
Planning a castle-themed wedding in Chicago might seem like a tall order, considering that the city only has one official castle—Givins’ Irish Castle, a world-class historic landmark. The issue is that it's not available to host your event, so a little outside-the-box thinking is needed. That's where Giggster comes in! We can help you find that castle feel for much cheaper than renting an actual castle or heading far out of town to cities like Dyer, Indiana, for Meyer's Castle.
Since an actual castle in Chicago is off the table, browse our app to find the next best thing. From moody bars with stone features to event spaces full of chandeliers and woodwork, once inside, you'll get total Chicago castle vibes. And if you want to hold your wedding ceremony outdoors, there are beautiful manicured rolling gardens, courtyards, and patios to suit.
For castle wedding venues in Chicago, Giggster is your best friend. Get everything in one place to make your decision easy and be well on your way to the nuptial of your dreams!
Aside from being a one-stop shop for wedding venues in downtown Chicago, the suburbs, and nearby places like Harvard, you can find spots with a bridal suite for preparations, a fabulous dining room for a leisurely pre-wedding breakfast, and reception spaces that hold hundreds:
Natural light isn't a typical feature of a castle, so pick a darker space where most of the light comes from warm-toned chandeliers for that opulence you crave.
Pick a stately Chicago mansion with tall ceilings and luxurious decor where even the estate's smallest room is fit for royalty.
Lovely manicured gardens definitely give off castle vibes, so a beautiful estate just outside the city will offer a calm and colorful wedding environment.
Castle interiors are full of lush fabrics, candles, and impressive stonework, which you can easily get in a Chicago event space in the app.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Whether it's a jewel tone heavy restaurant, sprawling gardens, or an event space with the customary fireplace and chandeliers, the 5 options in Chicago with Giggster don't disappoint.
Hassle-Free Booking: It's nice to know that booking your Giggster venue with the app is a piece of cake. Everything is laid out clearly, from availability to features. The high-quality pics put you right in the space, and the price is displayed up front, starting at only $38/hour. When questions come up, don't hesitate to contact the hosts directly with the click of a button.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If picking a venue feels like a bigger commitment than choosing your partner, we offer 24 hours to change your mind for free. Book and sit with the decision for up to a day, knowing you can cancel as long as the wedding is at least 48 hours away.
Platform Protections: To augment your peace of mind, think about adding out optional protections for things like accidental damage, liability, and increased free cancellation time. Then, when you book a spot like Gothic Church, Straight Out of a Fairytale , you'll be covered!
Chicago's lack of true castles may be a deterrent for hosting your nuptials here, but it doesn't have to be. Weigh these pros and cons to check your location decision.
Advantages
As a major city, you can expect a ton of selection to aid in the creation of your castle theme. Caterers are plentiful and much more willing to offer creative menus, and even though there aren't castles for rent, you have a ton of different locations that can easily be customized.
Whether you're hosting a micro wedding or a huge affair, Chicago's venue diversity means you can easily find a suitable spot.
Especially if the wedding is downtown, guests will have no trouble getting to the venue and home safely. Public transportation generally runs 24/7, with options for the famous L trains, buses, and two airports for anyone flying in.
Disadvantages
You can't have a proper castle. Enough said, really. But, at least with Giggster, you create the feeling you want right in the city.
Stick to summer weddings if you're planning outdoor elements. Chicago's nickname, "The Windy City," should provide a hint as to the winter conditions here. Add in snow and rain, and it won't be any fun navigating to and from the venue or taking part in an outdoor ceremony.
If you have many guests driving or vendors dropping off supplies, parking in the popular parts of the city, like Lincoln Park, The West Loop, and Logan Park, is a challenge. And, the parking rates are very expensive.
Client's taste will differ, so we make sure to offer 5 options for your castle wedding. Find outdoor options on a hill surrounded by expansive gardens, historic features like stone fireplaces, and everything else to guarantee all your creative visions become reality.
Churches – Wedding Sanctuaries. Combine that castle feel with some religious grandeur and rent a picturesque Gothic church with fantastic garden areas and that fairytale ambiance you seek.
Restaurants – Dark and Delightful. Lean into the castle theme and pick a stunning Chicago restaurant as your venue. With high ceilings, colorful glass windows, and stone columns, your wedding reception won't need the largest ballroom or an actual moat.
Gardens – Outdoor Magnificence. When your wedding is planned for the summer, why not take things outside? Rent an entire estate with gardens that belong alongside a castle (there is a manor house that fits the bill) that has one very unique feature—a 60-foot dome. It's an exciting scenic departure from a traditional wedding ceremony.
Event Spaces – A Castle on the Inside. While some of Chicago's event space options aren't true castles, you wouldn't know it once you see the inside. Pick a dimly lit location with wood furniture, wine bottle accents, and stone walls to complete the picture.
Mansions – The Next-Best Thing. When you can't book an actual castle, a mansion will offer the same elegance and lavishness, usually with better amenities and better light. Choose estate homes in a lovely natural setting for a wonderful blend of scenery and convenience.
Any bride will tell you that just planning any type of wedding can be a full-time job if you let it. Stay organized and keep these things in mind as you pull together an unforgettable event:
"Castle" Isn't Enough of a Theme – Go all in and drill down further to get a wider-reaching theme that you can base decor, food, and even entertainment on. Consider things like Medieval chic, garden romance, or just a classic fairytale.
Go Nuts on Decor – If you don't actually have a castle as your venue, it's easy to amp up the illusion of one by adding ivy, long banquet tables, velvet furniture, candles, and luxe gold accents. Rent whatever you don't want to purchase and rely on family and friends for help.
Prepare Regal Invitations – In keeping with the theme, send out royalty-worthy invites as early as you can. Give people time to RSVP, and when they see your classy invite, they won't want to miss the event!
Dine Like Kings and Queens – Find your caterer and plan a menu fit for the castle vibes. Think roasted meats, intricate cakes, wine in goblets, and whatever else resonates.
The "castleness" sort of implies a big budget, but how much you spend is entirely up to you. Securing an affordable venue on the Giggster app is the place to start, and then see what other ways you can save:
Go the do-it-yourself route.
Re-purpose common items you have in your home to create a welcoming castle interior. Lean on any velvet, candlesticks, gold items, and anything else that works. And, if you happen to have a throne lying around, that's certainly a good start! Kidding aside, anything you can borrow or use for decor is ideal, and to save on rentals, make things yourself—think place cards, flower arrangements, and any signage.
Only invite true friends and close family.
It can be tricky to omit people from the guest list for fear of hurt feelings, but a good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn't treat them to restaurant dinner on a regular night, you shouldn't invite them and pay for their food, drinks, favors, etc. Keep the guest list small, and you'll see a big change in the venue, catering, and decor spending.
Avoid two different venues.
Aim to book a space that can accommodate both the vows and the reception. This will obviously save money on the venue, but you won't have to arrange (and pay for) any transportation or worry about scheduling as much.
When you need the perfect option for a castle wedding in the Windy City, the Giggster app is the best companion you could ask for. Quickly and affordably get that royal elegance and build a totally memorable wedding day from there.