We adore small weddings anywhere, but we have a special place in our heart for Chicago. There are so many unforgettable ways to have an intimate wedding experience in the Windy City. Here, we’re rounding up our top picks for best small wedding venues in Chicago, including rustic, industrial, hotel, indoor, and outdoor venues. There are so many great options for you!

Small & Intimate Wedding Venues in Chicago

First up, small weddings at hotels. Many of Chicago’s top hotels offer small ballrooms that have all of the trimmings of their larger spaces, including chandeliers, upgraded chairs and linens, and beautiful décor or the option of dividing the space for a more intimate experience. Here are just a few of our five star favorites.

The Langham

Photos by Amanda Megan Miller
Planning and Design by SQN Events

The Langham is the definition of modern luxury in the heart of Chicago. Unparalleled views and sophisticated details, their spaces are chic, elevated, and tailor made for small soirees. There are plenty of photo ops for you be it in the elegant lobby or out front with their iconic pink car. The best part? After your wedding is over you can adjourn as newlyweds to one of the comfiest beds and swankiest hotel rooms in the city.

The Peninsula

The grace of the Far East meets Midwestern hospitality at The Peninsula Chicago. The rich décor and spectacular views high above The Magnificent Mile distinctively set it apart, making unforgettable wedding memories that will last a lifetime.

palmer house

In 1871, a gracious groom named Potter Palmer gave his bride a glorious wedding gift, adored by all, it was named Palmer House. No other wedding venue boasts such a legacy of romance. Set the stage for your wedding guests with an unforgettable arrival experience to the Grand Lobby, featuring a ceiling of 21 Greek mythological panels rivaling those of the Sistine Chapel. If opulence and history are your thing, look no further than this hotel for your small wedding.

Next up, weddings at Chicago restaurants. Restaurants often get overlooked as wedding venues, don’t make that mistake! Small weddings pair perfectly with restaurants. Some restaurants have private dining rooms dedicated for events, others offer the option of a buy out so you get the whole restaurant for you and your guests.

sepia

The private dining room at Sepia is one of our absolute favorites. With a focus on seasonal and sustainable ingredients, the Michelin-star, award-winning cuisine is sure to wow even the most particular guests.

beatnik on the river

Photos courtesy of Beatnik On The River

Beatnik On The River aims to take guests on a journey — from its Riverfront Terrace laden with Indonesian daybeds, Moroccan lanterns and lush tropical greenery overlooking the South Branch of the Chicago River to its front bar decorated with hand-painted Andalusian glazed tiles, futuristic midcentury brass chandeliers and a back bar accented with a vintage Parisian patisserie bakery rack. The story continues inside with The Jewelry Store, an entire 1913 Nashville jewelry shop reassembled piece by piece in the middle of the restaurant. The gorgeous 4,500-square-foot space offers a variety of options for events. Breathtaking views of the Chicago River can be viewed both outside on the terrace and inside via the operable floor-to-ceiling windows.

volo

Featuring lush landscaping, a fountain, and private cabanas, Volo’s patio is a twofer: an outdoor restaurant space. With an emphasis on small plates and a large wine list, hosting your tiny wedding here is sure to make a big impression on your guests.

Now on to some of the delightful small wedding venues in Chicago sure to please any couple. There are a wide variety of styles and locations for you to choose from.

the arbory

Photos courtesy of The Arbory

The hottest new venue in West Town, The Arbory is everything you want and need for a small wedding. Custom murals for photo ops, well appointed amenities, and thoughtful details, this renovated warehouse space is a must see.

the joinery

A warm, handcrafted, light-filled venue located on the south edge of Logan Square, The Joinery is available for your small celebration. The large skylights bring the outdoors in, but you can also experience the outdoors in their private courtyard.

chez

Photos by Jenna Marie Photography
Planning by XO Design

CHEZ is one of our favorite small wedding venues in all of Chicago. It’s modern and chic and just SO good. The clean, minimalistic space is anchored by a grand glass staircase. The open floorplan allows for any small wedding set up you desire.

loft lucia

Do exposed brick walls and oversized windows set your heart aflutter? How about a rooftop terrace overlooking the city? If so, Loft Lucia is perfect for you. Nestled in the heart of the West Loop, this space marries (no pun intended) urban chic with warmth and light.

ignite glass

Ignite Glass might be the most unique venue choice for your intimate or elaborate small wedding. Come and witness molten glass transform into art and enjoy the intimacy of our Urban Garden, the dramatic skyline views from the Rooftop Deck, and the Event Studio featuring a wall of windows and polished concrete floors. The only event venue in Chicago offering a garden and rooftop!

mae district

Imprinted in the steel beams and brick walls is a storied past echoing tales of Chicago. Composed of secrets of many kinds, doors open to reveal festive events, modern spaces and tree-lined terraces. Mae District is small on size but big on charm!

A cultural landmark in South Loop, the legacy of this venue speaks to events filled with pleasure and leisure, fleeting moments and pure bliss — a historical tale just waiting for new beginnings to be written.

art institute of chicago

Photos courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

One of the best museums in the country, the Art Institute of Chicago is an art lover’s dream small wedding venue. With a myriad of special event spaces ranging from traditional to modern, the museum offers endless options for your nuptials.

