Planning a wedding in Chicago and looking for a rad wedding venue that isn’t a ballroom? I’m Ian, a professional Chicago wedding photographer. In my experience, these are the best Chicago West Loop wedding venues.
I love working in the West Loop with couples who want to have a great time on their wedding day while looking amazing in their photos. If that’s you and you’re still looking for a photographer, just reach out here to see if I’ve got your date available!
How Much Does a West Loop Wedding Venue Cost?
On average a Chicago West Loop wedding venue is $10,000 for Saturday weddings during busy season. Lower rates are available at most West Loop venues on Friday’s, Sunday’s and during the off-season: January through March.
Room 1520, Ovation, Walden, and Fairlie start around $6,000. For specific pricing I recommend reaching out directly to the venue.
How to Book a Chicago Wedding Venue?
- Have a good estimate of your guest list size.
- Tour the venues you’re most interested in.
- Review pricing and packages to fit your needs.
I hope this gets you off to a good start finding a rad wedding venue! Here are 7 of the best Chicago West Loop wedding venues that will truly give your guests the Chicago experience!
All photos by Rempel Photography.
The Best Chicago West Loop Wedding Venues
Room 1520
Room 1520 stands out on this list with it’s white exposed brick, crystal chandeliers, and white-washed antique bar. The back courtyard at Room 1520 is covered with gorgeous ivy and twinkly string lights; it’s shady most of the day, making it a great spot for portraits or an evening cigar-bar. Room 1520 gives rooftop access for photos with great views of the sunset looking west out of the city, or city views looking east.
Room 1520 seats a 150 person guest-list with a dance-floor. Booking comes with access to their bridal suite so you can easily get ready for your wedding onsite. They also offer an all-inclusive booking package that includes a month-of planner, DJ, and printing photobooth.
Walden Chicago
Walden Chicago features an expansive two-story layout with an original bow-truss ceiling on the main floor and breathtaking Chicago skyline views on the rooftop. You can host your ceremony on the second floor, then invite your guests back downstairs for cocktail hour. When it’s time for your reception, the curtains will be pulled back for a stunning room reveal, wowing your guests with the decor.
Walden Chicago is truly an all-inclusive venue. Every wedding booking includes full-service planners that help you book your vendors, manage your budget, design your timeline and more. They have a restaurant grade kitchen with chef-driven cuisine, top-tier bar service, bridal suite for getting ready, rentals, staffing, and amenities. Walden Chicago seats a 275 person guest list with standing cocktail hour at the bar, seated reception and dance-floor.
Fairlie
Fairlie stands out with a massive 35 foot vaulted ceiling with a second floor balcony that overlooks the entire event space. Couples can wow their guests by descending the grand staircase before walking down the aisle to their ceremony. Fairlie’s built in bar beautifully matches the look and feel of the space, while ivy grows on the outside of the brick venue to give you a gorgeous backdrop for portraits.
Fairlie can seat 250 guests with a dance-floor. On the second floor you’ll find two fully furnished suites for getting ready included with your booking. And now for my favorite feature at Fairlie: indoor food truck access. Yes, you can actually have a vehicle drive inside the venue.
Ovation Chicago
Ovation Chicago brings a clean, rad design to the brick venue style in the west loop. It’s bow-truss ceilings bring the classic Chicago style to life and speak for themselves. Your guests won’t believe their ears when they hear Ovation’s custom installed, top of the line VOID speaker system. If you care about music, this is the place for you.
Ovation seats 200 guests with a dance-floor. Every booking includes access to their 1959 Rolls Royce so you can ride in style and take one-of-a-kind photos (I suggest under the nearby L). You’ll have access to their vintage photobooth, a Style Matters DJ, and a private bridal suite.
The Dalcy
If you want a wedding in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop, The Dalcy is for you. It’s third floor location on Fulton St brings the energy and life of the city’s hottest block to your wedding. The Dalcy’s massive rooftop patio gives your guests stunning views of the city where they’ll be taking photos all night!
The Dalcy seats 300 guests in the main event space with a dance-floor. Couples can work with The Dalcy’s private chef to design a custom menu including cocktails and desserts. Access to valet will make it easy for your guests to arrive. It’s sophisticated and thoughtful style really sets it apart from other Chicago West Loop venues.
City Hall Events
City Hall Events stands out with its refined industrial style. It has a vaulted roof with skylights, floor to ceiling windows and massive stone bar that stretches the length of the venue. One wall features a massive floral mural on a black wall that looks great with the surrounding brick.
City Hall Events seats 300 guests with room for a dance-floor. Every booking comes with access to the second floor bridal suite overlooking the first floor. Located next to Recess, your guests have a go-to after party location to keep the vibes going.
Morgan’s On Fulton
Truly in the heart of Fulton Market in the West Loop, Morgan’s on Fulton is a breathtaking guest experience. It’s a rooftop venue with a retractable glass ceiling, glass walls, and even a walk-out balcony. I love this because even if it rains you’re not totally out of luck!
Morgan’s on Fulton can seat 160 guests for a seated dinner. You could host your ceremony here then enjoy cocktail hour on the patio while the room is flipped for the reception. As the sun goes down your guests will be treated to breathtaking city views!
Ready to Book Your Chicago Wedding Photographer?
I hope this guide to 7 of the best Chicago West Loop wedding venues gets you off to a great start with venue shopping! To book a wedding venue: check out their photos, take an in-person tour, and then pick a package that fits with your style and budget.
Still looking for a photographer? I’d love to hear more about your wedding ideas! You can check to see if I have your date available by reaching out here. Can’t wait to chat more! -Ian
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