The Best Small Wedding Venues in Chicago, IL

The Best Small Wedding Venues in Chicago, IL

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12 Wedding Venues in Chicago, IL

Parks, gardens
Up to 50 guests
Available on September 13, 2026
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Zhou B Art Center 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 350 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $4,000

Zhou B Art Center in Bridgeport offers an artistic and dynamic venue for weddings. The space features contemporary art installations and an industrial-chic aesthetic, creating a visually stunning backdrop for any event. Guests are impressed by the creative atmosphere and the spacious galleries that can be tailored to various wedding styles. The professional staff ensures that every detail is executed flawlessly, providing a seamless experience. Zhou B Art Center is ideal for couples seeking an innovative and memorable venue with an artistic flair.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Natural elegance with open spaces
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Space for a large guest list

Venue considerations

  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • Lighting and sound are not included
  • Couple must handle cleanup and setup
We were looking for an urban space that embodied a feeling of east meets west and the Zhou B Art Center was the perfect space for us. The abstract artwork was a lovely backdrop to our ceremony and reception and our pictures are beautiful. We used Spirit and Moongate in the ground floor and were very happy that the space allowed guests to have some quiet space away from the dance floor when they wanted. The team was easy to work with, and we had a great experience overall.
Daniel & A., 2 years ago
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Canal Street Eatery & Market 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 110 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $10,000

Canal Street Eatery & Market is a full service restaurant. Located next to Union Station, one of Chicago's most iconic buildings, this venue presents itself as the perfect place for fun, feel-good get-togethers. Canal Street Eatery & Market offers numerous areas ready for your function. The main dining area, with its sleek wooden floors, spherical chandeliers, and timeless contemporary art pieces, makes way for a memorable modern-style event. Lush brown leather booths and well-built wicker basket seats also ensure complete comfort for you and all your loved ones. The indoor bar, fitted with warm-toned tiles, a smooth counter, and stylish overhanging lights, sets the scene for an afternoon or evening of sweet, succulent cocktails and celebratory drinks. The restaurant also features ample outdoor space for al fresco wedding feasts, giving you and your guests a chance to enjoy the Chicago summer.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Full catering menu to choose from
  • Provides setup and cleanup

Venue considerations

  • No free parking
  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Does not have a dance floor
Canal Street Eatery is such a cool space. It’s beautiful, the food and drinks are amazing, and it was the perfect spot for our small wedding. Elise and Thaina were so incredible to work with. They were responsive, helpful, and found solutions to small issues that came up. We got so many compliments on the food and drinks at the wedding. Everything about Canal Street Eatery was amazing - it’s truly a hidden gem and they went above and beyond to make sure our day was perfect. We can’t thank them enough!
Lexi P., a month ago
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Beatnik West Town 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 150 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $10,000

Beatnik is an exotic neighborhood escape. Named after the bohemian freethinkers of the 1950s and ’60s, Beatnik channels the beatnik generation’s sense of style, aspiration and rebellion to create an exotic escape with maximalist interiors, lush gardens, tropical cocktails & Mediterranean cuisine. Mirroring our design-through-storytelling whimsy, our culinary team takes guests on a globetrotting journey through the Middle East with the exciting spices of Lebanon, Jordan, & Israel; moving westward across Northern Africa & finishing across the Atlantic with the flavors of Mexico. Our beverage program features savory & fresh cocktails via inventive recipes that follow a no-waste sensibility. Our wine list is an artful amalgamation of wines that are progressive, fun & urge your sense of adventure with every sip. The contrasting styles & textures of Beatnik West Town feature antique pieces from around the world & more than hundreds of living plants throughout the 6,000 square ft space.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Has a luxe vibe
  • Provides event staff

Venue considerations

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Does not allow pets
This venue is one of the top venues in Chicago and I absolutely love working with them. It is a one stop shop with stunning decor and lush foliage that make every picture magical. The events team is a dream to work with. They anticipate every need and the ease of service is perfection. On top of this, the food is insanely delicious! The vendor meal is the best I have ever had! All of the couples I have worked with at Beatnik always end their night in such happiness. Highly recommend!
Sandy Lim Edwards, a year ago
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Celeste 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 60 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $6,000

Housed in a Louis Sullivas building (1888) CELESTE is a refined interpretation of the classic American Drinking establishment, offering 3 floors of hospitality with serious cocktails, fantastic food, and an incredible backdrop for your special day. Additioally boasting a 4th floor, DISCO - we're here for all your dancing needs as well. Celeste and DISCO are your one stop shop for a beautiful micro/mini wedding, of up to 60 guests for a traditional seated event, and even more for a mingle style event (75+ per floor, or 400+ for a full venue buyout).

