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Updated Oct 14, 202412 Chicago Ballroom Wedding Venues for a Classic Event
You'll be glad you decided to say "I do" at these Windy City ballrooms.
If you're looking for a Chicago ballroom venue to celebrate after you've officially tied the knot, you've landed on the right page. Lucky for you, the Windy City is filled with ballrooms for celebrating and dancing the night away. Although the plethora of ballroom venues in the city is wonderful, the amount of options may feel overwhelming—that's where we come in. We've compiled a list of Chicago's best ballrooms for honoring your love so you can spend less time researching and more time on wedding planning.
That said, there are a couple of factors you will want to keep in mind when searching for a ballroom for your Chicago wedding. For example, Chicago's weather drastically differs depending on the season. The city can get quite cold and experience some snow during the winter months and can become warm and sunny in the spring and summer months. With this information, we advise opting for indoor ballrooms in Chicago to ensure you and your guests are comfortable. However, if an outdoor Chicago ballroom is a non-negotiable for you, we'd recommend looking for one with indoor space in case any inclement weather unexpectedly passes through. Indoor space can also serve as a place for your guests to pause if any weather elements become too overwhelming.
In addition to considering the weather, Ali Phillips, Chicago-based president, and wedding planner at Engaging Events by Ali recommends inquiring or researching the ballroom layout, flow and how your guests will be laid out for dinner. "Ensuring the ballroom will fit the number of guests you are expecting and still be comfortable and not too crowded is important," says Phillips. "And, if you want to have certain audio-visual elements in your reception, it is a best practice to inquire about the AV that the ballroom has available or what AV company they can work with to bring in any AV that is not installed in the ballrooms as many classic, traditional ballrooms in Chicago do not have built-in screens like the more modern ballrooms."
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Whether you're looking for hotel ballrooms or those in mansions, we've got you covered. Read on to discover our recommendations (and some from our wedding planning expert) when it comes to ballroom wedding venues in Chicago—and, don't forget to check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace (don't worry, you can filter venue options to those which specifically have ballrooms) if any of the below venues catch your eye or you want to look for additional venues to help you start planning your Windy City wedding.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
Couples looking to tie the knot in a luxurious Chicago ballroom venue should not overlook the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. This iconic hotel in the heart of the Windy City is home to four ballrooms designed to accommodate small and medium-sized weddings: Sinclair Ballroom (150-170 guests with a dancefloor), Hemingway Salon (60-70 guests), Alcott Salon (50-60 guests) and Thoreau Salon (50-60 guests). That said, when you host your wedding in one of these ballrooms, it is exclusively yours–and you won't have to worry about whether or not you'll have all of the attention on you and your partner throughout your special day.
The Langham in Chicago, Illinois
For a modern yet lavish Chicago ballroom, Phillips recommends opting for one at The Langham. If a large celebration is what you seek, you shouldn't rule out the Devonshire Ballroom. Spanning 4,480 square feet, this ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city can accommodate up to 250 people when reserved alone and up to 356 guests when combined with the Cambridge room. The hotel also is home to the junior ballroom, Chelsea, which can accommodate smaller weddings with up to 150 guests across 2,400 square feet. Regardless of the ballroom size you choose at this contemporary hotel, you'll have a concierge available to tend to your wedding planning needs every step of the way.
The Drake Hotel in Chicago, Illinois
Celebrate your love from a ballroom at Chicago's historic The Drake Hotel. Nestled in the heart of Chicago's Michigan Avenue, this hotel houses several ballrooms made for celebrating. At 5,214 square feet, the Grand Ballroom provides sweeping views of Walton Street and contains enough room for hosting a live band or other entertainment. If you're looking for a large ballroom that can accommodate up to 900 guests for a reception, the Gold Coast Room (which is approximately the same size as the ballroom at Buckingham Palace) can do that in a way that feels right to you.
Peninsula Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
The ballrooms at Peninsula Chicago are beloved by Phillips for their modern aesthetic–and we think you'll appreciate them, too. With enough space to accommodate 550 guests for a reception-style event and 320 guests for a banquet-style event, it's best suited for those big weddings filled with everyone in your contact list. Its beautiful carpeting and its floor-to-ceiling windows create a charming atmosphere for celebrating. In addition to the Grand Ballroom, the hotel's Avenue Ballroom (175 guests (reception) and 180 guests (banquet) ) offers breathtaking views of Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Park in a room filled with chandeliers and floral wall panels.
