues have a rustic aesthetic, like Firehouse Chicago with its antique furniture and reclaimed barnwood. Others, like Assemblea, have a sleek, modern look. Industrial buildings used as wedding venues typically also include a professionally landscaped outdoor space. If you’re unsure after viewing the pictures, ask the venue director.
For a traditional backdrop with a touch of culture, look for an older estate open for private events where guests can admire the historical architecture and charm. This type of venue typically has the space and staff to accommodate large events — the Stan Mansion can hold up to 300 guests and has recently added a bridal suite.
An estate wedding can have everything from a naturally beautiful outdoor picture area to an array of seating options. If you’re looking for a venue with a fairytale atmosphere, a historic mansion is a reliable option.
The cruise venues that run along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan offer waterfront views with the cityscape as a backdrop. Hosting a nautical wedding is a fun way to kick off your first real adventure as a married couple.
Cruise ships like Chicago’s First Lady fleet offer wedding packages that allow you to hold both the ceremony and reception onboard. If you’re looking for the best first look locations in Chicago, cruises are one of your most eye-catching options. You’ll love to look back on your wedding video and see you and your partner coasting along the water with your guests, the city skyline behind you.
Now that you have some venue ideas, you’re probably wondering what dates you should book. The best time to get married in Chicago depends on one thing: which time of year is your absolute favorite? Chicago experiences all four seasons, and you can discover unique traditions happening during each one.
The weather will vary depending on the month you choose, and you should plan accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect during each of the seasons.
Chicago’s fall months boasts cool but relatively mild temperatures and local trees that become a riot of vibrant colors. The weather is fair enough to spend time outdoors, and traffic tends to be less crowded than it is later in the year.
If you’re interested in a fall ceremony, October is the best month to get married in Chicago. The trees are changing, and the temperatures are still fairly temperate. Ceremonies with fall colors and harvest fruits can be held outside, with temperatures ranging from the 70s down to the 40s.
Some of the busiest times of fall are the week of Halloween and the Chicago Marathon.
With holiday festivities and the increase in traffic to large retail areas, winter in the Windy City is a busy time. Chicago winters bring light displays, carriage rides and a good amount of snowfall. Temperatures average in the mid-20s, with high winds and foggy mornings. If the magic of the season appeals, the right venue and wardrobe can compensate for the low temperatures.
The week of Christmas and the start of the new year are some of the busiest in Chicago, as winter draws crowds that rival summer tourism despite the colder temperatures.
Spring’s budding foliage and increase in mild weather make it the beginning of nature walks and other outdoor activities for the year. It also brings the start of baseball season and the St. Patrick’s Day parade. By March, temperatures begin to climb into the 50s and increase into the 70s by May.
Chicago is bustling the week of St. Patrick’s Day, when a parade takes place downtown and the city temporarily dyes the Chicago River green.
The summer weather brings increased hotel costs, busier nightlife and warmer temperatures from the 70s to 90s, with a cool wind rolling off of Lake Michigan. Tourism is common during the summer months when the city opens its beaches and plays host to seasonal music festivals.
Some of the busiest times of the summer are during the Taste of Chicago Food Festival and Lollapalooza.
Chicago is home to several breathtaking locations, some iconic and others less well-known. Some of the best places to take wedding pictures — and some of the best places to get married in Chicago — are:
With so many great vendors to choose from, finding the best possible match can be a little overwhelming. Try narrowing down your search by looking for vendors you can make the most use of. Some of the most commonly employed are:
Wondering how to get married in Chicago despite being from another city or state? It’s a simple process!
Local, non-local and out-of-state couples getting a marriage license in Chicago or a civil union in Cook County should go to the nearest Cook County clerk’s office. The only requirements for getting married in the state of Illinois are that:
To get your marriage license, you and your spouse will need to:
Marriage licenses for Chicago and Cook County are valid the same day you receive them and are only valid in Chicago and suburban Cook County.
Once you have completed your ceremony, you can sign your marriage license at any of six Cook County clerk’s offices to legally confirm your marriage. The county clerk will then issue a certified copy, also known as a marriage certificate. Your Chicago marriage certificate will be valid in any other state.
We hope you found this guide helpful! If you’re looking for a Chicago wedding videographer, Shutter and Sound’s professional team of filmmakers is ready to work with you. We can produce a highlights reel that captures all of your wedding’s most beautiful moments and fits the tone and style of your special day. Please reach out if you’re looking for a wedding videographer for your Chicago wedding!