The Joinery

hich we highly recommend as it makes the whole stay so much easier! We found most of our vendors through the joinery, it made everything so easy because they knew the ,venue so well. Shay was great for any recommendations.

. Shay is a fantastic venue manager. She had such incredible knowledge and was quick to respond, right up until the day before the wedding. The venue perfectly suited our relaxed vibe. We also highly recommend Molly, who runs the bar, if you select the The Joinery drinks package. Super creative with the signature cocktails. All our guests were raving about them.

hay was very communicative and easy to work with. We also did our bar package through the Joinery and the drinks were amazing and Molly at the bar was so nice and helpful. Our wedding was about 110 people and it felt like the perfect size for the venue. The venue was also accessible for all of our guests. Cannot recommend highly enough, we're hoping our friends get married here so we have the chance to come back as guests!

is incredibly knowledgeable about the space and weddings in general and has lots of insight on what works well in the space. She was fast to respond via email and I never felt silly asking her a question. The venue rental price included all of the furniture we needed plus multiple other fixtures (arch, donut wall) which was a huge plus. The space itself is gorgeous. It has lots of character on its own, but is also able to be customized for each event/couple. We also liked having the option to rent the house next door for the night before and night of the wedding. We were able to sleep there the night before, got ready there, and it served as a gathering place for our wedding party & family. On our wedding day, everything went perfectly. Shay worked seamlessly with our vendors throughout the day. A little bonus was that she also posted on their instagram throughout the day and we had lots of fun looking through it all the next day. 🙂 We also used the Joinery’s in house bar package (which is optional!). We had a private tasting beforehand, and the drinks that Molly created were absolutely delicious. The staff day of were equally incredible. Overall, the Joinery was absolutely incredible! Their staff exceeded all our expectations, and I am beyond grateful we chose them for our wedding venue. Without hesitation, I would recommend the Joinery to anyone planning their special day!

great aesthetic. The space is filled with natural light and was lovely in the day and at night. It rained a little on our wedding day and honestly it didn’t even matter because the venue has extremely flexible indoor and outdoor space that never felt too packed or crammed. Shay Schultz was also extremely responsive via email and helped us stay on track in getting our vendors lined up in the year leading up to our wedding. She gave us great recommendations that we ended up going with for all but one of our vendors, including our month of coordinator. We were thrilled with all of our vendors and the wedding day went even more smoothly because everyone was familiar with the venue. Shay was also extremely helpful and involved on the day and stayed to make sure everything went smoothly until well after dinner. She helped ensure everything was set up, that staff knew what to do and where to go, and that the place was put together beautifully with the help of some of our friends. Could not have asked for a better venue.

y we instantly connected with. Then we met Shay—and that completely sealed the deal. From the start, she was warm, down-to-earth, and so easy to talk to. We knew right away that this was where we wanted to celebrate our wedding and that we’d be in the best hands. Working with Shay was such a gift. She clearly cares so much about the couples she works with, and it shows in everything she does. She was thoughtful, incredibly organized, and genuinely invested in making sure our day went exactly how we envisioned it. She kept things moving behind the scenes without ever making it feel stressful, and somehow managed to make everything feel calm, seamless, and joyful from start to finish. One of the best parts was that Shay recommended nearly all of our vendors—and every single one was incredible. It was so clear she only refers people she trusts and knows will deliver. That made the entire planning process feel so much easier, and we felt completely supported every step of the way. We also really appreciated The Joinery’s mission. Their commitment to sustainability and inclusiveness meant a lot to us—it felt really good to be celebrating in a space that aligned with our values and made all of our guests feel welcome. We also can’t say enough good things about the whole experience. The venue was stunning, the Millhouse was the perfect place for our family to stay and get ready, and the drinks that Molly and her team served were a huge hit. Every little detail was thoughtful and beautifully done. We’re so grateful we chose The Joinery for our wedding. It was everything we hoped for and more—and Shay played such a big part in making that happen. We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better space, a better team, or a better experience. We love The Joinery & Shay!

nd our vendors day of. It really is such a beautiful venue and lends itself well to a great party!

