Documenting all love stories near or far

Shelby Jane

February 16, 2023

My 10 Favorite Intimate Wedding Venues in Chicago

FILED IN: Wedding

In a city like Chicago where the amount of wedding venues seems infinite, you might feel overwhelmed by all of the amazing options. Although making a decision might seem tough, remember that the entire process that goes into planning & eventually rejoicing in your wedding day is about you & your honey & you should be able to enjoy it! You’ve already made a big step in deciding that you want to take the intimate wedding route. To get you going on your search, I am going to go over 10 Chicago restaurants & venues that would make for awesome intimate wedding venues while also outlining some things you should consider as you explore these options as well as any other place you & your honey might have in mind.

10 Intimate Chicago Wedding Venues

Francescas on Chestnut

First up on my list we have Francesca’s! If you’re looking for an Italian restaurant for your intimate wedding in Chicago, Francesca’s on Chestnut is a great place to consider. Located in Streeterville in the Near North Side of Chicago, Francesca’s is an intimate restaurant & bar with a seated capacity of 80 guests for their private events. It is known for having the feel of an authentic small town Italian trattoria (a trattoria is a semi formal Italian restaurant). This is a good option for you if you’re looking to indulge your friends & family with an authentic hearty Italian meal & dessert in an incredible & authentic Italian setting.

LondonHouse 

LondonHouse Chicago is a high-rise luxury hotel in the Chicago Loop overlooking the Chicago River. Among its multiple ballroom options for private events is their Whistler ballroom which is perfect if you’re looking for a venue that’s both elegant & intimate. The Whistler ballroom has a standing capacity of 250 & seated capacity of 180. LondonHouse is also located near Chicago’s magnificent mile, making it a great location for your friends & family to explore the city. LondonHouse Chicago has a wide range of options for intimate weddings & receptions as well as a team of wedding consultants to help you consider these options & determine which is best fit for you & your day.

Salvatores

If you’re looking to have a classic Italian wedding, you’ll want to consider Salvatore’s for your intimate wedding in Chicago. Salvatore’s is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood & has a capacity of 220 guests. Their full in-house service staff will take care of a lot of the logistics & amenities including but not limited to bar service, catering, cakes & deserts, wedding consultation, & dance floor. This spacious venue includes a roomy indoor space as well as an outdoor patio & is a great fit not only for large weddings but also smaller, intimate gatherings as well!

J Parker Rooftop

Located on the roof of Hotel Lincoln in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, this wedding venue is one of the most scenic in Chicago. It offers a clear view of the downtown area, Lake Michigan, & the Lincoln Park Zoo. As far as capacity goes, the J. Parker allows you to make reservations for anywhere between 10 to 225 guests. Also, its outdoor space includes a retractable glass roof making it a perfect year-round option for your intimate wedding celebration!

The Joinery

The Joinery is a gathering space in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. The space has a vintage warehouse type of feel with a large beautifully designed skylight window for natural lighting. It has a capacity for up to 150 guests & also includes an outdoor event space. The white exposed brick walls are a great canvas for visual expression in your ceremony and/or reception. The Joinery also describe themselves as fully customizable. So, if you & your honey are looking to design & decorate your wedding space, The Joinery is an incredibly fun option.

Firehouse Chicago

This private event venue is another great place to consider if you’re looking for an industrial rustic feel for your intimate wedding ceremony & reception in Chicago. Firehouse Chicago is located in the city’s Edgewater neighborhood. It has a capacity for up to 100 people & features an indoor & outdoor event space. It is known for its vintage style & its beautiful backyard garden space & balcony which overlooks it, making it an intimate wedding venue with a ton of character & charm to it!

Bixi Beer

The décor throughout this Asian Fusion restaurant & event space will have your wedding day celebrations feeling like a scene from a Wes Anderson movie. This uniquely designed space has a sitting capacity of 80 & a standing capacity of 120. Bixi Beer is in the Logan Square neighborhood and has an awesome atmosphere consisting of the lovely plants, oil paintings, forest green walls, & white marble accents throughout this trendy multiroom & outdoor space. This venue offers a wholly unique wedding day experience & is definitely worth your consideration!

Artifact Events (Ravenswood)

Made up of four historic factory buildings in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, Artifact Events is an interesting & unique space for you to consider for your intimate wedding in Chicago. This spacious event space with exposed brick walls & ceiling beams is gorgeously designed. It has a capacity for up to 300, but is also a great option for smaller more intimate wedding celebrations! The services offered by the venue include bar & drinks, wedding planning, rentals & equipment, & a service staff.

Lytle House

The Lytle House is a gathering space & event planning service located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago and has a capacity of 80 as well as a long list of offered amenities. If you’re looking for a smooth & simple planning process for your wedding day festivities, the Lytle House is a great option for you & your honey. This family-owned business has an approved selection of private event caterers for you to choose from in order to ensure the events hosted here are high in quality & orderly.

The Wicker Park Inn

Lastly I wanted to mention the Wicker Park Inn. While this vendor is not advertised as a wedding or reception venue, I want to mention it because it provides a service that can take the fun of your wedding experience to a whole other level. The Wicker Park Inn is a nine-room bed & breakfast located in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago with a maximum capacity of 50. It offers amenities such as bar service & drinks, food & catering, planning, & transportation. It is a great place to host wedding events like rehearsal dinners, brunches, & welcome parties!

Now that you’ve seen 10 of my favorite intimate wedding venues in Chicago you’re probably getting antsy wanting to start planning your wedding day. If that’s the case I’d love to hear from you & help you plan your celebration! Head to my contact page & send me an inquiry so we can start the planning process together.

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