14 Best Chicagoland Suburbs Wedding Venues with an Outdoor Ceremony Location
As a Chicago wedding coordinator and planner team, we have worked at a lot of wedding venues and know which ones are actually worth the risk in and around the city of Chicago. With the impending weather, it’s hard to know if it’s worth it to look at spaces with an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour location, but we are here to tell you which are the best bang for your buck, also with good options for indoor ceremonies if the weather doesn’t look good. If you’re interested in having an outdoor ceremony in the Chicago suburbs and don’t know where to start looking, here are the top 14 best Chicago suburbs wedding venues with outdoor ceremony locations.
Our Favorite Outdoor Ceremony Wedding Venues in the Chicago Suburbs
We’ve created a list of the best spots in the Chicago suburbs for couples who are looking to have that outdoor element and want a beautiful backdrop for their wedding ceremony. Wedding venues from all over Illinois have so many beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony locations and we are here to list the best of the best.
Armour House
Photo: Noelle Thies Co.
Of course the most beautiful wedding venue is the first one listed here! A high school by day would probably be the last place you would think of for a wedding ceremony, but there’s something about the grounds here that pulls you out of Illinois and into California or Europe. The long aisle, the water, and the beautiful architecture are all great qualities about this space.
What we love about Armour House: There are so many features of the space itself that is beautiful: The grand staircase indoors, the fireplace, the fountain… but what is really cool is all of the history about the first owners. They really worked hard to keep up this space and it really paid off - as you can surely tell with its beauty!
City: Lake Forest
Maximum capacity: 240 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 847-615-3219
The Crawford
Photo: anna Mustyats
The Crawford is truly the modern couples’ dream wedding venue for so many reasons. The outdoor ceremony location is a beautiful patio with a built-in arbor that’s great for decorating or just being an anchor for your ceremony. We highly recommend this venue in general, but the outdoor space is perfect with its brick walls to encapsulate your guests in the moment!
What we love about The Crawford: The venue itself is so large and you get the full building with your rental. You can really have your day here from start to finish with the two rooms you can use for getting ready, a private wedding suite to store your items, and a perfect sendoff at the end of the night.
See more: Venue spotlight and Kellie and Cody’s sunset wedding
City: Naperville
Maximum capacity: 225 guests
In-house catering: No
Phone: 630-242-8411
Redfield Estate
Photo: Megan Saul Photography
Redfield Estate is nearly all outdoors, so if you love a nature-filled space, this is surely the wedding venue for you. They actually have multiple different locations for your ceremony - the gazebo (you can do this from multiple angles), the Oak Tree facing the Estate home, and in the back corner patio in the open field we have even done once before! The pavilion for the reception is also covered which is a great alternative for bad weather with the estate being used for a cocktail hour/room flip.
What we love about Redfield Estate: One unique thing about this venue is that the deer are so accustomed to people, they spend a lot of your wedding day in close proximity! We have many weddings that have deer featured in their wedding album. Also, this space is just filled with good locations for your wedding day photos and we definitely recommend checking it out.
See more: Redfield Estate venue spotlight and Katy and Brent’s romantic wedding
City: Glenview
Maximum capacity: 120 guests
In-house catering: No, preferred list
Phone: 847-298-0095
Ravisloe Country Club
PHoto: Laura Meyer Photography
For a truly picture-perfect wedding, you absolutely have to check out Ravisloe Country Club for their outdoor ceremony. You really can’t beat how beautiful the ivy is with the Spanish-inspired architecture of this wedding venue! It was so stunning that it was actually featured on Love is Blind season 2! We love the indoor space for their rain plan too - it’s not what most places would have as an afterthought and is still beautiful if you have to use it.
What we love about Ravisloe Country Club: Besides the amazing staff and food, we think this venue has a unique twist on a typical ballroom with the all black-and-white design. It is such a lovely space inside and out, and they even have a golf simulator that you can rent onsite! They recently renovated their 2 getting ready spaces and it is an absolutely amazing venue for photos. You can even go up on the door above the ceremony for the perfect ivy shot!
