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Top Chicago Wedding Venues

Today we are chatting about some of the most spectacular wedding venues/event spaces that Chicago has to offer.  There are wide variety of venues to choose from in this wonderful city and we wanted to highlight some of our favorites.

1. Cafe Brauer

I may be a little biased, since my husband and I got married here, and thus it will always hold a special place in my heart.  But going beyond my bias, with the gorgeous prairie style architecture and the spectacular views of Lincoln Park and the city skyline as seen from the loggias, what’s not to love?  It’s a beautiful oasis for a Chicago wedding set in the middle of Lincoln Park just adjacent to the Lincoln Park Zoo.  Perfect for those couples wanting a downtown Chicago wedding with the feel of the outdoors & nature as well.  From an architectural standpoint, the sea-foam green steel work seen out front as well as within the ceiling of the ballroom is absolutely beautiful.  The skylight allows for the sunshine to just pour into the main ballroom. This space can accommodate roughly 250 people for a seated dinner.  Photos by Kina Wicks Photography.

Cafe Brauer Chicago

Cafe Brauer Chicago Wedding Reception

Cafe Brauer Wedding First Dance

 

2. Garfield Park Conservatory

This space is a real gem hidden in the west side of Chicago.  Nestled amongst some beautiful gardens, there are so many gorgeous spaces both inside and out of the Conservatory including horticulture hall, the fern room, and many more.  This ceremony & reception (seen below) at the Conservatory was definitely a fall favorite a couple of years ago. Depending on what space you rent out, the conservatory can easily accommodate several hundred guests throughout. Photos by Galaxie Andrews.

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding

3. Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum is a classic and elegant space, perfect for those couples wanting a more formal feel for their wedding.  We’ve worked here more than any other venue in Chicago and we’re super excited to be working there for more events in 2017!  The neutral color palette of the walls, beautiful crown, molding, large windows, & beautiful floors make this venue easy to transform into a beautiful setting for any occasion.  Oh, and they have a Beautiful Terrace in the back PERFECT for your ceremony.  Photos by Ann & Kam Photography.

Chicago History Museum Wedding Life in Bloom 7

Chicago History Museum Wedding Life in Bloom 11

Chicago History Museum outdoor Wedding

Chicago History Museum Wedding

Chicago History Museum Wedding

 

4. Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art is such a fun and unique venue.  Not only is the location perfect and the space beautiful (especially the back terrace), but your guests also have the opportunity to view some fabulous works of art at the same time.  Couples can hold their wedding outside on the back terrace or inside of the museum itself.  Below are photos of Christina & Jimmy’s wedding featured on Martha Stewart. Photos by Olivia Leigh Photographie.

MCA wedding Chicago

Geometric Tablescape by Life in Bloom

 

5. Morgan Manufacturing

Industrial chic.  That is what you can expect at Morgan Manufacturing’s massive, 32,000 square foot venue.  And while very large, with several different spaces to rent, every room and every detail was designed to perfection!  Steel Posts, Skylights, Exposed Brick, Polished Concrete Floors, and some other very cool elements that you have to see to believe!   Here are some photos of a wedding that we did there this past August.  Photos by Jessica Eileen Photography.

Morgan Manufacturing Wedding

Morgan Manufacturing Wedding

Morgan Manufacturing Wedding by Life in Bloom

Morgan Manufacturing Roortop

Morgan Manufacturing Rooftop View

6. Millennium Park- Tiffany & Co Celebration Garden & Wrigley Square

Did you know you can get married in Millennium Park?  Well, believe it or not, you can!  The Tiffany Gardens in Millennium Park highlight views of some of the city’s most spectacular landmarks such as Buckingham Fountain, Lake Michigan, and a wonderful view of Museum Campus.  Wrigley Square, need I say more?  I think I’ll let the images speak for themselves.  What a romantic outdoor setting for a wedding.  Another bonus is that it is right across the street from the Chicago Cultural Center so if you wanted to have your ceremony outside but your reception inside, your guests just need to walk across the street to the reception, how convenient!  Photos via Here Comes the Guide & Hoerr Schaudt.