e we worked with at the Joinery was so wonderful, and they made our day run so smoothly! Shay was so wonderful to work with! We got so many compliment on the venue!

more ideal - its beautiful, spacious, and so thoughtfully crafted. The upstairs Speakeasy and apartment for the couple to stay in throughout the night provided the perfect respite for guests (especially those with little kids) while the indoor/outdoor space is beautiful and also gives guests another option if they need a break from the dance floor (while being the perfect setting for cocktail hour.) Shay, the venue manager, was so helpful throughout the whole process in helping us select a fantastic vendor team. Molly, the bar coordinator, was incredible - so kind and so helpful. The drinks were flowing all night long and the Joinery team makes it so easy. Last but not least, the Mill House next door is a beautiful, huge AirBnb which was ideal for out of town family!! EVERYONE had a blast and its because the Joinery offers so much thoughtful space for any guests needs. Thank you to Shay and the whole team!!

engaged to my now husband, we would be getting married there. We looked at the venue in person a few weeks after getting engaged and loved it in person. Shay and the other staff members were great to work with and so accommodating. We had lots of questions for them and they were so helpful and responsive and we asked to adjust our time to access the venue due to Daylight Savings Time and it getting dark sooner which they were fine with. It was nice to be able to stay in the apartment above the venue after the wedding ended and to not have to rush getting around in the morning. I also stayed in the airbnb "The Millhouse" next door to the venue which they own and it was a great spot for the bridesmaids and family to stay the night in the night before and get ready in the day of without worrying about timing of doing a first look and having to travel from somewhere else to be on time. At the end of the night of the wedding we were able to easily get all of our decor out of the venue and keep it at the airbnb next door overnight and then pack it up the next day. We also used The Joinery's bar package which was easy and convenient and the drinks were delicious! The cost of the bar package was per person so it was open bar and all of our guests had a great time.

d ran smoothly. Our guests had so many positive things to say about their experience as well. Thank you to Shay, Molly and the rest of the team for making our day extra special.

egan our search, The Joinery was at the top of our list. From the moment we walked through their gorgeous courtyard, we knew that marrying anywhere else would be a crime. Shay, The Joinery's venue manager is an absolutely world class human. Since booking The Joinery over 2 years ago, Shay answered every single question we had in a timely fashion, allowed us to come and see the space any time we wanted, and was just a delightful presence throughout our entire wedding day. I firmly believe that hiring vendors who you would want to be friends with makes all the difference that things will go smoothly on your big day. I think the one person who loves The Joinery more than me is Shay, and that shows in her professionalism and attention to every couples day! I could go on and on about how this venue is perfect for everyone looking to marry in Chicago, but I will end with what was truly the icing on the cake for us. There is a gorgeous Air BnB right next door to The Joinery that we were able to stay in during our wedding weekend. It was so nice having a big space where our families could get ready together, and lay our heads at the end of a long day. Do yourself a favor and come out and see The Joinery!

ed. Not only is she super cool but also professional and extremely helpful. She gave us many suggestions that were  extremely helpful. It was obvious she had alot of knowledge in the wedding industry. My husband and I have zero regrets. This venue is gorgeous and shay is the icing on the cake.

opened covered outdoor area, the magnetic wall (where we put our seating chart), the bar area, the bridal suite, the speakeasy, the upstairs apartment… all of it was so beautiful and unique without being over-the-top, which was perfect for us 2. SHAY! Best venue manager ever. I saw another review mention feeling so calm and happy every time they saw Shay’s pink hair bobbing around the venue, and I couldn’t agree more. Talk about someone who is SO good at their job! She seriously thought of EVERYTHING, seamlessly coordinated our one million different vendors, including some who had never worked in the wedding industry before, and she made sure the rehearsal and wedding day ran as smoothly as humanly possible. 3. MOLLY! The queen of the bar! She helped us figure out the perfect signature drinks: a hella spicy habanero margarita (which she made sure was also offered non-spicy for our less adventurous guests) and a classic tequila-and-Squirt Paloma, plus let us taste a bunch of wines to find the ones we liked best. She was also not only open to but thrilled about our request to have our Mexican family bring in tequila and beer as part of the Toro Pinto celebration which we really appreciated. So talented, excellent vibes.