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Stan Mansion in Chicago, Illinois
Stan Mansion is one of the most romantic places to tie the knot in Chicago. Built in 1920, this historic Chicago wedding venue houses two ballrooms located just through its gated garden. Its second-floor Grand Ballroom filled with 32-foot ceilings, carpet and nine chandeliers can accommodate up to 300 guests for a seated dinner and 400 for a cocktail-style event. It's also equipped with a stage for saying "I do" and hosting musicians or DJs. The venue's first-floor ballroom also known as the Crystal ballroom is equipped with a baby piano and is suitable for hosting guests for a cocktail hour before dinner.
Hilton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
The Hilton Chicago is one of the most elegant locations to celebrate the next chapter of your love story. Its Grand Ballroom (where famous films including The Fugitive, The Package and My Best Friend's Wedding were filmed) filled with mirror accents, gold leafing and chandeliers can accommodate up to 1,450 guests. When you reserve this space for your wedding, you'll have access to a planner to help you utilize the venue in the ways you need to bring your wedding checklist to life and work with their culinary team to create a menu that's palatable for you and your guests–what's better than that?
The St. Regis in Chicago, Illinois
Photo: The St. Regis
Reserve your wedding in the 4,712 square Astor Ballroom at The St. Regis Chicago for a contemporary gathering filled with 30-foot ceilings, audiovisual technology and interior infrastructure that can be transformed to create your dream wedding. This venue is also equipped with an outdoor venue, The St. Regis Terrace, which can be utilized for socializing or cocktails (especially if the weather is nice) as it's filled with fire pits and panoramic views of the Navy River and Chicago Pier. From the moment you and your guests enter through the venue's private event entrance to the moment your wedding ends, you'll be met with five-star service and we can't think of anything better.
Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois
If you're looking for a ballroom wedding venue in Chicago, the Palmer House in downtown won't disappoint as it contains several ballrooms to cater to a plethora of wedding visions. If you're looking for a regal ballroom filled with beautiful architecture (and one where John F. Kennedy Jr. stepped foot in the 1990s), the Grand & State Ballroom is a great choice. The Red Lacquer Room, on the other hand, is adorned with red walls, accented carpeting and hanging chandeliers for a wedding filled with a pop of color. And, we can't forget to mention The Empire Room which is vibrant and embellished largely with gold-colored decor has been occupied by notable guests including Judy Garland.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois
The ballrooms at the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile are filled with glitz and glamor perfect for a lavish wedding. The 8,600 square foot elliptical-shaped Grand Ballroom located on the hotel's seventh floor can accommodate up to 450 guests across its main floor and unique balcony which can be used for making a grand entrance to your celebration or when making a toast. Whether you have 20 or 450 guests, there's a space at this historic luxury hotel for you.
Biagio in Chicago, Illinois
The ballroom at Biagio can accommodate up to 450 guests for an extravagant celebration. The venue's exposed brick, industrial lighting and wood surfaces create a cozy and home-like atmosphere. This venue also has furniture, audio and light rentals available so you don't have to worry about getting them from another vendor. As far as the food at this Chicago ballroom venue goes, there is a catering team available to work with you on a custom menu for plated or family-style meals. And, you can't end your celebration without a wedding cake from their culinary team.
The Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago, Illinois
Dance your wedding night away from inside the 2,798 square foot Adler Ballroom at The Kimpton Gray Hotel. With more than nine setups, you can tailor this ballroom as you see fit for your special event. Although you don't have to opt for an all-inclusive wedding package, they are available and can be discussed with the venue's events team to find what works best for your wedding needs. And, special room rates and blocks can be reserved for you and your guests so they can get a good night's sleep before heading home or to any additional festivities you may be hosting the following day.
Voco Chicago Downtown in Chicago, Illinois
Downtown Chicago is filled with stunning ballroom venues including Voco Chicago Downtown. Nestled on the hotel's 15th floor sits the 4,320 square-foot Wolf Point Ballroom. This ballroom can accommodate up to 400 people making it perfect for both weddings and rehearsal dinners. This hotel offers beautiful views of the city skyline and Chicago River which can serve as wedding photo backdrops.
