The Best Wedding Venues in Evanston, IL

The Best Wedding Venues in Evanston, IL

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5 Wedding Venues in Evanston, IL

250-300 guests
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Meyer's Castle 

4.8

  • Up to 350 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor

Meyer's Castle is a world class historic landmark set on a hill surrounded by beautiful manicured rolling gardens. The wonderful blend of polished elegance in a natural setting offers an exciting scenic departure from ordinary alternatives. Located only 35 minutes away from downtown Chicago, the estate's smallest room can host a minimum of 30 guests, while the largest ballroom can accommodate up to 350.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Provides catering services
  • Lush gardens
  • All-inclusive venue packages

Venue considerations

  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
Awarded Best of Zola
Our wedding at Meyer's Castle was nothing short of magical, and we owe so much of that to our incredible coordinator, Eva.

From day one, Eva was organized, thoughtful, and so genuinely caring. She made sure every detail was in place and that everything ran smoothly--not just behind the scenes, but for me personally as the bride. The day was beautiful, but hot, and Eva went above and beyond to make sure I stayed comfortable and calm. At one point when I was feeling overheated, she literally helped pin my hair up herself. That kind of kindness, grace, and hands-on support is something I'll never forget.

Meyer's Castle was the most stunning backdrop to our big day. The grounds are breathtaking, the atmosphere is so elegant, and our guests were completely blown away by the beauty of it all. Every part of the venue felt like it was straight out of a fairytale--from the ceremony setting to the castle charm that made the whole day feel surreal.

I truly can't imagine having done this without Eva by our side. She was a calm in the chaos, a true professional, and someone who genuinely cared about making our day perfect.

If you're thinking about booking Meyer's Castle--do it. And if you're lucky enough to have Eva as your coordinator, just know you're in the best hands. I'll be forever grateful for her and this dreamy venue that brought our love story to life.

Thank you, Eva & Meyer's Castle, for a day we'll cherish forever!
Jamie R., 3 months ago
Quick responder
Parkway Banquets 

4.9

  • Up to 400 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Outdoor & indoor
  • Starts at $5,000

Parkway Banquets has TWO amazing locations located just 2.8 miles apart! 1)PARKWAY BY THE LAKE - Ingleside, IL (capacity for 200), & 2)PARKWAY BANQUETS SALON - Round Lake, IL (capacity for 400). We're truly unique! Our Ingleside venue is waterside! Nestled on the shores of Long Lake, we're right next to the beautiful Lake County Forest Preserve. This is one of the most incredible settings you will ever find. The canopied, outdoor ceremony area is surrounded by nature! Our Round Lake venue boasts opulence & class with crystal chandeliers suspended from 12' ceilings, and dramatic ceiling drapery. Our AH-MAZING, all-inclusive wedding packages are inexpensive & straight forward, making planning stress-free. We work with you to customize a package that focuses on what's most important to YOU. What's the most common comment from Parkway's guests? "This is the BEST wedding I've ever been to!" Find out why Parkway Banquets is Lake County's BEST KEPT SECRET! We can't wait to tell you more!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Allows pets
  • Bridal suite on site
  • Multiple event spaces

Venue considerations

  • Not for you if you are drawn to more unconventional venues
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
Awarded Best of Zola
Jerry and his crew made out wedding day incredible! They helped run the whole day, they got the guests seated, kept everything on schedule, and ensured that Ben and I didn't have to worry about anything. When our flowergirl got stage-fright right before walking down the aisle, Jerry swooped in to save the day and helped her find her mom. We initially didn't plan to do a grand entrance into the reception, but Jerry and the DJ (Megan from Music that Moves) made one happen last-minute so our flower girl could have a second shot ar throwing her petals. You're not just getting a venue at Parkway, you're getting a whole team who will make your event run smoothly. If we ever do a vow renewal or anniversary party, we will be back!
Emily-Paige & B., a month ago
Quick responder
The Woman's Club of Evanston 

5.0

Evanston, IL
  • Up to 250 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $5,000

The Woman’s Club of Evanston is an ideal setting for your most special occasion. Our historic Clubhouse, built in 1912, exudes warmth and timeless elegance. On the first floor, the lovely Tea Room with sparkling chandeliers flows into the Music Room with one of our grand pianos. The Sun Porch can be used as a wedding suite or additional seating during cocktail hour, providing multiple settings for your friends and family to enjoy. The double staircase off the marble foyer leads to the dramatic Grand Ballroom, the perfect place for dinner and dancing. The Woman’s Club allows you to select a caterer from our broad list with various price ranges to accommodate your budget. Our caterers are very familiar with the Clubhouse assuring your event will run smoothly. Dinnerware, tables, chairs and other equipment needed to host your wedding are included.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Bridal suite on site
  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Multiple event spaces

