The best wedding photographers want exactly what brides want on their wedding day (besides a lack of rain): to capture the day’s events in such a way that admiring the images, even years later can transport you to the feelings, sentiments and even the hushed exchanges of the moment. Each local photographer has their own mini list of their best wedding venues in Chicago.
Of course, the right venue helps enormously. But what’s the “right” venue? Brides often make the final decision based on a number of criteria, and consulting the photographer is a great option for their “opinion through the lens”.
In this spirit, here are the top 10 wedding venues in the Chicago area – seven in the city and three in the suburbs (and worth every mile down I-90). To be sure, this is an eclectic but dynamic list – and it reflects the spirit of the brides captured by Michael Novo Photography.
1840 W. Hubbard Street
Michaels pick for best wedding venue was sealed the moment he stepped through the doors of Salvage One. Like journalists, photographers try to avoid using the word “unique.” Few things actually reach that bar, but Salvage One comes nails the definition into place. This 60,000 square-foot warehouse features exposed brick, hardwood floors, massive windows and an imaginative mix of furniture and accessories that photograph like few other wedding venues.
Salvage One also features an ivy-covered courtyard, a traditional room with wooden church pews and Greek columns and a reception area with plenty of room for a band and DJ – and the bride to kick off her shoes and celebrate. Here’s the wedding of Michael and Whit for a few more photo ideas. Salvage One isn’t just one of the best wedding venues, it’s a personal favorite of the Michael Novo Photography team.
209 S. LaSalle Street
Three words ought to set the scene of The Rookery: Frank Lloyd Wright. Need we say more?
Wright actually redesigned this venue, with his signature architectural angles and winding staircase standing out most. When he did so he had the viewer and photographer in mind. The timeless beauty of The Rookery has been described as “gallant” – a description that would probably make Wright proud.
The Rookery offers brides a cozy venue for their wedding day, accommodating 200 seated guests for dinner without a band or 170 guests with the musical accompaniment.
1820 N. Wells
You could say that A New Leaf has turned over a new leaf, but photographers tend to avoid cliches, too. Still, it’s a rare turn of events when one of Chicago’s premier florists decides to add event space fine enough to rival that of anything found in the Windy City.
The Wells location features a multi-level interior with exposed brick and “suspended” concrete staircases while an outdoor courtyard is a natural choice for intimate weddings.
A New Leaf has served Chicago for more than 30 years with innovative floral designs that incorporate exotic flowers from around the world. So it’s fair to say that, like happy couples, A New Leaf has forged a happy marriage of two ideals.
78 E. Washington Street
If you want your wedding pictures to include some of Chicago’s most famous landmarks, then the world-famous Chicago Cultural Center is an obvious choice. The center is located right across the street from Millennium Park and the city’s defining lakefront.
Then again, just as many brides choose this venue because of the stunning, Tiffany stained glass dome that bathes the building in subtle color even on overcast days and a winding, wooden staircase that carries every bride to new heights.
1200 W. 35th Street
When we describe an elevator as “massive,” we’re not overstating the case. And the elevator at the Bridgeport Art Center is so massive that it even fit an ice cream truck that one couple decided just had to be included on their wedding day. (We’re not kidding; check out the photos.)
The accommodation is sure proof of how the center bends over backwards to accommodate brides at the Skyline Loft. With its panoramic views of the city skyline – and Sculpture Garden on the ground floor is a spacious dream. The historic, 1911 building is a treasure to photograph – a place where natural elegance permeates every photograph.
2324 W. Fulton Street
During the week, it’s a creative and collaborative workspace for artists and musicians. But on weekends, Ovation becomes a photographer’s dream: a “blank canvas” for brides to shape their vision. And they have plenty to work with: soaring wood ceilings showcase wrought-iron chandeliers, which cast soft light on the modern, rustic ambiance of this redesigned foundry.
You may think that New York corners the market on industrial-chic loft spaces. But Ovation will beg you to differ, especially if you choose to take the venue’s Rolls-Royce out for a spin.
1520 W. Fulton Street
They say “magic happens” at Room 1520, but this depends on your vantage point. Brides and photographers agree that the rooftop access, which affords sweeping views of the city, is where the magic begins. It flows into the pristine, white backdrop of Room 1520, which blends seamlessly with the clean, fresh look that many brides say they want to capture most on their wedding day.
Inside, Room 1520 boasts 17-foot ceilings, a marble bar, crystal Chiavari chairs and Italian crystal chandeliers – all of which add elements of magic, too.
1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg
The best wedding venues aren’t strictly in the city. Located only 26 miles from downtown Chicago, and with easy access to major expressways, Renaissance Schaumburg offers the space you would expect in a sprawling suburban hotel. Plus, nearby forest preserves offer a venue for pictures that cannot be duplicated in the city.
The Renaissance lives up to its lofty name with indoor and outdoor options, a suspended bridge and a cascading double staircase that can make any bride feel like a queen.
166 Symphony Way, Elgin
It’s pronounced “hate,” but couples actually find much to love at the former storage-transport company site. (It even housed horses.) Namely, they can enjoy cocktails downstairs and then sprawl out for dinner and dancing upstairs – and on custom-built farm tables that pay homage to the building’s history.
Elgin, too, is a short drive from downtown Chicago, and The Haight is such a standout among wedding venues that it’s worth the trip.
3223 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows
When it’s a touch of European glamour you want on your wedding day, it’s glamour you get at La Mirage. This venue specializes in East Coast-style weddings, in which there is no formal dinner hour. Instead, cold appetizers are spread out on long tables. As the dancing begins and continues, the tables are reset with more food items until (often near midnight) it’s time to cut the cake.
La Mirage puts a decidedly different spin on weddings – for couples who, like the best photographers, take a decidedly artistic view of life. The “East Coast Wedding Reception” is very different from the more common “Midwest Style”. If you’re not familiar with it, take a look at our Wedding E-Book to learn more.
Before you go, check out our recent interview on Wedding Venture!
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