When it comes to weather Chicago is blessed with some of the highest of high temperatures, along with some of the lowest of low temperatures, and just about everything in between. So when it comes to planning a wedding in any season of the year, you as well as your guests will want to have the opportunity to spend time both indoors and outdoors. That’s why I decided to put this guide together, to walk you through everything you need to know when it comes to wedding venues having both indoor and outdoor spaces, and 10 of my favorites right here in Chicago. Let’s get into it!

Why you should find a Chicago Wedding Venue with an Outdoor Space

There are SO many reasons that make having a wedding venue with both an indoor space and outdoor space in Chicago a great option. No matter the season, weather, or where you’re at there’s always positives in having options. And the best part about Chicago is that due to its size there are a ton of venues that offer this kind of experience!

Best of Both Worlds

You can have your wedding whenever you want! Summer, fall, spring, and even winter all have their ups and downs when it comes to weather and with that their own pros to having both an indoor and outdoor space. Summer, fall and spring all can be pretty unpredictable due to Chicago being in the Midwest, so having the option to be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather and temperature is a great option. You can still get that outdoor feel on your wedding day without having to fully commit to being outside in the heat or cold for the entire day! And even for winter weddings having an outdoor option at your venue is great for your photos. It makes it so easy to pop outside for some photos in the fresh snowfall before heading back inside to warm up with all your favorite people!

More Space

With having multiple spaces at your wedding venue one of the most obvious benefits is that there is more space available for you which is great for a number of reasons. First you’re able to use the spaces interchangeably to make your day run smoothly. An example would be having your ceremony inside, take the cocktail hour outdoors while your ceremony space is taken down and swapped for your reception space, and once ready everyone can make their way back inside for the reception.

Having more space is also great come reception time! As much as everyone loves to dance it up at a wedding, being able to head outdoors and take a breather in the Chicago air is great if you need to catch your breath or catch up with some friends. Pay attention to your venue’s rules though as some have different restrictions when it comes to how late their outdoor space is available for use.

Insurance

With the ups and downs with Chicago weather throughout the season, there are also ups and downs with Chicago weather just on any given day.  A brisk fall day may start off in the 40’s, hit 70 around 2pm with a touch of rain, and end with no rain and a nice humid 60 to end the night.  So even if it is calling for rain on your wedding day, you won’t want to write off your outdoor space from the get go!  Having the option to even step outside just for cocktail hour in between storms, or spend a little time outside just when temperatures are bearable is the Chicago specialty.

Chicago Venues with Outdoor and Indoor Spaces

Rooftops

Morgans on Fulton 

Located in Fulton Market, Morgans on Fulton is an incredible Chicago wedding venue with some of the coolest indoor and outdoor spaces for your wedding. Morgans has a skyline view, an indoor loft perfect for a ceremony, and a rooftop penthouse with glass ceilings and outdoor patio. The space gives you and your guests a great unique experience and with the penthouse’s glass ceiling you’re still able to get the outdoor feel for your wedding even if the weather forces you indoors.  As a plus Fulton Market where Morgans is located has so many great photo locations for portraits during your wedding day.

Loft Lucia

Loft Lucia is one of my favorite wedding venues in Chicago and its indoor and outdoor spaces are both incredibly beautiful. The venue is located in the West Loop and actually has a nice secluded feel to it due to the rooftop facing away from the city skyline. This gives your wedding a much more private feel even though you’re on a rooftop in Chicago! Loft Lucia also has a ton of large windows so even if you end up with some classically unpredictable Midwest weather you’ll still be able to enjoy plenty of natural light indoors.

Homestead on the Roof 

This covered garden rooftop wedding venue in Chicago’s West Town has one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces I’ve come across in the Windy City. The rooftop space has a ton of natural wood giving it a rustic feel and overlooks the Homestead’s gorgeous and lush rooftop garden. It’s SUCH a beautiful spot for a wedding and the indoor portion of the venue has that same rustic feel with its natural birch wallpaper and wooden tables. The indoor space has plenty of large windows to give you that natural light even if the weather isn’t cooperating with you as well!

Lacuna Lofts 

The rooftop at Lacuna Lofts offers one of THE best views of the skyline in the city. The wedding venue located in Pilsen has a ton of space for your wedding. Between the outdoor rooftop and the 3 separate indoor locations, there is so much variety available at Lacuna Lofts. The spaces are completely separate from one another though and each requires its own reservation so keep that in mind when planning and budgeting for your wedding.

Courtyards

Revel Motor Row

Located just south of Chicago’s Museum Campus, Revel Motor Row has one of the coolest combinations of indoor and outdoor locations I’ve seen from a wedding venue. The central courtyard is huge and with it being surrounded by the building’s beautiful architecture it gives you a truly unique feel for your wedding day. The venue also has an indoor space with a gorgeous glass ceiling perfect for the indoor portion of your wedding so you can still enjoy all the natural light!

The Lytle House 

Perfect for smaller and more intimate weddings, the Lytle House is a wedding venue that packs a lot of charm into its smaller space. Located in Edgewater, this Chicago wedding venue has gorgeous indoor and outdoor spaces for you to use on your wedding day. The brick walled indoor space is perfect for an intimate reception, while the beautiful outdoor space makes for an incredible ceremony space. With its massive brick wall mural, space for food trucks, and surprising amount of greenery the outdoor space has a LOT to love about it!

Firehouse Chicago 

Also located in Edgewater we have one of my favorite wedding venues, Firehouse Chicago! The venue is in an old renovated firehouse, hence the name, and has an incredible rustic feel to it. The indoor space can be used for either your ceremony or reception just like their outdoor courtyard space. This kind of flexibility is wonderful as you can really set up your day exactly how you want it! 

Greenhouse Loft 

Home to one of my favorite courtyard spaces, the Greenhouse Loft in Bucktown gives you an incredible outdoor and indoor combination for your wedding day. The courtyard itself has a ton of wide open space available, and a lush background of greenery perfect for your ceremony. Indoors has a much more modern and industrial feel to it with massive windows giving you tons of natural light if you decide to go inside.

Salvage One

This venue in Chicago’s West Town gives you an insane amount of space both indoors and out for your wedding day! The rustic/vintage styled interior combined with the beautifully decorated outdoor courtyard really give your wedding an incredibly unique feel to it. The venue has 2 indoor spaces available for use in addition to the outdoor space, and multiple getting ready rooms as well. And with a focus on vintage and salvaged furniture this venue is beaming with style!

Both! 

Ignite Glass Studio

With a combination of an indoor space, an outdoor courtyard AND a rooftop with a view of the Chicago skyline this glass studio can become a truly unique wedding venue for your big day! Located on the edge of West Town, Ignite Glass Studio still functions as a glass art studio, but can also be rented out for events like a wedding. The custom glass decorations around the building add a unique and beautiful touch to your wedding day decorations. With multiple outdoor spaces to use and an indoor space with tons of natural light there is just SO much to love about Ignite!

As you can see there are SO many absolutely incredible wedding venues in Chicago that offer amazing outdoor and indoor locations for your wedding day. If you plan on having your wedding at one of these locations, or you have another in mind that you’re set on I’d love to help you plan! Head over to my contact page and we can start planning your wedding day!