The Best Small Wedding Venues in Chicago
Chicago, on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a great place to hold just about any event. This city of skyscrapers is packed with event spaces ranging from private dining rooms to great restaurants to historic greystone houses. And that's to say nothing of the urban lofts and rooftop decks of the city that give incredible views of the downtown Chicago skyline. If you're looking for an unforgettable place to hold an intimate wedding, you're sure to find it here.
Giggster makes it easier than ever to find an event venue for a micro wedding or a more traditional ceremony. The Giggster app has all of Chicago's favorite small wedding venues available to search and book, and the multiple event spaces we offer make wedding planning easier than ever before.
Why Choose Giggster for Your Small Wedding Venue in Chicago?
Chicago has lots to recommend as a wedding venue, including its cultural highlights and lively downtown. But probably the best thing about the city is the incredible variety of venues it has for an intimate wedding.
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Honor tradition by holding your micro wedding in a church. Giggster has several churches and chapels that you can rent, and even if your wedding is nonreligious, these venues make a beautiful backdrop for small weddings, with vintage furniture, abundant natural light, and perfect photo ops to make your wedding day truly special.
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Celebrate your interests by renting out a quirky venue like a vintage store. If you and your spouse are on the nerdy side or just have specialist interests, you can make them part of your ceremony by getting married in a vintage store, a wine cellar, or even a BDSM dungeon, if that's your thing.
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Enjoy beautiful views over downtown Chicago by renting a downtown loft or even a rooftop deck. Floor-to-ceiling windows give you incredible views of the city and ensure you will have spectacular photos, making these some of the most popular small wedding venues in Chicago.
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Private houses can be ideal for a micro wedding or intimate gathering. Chicago offers everything from historic greystone houses with wood beams and decorative brick fireplaces to modern suburban homes that offer unique spaces for your closest family and friends.
Amazing Small Wedding Venues in Chicago Starting at Just $25 USD/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Whether you want a stunning view from a downtown loft or prefer a fully equipped grand ballroom with a dance floor, Giggster can help you find an elegant space for an intimate wedding. With 386 small wedding venues to choose from, you'll have no problem finding ideal small venues in Chicago that will make the perfect setting for an intimate event with your closest friends and chosen guests.
Hassle-Free Booking: The Giggster app makes it easier than ever to find small wedding venues in Chicago. You can search by areas like West Town, River North, West Loop, or the Magnificent Mile, or filter for important amenities like a breathtaking view or available guest rooms. Rental fees start at just $25 USD/hour, so you can find event spaces to fit any budget.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Giggster gives you flexibility when booking a micro wedding. Your event venue is cancelable within the first 24 hours of receiving your booking confirmation, provided you give more than 48 hours notice before your event is due to start.
Platform Protections: Feel confident when booking amazing small wedding venues in Chicago like Vintage dig w/ cozy casual vibes. The Giggster app offers additional protections against damage and liability so you don't have to worry about anyone on your guest list accidentally breaking anything.
Know the Pros and Cons of a Small Wedding in Chicago
Chicago's cultural treasures and big-city amenities make it an excellent choice for small and large weddings, receptions, or an elegant dinner party. However, before booking the venue for your intimate wedding, consider the pros and cons of the city.
Advantages
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The diversity of venues on offer in Chicago is one of the major reasons to plan a wedding here. Whether you want an elegant bar for cocktail hour, a boutique hotel with a historic atmosphere, or prefer a traditional seated dinner in a banquet hall, this city can give you what you need.
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Chicago is a great city full of attractions like Navy Pier, Logan Square, Skydeck Chicago, and the River Walk. Both before and after the wedding, your guests will be able to find lots of things to do to help them enjoy the city.
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Chicago's food and drink scene is legendary. Whether you're planning to hire in-house catering for your event or booking a restaurant for afterward, it's easy to find delicious things to eat in this great food city.
