Planning to get married in Chicago? The city is filled with unique wedding venues, no matter what vibe you’re looking for on your big day. And if you’ve always envisioned an outdoor wedding, you’re in luck. You can choose from a variety of outdoor venues, from intimate rooftops with skyline views to sprawling waterfront beach houses. Explore some of the most scenic spots in the city to say “I do” and start planning your perfect nuptials at these outdoor wedding venues in Chicago.
The Courtyard at Glessner House
For an unforgettable wedding location, the Glessner House is a Gilded Age mansion tucked away in the historic Prairie Avenue District of Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. The intimate, enclosed Courtyard features beautiful brick walls covered with ivy, the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony, reception, or both.
The Glessner House’s wedding package also includes use of its historic Coach House and Conservatory, and the Courtyard can include a dance floor and optional tent. The Courtyard accommodates 150 guests seated or 200 guests cocktail style. Couples also have the option of holding an outdoor ceremony in the adjacent Chicago Women’s Park & Garden.
The SkyDeck at Lacuna Events
The SkyDeck at Lacuna Events in the hip Pilsen neighborhood features unrivaled views of the city’s skyline. The breathtaking view makes a perfect backdrop for any wedding event, whether it’s a daytime ceremony or a sunset cocktail hour. Your guests won’t be able to stop snapping photos.
For couples looking to curate their own boozy offerings, the SkyDeck is BYOB friendly and has a built-in bar with cafe lighting. Additionally, the rental includes the use of 175 white folding chairs, perfectly placed on the approximately 5,000 square foot rooftop deck. The SkyDeck can accommodate up to 150 guests seated or 250 guests cocktail style.
63rd Street Beach House
If you’re looking for a waterfront wedding, the 63rd Street Beach House sits directly on the sands of Lake Michigan in Hyde Park. The venue’s sun-drenched balconies and majestic courtyards overlook fountains and blue lake waters, creating a magical and beachy atmosphere that’s perfect for a relaxed wedding.
The entire site can accommodate a massive amount of guests (up to 1,500 banquet style and 3,020 cocktail style) or can be divided into smaller spaces for more intimate gatherings. The 63rd Street Beach House was created by the famed designers of New York’s Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, making it a charming location for those seeking both a beautiful and historic setting.
Garfield Park Conservatory
What could be better than spending a relaxing afternoon at the Garfield Park Conservatory? Tying the knot in this expansive urban greenhouse. With a multitude of event spaces to choose from, the surrounding greenery both inside and outside will make guests feel like they’re in a distant, tropical paradise.
The beautifully landscaped Blue Stone Terrace is located just outside the Desert House doors and anchors the city garden just behind it. This extremely photogenic venue will create impeccable wedding party pictures against a lush setting as fragrant as any resort in the islands. Capacities vary depending on which area of the Conservatory is rented out.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Host a garden chic wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden in nearby Glencoe. This romantic outdoor venue can flex to fit all your floral wedding fantasies. The sprawling gardens are a breathtaking place to say “I do.”
The McGinley Pavilion encases a dramatic canopied terrace and is located at the water’s edge, while the English Walled Garden brings old-fashioned romance to the forefront. The Rose Garden houses more than 5,000 rosebushes and the Searle Courtyard has a Japanese aesthetic that displays the Garden’s renowned Bonsai Collection. The venue offerings range from 150 to 230 guests seated and 250 to 350 guests cocktail style.
Firehouse Chicago
Located in Edgewater, Chicago’s Northside neighborhood, Firehouse Chicago is a charming venue with a quaint and delightful garden, ideal for a small ceremony or cocktail hour. First originating as a fire station over 100 years ago, the building has been restored with antique doors, rich wood and modern subway tile. The outdoor space features thriving greenery and can be tented for added intimacy or inclement weather. The garden also can be rented with lounge furniture and the venue has various options for wedding arches. The Firehouse is women-owned and accommodates 80 guests seated and up to 100 guests cocktail style.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Keep things on the wild side with a wedding at Lincoln Park Zoo. With various outdoor spaces to choose from, guests can overlook the enchanting lagoon and swan pond at the open-air Foreman Pavilion. The space can fit 300 reception and 220 seated.
Nestled along the Nature Boardwalk at the zoo’s scenic South Pond, Café Brauer is an architectural stunner and features a vaulted skylit ceiling with hanging chandeliers for timeless elegance. Two outdoor balconies offer clear views of the park and city skyline. The space can accommodate 500 reception style or 250 seated.
Promontory Point
Plan the ultimate fairytale wedding at Promontory Point. In the early 1930s this site was home to Chicago’s second World’s Fair and is just steps from Lake Michigan. Equipped with several open air-verandas, this venue is the perfect place to say your vows along the sparkling lakefront. The venue’s restored French doors make a perfect backdrop for wedding photos. The lakefront patio can accommodate up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and 120 for a cocktail reception.
