10 Best Downtown and West Loop Chicago Wedding Venues
Who doesn't love to celebrate with a view of downtown in the background or getting to dance the night away with a place that feels so uniquely special. Chicago has some seriously incredible venues in and around downtown and West Loop that very well can take your breath away. Deciding on the perfect place to host your wedding in and around downtown Chicago just became easier with this guide to our favorite venues in and around the Downtown and West Loop area.
photo by @courtneyfitzpatrickphoto on instagram
LM Studio
Starting off with a bang, we have LM Studio downtown. We’ve had some incredible wedding days here celebrating really special couples. This venue can host around 150 guests seated, and 350 with a cocktail style reception. On the 5th floor is the atrium which is often used for cocktail hour for a seamless room flip. It has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the park and lends itself to some pretty incredible lighting depending on the time of day. On the 6th floor is the main studio - a seriously stunning space to be the backdrop of all your wedding photos. At LM Studio, they require you to use their onsite exclusive catering company, LM Catering & Events. The venue is also BYOB, but all bartending needs to go through the catering company for a streamlined process. You can easily get ready in the beautiful bridal suite here and spend your whole wedding day admiring the beauty of LM Studio!
Photo by @igmw.photography on instagram
The Ivy Room at Tree Studios
Next up, is the gorgeous Ivy Room at Tree Studios. Situated in River North, this multi-space venue tends to catch the eye of many Chicago residents that are planning their wedding. They have a breathtaking courtyard that is covered in ivy and makes for stunning photos of you and your partner on your big day. This venue can hold up to 200 guests seated which is perfect for those with medium to larger guest counts. The Ballroom can be arranged in many different ways depending on your guest count, so if you’re wanting a band or a few vendors that need large spaces, this is a really great space to consider, The lower level lounge gives you that third option to host your reception in case it rains and the ballroom isn’t what you're looking for. As an Ivy Room Couple, you will work with a chef to create a menu for your seated dinner or cater stations with delicious options for all!
photo by @emiliajane_ on instagram
The Arbory
At The Arbory, you truly feel like you're in a plant lover's dream. It is home to over 200 plants and is the backdrop to stunning wedding photos. This venue is huge with 8,000 square feet of space and can host a 200 person reception or a 300 person cocktail-style reception. The Arbory houses two huge spaces that can combine to be one including the Arbory itself and the skylight room. The skylight room is exactly what it sounds like, and more. This room has incredible lighting peaking through the skylights and it honestly speaks for itself as its own decor. You can add on a number or special packages to your day, but our personal favorite is the live stream option. This is perfect for couples who have family or friends that may not be able to make it out to the venue for the celebration but still want to watch the union of two very special people! They do also do a great job with their room flip if you do want to have your ceremony under the stunning skylight with the warm, brick background.
Photo by @foxandivory on instagram
Galleria Marchetti
Next we have Galleria Marchetti. This extremely popular venue lends itself to be one of the most versatile venues in the city. Despite it being a European-inspired venue, many people love this space because it can transform into anything you need it to be. The venue hosts two different areas called the Pavillion and La Pergola. The Pavillion is absolutely stunning - especially in the warmer months because it turns into this greenery paradise for the backdrop of your ceremony. Along with the pavilion is Il Cortile, the more lush courtyard and The Montecatini Room, the reception space complete with a beautiful antique bar. As for The Pergola, the tented ballroom (that can be uncovered!) and the Lucca room - a uniquely Italian indoor space, make for the best European inspired wedding event spaces in the city. Depending on where you are wanting to have your ceremony and reception, Galleria Marchetti can host up to 450 guests. We think that the stone flooring they have in both spaces really makes it feel like you are in Italy in the heart of the city of Chicago!