Venue considerations

  • Does not allow pets
  • No on-site guest accommodations
  • Does not provide event staff
Awarded Best of Zola
The Woman’s Club of Evanston was the perfect venue for our June wedding! After an extensive venue search, we were so excited to find the Woman’s Club. The venue checked every box we had - close enough to the city for us and our friends and close enough to the suburbs for our family. The venue is also located right between a reasonably-priced parking garage and a lovely Hilton, which accommodated anyone flying or driving into our celebration. Our vendors also raved about the ease of working in that space, from the vendor parking lot to loading areas to elevators. The venue manager, Gretchen, was the best! She is an excellent communicator and answered all our questions promptly, and was on top of all the tasks that needed to be completed. The BYOB policy of the venue also helped us save some money on our beverages. The list of preferred caterers was great and we found someone that was the perfect fit for our fusion wedding. The venue itself is so beautiful. As soon as I walked in, I knew it was just right for us. The first floor is so warm and welcoming, and was perfect for our photos and for the cocktail hour. The second floor ballroom is grand and had such a wow factor. We were able to keep our decorations to a minimum because the venue itself is gorgeous. The space has so much natural light. We used the gardens outside for our first look, which made for some lovely photos. There’s nowhere else I would rather have gotten married!
Shruti K., a year ago
PALMHOUSE 

5.0

Evanston, IL
  • Up to 400 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor

Welcome to PALMHOUSE. We are foodies. We are party hosts. We are cocktail connoisseurs. We believe that your event should be as smooth as good tequila. We are a community of Hospitality and Event professionals who are dedicated to making your next event THE BEST it can be. We have spent the last 10 years hosting a variety of events throughout Evanston + Chicagoland and kept coming back to how we could bring a city-vibe venue to the far north side. We’ve thrown enough parties to know what’s most important, and want to help you simplify the event planning process to make it everything you dreamed of, without the fuss — and with that, PALMHOUSE was born. DAMN we love a good party, and can’t wait to help you host your next celebration!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Classic elegance
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Private area for the wedding party

Venue considerations

  • Couple must handle cleanup and setup
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Lighting and sound are not included
It's always the dream team when we work with Palmhouse! The space is incredibly beautiful with wood beams, brick walls, and natural light from the skylights and windows filling each room. Not to mention, they have two beautiful bars where they serve super creative signature cocktails tailored to each event. Major bonus points for the farm tables, farm style high tops, and chairs that are included in their venue rental! The team is so thoughtful, easy to work with and professional. You know your event is in good hands when you book at Palmhouse.
Monica, 4 years ago
Hilton Orrington/Evanston 
Chicago, IL
  • Up to 500 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor

Perfectly situated in the picturesque lakeshore metropolis of Evanston, Hilton Orrington has been celebrating matrimonial bliss for 100 years. Weddings here emanate charm and refinement marked by backdrops exuding with plenty of versatility, tailored amenities and enhancements that will make planning your wedding effortless. With over 24,000 sq. ft. and two ballrooms offering open floor plans and ornate details, these space require minimal décor due to the un-replicated beauty of the art deco architecture, however can easily be customized with personal touches to build upon the already elevated setting. Partner alongside the wedding team at Hilton Orrington to utilize their tenure expertise from build conceptual culinary that brings creativity from planning to plating with high quality ingredients for a high taste output to satisfy the most distinguished of palettes to assisting with trusted vendor selection.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Has a dance floor for celebration
  • Provides catering services
  • Blends luxury with trendiness

Venue considerations

  • On-site parking not available
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Does not allow pets

Location flexible? Discover venues near Evanston, IL

About wedding venues in Evanston, IL

Planning your Illinois wedding opens up a world of venue options from The Seville's all-inclusive elegance in Streamwood to the industrial-chic vibes at Warehouse 109 in Plainfield. You'll find perfect spaces for everything from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations throughout the state.

What Makes Illinois Wedding Venues Special?

Illinois offers remarkable regional diversity in wedding settings. Downtown Chicago venues like The Gwen and Private Dining by Sepia treat you to stunning skyline views and sophisticated urban atmospheres. Head to the suburbs and you'll discover spots like Itasca Country Club with picturesque golf course backdrops. Central Illinois charms with converted barns and historic properties while Southern Illinois tempts with vineyard settings and lakefront locations.

Venue costs in Illinois typically range between $9,600 and $11,700 which aligns well with the national average of $6,500-$12,000 (representing about 25% of your total wedding budget).

How Much Should You Budget for Your Illinois Wedding?

Your guest count dramatically impacts your overall budget:

Guest CountTotal Budget
50 guests$24,093
100 guests$40,625
150 guests$56,164
200 guests$70,046
250 guests$83,928
300 guests$97,810

Where Can You Find Accessible Wedding Venues in Illinois?

If accessibility matters to you Illinois delivers several excellent options. Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton offers wheelchair accessibility while hosting up to 275 guests in naturally elegant surroundings. Loft on Lake in Chicago's West Loop combines wheelchair accessibility with industrial-chic style featuring exposed brick and timber beams. Need space for a larger crowd? Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville accommodates around 600 guests with full accessibility and air-conditioning.