oor ceremony/reception and outdoor cocktail hour, and it never felt crowded. Would highly recommend to Chicago couples looking for a fun vibe!

th, as is Molly, their drinks specialist (and their in-house drink packages are so reasonable and great!!) They left no detail out when thinking of what a bride & groom need on their wedding day- a private bridal suite on the main floor to have a moment to ourselves (and our own bathroom!), an apartment to stay in overnight, a newly-renovated outdoor space that we used for cocktail hour. All of our guests LOVED our venue and said how unique it was and couldn't agree more. 1000000/10! (My photos with this review are credited to EmmaPetersenPhotography.com)

utdoor addition is awesome and really brings together the full indoor/outdoor layout. We would definitely recommend using The Joinery for a ceremony and/or reception as it is a beautiful venue with great staff!

elpful, and knowledgable. From answering all our questions timely, to helping us find the perfect vendors, to finalizing every detail, Shay and The Joinery team were truly amazing. The venue is a space that we were able to make our own and highlight us journey as a couple. The entire venue is quite spacious and has lots of places for guests and personals. From the speakeasy upstairs, the multiple options for cocktail hour, and the private room after the ceremony to take a breather, everything is thought out and flows so nicely. Additionally, there were so many amenities included that we didn't find anywhere else we looked. I will forever be so grateful to Shay and The Joinery!

ome - engaged, responsive, and still completely laid back. We were still early in our planning process when we booked the space, and Shay was ready with some great vendor suggestions, two of which we ended up booking and loving. In the final weeks as we started to get some decision fatigue, Molly guided us towards two perfect signature cocktails that were a hit with our guests. During our final walk through, Shay had thoughtful feedback and really helped us dial in the schedule. The team on site did a great job, the bartenders were wonderful, and our guests loved the space. Wholeheartedly recommend.

g to go the extra mile to make our day perfect. Molly, our point of contact for alcohol, impressed us with her extensive knowledge and creativity. She crafted some amazing cocktail options that were a huge hit with our guests! The venue itself, The Joinery, was a gem – its natural beauty and cozy ambiance meant we needed very little decor to create our ideal setting. We made great use of The Joinery's charming offerings like stylish table numbers, a vintage card box, and a versatile magnetic wall, which added a lovely touch to our special day. What truly set The Joinery apart were the accommodations – the adjacent Airbnb house and the connected apartment. These made the logistics of our wedding absolutely seamless, providing comfortable and convenient space for us to get ready. The upstairs speak easy allowed a private place for our wedding party to gather ahead of the ceremony as well as an intimate setting for my husband and I to enjoy a private dinner. We can't thank the team at The Joinery enough for making our wedding day unforgettable. If you're looking for a venue that combines ease, beauty, and exceptional service, look no further! Photo credit: @emmapetersenphotography (also 10/10)

the string lights... and Shay and Molly were both fantastic! The location of this venue can't be beat, either - we had lots of out of town guests who were able to easily get there when staying downtown to explore Chicago that weekend, as well. Thank you for everything, Shay and Molly!!

ctually got to experience our wedding day in the incredible space. Shay was very professional, responsive to emails, and helpful with addressing all of our questions throughout the process. We loved that The Joinery had a private apartment for us the night of the wedding and renting the Mill House next door made our whole wedding weekend 10x better. We used the Mill House for our rehearsal dinner, getting ready space, and accommodations for our bridal party and family. All of our guests raved about the space and we can't wait to get back to The Joinery soon for one of their many community events.

planning process; she was very responsive and accommodating to all of our requests.

rick, string lights, and being able to stay at the venue the night of the wedding. All of our other vendors (both new and returning to the space) loved working here. Thanks for making our day the best!!!

space for so many reasons, one of them being the space speaks for itself. No need to go over the top with decor if you don't want to. The Joinery is one of a kind. With professional staff, clear communication, and options for different budgets, The Joinery is for you.