Disadvantages
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Chicago is known for the wind that comes off Lake Michigan, and also for its harsh winters. If your dream is to have an intimate wedding on an outdoor courtyard or rooftop deck, you'll have to consider the time of year and the weather.
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Chicago isn't particularly cheap. While Giggster can help you find an affordable hidden gem for your micro wedding, the cost of food, drink, decorations, and everything else you need can quickly add up.
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Chicago's large population means lots of competition. Book your venue early to make sure you get what you want.
The Best Type of Venue for Your Small Wedding in Chicago
Giggster's 386 venues for small weddings make it an excellent choice for your special day. There's such a variety on offer in the city that you can find the perfect venue for just about any occasion.
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Firehouses – Industrial Chic. What is more emblematic of the city than a historic firehouse? Chicago has several firehouses that have been converted into residential and commercial spaces, and hosting a wedding here allows you to enjoy a uniquely Chicago celebration.
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Lofts – Breathtaking Views and Elegance. Chicago's skyline is rightly famous, and the many lofts in the downtown area are one of the best ways to enjoy it. Rent a venue like the Charcoal Factory Loft, which can host small gatherings of 15 people but also has a maximum capacity of a hundred, for ultimate flexibility.
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Historic Houses – Classic Atmosphere. With venues like the Colvin House or the Ingersoll-Blackwelder Mansion, you'll get incredible photos and great amenities while celebrating the history of the city. For a bigger gathering, you could also rent the National Historic Assembly Hall with a built-in bar and dance floor.
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Restaurants and Bars – Intimacy and Good Taste. Commercial establishments like restaurants and bars make ideal venues for a micro wedding. You can rent the whole venue or just a back room and keep things small and sophisticated.
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Outdoor Venues – Summer Wedding Vibes. Embrace the sunshine with a patio, garden, or even a 300-acre nature park. Enjoy incredible views and soak up the sunshine in the brief but glorious Chicago summer.
Planning a Beautiful Small Wedding in Chicago
Preparation is everything when it comes to staging the perfect event. Even a small wedding requires careful thought to make it everything it can be, so don't neglect these important considerations.
Select the Venue – With so many options to choose from in the city, you can find the perfect venue to suit the theme of your wedding. Think about how many guests you'll be bringing and the size of the wedding venue you need, and pay attention to the maximum capacity, especially if the space is small.
Plan Your Guest List – Small weddings can be really beautiful, but they do mean you have to be very selective about who you invite. Keeping the guest list small is an art form, and it's something you and your partner will have to think about carefully together, probably even before you choose your venue.
Create a Unique Ceremony – With a small wedding, you don't need to stick with tradition unless you want to. If you're having a religious wedding, the ceremony will be more or less decided for you, but if not, you could have a friend or family member officiate, choose a nontraditional seating arrangement like having everyone in a circle, and let your creativity shine.
Think About Photography – If your budget stretches to it, a professional photographer can help you get incredible photos of your special day. Or you could hire a photo booth or give out disposable cameras to let guests capture their own special moments.
Saving Money on a Small Wedding in Chicago
Part of the appeal of a small wedding is it can often be more affordable than a larger event. Here are some good ideas to keep costs down.
Save money on food.
With a small wedding, you don't need an expensive culinary team to provide catering. In fact, you may not need to feed your guests at all. But if you are planning a dinner, you'll find many restaurants will waive the fee for renting a room if you guarantee a minimum spend on food.
Embrace minimalist decorations.
Rent a beautiful Chicago wedding venue with Giggster, and you won't need to spend a lot of money on decor. After all, most of that stuff just gets thrown out anyway.
Rent a versatile space.
Choose the right venue on the Giggster app, and you can hold both the wedding ceremony and the reception in the same place. This gives you more bang for your buck and simplifies your wedding planning process.
Pulling off a Memorable Small Wedding in Chicago with Giggster
Chicago is an incredible place to book a small wedding. Use the Giggster app to find the perfect space for your event, and you'll be that much closer to the wedding of your dreams.