Which Illinois Venues Offer Outstanding Culinary Experiences?

Food can make your wedding truly memorable. The Seville in the Chicagoland area features an award-winning chef who creates show-stopping flaming desserts as part of their comprehensive packages. For an urban setting Salvatore's in Chicago's Lincoln Park consistently earns praise for exceptional cuisine with guests particularly recommending their Tortellini and Tiramisu.

What Are the Cost Breakdowns for a 150-Guest Wedding in Illinois?

For a typical 150-guest wedding totaling $56,164 your budget will likely break down as:

  • Venue: $10,665 (19%)
  • Catering: $8,532 (15%)
  • Florists: $7,466 (13%)
  • Bar Services: $6,826 (12%)
  • Photographers: $4,835 (9%)
  • Videographers: $4,408 (8%)
  • Planners: $3,851 (7%)
  • Bands/DJs: $1,750 (3%)
  • Cakes/Desserts: $668 (1%)
  • Hair & Makeup: $400 (1%)

How Can You Maximize Value at Illinois Wedding Venues?

September stands as Illinois' most popular wedding month so you'll need to book well in advance. Most venues are secured about 15 months (457 days) ahead with venue inquiries typically representing couples' first wedding planning step.

Look for venues offering comprehensive packages that include essentials like tables chairs and audio equipment. This approach often delivers better value than piecing services together separately.

Can Illinois Venues Accommodate Remote Wedding Participants?

While traditional venues might not explicitly advertise advanced remote participation many can adapt for hybrid events. Consider working with places like Cheney Mansion Starved Rock Lodge or Mt. Zion Convention Center to implement interactive elements beyond basic streaming. You could incorporate virtual reality experiences or live polls to keep remote guests fully engaged in your celebration.

Planning your Illinois wedding opens up a world of venue options from The Seville's all-inclusive elegance in Streamwood to the industrial-chic vibes at Warehouse 109 in Plainfield. You'll find perfect spaces for everything from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations throughout the state.

What Makes Illinois Wedding Venues Special?

Illinois offers remarkable regional diversity in wedding settings. Downtown Chicago venues like The Gwen and Private Dining by Sepia treat you to stunning skyline views and sophisticated urban atmospheres. Head to the suburbs and you'll discover spots like Itasca Country Club with picturesque golf course backdrops. Central Illinois charms with converted barns and historic properties while Southern Illinois tempts with vineyard settings and lakefront locations.

Venue costs in Illinois typically range between $9,600 and $11,700 which aligns well with the national average of $6,500-$12,000 (representing about 25% of your total wedding budget).

How Much Should You Budget for Your Illinois Wedding?

Your guest count dramatically impacts your overall budget:

Guest CountTotal Budget
50 guests$24,093
100 guests$40,625
150 guests$56,164
200 guests$70,046
250 guests$83,928
300 guests$97,810

Where Can You Find Accessible Wedding Venues in Illinois?

If accessibility matters to you Illinois delivers several excellent options. Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton offers wheelchair accessibility while hosting up to 275 guests in naturally elegant surroundings. Loft on Lake in Chicago's West Loop combines wheelchair accessibility with industrial-chic style featuring exposed brick and timber beams. Need space for a larger crowd? Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville accommodates around 600 guests with full accessibility and air-conditioning.

Which Illinois Venues Offer Outstanding Culinary Experiences?

Food can make your wedding truly memorable. The Seville in the Chicagoland area features an award-winning chef who creates show-stopping flaming desserts as part of their comprehensive packages. For an urban setting Salvatore's in Chicago's Lincoln Park consistently earns praise for exceptional cuisine with guests particularly recommending their Tortellini and Tiramisu.

What Are the Cost Breakdowns for a 150-Guest Wedding in Illinois?

For a typical 150-guest wedding totaling $56,164 your budget will likely break down as:

  • Venue: $10,665 (19%)
  • Catering: $8,532 (15%)
  • Florists: $7,466 (13%)
  • Bar Services: $6,826 (12%)
  • Photographers: $4,835 (9%)
  • Videographers: $4,408 (8%)
  • Planners: $3,851 (7%)
  • Bands/DJs: $1,750 (3%)
  • Cakes/Desserts: $668 (1%)
  • Hair & Makeup: $400 (1%)

How Can You Maximize Value at Illinois Wedding Venues?

September stands as Illinois' most popular wedding month so you'll need to book well in advance. Most venues are secured about 15 months (457 days) ahead with venue inquiries typically representing couples' first wedding planning step.

Look for venues offering comprehensive packages that include essentials like tables chairs and audio equipment. This approach often delivers better value than piecing services together separately.

Can Illinois Venues Accommodate Remote Wedding Participants?

While traditional venues might not explicitly advertise advanced remote participation many can adapt for hybrid events. Consider working with places like Cheney Mansion Starved Rock Lodge or Mt. Zion Convention Center to implement interactive elements beyond basic streaming. You could incorporate virtual reality experiences or live polls to keep remote guests fully engaged in your celebration.

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