Photo by @foxandivory on instagram
Room 1520
Room 1520 is a historical loft-building with so much charm. They recently opened up a smaller and more intimate event space within room 1520 that lends itself to those smaller guest counts and couples that want a more intimate feel. Not only do they have that space, but for those who want something a tad larger, they have the most stunning outdoor patio for a stunning summer wedding while the weather is still nice. One of the best parts about this space is that street parking is ample near the venue, just make sure your guests know to pay for parking. The signature private suite is the best place to get ready in for you and your bridal party too! Room 1520 can host up to 150 guests for a night that they will remember forever. Our couples tend to love the white and gray rooms so that you can dress it up with color or let the beauty of the space shine for itself.
photo by @goldenhoursweddings on instagram
Ovation Chicago
The private event venue that is Ovation Chicago is one of our favorite places to work for weddings. You can rent the space for 7 hours for up to 200 people seated, or 250 people cocktail-style. As for parking, this venue is one of the few places that has a private and gated 20 car lot with a view of a 1959 Rolls Royce that you can take pictures with. They are also one of the few places partnered with Green Initiative striving to make the venue as eco-friendly as possible. With only one event a day, your day will feel like the only wedding in the world as they cater to your needs and make sure that your day turns out perfectly. We think this space is great for hosting both your ceremony and reception with their beautiful curtains that can seamlessly split the room in two. It also comes with its own in-house DJ and classic-seated photo booth so you can spend less time searching for vendors!
photo by @bydesignfilms on instagram
The Dalcy
The Dalcy is a venue in historic Fulton Market that is easily one of the best industrial inspired venues in the city. Their patio is stunning and is ideal for those that want the indoor/outdoor flow of their wedding day. We like to think of this venue as a blank slate with flair, just because it truly can turn into whatever you want without losing the integrity of the venue itself. The venue can host up to 250 guests and the venue itself tirelessly works to make sure your day is beautiful.
photo by @ebbylphotography on instagram
Fairlie
We love to work at Fairlie simply because of the relaxed, yet functional vibe of the venue. It's a larger venue that can fit 250 people seated or 400 people cocktail-style. The tall ceilings make this venue feel huge, yet still comfortable and intimate. This venue is also stunning for more industrial-style weddings. The Fairlie also has two getting ready private lounges for you and your partner, so that you both can get ready at the venue if you want that as an option. There not only is an onsite parking lot, but also ample street parking for all of your guests!
photo by @visi_studio on instagram
The Joinery
The former woodworking shop that is now named The Joinery works for 160 of your guests. This space is perfect for pictures as it has a really beautiful, iconic skylight that truly lights up the whole the space. This venue can be used for many events, and even has accommodations onsite - that is something you really don't see much in this city! The option to BYOB or purchase a bar package gives couples so much flexibility and aids in a range of budgets. Whether you want the patio covered or uncovered, it is the perfect place to host your guests on a warm day and is the perfect spot for your all-in-one space for your wedding ceremony and reception alike. We love this look, but most people will also opt for their teal blue chairs to add a pop of color.
photo by @emmapeteresenphoto on instagram
Lacuna Lofts
Finally, we have Lacuna Lofts, what was once the world's largest macaroni factory is now one of our favorite places to coordinate weddings at. You have your choice of 4 private event spaces, The Reverie Gallery, La Galleria, The Skydeck, and Magik Street, all with their own unique characteristics. At Lacuna Lofts you have delicious on site catering and a BYOB friendly bar. Perfect for those that don't want to narrow down their guest list, this venue can host up to 350 people. This venue is most iconic and unique for two reasons - there are cool art pieces and murals throughout the entire space (our favorites are the classic “I Love You” mural, the painted rhinos, and the Chicago mural), and the view of the Chicago skyline from the SkyDeck is truly one that can’t be beat since it is in the West Loop overlooking the downtown buildings. If you’re looking for a loft-style wedding for any size, Lacuna Lofts has got you covered!
photo by @courtneyfitzpatrickphoto on instagram
All in all, you really cant go wrong with any of these venues, Your day is going to be absolutely beautiful, and as always let us know if you need any help. We’d love to be there for you.
Need more Chicago wedding venue recommendations?
We have worked all over the city and would love to make sure your wedding day runs smoothly! Reach out here for more help making sure you actually enjoy your wedding day.
