Chicago is home to some truly gorgeous wedding venues, but what if you're looking for something outside the city? Well, then you're in luck as the Greater Chicago Area has an array of amazing wedding venues to chose from, whether you're looking for something large or a little more intimate. Here are 5 of my personal favorite locations that are all just a short drive from the Windy City !
The Homestead 1854- Plano Illinois
One of my favorite venues in Illinois hands-down is Homestead 1854. They have so much they offer their couples, and it seriously is such a beautiful space.
The Homestead 1854 is located in Plano Illinois, about 60 miles from the city of Chicago. The Homestead house that the venue lives in was built in 1854 by the founder of Plano Illinois, Lewis Steward. The house remained in the Steward family until 1954 and then had another set of owners before the current owners purchased it and turned it into what it is today !
The Homestead has ALL of the vintage homey vibes for your wedding. With a combination of indoors and outdoors spaces for your wedding day, this location is a one stop shop for the different parts of your wedding day. The Homestead 1854 can accommodate up to 100 guests which makes it perfect for any suburban intimate weddings
The Space
This Illinois venue can hold up to 100 people for your wedding. With space for all parts of your wedding day from a getting ready space to a reception tent, you are able to spend your entire wedding day at The Homestead house.
The Homestead House- Used primarily for getting ready and portraits, there is plenty of room for both intimate wedding parties to get ready together the morning of your wedding.
The Labrynth- The Labrynth is a gorgeous ceremony space for outdoor weddings and the perfect spot for portraits following your ceremony.
The Timber Tent- Great for a ceremony when the weather is unruly and then a great space for your intimate reception. The Timber Tent can be set up as an open-air tent for summer and spring months, and can also be closed up for intimate winter weddings.
Where to Stay
The Homestead house can accommodate up to 12 guests for the evening of your wedding. Perfect for hosting your family overnight along with being only a quick ride away from a variety of hotels including the Hampton Inn and suites or a handful of cute Air BNB’s on the Fox River
Click here to see if your wedding date is available at The Homestead 1854
The Highland Loft- Elgin Illinois
The Highland Loft is a newer urban-style wedding venue in Elgin Illinois(about 40 miles outside of Chicago). The venue is a phenomenal location in the Greater Chicago Area that can accommodate up to 600 guests while also having the ability to be converted down for intimate weddings and events. The Highland Loft brings City wedding venue vibes and service levels without the City Wedding Venue Prices. The Highland Loft is set up with a fully equipped kitchen and bar, dance floor as well as assistance in finding vendors and coordinators.
The Space
Getting Ready Space- Perfect for spending time with your family and wedding party as well as getting ready, there are two suites set for you and your soon-to-be spouse to get ready in.
Convertible Reception and Ceremony Space- The Highland Loft is similar to a blank canvas in that it has some character to it, but overall is pretty open for you to play and create your own personal wedding experience with the location. There is SO much space for you to create a phenomenal wedding day experience for you and your guests.
Where to Stay
There are lots of super cute places to stay in the Elgin, Geneva areas, this is just one of the beautiful Air Bnb's I was able to find! There is also a bank of hotels just off of I-90 Holiday Inn.
The Haight is a wedding venue located in downtown Elgin about 40 miles outside of Chicago. The venue serves up to 150 guests in its riverfront location. Between the indoor/outdoor spaces and its prime Fox riverfront location, this is a venue you’re definitely going to want to check out for your wedding day.
The Space
Getting Ready Suites- With their 12-hour access packages, you can get ready, get married and have your reception all within the same space. The Haight offers two getting-ready spaces for both spouses and their wedding parties to take their time getting ready in.
Indoor Space- The indoor space at The Haight consists of the Reception Dining Room, the Indoor Ceremony Hall, the First Floor Lounge and Foyer as well as the getting ready sweets. There is PLENTY of room for your guests to spread out and have a good time.
Outdoors Space- Covered and uncovered outdoor space has your event prepared for all types of weather while also giving you and your guests a space to hang out in when the venue flips your ceremony space into a reception space. The Covered cocktail lounge consists of a full covered bar on the second floor of the venue as well as an outdoor ceremony space that can accommodate 150 guests.
Where to Stay
The Haight is actually only a block or so away from Highland Lofts ! Please reference the list above for suggestions on where to stay when hosting your wedding at either of these amazing venues.
Take a full 3D Tour of the venue from their website here !
This suburban outdoor wedding venue boasts a rustic feel for your wedding day. Located about 50 miles outside of Chicago, Heritage Prairie Farms gives you the dreamy rustic wedding vibes you're looking for in a venue without having to leave the Greater Chicago Area. Heritage Prairie Farm can host up to 250 guests in its outdoor space. The Venue has spaces for you to host all aspects of your wedding day in the same place from getting ready, to dancing at your reception.
The Space
The Getting Ready Loft and Lounge- Two getting ready spaces perfect for both spouses to get hyped with their wedding parties.
The Barn- The Perfect covered ceremony space for those rainy days, the ceiling of the barn is glowing with twinkle lights and a rustic feel.
The Greenhouse- Commonly used as a cocktail hour space, the greenhouse is the perfect spot for rainy day wedding party photos and grabbing drinks between your ceremony and your reception.
The Tent- Fully decked out reception tent with dance space, bar, and plenty of rooms for your guests so they can bust out their best dance moves and have a good time !
Where to Stay
Heritage Prairie Farms located about 10 minutes from downtown Geneva has a variety of overnight options for your wedding night. Between the Marriott St. Charles, and the variety of Airbnb’s such as the one linked here, there are plenty of options for a comfortable and close stay for you and any out-of-town guests.
Smit’s Farms located about 35 miles from the city of Chicago is your greenhouse wedding dream venue. They began hosting as a venue when the owner's daughter decided to host her own wedding at their family greenhouse. Since then they have successfully hosted a number of weddings at their location.
The Space
Getting Ready Space- Though there are no official getting ready spaces, there is plenty of space on the Smit’s Farms Property to put together the final touches of your wedding look with your wedding party without accidentally running into your soon-to-be spouse.
The Greenhouse- Smit’s Farm boasts a number of large greenhouses perfect for hosting all aspects of your wedding day from getting ready to the party at your reception. The Greenhouses serve as sort of a blank canvas for what you would like your wedding night to look like.
Where to Stay
There is a cluster of hotels less than a 10-minute drive east from Smit’s Farms just off of Illinois 30. Between the Hilton, Holiday Inn, and a variety of others, your out-of-town guests will have plenty of options for where to stay following your wedding evening !
There are SO MANY wedding venues throughout Chicago and the Greater Chicago Area to choose from. No matter the size or style you're looking for there's a little something for everyone out there ! I hope this list helped you narrow down some of the options for you.
Planning your engagement session too? Don't worry I've got you! Check out my top 5 spots in Illinois for engagement photos.