Classic spaces, such as the Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room, add instant vintage glamour to your celebration, while the Modern Wing’s sleek, elegant design acts as a blank canvas awaiting the creation of your masterpiece event. A private viewing of the permanent collection or special exhibitions can be added to create a truly extraordinary experience.

halim time and glass museum

The Halim Time and Glass Museum showcases over a thousand curated time pieces and over 70 stained glass pieces of art. In addition to stunning chandeliers and windows, a masterpiece stained glass dome crowns The Wisteria Room – an event space that also hold three rare Tiffany portrait windows. The venue also offer a beautiful 2000+ square foot Roof-Top Garden with a breathtaking view of Downtown Chicago and the surrounding area.

museum of contemporary art

Add an artful twist to your big day by getting married at the Museum of Contemporary Art. There are a few different spaces to choose from. Exchange vows outside the museum with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop, then head inside for a reception under a stunning umbrella installation.

5 Big Wedding Venues that Work for Small Weddings

SURPRISE! Small weddings aren't just for small venues. Many of the most popular Chicago wedding venues work beautifully for small gatherings.

If you've always wanted to have your wedding at one of these venues but thought your wedding was too small, think again! While we recommend hiring a pro to help you maximize your mini wedding (ahem, us) here are a few tips and tricks for hosting a small wedding in a big venue.

REVEL MOTOR ROW

Photos by Studio This Is

Revel Motor Row was built in 1936 and previously home to the Illinois Automobile Club and the Chicago Defender building. It has been meticulously restored and modern amenities added to make it a landmark wedding venue. Revel Motor Row provides an impressive backdrop for any vision.

The building surrounds a central courtyard which, depending on your small wedding size, could host your whole event from ceremony to send off. The smaller rooms allow for your guests to transition from space to space throughout the wedding. The large ballroom, that once was the club swimming pool, is versatile.

MORGAN MANUFACTURING

Photos courtesy of Morgan Manufacturing

Located in Chicago’s West Loop, Morgan Manufacturing offers over 32,000 square feet of world-class space. Housed in a renovated historic building and designed with a focus on modularity, it works well for mini matrimony. Soaring ceilings, exposed concrete, glass, and steel constitute the industrial elegance Morgan Manufacturing is known for.

The Skylight room features a built-in bar, 6-pitched skylights that flood the room with natural light. It can accommodate different seated options with or without a dance floor, vast reception style options. The adjacent Concrete bar has a fun party vibe. Upstairs the mezzanine overlooks the bar area. The one-of-a-kind staircase up to the mezzanine is brilliant for photo ops.

Tons of great lounge furniture is included with the rental, allowing you to create intimate seating vignettes in the space.

FIELD MUSEUM

Photos courtesy of Birch Design Studio and the Field Museum

The Field Museum is known for its massive open floorplan and soaring ceilings but this space has so much more to offer. Stanley Field Hall—with its stunning living chandelier installation and Maximo—is definitely an overwhelming locale for a small gathering unless you get real creative with sectioning off the space through temporary walls or structures. Creating vignettes throughout is key to a tiny wedding in a big space. Designer tip: drop the ceiling down by adding in lighting or draping so the room doesn't feel so voluminous.

The museum boasts many other intimate private spaces, indoors and out, that are better suited for guest counts under 50. One of their most unique spaces is SUE’s Gallery, home of the iconic dinosaur Sue. Tie the knot by a T Rex? Definitely a memorable small wedding for you and your guests.

Gin Garden is another great option. This modern space, which opened in 2015, is the perfect setting for an elegant cocktail reception or seated dinner. The indoor garden’s eastern exposure offers beautiful natural light for daytime events, and the space features striking design elements such as bamboo flooring and eight ancient limestone formations from China known as spirit stones.

Chicago’s warmer months demand a stunning outdoor space for events and the Field Museum’s terraces are just the place with breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.

chicago illuminating company

Photos by Tamara Gruner
Planning by Lola Event Productions

The Chicago Illuminating Company may be best known for their clear top tented magical courtyard, but the inside event space is just as special. Light, bright, and beautiful - your guests will be delighted by this hidden gem.

artifact events

Photos by Victoria Saint Martin

Located in Chicago’s Historic Ravenswood neighborhood, Artifact Events is an exceptional choice for a small wedding. Their multiple event spaces and outdoor courtyard give you flexibility to craft whatever kind of tiny wedding you want. The whole venue has a warm, inviting vibe.

The South first floor holds the Lounge which boasts large glass doors that open to the courtyard and the Ravenswood Room with exposed brick and wood beams. The South second floor is the Loft with private dressing room.

The North first floor is the largest of the spaces. With abundant natural light and a soaring, multi-story ceiling, it is a setting you and your guests wont soon forget. The catwalk provides a romantic and memorable entrance to your ceremony. The built in bars are perfect for your post (or pre!) ceremony cocktail hour prior while your reception awaits behind dreamy, white curtains. The North second floor overlooks the grand atrium.

The Courtyard is as cool as they come. The soaring antique stone columns offer a backdrop that make your day feel and look like a timeless work of art.

Planning your small wedding in Chicago

Learn more about small wedding packages in Chicago

If you’re considering a small wedding in Chicago, but you don't know what kind of small wedding is right for you, check out our handy flowchart.

Small weddings are our jam. We would love to craft a truly original, intimate, and personal experience for you and your short list of guests. Spring, summer, winter, fall—small weddings are for any season.