orked so well with our own planner, floral and catering vendors. Everything was magical. The wedding was in 2021 and guests are still talking about it around our anniversary. Thank you all!

nimal additional floral decoration to make for a gorgeous party. The courtyard area, with its ivy and flower walls and blue container bar, was perfect for cocktail hour. Everything included with the venue (tables, chairs, welcome sign, card box, etc.) meant that our extra expenses, and the amount that we needed to coordinate, were kept at a minimum. We appreciated the opportunity to customize our table layouts and upgrade with cafe lights as well. We had approximately 125 guests, and we felt like the venue was a perfect size; it may have felt a little too crowded, especially in the courtyard, if we had reached their maximum of 160 guests. The location can’t be beat, as it was very accessible for all of our guests to get to. Shay was extremely easy to work with, communicated very well, answered all of our questions, and kept everything running smoothly. The options for the bar package were excellent, the quality of alcohol and pricing were great in our opinion especially compared to other venues with built in bar packages. It was very easy to work with Molly to select the tier that was right for us, pick out the drinks we wanted to offer, and develop two specialty cocktails. They were more than accommodating to all of our vendors and obviously got along great with the vendors they had worked with before, which is a great sign. Finally, the apartment upstairs (included with the venue for the newlyweds) was an absolute game-changer; it gave us someplace to get ready before the ceremony and keep our things during the party, plus it was so convenient to be able to just go upstairs at the end of the night and go right to bed without having to travel back home! We would definitely recommend the Joinery for anyone looking to host a great wedding.

irs and did not have to do much to spruce up the venue. Our guests enjoyed the patio for cocktail hour and the ivy/floral mural allowed for a great backdrop, and the speakeasy upstairs was great for photos as well. We also opted for the string lights and uplighting package which added a great ambiance for dinner and dancing. We had about 110 guests at our wedding, and the space was very comfortable but could easily fit more. Shay, the venue manager, was extremely responsive throughout the planning process and was easy to work with. I can't recommend the Joinery enough if you are looking for a unique venue unlike anything in Chicago!

hey have in their trusted network. The atmosphere of the space was also perfect and gave us a very authentic feel for our special day. The Joinery is also super photogenic, every corner makes for an incredible shot! We couldn’t be happier with how our photos and wedding video turned out. Lastly, we also booked The Mill House next door. It was so convenient for our out-of-town family to stay there and also we used it as the location for the girls to get their hair and makeup done in the morning. Highly recommend doing this since it makes things SO much easier. Our wedding at The Joinery was an absolute dream and we couldn’t have asked for a better space or team to make it all happen!

d tell that it wouldn’t take much to make the space absolutely gorgeous (the huge skylight along with some string lights really turn the space into something out of a fairytale). We had 94 guests at our wedding and it felt like a perfect size. It was intimate without feeling cramped and we had plenty of room for a spacious dance floor. Shay is the venue manager at The Joinery and she is fantastic to work with. She was extremely responsive throughout our entire planning process and answered all our questions. She provided a list of recommended vendors off which we found all of our primary vendors (all of whom we loved). The alcohol package at the Joinery is superb and we loved that many of the drinks we got to choose from were local labels (our guests really appreciated this too!). We loved working closely with Molly (who handled the bar services at The Joinery) who did a drink tasting for us at our final walk through and came up with the most delicious cocktails for us to use as our signature drinks. The package we chose also included passed signature cocktails during our cocktail hour which helped to keep lines for the bar down and were a huge hit with our guests. One initial concern that I had about the venue was that since The Joinery is in a residential neighborhood there are limits on how loud the music can be (which is why you must choose one of their provided DJ recommendations). I was worried that the music would be noticeably quiet and that people wouldn’t want to dance - I want to assure anyone reading this that I was so SO wrong. The music did not seem too quiet at all and our dance floor was going strong until the final song played at midnight. We had a BLAST! Our wedding party also made used of the Mill House which is the rental directly next to the Joinery. It was so convenient for a getting ready location and for storing decor before and after the wedding. Overall we would highly recommend The Joinery - our wedding was beyond what we imagined and we would choose the Joinery over and over again!

