About Chicago
Chicago is a vibrant city located in northern Illinois, situated on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s the third most populous American city and offers a wide array of exciting activities. Chicago has been called 'The Second City' because, for decades, it was the country's second-largest city after New York City.
There are fabulous restaurants, creative art galleries, unique shops, and gorgeous landscaped parks throughout the region. Chicago is home to some of the nation's biggest attractions such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, The Field Museum, Millennium Park, and much more.
What makes Chicago so special are its old-style barns, draped with ivy, which maintain their popularity as wedding locations. Several rustic barn wedding venues are located on farms and country estates all around Chicago’s outskirts. With its vast variety of tall skyline buildings, picturesque lakeside views, and charming barn venues, Chicago is an alluring backdrop for any wedding day celebration.
Barn Wedding Options in Chicago
- Decor
To create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home, try rustic decor featuring mason jars, burlap accents, and vintage furniture. For an even more romantic vibe, string lights and candles can do the trick. To bring nature inside as well, add organic elements like wood branches or wildflowers to complete the look.
- Wedding Cake
Not only can local bakeries make a rustic yet modern wedding cake, but they can also add delicate details like lace appliques or hand-painted designs. Try a specialty flavor like banana cream pie filling or salted caramel buttercream for an extra touch of sophistication.
- Music Band
For a truly unique experience, choose Chicago for your live music needs. With bands playing everything from classic rock to bluegrass to jazz, you're sure to find the perfect fit for your event. And with high-quality sound equipment, you and your guests are guaranteed an unforgettable time.
- Entertainments
Add some fun to your big day by incorporating lawn games such as giant Jenga or cornhole. Create photo booth memories with props and background options for guests of all ages. Interactive activities like s'mores stations or wildflower crown-making are perfect for any party!
Barn Wedding Vendors in Chicago
- Flourish Cake Design
Flourish Cake Design specializes in creating one-of-a-kind cakes that are tailored to your specific event. You can try six of their awesome buttercream designs or choose to splurge on fondant, sugar flowers, fancy piping, sculpted tiers, hand painting, or other personalized details—but it'll be worth it because your cake will look like art!
- LEAP Weddings
LEAP Weddings is not your typical stuffy wedding videography company. With a focus on fresh and edgy styles, they are sure to please even the most discerning tastes. They believe that surprises are best left for birthday parties—not weddings! The team has over 15 years of experience and has captured over 600 weddings.
- ShutterBooth
ShutterBooth provides elegant photo booths for exceptional events. With their photo booths, guests can enjoy spontaneity and capture unforgettable moments with friends or family. After the event, they can take home photo strips, scrapbooks, and photo DVDs as lasting memories of a truly unique experience.
Pros and Cons of Barn Weddings in Chicago
Barn weddings in Chicago present couples with a unique and memorable way to start their lives together. From the rustic charm to the beauty of nature, barn weddings provide a unique atmosphere for couples and their guests to enjoy. With careful planning and talented vendors, their wedding day can be filled with unforgettable memories in this one-of-a-kind setting.
Advantages
- Barn weddings offer a beautiful, rustic atmosphere for couples to exchange vows and celebrate.
- The warm and inviting ambiance of barn wedding venues in Chicago can help create an intimate atmosphere that encourages guests to mingle and enjoy the festivities.
- Chicago offers plenty of talented vendors who specialize in providing unique decor and entertainment for barn weddings.
- The rustic setting of a barn wedding is perfect for creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Disadvantages
- Barn venues can be more expensive than other wedding venues due to the cost of decorating and furnishing them.
- Barns can be hard to access, as they are often located in rural areas, requiring guests to travel further distances and incur additional costs.
- Chicago's unpredictable weather may cause some challenges in planning your outdoor event.
- Since barns are not typically climate controlled, they can become uncomfortably hot or cold during certain times of the year if not adequately prepared.
Tips on How to Organize Barn Weddings in Chicago
Planning a barn wedding in Chicago can be an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience—but don't fret! Here are some useful tips to make sure your special day is as smooth and stress-free as possible:
- Locate the ideal site: You don't have to look far in The Windy City, as it is home to many gorgeous barns that will make your event one of a kind. Nonetheless, before booking a venue, do not forget to thoroughly research and find one that satisfies all of your standards.
- Get the details ironed out: Don't forget to plan for every element, from food and beverages to music and decorations.
- Provide entertainment: Now that you've taken care of the soundtracks for your event, why not bring in a live band or DJ to keep your guests dancing all night with their favorite beats?
- Preserve your special moment: Seize the day and make sure to hire a professional photographer so you can relive the memories of your big event for years to come. Try to find one who specializes in outdoor weddings and rustic style with their photos.
Famous Locations in Chicago
- Metropolitan Farms
Metropolitan Farms is a Chicago-based company that is shaking up the food industry. The company grows herbs, greens, and microgreens in a state-of-the-art vertical farm, using LED lighting and AI-powered software to optimize growth. Aquaponics sets Metropolitan Farms apart from other vertical farms, a technology that uses fish waste to fertilize the plants. This results in a closed-loop system that is more sustainable and efficient than traditional farming methods. Not only is Metropolitan Farms changing the way food is grown, but they are also making it more accessible to people in urban areas.
- GlennArt Farm
Chicago is known for many things—deep dish pizza, the Bean, and cold winters. But did you know it's also home to one of the most unique farms in the country? GlennArt Farm is a family-owned business that grows heirloom fruits and vegetables. What makes these crops so unique? Heirloom crops are varieties passed down from generation to generation, and they often have individual flavor profiles that you can't find in mass-produced products.
- Unity Temple
Unity Temple is considered one of the first and most influential examples of modernist architecture in the United States. The building was designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and was constructed between 1905 and 1908. Although it was initially intended as a Unitarian church, the building now serves as a community center and house of worship for various faiths. One of the most striking features of Unity Temple is its massive, cubic structure. Using concrete and glass creates a light and airy space that belies the solidity of the building.