With Love Wedding Consulting and Planning

A: The first place most brides think of holding their wedding ceremony is indeed at a church. But, if you want something, say, less religious or love the idea of a nature setting for your nuptials, here are a list of alternative options.

1. Park/Garden: If the great outdoors is appealing to you, a park may be the landscape of choice for your big day. Check with the park district or city office to get any permits or permission needed. Also, consult your Farmers Almanac for a weather forecast before you set your date! One of the most picturesque locations in Chicago is The North Rose Garden at Buckingham Fountain, but with a city this size, you have a multitude of options. And don’t forget perhaps the best garden space in all Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden.

2. Your Reception Venue: Chicagoland is home to a myriad of reception halls and banquet facilities that also allow you to have your ceremony on premise. The bonus to having your ceremony and reception in the same place is that you’ll have a larger turnout of guests attending your ceremony and they’ll enjoy the easy flow of the day with no “down time.” Most reception spaces available across Chicagoland offer on-site wedding ceremonies. One of my favorites is the oudoor ceremony space at the Lakeside Pavillion, Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca.

3. Conservatory: Chicago has many beautiful garden settings. From rose gardens to rock gardens to tree gardens, your options are open. If you love the idea of a garden, but not the risk of an outdoor ceremony, consider one of the many local conservatories which offer the benefits of outdoor event space without the risk. Spaces like the Garfield Park Conservatory offer your guests the luscious feel of the tropics without the necessity of the destination wedding… or the sunscreen.

4. Cultural Center/Museum: Take advantage of living in a Mecca like Chicago and tie the knot at a cultural center or museum. Many of these locations have a private area they shut down to the public while you are hosting your ceremony. You have a plethora of options at your fingers tips… think the Field Museum, or for the Chicago sports lover (and we know there are many of you) the Grand Piazza at The National Italian America Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

5. Sporting Arena: If a sports museum isn’t enough, avid sports fans can have the wedding of a lifetime at one of Chicago’s many sports fields. With a built in theme you can personalize your day in true sportsmanlike style! Do I really need to list these? U.S. Cellular Field and the Stadium Club at Wrigley Field are popular amongst Chicago’s sports nuts.

6. Art Gallery/Studio: These ceremony spaces provide a truly unique setting, artsy ambiance, and open viewing for your guests. From traditional to modern, you can find an artistic backdrop that is reflective of you! One of the more striking places I visited, Architectural Artifacts in Ravenswood, is a visually stimulating and enthralling space. Another space I love is the Zhou B Art Center.

8. Boat/Yatch: “I’m on a boat…” If you’ve heard that song you’re laughing right now, and if you don’t like cussing, don’t click that link. Living on the shoreline of Lake Michigan is something to be taken full advantage of when it comes to picking your ceremony location. With options like Odyssey Cruises and Spirit Cruises leaving from Navy Pier your guests will be treated to a double-whammy of Chicago splendor.

9. Zoo: Yep, you read that right. You can indeed get married at the zoo. For some of you, the people on your guest list may feel right at home in this setting. Lincoln Park Zoo has some spectacular options for both ceremony and reception space that will give your guests a once-in-a-lifetime wedding experience.

10. Observatory: Because of the magnificence of this city that can only be experienced from up high, observatory space is my final entry on this list. Imagine saying your “I Do’s” from over 1,000 feet above the hustle-bustle of the city. Spaces like the John Hancock Observatory and the Skydeck at the Willis Tower are must see options.

We may love our church, but with so many breathtaking possibilities, I don’t think you’ll be hearing any objections from the Heavens.

With Love,
P

All photography has been provided by Hilda Burke of Angel Eyes Photography