Why you'll love this venue

  • All-inclusive venue packages
  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Provides catering services

Venue considerations

  • Does not allow pets
  • No free parking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
Celeste is incredible! How many Chicago locations can offer all Celeste does? Not many! They have a magical rooftop space, a disco floor, and two other stunning spaces. The space speaks for itself. So, let me talk about the people behind the location. Their team is attentive to both clients and vendors. They make working at this location a dream for the vendors, which lets us (vendors) focus on making the clients dreams come true. This location is fun, elegant, modern, and a must book! The food and drinks are delightful as well. We love the team and I promise, you will too!
Klaudia Szymel, 5 years ago
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The Ivy Room At Tree Studios 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 200 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $16,875

The Ivy Room is a full-service event space in a historic courtyard building right in the heart of Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Elegance meets simplicity at The Ivy Room. As a full-service event space, we provide nearly everything you need for a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception. Our classic design elements will act as the perfect canvas for any creative vision.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides event staff
  • Has onsite accommodations
  • All-inclusive venue packages

Venue considerations

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • No free parking
The Ivy Room at Tree Studios was an incredible wedding venue that exceeded our expectations in every way. From the moment we first reached out, Abby was attentive, outgoing, and incredibly timely in her communication, making the planning process a breeze. On the day of, they handled so many messy situations, like a late bridal party and weird seating chart, with complete professionalism. The end result was a beautifully detailed event space that was absolutely worth every penny. The quality of their work and the value they provided was unmatched - we're still getting compliments from our guests on how stunning everything was. Guests commented that the quality service, amazing food, and experienced staff made this one of their FAVORITE weddings to attend EVER! Abby is truly a rockstar, and we're so grateful to the entire Ivy Room team for helping make our special day perfect. Extra shout out to Giuseppe and the bar team! Cheers!
Samantha S., a month ago
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The Lytle House 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 80 guests
  • Select services
  • Outdoor
  • Starts at $3,000

The Lytle House is the perfect space to gather and celebrate with up to ​80 of your closest family + friends. Chairs, tables, good lighting, multiple backdrops within the space for ceremony or photos....we specifically designed the space in a way that makes it easy to plan a beautiful event with minimal effort. Focus on good food, good booze, and invite your favorite people to surround you as you celebrate your union.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Allows pets
  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away

Venue considerations

  • No on-premises lodging options
  • No all-inclusive dining options
  • No on-site bridal suite
Awarded Best of Zola
My husband and I were thrilled with our experience at The Lytle House for our wedding. From the very beginning, the communication with Michelle and Robyn was diligent, detailed, helpful, and quick - making the planning process incredibly easy. On the day of the event, they went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfectly set up and executed, with a warm and accommodating demeanor that made us and our guests feel right at home. The venue itself was absolutely gorgeous, with a personal touch that felt tailored just for us. We could tell Michelle and Robyn truly wanted to make our special day as perfect as possible, and their hard work and attention to detail showed in every aspect. We are so grateful to have found such an amazing team to work with, and we would highly recommend The Lytle House to any couple looking for a wedding venue that delivers on quality, value, and exceptional service.
Mallory K., 5 months ago
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Colvin House 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Up to 125 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $18,000

Colvin House is an extraordinary wedding venue featuring an inviting glamorous interior, large outdoor reception areas, beautiful gardens, beach access & unforgettable views of Lake Michigan. Designed in 1909 by visionary Prairie School architect, George W Maher, the mansion is a historic landmark and was a private residence before its current life as an events venue & coworking space. We pride ourselves on fostering inclusivity & we strive to reduce wedding waste by having almost everything needed onsite while also allowing couples vendor flexibility. Previous residents added details reflecting the styles of grand movie theaters and the glamorous neoclassical revival flair of the 1920’s and 1930’s, giving the house a relaxed but unified mix of architectural styles. From the majestic crystal chandelier escorting you down the grand staircase to the marble fireplaces, we invite you to imagine the house is yours for the day as you invite family and friends in to celebrate your union.

Why you'll love this venue

  • All-inclusive venue packages
  • Historic touches
  • Provides a dedicated team on-site

Venue considerations

  • No on-premises lodging options
We were drawn to Colvin House because of the mansion's historic details, but believe it truly shines when paired with the talents of Pyrite Sun, their in-house planning, catering, rentals, and floral team. We met with Sarah (Colvin's Events Manager/Owner of Pyrite Sun) to tour the space and ended up hiring Pyrite Sun for our entire wedding at Colvin House. Not only was it convenient to have everything under one roof, but we had a personalized wedding experience like no other–complete with vintage furniture, plates, and coupes, the most incredible floral from Colvin's gardens, and a customized food menu that our guests still rave about. I also love that Sarah recommends great vendors they've worked with and happily coordinates whatever you need with any other vendors you'd like to hire, as well. Overall, an incredibly special experience you won't find anywhere else. Thank you, Colvin House and Pyrite Sun, for making our vintage glamour wedding dreams come true!
Alaura and K., 4 years ago
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Homestead On The Roof 
Chicago, IL
  • Up to 85 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $5,000

