When people think of Chicago weddings, most people picture brick buildings, scenic backdrops, beautiful parks and an epic celebration.  There are so many cool and unique wedding venues all throughout the city of Chicago, but one of the best-kept secrets of Chicago is that there is a wide variety of GORGEOUS urban wedding venues scattered all throughout the Chicago suburbs.  There are SO many reasons to plan your wedding at a venue in the Chicago suburbs which is why I am cluing you in on some of the best venues throughout the greater Chicagoland area and why you should consider them.

Why Get Married at a Wedding Venue in the Chicago Suburbs?

When people think of weddings in the Chicago suburbs, many immediately think of golf courses, hotel event spaces and garden fronts, that though are beautiful, tend to lose that historic and urban feel that so many Chicagoans love.  Little do most know, there are SO many beautiful wedding venues in the Chicago Suburbs with that urban style and feel still intact that are perfect for your wedding for so many reasons.

The Accessibility the Chicago Suburbs Offer

One of the biggest draws of having your wedding in a city like Chicago is that Chicago is home to not one but two of the biggest airports in the country.  Ohare Airport and Midway Airport are some of the best airports in the country and between the two of them getting to Chicago is a breeze in comparison to other cities. Chicago also offers a wide variety of ways to get to the suburbs once you’re in the city, like the Metra trains as well as rideshare services like Uber, Lyft or local taxi services.

With Chicago being such a massive travel hub, there are also ENDLESS hotels, inns, Airbnb’s and so many more options throughout the city and suburbs that are perfect options for your guests to stay in when attending your suburban wedding.  Many of which are often only a short walk or drive from the venues listed below!

Wedding Venues in the Chicago Suburbs Can Be More Affordable

One of the best parts of planning your wedding day at a venue in the Chicago suburbs is you can create a great experience for your wedding guests at a much lower price than planning a wedding in Chicago.  Along with your wedding expenses being on the lower side, the expenses of your guests will more than likely be much more affordable as well.  With many more options for parking (often free), lower hotel rates, and more affordable restaurants and bars, out-of-town guests will have ENDLESS options when planning their getaway for your wedding weekend. 

The Character of Wedding Venues in the Chicago Suburbs

While the Chicago suburbs might not have the Bean or the Magnificent Mile, many of the Chicago suburbs revolve around mini downtowns that have a great urban vibe, and just as much history, but with significantly fewer people than Chicago.  Whether your guests are looking for an easy experience, walking to bars and restaurants, or a more adventurous experience checking out local attractions, each suburb offers a unique experience that will wow out-of-town guests and even guests that are familiar with the area.

The Perfect Mix of an Urban and Suburban Experience

The best part about urban wedding venues in the Chicago Suburbs is that you can still have that Chicago feel while having a much more relaxed wedding day experience.  Walk around the suburban downtowns in your wedding attire and random people still greet you with honks and cheers congratulating the two of you, but at a much less overwhelming frequency than what you expect in the city.  Each downtown is full of history between its buildings, its businesses, and its experiences, and arguably the BEST part, parking is a breeze no matter where you go!

My Top 8 Urban Wedding Venues in the Chicago Suburbs

As I’m making my move to the Chicagoland area, I have been putting together endless resources of wedding venues, wedding vendors and much much more.  This list holds my top 8 Urban styled wedding venues in the Chicago suburbs and I am SO excited for you to explore them and find the best venue for YOUR dream wedding day!

Highland Loft

Located in the heart of Downtown Elgin the Highland Loft is the perfect blank canvas space to host your wedding day.  This urban venue in the Chicago suburbs has almost 20,000 square feet and is the perfect wedding venue to host you and your wedding guests.  The space has two getting ready areas and plenty of scenic views within walking distance for wedding photos such as Walton Island Park and the alleyways and streets of Downtown Elgin.

The Haight

Only two or three blocks away from Highland Loft sits another urban styled wedding venue, in the suburban town of Elgin.  The Haight takes a darker more vintage feel to a loft wedding venue.  The Haight is a beautiful venue within walking distance of so many unique urban spaces perfect for wedding party photos.  This suburban wedding venue has the unique charm that so many vintage inspired Chicago wedding venues have but has the ease of being in the suburbs.

Company 251

This luxurious urban styled event space puts a modern twist on urban styled wedding venues.  With the clean black and white theme throughout and the beautiful urban, historic buildings that downtown Aurora provides you really cannot go wrong with this space.  The two floor wedding and event venue gives you the perfect set up providing a first floor space for ceremony and cocktail hour, a separate reception space on the upper floor, and then a flipped dance and party space back on the first floor.  Company 251’s attention to detail is unmatched and the spaces they offer for photos and intimate moments with family and friends are all breathtakingly beautiful.

The Moment on Main

A beautiful new event space located in downtown Wheaton, a cute suburb of Chicago.  Downtown Wheaton is known for its historic buildings, its boutique style shops, a variety of great restaurants and a phenomenal summer farmers market.  The moment on main is a beautiful wedding venue that offers the perfect blank canvas for ALL of your wedding dreams and is an incredible addition to this already dreamy town. 

Riverside Receptions

Located in downtown Geneva, Riverside Receptions is always a crowd favorite.  Looking out over the Fox River, covered with string lights and a beautiful intimate wedding space, Riverside Receptions is a GORGEOUS wedding venue in the Chicago suburbs.  Riverside Receptions is located just a short walk away from one of the best hotels/inns in Geneva making your event an easy stay for your guests as well as a fun experience for you and your wedding party.

The Bridge Lemont

Lemont, a small suburban town south of Chicago has the sweetest venue and event space called The Bridge Lemont.  Located just over a literal bridge crossing the Des Plaines river, this wedding venue has a great set up with indoor and outdoor spaces for your guests to spend their time as well as a great setup that allows you to use the space for getting ready, your ceremony, cocktail hour and your reception. 

Metropolis Ballroom

The Metropolis Ballroom is the sweetest Chicago Suburb Wedding venue located right in the center of all the action in downtown Arlington Heights. Within Walking distance to the heart of downtown, so many unique buildings and a beautiful park right across the street from the venue, Metropolis Ballroom is such a fun and unique space perfect for couples who want a downtown vibe, without the fuss of actually getting downtown.

The Brix on Fox

Located in Carpentersville Illinois this wedding venue in a northern Chicago suburb is right on the Fox River and filled with so much history.  Though not located in a “downtown” the Brix on Fox is the perfect all in one wedding venue with beautiful getting ready spaces, ceremony space and reception space so you really can spend your entire day at the Brix.

The Chicagoland area is FILLED to the brim with unique wedding venues, I kid you not, there is literally a venue for everyone.  If you’re in the early stages of planning your wedding day and want to browse MORE wedding venues in Chicago and the surrounding areas, check out these blog posts for more information on Chicago wedding venues and planning a wedding in Chicago!  10 Indoor Chicago Wedding Venues with Outdoor Spaces, Intimate Wedding Venues in Chicago, My Top Tips for Planning a Wedding in Chicago, and there are SO many more on the blog.