pful that they have inventory of signs and other miscellaneous items you can use that fit their décor. It saves you money and from having to plan that stuff yourself, and it all goes so nicely together. I really hope they continue with sustainability and ease of planning as a priority! Shay was also wonderful and the whole process went smoothly. The sound system was also great. Lastly, the bar package – it was honestly one of the main reasons we chose the Joinery and it was INCREDIBLE. So reasonably priced for a 6 hour package and their bar manager, Molly, was so flexible on the signature cocktails. The wine options were phenomenal and overall our guests loved the bar!

e to host our family nearby. The Joinery delivered it all and much much more. Shay was ontop of all the details and made sure that we had things lined up! Molly was able to craft incredible drinks that our guests raved about, and accommodate our request to serve a particular wine. We so enjoyed the tasting we had prior to the event as well. The Millhouse next door provided the perfect staging ground for getting ready, eliminating the stress of our wedding day and making it all the more lovely. The Joinery will forever be a special place for us, and it's right around the corner. I am sure whenever we walk by, we will have a on a smile and a fond memory. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

ved the outdoor patio area. We also were grateful to have a bridal suite area where we could have a private moment right after the ceremony. Shay was great to work with, and we are so appreciative of how our wedding turned out!

ion. Shay was super flexible and the Joinery had a lot of small decor options we chose to use such as easels, window signs, table numbers, card boxes and all of their beautifully made bars and tables. The space transformed at night with the incredible skylight and string lights with the candles on our tables to create the perfect dance floor and ambiance for our guests. Our custom cocktails were so yummy—the best I’ve ever had at a wedding—and our guests truly enjoyed the bar. Would definitely recommend the Joinery for someone looking to have a unique wedding in Chicago!

re. Shay and her team has been absolutely wonderful. They're responsive, helpful, and answered so many questions to help us plan for the day. The space itself is so beautiful that it didn't need much, which was nice since we did all floral and decor as DIY. We still can't get over the pictures from the day in all the different areas. Thanks Shay!

and Covid. Shay was so accommodating the whole time. She answered questions promptly and honestly. The actual space is incredible. All of our guests were asking how we found it and loved all the little details. I can’t wait to see our pictures. Highly, highly recommend!

team are nothing short of amazing. The compassion and flexibility we were shown while postponing our 2020 wedding will never be forgotten. I cannot recommend this gorgeous space and wonderful team enough.

ompletely different state, and stayed super helpful after we booked! She answered every random question that came to my mind, communicated to my vendors, provided great insight, and more. Our day was made even more special with the great team at The Joinery and the beautiful event space. The bridal suite saved me (as an anxious bride) who occasionally needed to step away from all the action for a breather. Some of my best memories of the day are actually laughing with my bridesmaids in there while we took one of those quick breathers. Our day was made perfect by everything The Joinery and Shay had to offer!

rtunately had to move our wedding due to covid. The decision to move the wedding back a year was so difficult but The Joinery made it so easy for us and was so accommodating. We ended up booking all of our vendors through the recommendation list from The Joinery and there is no doubt we had a dream team of people, who were all genuinely so excited to be working together and at the Joinery. It made set up for the day/ evening run so smoothly. You can tell The Joinery was highly regarded by other chicago vendors. Shay was a dream to work with. She was constantly fielding our questions (and as a covid bride and groom- you know we had a lot). She always made us feel comfortable coming to herewith whatever concern or question we had and gave us a great ideas for how to best use the space. After our wedding one of the biggest questions we got was “ How did y’all find this place!?” People kept remarking that they have never been to a chicago venue like The Joinery and loved that they were able to get the chicago feel of being in the city but also the uniqueness and warmth of the Joinery’s environment. The Joinery is truly a Hidden Gem & we could not recommend it enough!

