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Updated Oct 14, 202414 Illinois Wedding Venues for an Inspired Celebration
The Prairie State brings major urban sophistication.
From the bright city lights and industrial lofts of Chicago to the serene beaches of Lake Michigan to the historic homes of Winnetka, Illinois has a little bit of it all when it comes to planning a wedding. When choosing wedding venues in Illinois, you can plan a big city bash in the heart of downtown Chicago or a rural lakeside celebration where you bring your nearest and dearest together for a weekend of celebrating in nature.
If you host your wedding in Chi-town, friends and family can come in early for architectural tours or a Cubs game. If you prefer to say "I do," in a smaller town, there's lots of Midwest charm to discover.
Ready to start planning your Illinois wedding? Here are 14 of the best wedding venues in Illinois to check out, just make sure you go in with a plan to ask the right questions and determine whether it's the right Illinois wedding venue for your dream day.
The Library at 190 South LaSalle in Chicago, Illinois
Part of the beauty of a city wedding is that you can grab your marriage license in town, along with some chic city pics, then head to a sophisticated urban venue like The Library at 190 South LaSalle to celebrate with family and friends. This elegant, old school space has a backdrop of bookshelves, chandeliers, architectural details and grand windows. It's truly a Chicago throwback. Watch the glittering skyline outside as you twirl around the dance floor, surrounded by up to 200 of your family and friends.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette in Peoria, Illinois
You can see the marquee letters atop the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette from across downtown Peoria, which makes it one of the most iconic wedding venues in central Illinois. The historic building, grand ballroom chandeliers and nostalgic hotel decor make for a wedding that feels perfectly old-school. This is a place where you can imagine dancing the night away, just as generations have before.
Morgan's on Fulton in Chicago, Illinois
Are big-city views at the top of your wedding day wish list? The rooftop terrace at Morgan's on Fulton offers a four-season enclosure that can be retracted on gorgeous summer days when you want to celebrate outdoors in the Windy City. Create a sleek, urban feel or a lush, greenhouse look depending on your vision. Up to 150 guests can gather for a seated dinner, host 250 for a cocktail reception or you can even bring together a smaller group for a wedding shower. Everything from the ceremony to the catering can be handled by the in-house event staff.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois
For history lovers, there's no better place to tie the knot than at a Presidential Library. Say your vows at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, where you can gather up to 150 of your closest friends in the Lincoln Atrium. Dance the night away with 250 guests in the Museum Plaza or host a swanky cocktail hour in the Library. But make sure you book well in advance—they start filling their calendar with weddings two years in advance.
Carmon's in Champaign, Illinois
10,000 square feet of sophisticated industrial event space let you transform Carmon's into your perfect wedding day vision. From the soaring wood ceilings to exposed beams to polished concrete floors, this modern Champaign, Illinois wedding venue is the perfect backdrop to turn into a sparkling wedding soiree. The team at Carmon's is skilled in adding lighting, florals and anything else you need to bring your big day to life. Have lots of friends and family on your guest list? Carmon's can host more than 700 guests.
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in Chicago, Illinois
Have you always wanted to say "I do" on a basketball court? Then the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is your place. And, even if you prefer a more traditional setting—perhaps a formal dining room with stained glass windows overlooking unbeatable city views—they can do that, too. This 1893 Venetian Gothic hotel is one of the most stunning Chicago wedding venues and it's been renovated to all of its 19th-century glory. It has 240 guest rooms and seven different event spaces, so you can plan a wedding or even a rehearsal dinner that is absolutely unique to you.
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Hotel Baker in Saint Charles, Illinois
Hotel Baker is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it is one of the most timeless wedding venues in Illinois. Located right on the river, this hotel maintains all of its original 1920s glamour, and everyone from Presidents John F. Kennedy and Gerald Ford to entertainers Louis Armstrong and Lawrence Welk have walked through these halls. The pièce de résistance, however, is the dance floor with translucent glass that glows beneath you as you sashay across the room.
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois
Celebrate in a modern garden setting at The Morton Arboretum, a newly opened wedding venue in the Chicago suburbs. From towering oak trees to manicured gardens and an open-air pavilion that's perfect for the Chicago summers, this is a place where you can be together with your loved ones in nature—without having to turn it into a destination wedding. The Morton Arboretum accommodates up to 220 guests.
The Drake, a Hilton Hotel in Chicago, Illinois
No one does the 1920s like Chicago, and The Drake is another example of this old-school sophistication that's prevalent throughout the city. It does it so well that it's been recognized by Historic Hotels of America for its commitment to historic integrity and architecture. The Drake has spaces for both small Chicago weddings and large celebrations of up to 900 guests. Want to make sure you're celebrating in good company? Everyone from Walt Disney to Bing Crosby to Marilyn Monroe has attended a party at The Drake—and yours is the next one to go down in history.
Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Illinois
The modern indoor and outdoor spaces at the Museum of Contemporary Art make it one of the most luxurious wedding venues in the Chicago area. Celebrate with your loved ones in the museum space which has four-story windows looking out across the Chicago skyline or you can gather a smaller group in the galleries. Up to 200 guests can attend your artsy, contemporary celebration where the art is second only to your party.
Halim Time & Glass Museum in Evanston, Illinois
The combination of ornate stained glass and modern architecture makes the Halim Time & Glass Museum one of the most unique wedding venues in the Chicago suburbs to celebrate. As the name would suggest, they specialize in timepieces and glass—two concepts that seem appropriate for tying the knot. Host up to 200 guests at the museum amidst spaces including stunning indoor rooms and the rooftop garden. Celebrate under the stained glass dome, surround yourself with Gilded Age artwork or gather late into the night under the magical lights in the garden.
Community House Winnetka in Winnetka, Illinois
Photo: Community House Winnetka
If you're planning an Illinois summer wedding, then the lush courtyard and gardens of the Community House Winnetka cannot be beat. This beautiful 1911 Tudor Revival building is stunning any time of year, but the Historic Garden truly comes alive in the spring. Host up to 150 guests for a seated dinner surrounded by flowers and green shrubbery or bring together 200 guests for a ceremony in the same space. The indoor spaces can also host up to 200 guests.
Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette, Illinois
Driving up to the Michigan Shores Club, you're immediately blown away by the stunning gothic stone facade. Then, you walk inside to a rich wood interior and historic architectural details. This is one of Illinois' most elegant wedding venues. Invite up to 300 of your nearest and dearest and put your trust in the events team at the Michigan Shores Club. They'll handle everything from the logistics to the menu.
Main Street Abbey in Columbia, Illinois
Main Street Abbey is one of the most striking wedding venues in southern Illinois, and it's located just minutes from St. Louis. Built in 1866, this former abbey turned event space maintains all of the details of its previous life. From the arched ceilings to the stained glass windows, it's an incredible backdrop for your ceremony and reception. Host up to 220 guests for your big day at this wedding venue in Illinois.
