Find Reception venues for rent in Chicago, IL

Reception venues Chicago

About Chicago

Chicago is a city where you can watch a world-class sports team, take in a theater show, and enjoy fine dining all in the one night. And with beautiful Lake Michigan and pretty parks to explore by day, it’s not hard to see why locals and visitors love the Windy City.

And if you’re hosting a reception in Chicago, you’re well and truly spoiled for choice. You have access to a unique range of reception venues in Chicago to host everything from a cocktail reception or wedding reception to wedding rehearsal dinners. Music and entertainment options abound too, so it’ll be easy to inspire your guests to hit the dance floor and bust a move. Add in the fact that Chicago is home to many sought-after caterers and you’ll soon see why it’s the ideal destination for your wedding ceremony or special occasion.

Here’s how to plan a memorable celebration at Chicago wedding venues, country clubs, banquet halls, and outdoor spaces.

Reception Options in Chicago

One of the most overwhelming parts of planning a Chicago wedding is working out the details, from food to transportation and everything in between. Fortunately, Chicago, Illinois, has many best-in-class reception and event spaces to help with the wedding venue and ceremony.

• Catering:
  Chicago wedding venues offer delicious food that will be the talk of any reception. You can find catering that offers classic dishes like renowned Chicago deep-dish pizza. Many caterers create elegant entrees and stunning appetizers for guests for multiple wedding venues in Chicago. No matter how formal your event is, there is a catering service that can make your food dreams come true. Imagine eating delicious food against the skyline views at a rooftop Chicago wedding.
  
  
• Transportation:
  There are many transportation services to help you get your guests to your Chicago wedding venue on time. Whether you opt for a sleek limousine service, ride-share, taxi, or party bus, you'll find that Chicago has many fast, fun, and friendly transportation options that help you shuttle between multiple event spaces.
  
  
• Equipment Rentals:
  Do you need dishes, tables, chairs, or decorations for your guests at your wedding venue? What about fine linens or artworks to lend timeless elegance to your space? Many equipment rental companies can supply weddings or events with everything they need. Many will even let you match supplies to your unique event theme or colors and handle everything from logistics to set up on your big day.

Reception Planners in Chicago

Enlisting the help of a professional event planner can save you countless hours, and make a huge difference. Fortunately, Chicago has some of the best event planners in the business with the expertise to help make your Chicago event flawless.

• Bliss Events
  This woman-owned event planning company has been in business for over 20 years and has built a strong reputation in the event space. It focuses on creating events that “engage, excite, and delight.” It has tie-ups with hotels, gardens, historic, and courtyard venues. Services include day-of coordination and services, decor rentals, design consulting, and floral design for Chicago wedding venues.
  
  
• Lola Event Productions
  Lola Event Productions is a team of veteran event planners with over 50+ years of experience. They can help make your wedding reception unique and manage everything from logistics coordination, wedding decor, and design assistance to event production and management of all guests. Additionally, they can create the perfect backdrop to mimic the modern subway tile, making your guests feel like they are part of an authentic Chicago experience.
  
  
• Liven It Up Events
  This full-service wedding and event planning and production company has over a decade of experience planning Chicago pop-up spaces and shops. Past clients include Facebook and Miller Lite. Depending on the available space, they can help decorate and organize weddings in the entire building, hotel, or park.

Pros and Cons of Receptions in Chicago

Every location and venue has pros and cons. Why would the wedding venues in Chicago be any different? When choosing your space, it is important to consider the pros and cons of the city. If you are drawn to some specific styles, weighing the good with the bad is helpful. Always walk through multiple ideas before finalizing a style or space. You might want a bar, a country style walkway, a historic backdrop, and more.

Advantages

• Beautiful Venues
  There are going to be a lot of beautiful reception spaces to choose from in Chicago, from unique wedding venues to sophisticated event spaces.
  
  
• Moderate Weather
  Chicago's spring, summer, and fall temperatures are great for outdoor events. Imagine a beautiful courtyard with an intimate nook for photos. What a gorgeous location to get married and start your life together.
  
  
• Many Attractions
  The location and history always offer an exciting atmosphere for your guests. The bustling metropolis offers plenty to do, and the city skyline plus locations like Millennium Park provide a beautiful backdrop for photos.
  
  
• Excellent Food
  Chicago offers excellent food and catering options from experienced vendors, providing cuisine that is sure to pair perfectly with any sophisticated venue.

Disadvantages

• Pricey Venues
  Event and party services in Chicago can be pricey, especially at historic locations known for their impeccable style and intimate weddings.
  
  
• Harsh Winter Weather
  Chicago’s winter weather is not ideal for an event, especially if you have out-of-town guests. In winter, deciding on an indoor venue instead of a garden is best. While the world does look like an icy fairytale, hosting a wedding in a chilled garden might not be the best for your guests.
  
  
• Crime
  Some parts of Chicago are not always safe, so you must be careful where you lodge your guests for their stay.
  
  
• Popularity
  Wedding venues are always quite popular. If you don’t book your site ahead of time, it will book up quickly.
  
  
• High Traffic
  The city traffic can make transportation difficult during weddings if your ceremony venue differs from your reception venue. Finding a car park can also be a challenge in some areas.

Famous Reception Venues in Chicago

Check out these fantastic Chicago destinations for pre- and post-reception photos or as a gathering place. You'll be glad you did!

• Art Institute of Chicago
  Art Institute of Chicago is a staple of Chicago culture and history. Finding a wedding venue near this institution will create a fun and elegant atmosphere and allow your guests to explore downtown Chicago.
  
  
• Wrigley Field
  Wrigley Field is another stunning historical price in Chicago, IL. The baseball field is home to the Chicago Cubs and is a fun and nostalgic gathering place. Look for a nearby urban loft in a modern Chicago sky-rise for your venue, and you can take the whole party to a post-reception ballgame.
  
  
• South Loop Chicago
  South Loop Chicago is an emerging neighborhood near the coast and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Its venues are energetic and offer fun for everyone, providing the perfect backdrop for an event your guests are sure to remember.
  
  
• Lake Michigan
  Lake Michigan is a fantastic place to get away from the bustle of the city. Having your event in a park or building near the lake will be a great, cost-effective option, and it will also be great for photos.