envision our big day, and the value you get is incredible! We didn't have to worry about renting chairs, tables, or props - the owners provide it all (they actually handmake many of their pieces in-house, from easels to tables to the donut wall!), and they are of exceptional quality. The outdoor patio is great for a cocktail hour with heat lamps, and the main area has a lovely atrium to host your ceremony and dance floor. The two bars indoors offer a great place for guests to talk and get drinks. You even get a room to get ready in and stay in overnight (or just store your stuff to pick up the next day). The recommended vendor list has a plethora of options and helped us pick many of the folks we contracted for our big day - not a single one of them disappointed. The Joinery is one of the best venues the city of Chicago has to offer.

the romantic loft aesthetic, unique speakeasy and amenities. Shay also helped to seal the deal - she was open to all of our questions, worked to help get lights organized for us and worked well with all of our other vendors to bring the day to life. Our guests were equally impressed with the space itself. Molly helped us curate the perfect bar package including custom cocktails. We truly feel like the Joinery will be a special play for us and we cannot recommend it enough for the next couple.

d beautiful. We used the getting ready space and the apartment upstairs which was very convenient. Shay was such a pleasure to work with, responsive, flexible and sensitive to our stresses planning a wedding during COVID times. We did not have a day-of coordinator but Shay made sure everything ran smoothly and went according to plan! Highly recommend and so many thanks to the team at The Joinery.

ked into The Joinery, we were in love and crossed our fingers that we could host our wedding there. The layout of the venue is awesome, the atmosphere is such a great balance of modern, rustic, and a little bit of city glam (and we loved that it's still an active wood-working space), and the location is great if you want to get married in the city but don't want the hassle/pressure of being right in the middle of the downtown bustle. And just as important as our feelings about the venue is our true respect and admiration for Shay - she is an angel on earth. Shay was there from the moment we first saw the space to the day of our wedding, and she is an extremely supportive and patient member of the Joinery's team. Shay answered every question we had (all 5,000 of them), was super accomodating for our rehearsal, gave great feedback and suggestions, and really helped to make sure our day was the best day ever. I'm not sure there is anything she can't do. We also need to give big love to Molly who really helped us with our bar package and knocking that out of the park. Some of our favorite things about The Joinery: - If you live in the Logan/Bucktown/Wicker Park area (or really anywhere in Chicago), this venue is super convenient. We walked to pretty much every meeting we had and it made dropping off/picking up some decor items really easy. I will say, most of our guests were out of towners, so we did have to plan a trolley situation to make transportation smooth. But if you have a majority of guests in town and are familiar with the CTA, Uber/Lyft, etc then getting to The Joinery is a breeze. - They are flexible on vendors. With the exception of the DJ (they provide preferred companies for you to choose from), we got to select all of our vendors, which really helped make our day super personal. - The look and feel of the venue...it's just amazing. The patio is excellent for cocktail hours, the secondary bar area is great (we set up a photobooth back there too), the Safe House is awesome for folks to grab a beverage in a more tucked away space (we used it for the bridal party before the ceremony), the apartment is a great addition (we used that area for bridal party stuff as well as a space for some of the kiddos to take a break from dancing). And the main area is just a dream. We didn't feel like we needed to do a ton to the space decor-wise to make it feel like a party. The whole venue has such a great personality and almost every single guest commented on how great the venue is. - The Joinery is equipped for guests with accessibility needs. The venue has lots of ramps and the bathrooms are all on the main floor. - Capacity: we had about 120 guests which we thought was great. They can accommodate more, but we really like the size of our group because we didn't have to move anything to make the dance floor available. There is a ton of flexibility in how you can choose to set up your ceremony, your tables, and we really appreciated that about the venue. We really loved being at The Joinery for our big day and we are so glad we were able to host our wedding there. Thank you Joinery team for all that you do for your couples!

th a rustic/ industrial look is a rare find in the city. Shay was also very easy-going, organized, and thoughtful throughout the process — she provided rosemary sprigs from her garden for our signature cocktail! We didn’t think we would use the bridal suite, but it was so helpful to have your own space and bathroom throughout the night. A few of our out-of-town friends also stayed overnight at the apartment. We wish we could relive our wedding at this venue all over again!