See more: Ravisloe Country Club Venue Feature
City: Homewood
Maximum capacity: 250 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 708-798-5600 ext 2
Bolingbrook Golf Club
Photo: Michah hill photography
Bolingbrook Golf Club has that all-inclusive wedding feel that some couples crave. There is no venue that is easier to work with if you love a good banquet hall! There are multiple outdoor ceremony locations here, either at the pictured Rose Garden patio or on the greens of the golf course! The indoor ceremony is in the banquet hall but with how large the space is, you really can’t go wrong with a seamless transition if necessary.
What we love about Bolingbrook Golf Club: Besides how easy and convenient everything is at this venue, there are COUNTLESS photo locations onsite, and with the wedding suites that you can rent earlier in the morning, we have had many couples start their morning getting ready here, doing their first look, and spending their whole night here as well. If you’re feeling brave, you can also get a fireworks vendor and view it from the greens or do a sparkler exit here too!
See more: Bolingbrook Golf Club venue spotlight and Becca and Peter’s summer wedding
City: Bolingbrook
Maximum capacity: 800 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 630-771-9400
Morton Arboretum
PHoto: Nikki kate photography
Morton Arboretum is a coveted photo location for weddings regardless of if they are onsite which means the venue really speaks for itself, but we especially love weddings that have their ceremony and reception here too. They have multiple locations for ceremonies and receptions and it surely is a great place for your wedding if you love the outdoorsy, nature-filled feel of the space.
What we love about Morton Arboretum: If you’re having your reception at the Firefly pavilion, it is a covered pavilion that has blinds that can really keep the good weather in. There are multiple spots for a ceremony or reception of all sizes as well - you’ll have to check out their gardens yourself!
See more: Morton Arboretum venue spotlight and Rachel and Anthony’s summer wedding
City: Lisle
Maximum capacity: 300 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 630-719-2457
Danada House
Photo: Bonphotage
Danada House is an all-in-one for so many good locations. They have 7 different spots that people have their ceremonies indoors and outdoors, so you really can choose from any kind of aesthetic! The indoor space is also lovely if you do need to move things inside for the weather and the home has many rooms that guests can fan out in.
What we love about Danada House: The light interior is perfect for a light, airy, outdoor wedding ceremony or reception. We think that this space has amazing locations for photos too, and you really can stretch as far or as close as you’d like. We love the upstairs suites for privacy, the small patio in between the house and atrium for a moment away out in the fresh air, and the beautiful exterior of the home that is the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. The parking lot is also huge but straightforward which means you won’t have to worry about your guests navigating!
City: Wheaton
Maximum capacity: 250 guests
In-house catering: No, preferred list
Phone: 630-668-5392
Cantigny Park
Photo: lauren peterson photography
There are so many outdoor ceremony locations at Cantigny Park it’s really hard to choose a favorite! The Lawn and the Gardens are definitely some of the most iconic spots for a ceremony, and we highly recommend checking out the area even just for photos for your wedding day because it is so stunning! We have had many couples come through this venue and we love how seamless it is here even though it is so spacious.
What we love about Cantigny Park: You really can have every kind of style for photos here with the mansion vs. so much greenery. As far as the venue itself goes too, the main tented space has been renovated to be almost like a modern glasshouse - it’s super beautiful and great for all the natural light it gets now while making it much more modern!
City: Wheaton
Maximum capacity: 250 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 630-668-5161
Hotel Baker
Photo: George street photo
Hotel Baker truly is the all-in-one that makes sure you don’t have to worry about a thing. The garden and river view is absolutely perfect for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour - it really takes you out of Illinois and into an ethereal, California-feel that we adore! You really can’t go wrong with the rain plan either - the whole space is beautiful and so unique!
What we love about Hotel Baker: What’s really cool about the venue is the Rainbow Room’s setup and lit floors. It’s something so unique that you don’t see anywhere else to have the dinner on two floors and the dancing on the colored glass tiles! We also feel like the city area is great for photos, and the best part is that they are also a hotel so you don’t have to worry about going offsite literally from start while getting ready to the end of the night when it’s time for bed!
City: St. Charles
Maximum capacity: 200 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 630-584-2100
Revelry 675
Photo: Namesty films
Revelry 675 itself is incredibly unique with the all black, white, and gold design, but it has the added perk of an outdoor ceremony location that also has a patio that is great for cocktail hour! You really get the best of both works with this venue with the greenery, outdoor nature space, and the elegant, opulent indoor space. We definitely recommend checking it out to see if it matches your vibe!
