9 Chicago Wedding Venues with the Best Reception Spaces

If you know me then you know how much I LOVE documenting wedding receptions! Of course I adore and have a wonderful time photographing each part of my couples’ wedding day, but the reception is frequently my favorite part of the day to document. The energy, the joy, the excitement, it all comes together in such a magical way that I cannot get enough of! I love getting out on the dance floor to photograph these moments of bliss between my couples and their loved ones, which is why I’m incredibly excited for today’s article! Let’s take a look at 10 of my favorite wedding venues in Chicago with THE best reception spaces! Before that though, I have a quick question for you:

What Makes a Great Wedding Venue Reception Space?

There are understandably a ton of phenomenal wedding venues here in Chicago, and many of them as we’ll see have fantastic spaces for hosting your reception. What makes a reception space great though? Similar to many other elements of planning your wedding day, the answer to this question varies from couple to couple, so let’s talk about it!

The Size

One of the most apparent factors for determining whether a wedding venue in Chicago has a good reception space or not is the size of the space itself. This doesn’t just inherently mean that a large space is better though! The key thing to consider is how the space itself is used, and how it will feel with your unique guest count. A large reception space with a smaller than average dance floor might not be the best call for a larger wedding, and a large dance floor won’t be ideal for a more intimate sized wedding. You may not even want a dancefloor at all if that’s not the vibe you’re going for with your wedding day!

Another thing to note is whether or not your chosen entertainment will be able to work within the space. This mostly applies to couples looking to book a live band for their wedding, as not every space will be able to accommodate this.

The Service

This is something you’ll want to keep in mind not just in terms of your wedding reception, but when deciding on your Chicago wedding venue in general. Every venue has a different approach when it comes to the amenities available for their couples, both included and as add-ons. The service also differs greatly from venue to venue, which is something to for sure be on the lookout for. Does the venue have an on-site day-of coordinator? Do they handle beverages and catering in-house or not? Details like this can make all the difference for the flow and feel of your wedding day!

The Style

One last thing to keep in mind is the style of the space itself. How your reception space looks is going to dramatically impact the feel of your day. Do you want a reception space that looks out over the gorgeous skyline of the city, or are you looking for a space with more self contained beauty? Are you drawn to more modern spaces, or something with a bit more history to it? There’s practically an endless variety of options to choose from in Chicago, so it’s going to come down to your personal preference on what you want the space to feel like!

9 of My Favorite Chicago Wedding Venues with the Best Reception Spaces

Celeste Chicago

First on my list is the wonderful Celeste Chicago found in the city’s lovely River North Neighborhood! Celeste is a very unique wedding venue in Chicago as it has 4 distinct floors to choose from, each of which offers a totally different experience for your wedding reception. There’s the lush Rooftop Garden, vibrant Disco on the 3rd floor, stylish Deco Supper Club on the 2nd floor, and charming Whiskey Bar on the first floor. With capacities ranging from 40 to 125, the option to book as many spaces as you’d like for your unique vision, and tons of included amenities, Celeste Chicago has a little something for everybody! Check out this moody intimate wedding to see this wonderful space in action.

Lacuna Events

Heading south to Chicago’s vibrant neighborhood of Pilsen we’ll find the incredible wedding venue of Lacuna Events, which features some of my favorite reception spaces in the city! Lacuna Events is another venue that offers an array of options for couples to choose from for their reception space. The Reverie Gallery is a chic industrial space with a capacity of 350. La Galleria shares a similar aesthetic but features stunning city views and has a capacity of 150 with a dancefloor (200 without). Then there’s Magik Street which has a capacity of 250 and features private deck access in addition to the venue’s trademark industrial style. The venue also features a rooftop ceremony space which is STUNNING along with an array of amenities to further elevate your experience!

Fairlie

Next on my list is Fairlie, which is quite the familiar face here on my blog! I adore this wedding venue in Chicago’s West Loop for a number of reasons, but the main one has to be the spectacular ballroom reception space. The tall ceilings, towering brick walls, elevated industrial feel, and gorgeous mezzanines overlooking the ballroom all help to create a truly unforgettable space to celebrate in. Fairlie also features multiple on-site getting ready spaces, a 250 guest capacity, and a slew of other wonderful amenities which you can read more about in my feature piece on the venue!

