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Updated Jul 16, 202413 Memorable Outdoor Wedding Venues in Chicago
Take the stress out of outdoor weddings with the help of these Chicagoland wedding venues.
by Gia Yetikyel
Updated Aug 07, 2023
Take advantage of Chicago's sunny days for an iconic outdoor wedding. Whether you're venturing out to the suburbs to the Chicago Botanic Garden or staying close to the city to embrace the iconic Chicago Riverwalk, this city has a lot to offer for your wedding day. Keep in mind, Chicago weather can be unpredictable in both the winter and summer, so take into consideration any back-ups you might want to plan, like renting a tent for the ceremony or reception or exploring an indoor Plan B. Between this city's incredible food and scenic views of Lake Michigan, Chicago offers countless options to make your wedding fun and unique. Check out more outdoor wedding venues in Chicago and beyond on The Knot Vendor Marketplace.
Chicago History Museum in Chicago, Illinois
Celebrate your special day at one of Chicago's most iconic museums. The Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park welcomes indoor and outdoor weddings and receptions and offers space for up to 300 guests to marvel at the outdoor plaza's greenery and gardens. This unique event space also offers hands-on support through the wedding planning process, whether you plan to have a large or small event. The museum's collection of iconic Chicago artifacts, like the first L cars, will make incredible backdrops to your wedding photos.
City Cruises in Chicago, Illinois
Your guests will love the incredible views of the Chicago skyline from a cruise along one of the Windy City's waterways. City Cruises will take your wedding ceremony to the next level on one of its two venues: Odyssey Lake Michigan and Odyssey Chicago River. Perfect for summer weddings, this venue offers customizable decor and wonderful service, topped off with a complimentary event planner to help plan a seamless day. Take a luxury trip out onto the Chicago River or Lake Michigan, and say "I do" surrounded by 300 guests, or even just your closest friends and family. City Cruises provides a space perfect for both large and intimate weddings.
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Royal Sonesta Chicago Riverfront in Chicago, Illinois
Spend your special day feeling like royalty at the Royal Sonesta Chicago Riverfront in downtown Chicago. Trendy and glamorous, this venue provides a number of event spaces with distinct features to select from. Stroll through the Grand Ballroom where 220 guests can partake in your special day, or choose the Penthouse Ballroom, which features floor-to-ceiling windows and space for up to 140 people. The Penthouse Terrace is perfect for any outdoor ceremony with its skyline views for a magical atmosphere.
The Monte Bello Estate in Lemont, Illinois
Find your fairytale wedding in Lemont at the Monte Bello Estate. With over 55 acres of greenery, this outdoor wedding venue features over 145 varieties of planted flowers, a waterfall, a gazebo embraced by trees and a scenic waterfront for enchanting wedding photos. Indoor ceremonies are surrounded by crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the surrounding woodlands. Bask in the privacy of this estate, as its one-event-per-day policy only enhances your special day, on top of food and beverage packages and decor setups of your choice. From prepping in the getting-ready suites to sipping on drinks during cocktail hour, this venue will make every moment of your nuptials memorable.
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois
The Morton Arboretum offers beautiful landscaping for a wedding at any time of the year. This breathtaking wedding venue can be found in the Chicago suburbs and can accommodate up to 300 friends and family members to celebrate your big day. Whether you're using the garden, park or museum, this event space offers a number of services like catering, staffing and tents. Beyond the welcoming sight of majestic trees and luscious lands, the venue's team will ensure a smooth wedding planning process.
Café Brauer in Chicago, Illinois
Café Brauer exhibits its impressive qualities through gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline, glass chandeliers, sky-lit roof, classic brick walls and more. Choose from a number of event spaces to host your wedding celebrating like the Great Hall, which holds up to 400 standing guests, the North Loggia or South Loggia, which both hold up to 200 seated guests. This Lincoln Park landmark offers a memorable floral garden for an outdoor wedding celebration and a regal banquet hall to savor the reception with friends and family. Café Brauer will take your breath away with its professional service, genuine support and memorable space.
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Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois
Sip on champaign under canopies at the Chicago Botanic Garden on your wedding day. Let yourself indulge in its manicured landscapes of flowers and waterfalls in perfect bloom for your summer wedding. This outdoor space can accommodate more than 300 guests and offers a range of services like food, catering, drinks, desserts and tents. Between its fairytale ambiance, professional staff, experienced wedding planner and incredible food, the Chicago Botanic Garden is an ideal outdoor venue for your big day.
Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Illinois
If you enjoy Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art during its regular business hours, you'll adore it as an outdoor wedding venue. Host your ceremony in the sculpture garden or take in the lakefront views from the spacious terrace during cocktail hour. MCA not only provides a classic ambiance through its architecture (just check out the atrium!) but can accommodate how you want to personalize this event space for your wedding. This spacious venue can fit up to 250 guests and offers catering and bar services in-house, too.
Galleria Marchetti in Chicago, Illinois
The Italian-inspired Galleria Marchetti is one of our favorite outdoor wedding venues in Chicago. This family business has grown into a desirable wedding location, offering two stunning even spaces: The Pavilion, seating up to 480 guests, and La Pergola, seating up to 160 guests. Enjoy La Pergola's open-air atmosphere or the Pavilion's view of breathtaking gardens. Galleria Marchetti's accommodating staff will also assist with choosing from a fantastic selection of pre-arranged menus, or even entirely personalized menus.
Ace Hotel Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
Prepare for a stress-free wedding planning process with Ace Hotel Chicago's customizable event venues. Ace Hotel can host weddings of up to 150 guests, and offers an outdoor ceremony space for you to say "I do" under the stars. You'll love the vintage-meets-modern vibe of this hotel—and the fact that your guests can stay on-premises for a fun wedding weekend in the Windy City.
Colvin House in Chicago, Illinois
This intimate, woman-owned wedding venue offers stunning views of Lake Michigan. Colvin House rests on Sheridan Road in Chicago and features some truly incredible architecture, including stained glass windows and a marble fireplace. Designed in 1909, this mansion withstands the test of time, offering a classic and luxurious ambiance to any event. Colvin House also offers getting-ready suites that are nothing short of regal, with one featuring a balcony overlooking the lake. Up to 100 guests can enjoy the manicured courtyard, practically steps away from a beach. With the help of on-site planning professionals, select from a variety of rentals to add the finishing touches to your special day.
150 North Riverside in Chicago, Illinois
An indoor and outdoor wedding venue on the Chicago River's west bank, 150 North Riverside offers the best of both worlds: serene water views in a convenient city location. There's an open-air amphitheater, which is ideal for ceremonies and a 1.5-acre park, along with several indoor spaces for receptions. You'll love the modern and unique 90-foot high glass lobby, complete with a 150-foot-long multimedia wall. The smaller Grand Century Ballroom overlooks the river.
Artifact Events in Chicago, Illinois
Artifact Events is a rustic and charming outdoor wedding venue in Chicago with a team of pros ready to help you with the wedding planning process. Host up to 300 guests in this industrial warehouse, and choose from a variety of packages to fit your style and budget. The space at Artifact Events offers couples a flexible venue that you can personalize to bring your wedding vision to life.
