Ariana & Evan

The Venue

The Wedding Website of Ariana Rubin and Evan Boyd

When it first opened on May 2, 1927, the Hilton Chicago, then known as the Stevens Hotel, was the largest hotel in the world. It featured 3,000 guest rooms and a large array of amenities for the time, including a 27-chair barbershop, pharmacy, candy store, five-lane bowling alley, a 1,200-seat movie theater, and an 18-hole miniature golf course on the roof. About a century later, the hotel has been thoughtfully restored to preserve its early 20th-century charm while offering all the modern comforts of the 21st century. We’re thrilled to be celebrating our wedding in May 2027, exactly 100 years since the Hilton Chicago first opened its doors.

The Normandie Lounge

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One of the most distinctive spaces in the Hilton Chicago is the Normandie Lounge, which holds a fascinating piece of history. The room features elegant woodwork, paneling, and seating originally from the SS Normandie, a French ocean liner that was damaged by fire during its conversion into a World War II troop ship. After the incident, the Hilton acquired these salvaged elements and incorporated them into the lounge. During the war, the hotel itself played a role in the effort, temporarily housing over 10,000 servicemen. The Normandie Lounge stands today as a beautiful and meaningful reminder of the hotel’s rich and storied past.

The Grand Ballroom

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The Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Chicago has long been one of the city’s most iconic event spaces. Originally part of the Stevens Hotel in 1927, the ballroom was ingeniously designed with a vast, column-free layout, made possible by a system of underground trusses and support beams. This grand room has witnessed nearly a century of history and transformation, evolving from a glamorous gathering space to a vital part of the war effort during World War II, when it served as a mess hall for thousands of Army Air Force cadets. After the war, the hotel was purchased by Conrad Hilton, who undertook a sweeping renovation to restore the Grand Ballroom to its original splendor. Over the years, the ballroom has hosted countless historic events including the 1944 signing of the Chicago Convention on international aviation, and a formal banquet in honor of Queen Elizabeth II in 1959. With its stunning Beaux-Arts architecture, crystal chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and romantic French frescoes, the ballroom remains a treasured gem.

For all the days along the way

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