Stan Mansion

Now let’s make our way to Logan Square to check out the next wedding venue on my list, the historic Stan Mansion! Originally built as a Masonic lodge for a chapter of the Knight’s Templars, the Stan Mansion has since become a staple of the Chicago wedding landscape. The venue went through many renovations over the years, finishing in 2018 where the vision for this beautiful and historic space was fully realized.

Keeping much of the building’s original charm, character, and beauty intact, these renovations have made the Stan Mansion an iconic wedding venue of Chicago, and the reception space showcases this perfectly. The Grand Ballroom is a lavish space that feels as though it was taken straight out of the Great Gatsby! With space for up to 400 guests, service that is second to none, and a one of a kind royal feel, the Stan Mansion is a must consider for those looking for a luxurious wedding venue in Chicago!

Voco Hotel

A long time favorite wedding venue of mine is the Voco Hotel! Found in the heart of Downtown Chicago, along the Riverwalk, the Voco Hotel features some of my favorite spaces for hosting a wedding reception. The modern ballrooms are spacious, elegant, and feature floor to ceiling windows for tons of natural light and epic views of the city. Guest capacities of their spaces range from 150 to 800, meaning you can have some pretty grand celebrations here at the Voco Hotel! Check out my venue feature here for a deep dive into all the details and amenities that make this space so special!

Chicago Athletic Association

Sitting on Michigan Avenue, overlooking Millennium Park and Lake Michigan, is the historic Chicago Athletic Association. The CAA has 4 unique ballrooms to choose from, each of which honestly deserve their own spot on this list as they are just THAT COOL! Be it the glamorous White City Ballroom, the Old Chicago styled Madison Ballroom, the Stagg Court which is actually the CAA’s gymnasium, or The Tank which was the original space for the association’s pool, each offers a unique experience for your wedding reception that are all distinctly tied to Chicago’s history. Guest capacity ranges from 260 to 500 depending on the space, and they also offer additional amenities and services to help make your wedding at the CAA truly unforgettable!

The Drake

If you’ve ever driven south on Lakeshore Drive you’ve likely seen the iconic pink sign reading “The Drake” atop the historic hotel of the same name. This storied hotel is not only one of the coolest spots to stay when you’re visiting Chicago, but it also is one of the city’s best wedding venues! I could talk about The Drake for days on end thanks to things like their planning assistance, expert service, delicious catering, and beautiful rooms that make for the best getting ready spaces, but today we’re here to talk about their reception spaces!

These are all equally worthy of that same praise though, as each of the 4 distinct options are just as wonderful as the next. With guest capacities ranging from 200 to 900, a lavish and historic feel to each, and easy access to nearby portrait locations like Oak Street Beach, it’s easy to see why The Drake is such a sought after venue for couples looking to celebrate their love in luxury!

Walden Chicago

A nearby neighbor of Fairlie is Walden Chicago, which happens to not only be a favorite venue of mine in Chicago, but also home to one of the city’s best reception spaces! The renovated, industrial building has a chic yet historic feel to it, with much of the buildings original character still on full display. This character has been elevated through things like their sleek modern bar, on-site getting ready spaces, and expert service that all helps to make it the one of a kind spot in Chicago that I LOVE. Check out my feature piece on this 500 guest capacity venue for a deep dive into everything else that I adore about the Walden!

Galleria Marchetti

Finally, there’s Galleria Marchetti! This venue in Chicago’s River West neighborhood features 2 of my favorite wedding reception spaces in the city. These two unique spaces are equally beautiful when compared to one another, offering couples plenty of space to enjoy themselves and celebrate with their loved ones, the largest difference being that one is indoors and the other outdoors! This family owned and operated venue also offers some of the best service in the city, phenomenal catering, and a distinct European style that makes for a truly wonderful backdrop for your wedding day in Chicago! Fit for both smaller weddings, or gatherings with up to 400 guests, Galleria Marchetti is a must have on your list for potential wedding venues in the Windy City!

Those are some of my favorite wedding venues in Chicago that also feature some of my favorite reception spaces! Be sure to check out some of my other wedding planning resources on my blog, and if you’re ready to book me as your wedding photographer you can send me an inquiry here. I can’t wait to hear from you and help you plan your dream wedding day!