Homestead On The Roof— our cozy, secret rooftop— is tucked away above Roots Handmade Pizza in the heart of West Town. The magic of Homestead is its 85-seat outdoor rooftop patio with full view of the L-shaped, 1,000 square foot rooftop garden overflowing with beautiful flowers, two massive vertical hanging gardens, and a decorative outdoor fireplace. For weddings, Homestead on the Roof can accommodate both ceremony & reception. Homestead On The Roof is open year-round for private events and semi-private events during the summer months. Join us every summer for an exclusive new pop-up menu, available for a limited time.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Flexible event spaces
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Offers full-service amenities

Venue considerations

  • Does not allow pets
  • On-site parking not available
  • Not wheelchair accessible
The Hotel Chicago Downtown 
Chicago, IL
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor

Elegant and avant-garde, this downtown Chicago hotel serves as a hub to the pulsing Marina City playground. The hotel has preferred partnerships with all Marina City outlets, which include House of Blues, SPiN, Harry Caray's, Smith & Wollensky, Yolk and 10Pin. The hotel offers a total of 354 rooms, including 9 Studio King Suites and 11 King Suites, along with 2 Penthouse Suites. This design hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Chicago and within walking distance of State Street Shopping, Michigan Avenue, the Theater District, Merchandise Mart and Millennium Park. It has recently been renovated, and the hotel is an ideal choice for business or leisure. Chicago Midway International Airport is roughly 10 miles away and Chicago O'Hare International Airport is approximately 16 miles from the property.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides a dedicated team on-site
  • Rustic yet refined style
  • Designed for grand celebrations

Venue considerations

  • Not for you if you are looking for something nontraditional
  • Does not allow pets
  • On-site parking not available

Location flexible? Discover venues near Chicago, IL

About wedding venues in Chicago, IL

Planning your wedding in the Windy City gives you an exceptional backdrop for your celebration. Chicago's architectural heritage meets lakefront splendor across diverse neighborhoods, creating a perfect canvas for your special day.

What Makes Chicago's Wedding Venue Scene So Special?

Chicago's venue landscape has everything from Art Deco landmarks to converted industrial lofts. You'll find The Rookery showcasing Frank Lloyd Wright's luminous glass ceiling while The Old Post Office offers 18,000 square feet of versatile space. Be prepared for costs between $13,900-$17,000 for Chicago venues; significantly higher than the national range of $6,500-$12,000 or what typically represents 25% of your total wedding cost.

How Much Should You Budget for Your Chicago Wedding?

A typical Chicago wedding with 150 guests costs about $81,029 with venues taking up 19% of your total budget. Your guest count dramatically impacts costs. With 50 guests you're looking at roughly $34,799 while 300 guests pushes your budget to around $141,008.

Guest CountEstimated Total Budget
50 guests$34,799
100 guests$58,635
150 guests$81,029
200 guests$101,022
250 guests$121,015
300 guests$141,008

Where Are Chicago's Most Distinctive Wedding Venues Located?

West Loop's Lacuna Lofts gives you industrial space perfect for customization with original timber beams that add character. Downtown's Chicago Athletic Association preserves Venetian Gothic architecture with stunning stained glass windows your guests will love. Lincoln Park's Salvatore's delivers vintage elegance with exceptional food including their famous vodka pasta and tiramisu that will have everyone talking.

What Are the Costs for Wedding Services in Chicago?

Beyond your venue you'll need to budget for these key wedding services:

  • Photography: $7,011 (9%)
  • Florists: $10,825 (13%)
  • Catering: $12,372 (15%)
  • Bar Services: $9,897 (12%)
  • Entertainment: $2,537 (3%)
  • Hair & Makeup: $580 (1%)
  • Videography: $6,392 (8%)
  • Planning: $5,584 (7%)

When Should You Book Your Chicago Wedding Venue?

September leads venue inquiries in Chicago with couples typically booking 14 months ahead. You'll find greater availability at winter venues like The Drake Hotel in December and some venues even offer discounts for January-March events helping you stretch your budget further.

Which Chicago Venues Excel at Accessibility?

Walden Chicago features wheelchair-accessible layouts with an outdoor courtyard suitable for ceremonies giving everyone a comfortable experience. Loft on Lake in West Loop offers exposed brick walls and timber beams in a wheelchair-accessible setting though you should know it requires additional event staff and you'll handle cleanup and setup yourselves.

Where Can Foodies Find Outstanding Wedding Cuisine in Chicago?

The Union League Club gives you exceptional dining with executive chefs offering diverse cuisines. Director of Catering Ken S. is known for creating customized menus that reflect your preferences. The Drake Hotel on The Magnificent Mile combines historic elegance with gourmet options while The Dalcy in Fulton Market provides customized catering experiences tailored to your tastes.

Which Chicago Venues Offer Exceptional Remote Participation?

Theater on the Lake offers flexible seating for up to 1,500 guests in a completely enclosed space perfect for advanced remote participation so distant loved ones can join. Adler Planetarium leverages stunning views and diverse event spaces for innovative virtual experiences. The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown provides a sleek backdrop for combining physical and virtual wedding experiences ensuring everyone feels included in your celebration.

What types of wedding venues are in Chicago, IL?

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