What we love about Revelry 675: The bar is included with the venue cost, so all you need to do is to get a caterer and you’re all set on that side of things! There are two really nice wedding suites that are helpful for storing personal items, What is really the coolest part though are the unique, gold lights, the mirror tables, and the overall feel of this space. We were looking for an all-white venue to offset this bride’s black dress and we really thought this was the perfect spot for that or even to enhance the white!
City: Batavia
Maximum capacity: 280 guests
In-house catering: No
Phone: 630-940-8987
Venue 5126
Photo from website
Venue 5126 has multiple locations for an outdoor ceremony and they are so professional at bringing it indoors if the weather isn’t great too. We love the rustic-yet-modern vibe of this space and definitely love having weddings here!
What we love about Venue 5126: The venue is HUGE and also really all-inclusive as it gets - the catering, florist, and DJ are all in-house, so all you have to do is pick the space and you’re nearly all set! They have their flower farm onsite which is a beautiful spot for photos, they have multiple, large getting ready spaces… you really can have it all here!
City: Oswego
Maximum capacity: 225 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 630-554-7100
Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook
photo: rachael watson photography
Hyatt Lodge surely is one of our favorite wedding venues in the Chicago area because of all it has to offer while still being a beautiful location for a wedding. The outdoor ceremony location is right next to the outdoor cocktail hour patio so it’s a seamless transition too.
What we love about Hyatt Lodge: Hyatt Lodge’s Grand Oaks Pavilion is definitely our favorite reception spot with the unique lighting and especially because of the floor-to-ceiling windows. It really is so simple for your wedding here - you can get a hotel and really have everything all in one place because the grounds are great for photos too!
See more: Hyatt Lodge venue spotlight and Anna and Mike’s classic wedding
City: Oak Brook
Maximum capacity: 300 guests
In-house catering: Yes
Phone: 630-568-1234
The Haight
PHoto from website
The best way to describe The Haight is industrial-chic - it is the perfect space for a couple that wants a cozy feel and a seamless energy! Their outdoor ceremony space is really easy to flip and we love the vibe and energy that the staff and the venue itself brings to the table.
What we love about The Haight: Each space has a purpose which really makes the transitions seamless and simple. The two private wedding suites are also great to take a beat if you need! The Rooftop Deck is also a great place to have the covered outdoor space of your dreams - we absolutely love a good rooftop!
City: Elgin
Maximum capacity: 140 guests
In-house catering: No
Phone: 224-801-4166
Blumen Gardens
Photo from website
Blumen Gardens is so cool because it is a nature center and nursery, which only means that the greenery and florals here already look amazing on their own for the outdoor ceremony spot and the grounds too!
What we love about Blumen Gardens: The private wedding suite is so beautiful, which is pretty typical it’s dressed up but we truly LOVE that little nook of a space! The rustic feel of the space is perfect for a cozy vibe and the garden center is so cute for photos.
City: Sycamore
Maximum capacity: 200 guests
In-house catering: No
Phone: 815-895-3537
Start planning your Chicago suburbs outdoor wedding
Choosing a wedding venue that as many of your needs as possible is definitely important for your sanity and having a stress-free engagement. Even with all of these spaces being outdoors, they each have a different vibe and feeling, as well as all having a different backup plan for if the weather doesn’t cooperate on your wedding day.
As you look through and find a wedding venue that is the best fit for you, make sure to consider the look and feel of the whole space, not just the outdoor ceremony location. We have heard from many couples after they have already booked a wedding venue that they hated the rain plan alternative and it would literally ruin their day if they had to get married indoors. Please don’t let this be you and make sure you love the inside too!
Once you’ve secured a date at the perfect venue, it’s time to find your Chicago wedding coordinator! At Firmly Rooted Events, we’ll help make sure you’re making decisions that you feel confident in and that you have everything you need for a stress-free, enjoyable wedding day.
Work with Firmly Rooted Events
Get in touch today to learn how we can help you focus on the fun and not on the logistics for your wedding day.