wrigley square ceremony wedding chicago

Tiffany Gardens Millennium Park

7. Ivy Room

The Courtyard in this space is to die for!  Can you imagine having your wedding or cocktail hour outside in this miniature urban oasis?  It’s perfect.  The inside is pretty much a blank space (but in a great way) allowing you to transform the space however you please.  We recently did the floral for a small networking event this past Spring and are looking forward to designing three amazing weddings in 2017!  Photos by: J Brown Photography

Thursday Therapy at The Ivy Room Chicago

Thursday Therapy at The Ivy Room Chicago

Thursday Therapy at The Ivy Room Chicago

 

8. Galleria Marchetti

It is hard to believe that Galleria Marchetti is so close to downtown Chicago but believe it or not, this cute intimate courtyard with a large tent is located right off of the interstate at the corner of Halsted and Erie. With a perfect backdrop of trees, you would never know you were even in the city.  What we love about Galleria Marchetti is not just the location, but the blank slate that the tent offers to create the perfect event without the concerns of the decor clashing with any existing architecture.  Plus, the staff is pretty phenomenal!  We have done a ton of events here over the past two years and have more on the books for 2017!

Galleria Marchetti Wedding with Outdoor Ceremony by Life in BloomPhoto by: Two Birds Photography

Galleria Marchetti WeddingPhoto by: Christy Tyler Photography

9. Chicago Athletic Association

Restored just two years ago, this building which was built in 1893, has many of it’s original elements and architecture.  Specifically noteworthy is the stunning ceiling design within the White City Ballroom.  We have done three weddings here over the past year and each time we are there, we are blown away by the architectural beauty of the space.   It should be noted that there are two separate ballrooms on their 8th floor.  The White City Ballroom (pictured below) and the Madison Ballroom (different look but equally stunning with their MASSIVE chandeliers).  You have the option to rent out both spaces if you wanted to do the ceremony in one space and reception in the other or both in one room and cocktails in the other.  Also worth mentioning is the staff!  Their service is absolutely incredible.  They are extremely attentive and they go above and beyond to make sure you feel at home!

Chicago Athletic Association Wedding Life in Bloom Garland Ceremony Candles

Chicago Athletic Association Wedding Life in Bloom Ceremony CandlesPhotos by: Kina Wicks

Chicago Athletic Association Wedding Life in Bloom Chuppah

10. Bridgeport Art Center

The Skyline Loft at the Bridgeport Art Center boasts a great panoramic view of Chicago.  The old exposed brick and beautiful skylight make it one of the best loft-spaces in the City of Chicago  Another fun part about this venue is the giant freight elevator which transports your guests up to the top floor where the main event space is located.  You can even fit a small car in the elevator.  The design possibilities are endless!  Suspended pieces, lighting and fabric are all fun design elements to include here!

Bridgeport Art Center Ceremony

Bridgeport Art Center WeddingPhotos by: Amy Paulson Photography

Bridgeport Art Center

11. Chicago Botanic Gardens

Be still my flower-loving heart!  As a former horticulture major, I absolutely love the Botanic Gardens and am so excited we are working here again this year!  If you are looking for a venue in the suburbs of Chicago, this is at the top of our list.  The gardens are stunning and the grounds make the perfect backdrop for your photos!  Photos by Emila Jane Photography.

Colorful wedding centerpieces by Life in Bloom at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Colorful wedding centerpieces by Life in Bloom at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Bride & Groom Chicago Botanic Garden

12. The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy

Another suburb venue that has an amazing ceremony space is the Armour House.  The attention to detail here is just stunning.  Every corner you turn has another unexpected marble fireplace or beautiful fountain.  Also, their staircase is what wedding dreams are made of…  What a way to make an entrance!  We loved working here for Matt & Lydia’s wedding with La Belle Fleur Events & Amanda Megan Miller.

Armour House Wedding

Armour House Wedding

Armour House Wedding

Armour House Fireplace Details

 

 

 

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