We absolutely love Chicago wedding venues because they have so much variety and they have so much to offer. Because Chicago has so many wedding venues to choose from, there are certain things that really make certain ones extra special because they have so much to offer. One thing that couples tend to look for in their Chicago wedding venue is if there is an opportunity (if weather permits) to be able to have either an outdoor ceremony or an outdoor cocktail hour to take advantage of the beautiful Chicago skyline and city views. We have rounded up some of our favorite wedding venues in Chicago that have an outdoor element that allows for you to have an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour, so long as there isn’t any bad weather.

Lacuna Lofts

Lacuna Lofts truly is one of the coolest wedding venues in Chicago. They have two different spaces to host your wedding depending on your guest count - The Reverie Gallery can host up to 350 guests and La Galleria can host up to 150. This space has a warm tone with either their wooden posts or the soft, brown brick throughout the entire space. Lacuna Lofts also has an in-house caterer that will make your life easy with the food, drinks, and rentals so you don’t have to look into any additional vendors and know you are getting a pristine service. You can have your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in either location and they even have a “wedding suite” in both rooms to be able to put your personal belongings and step aside for a bit. What’s really cool about this space is the unique and eclectic energy they have with colorful murals and sculptures at every turn. But the best part about it is that you can rent the “SkyDeck”, which you can see photographed. The outdoor, rooftop patio is lined with a glass fence and you can see a perfect view of the Chicago skyline that is a staple of the city. You can have 200+ guests upstairs for the ceremony, as well as the cocktail hour, and really get to show off the amazing space and Chicago city. We absolutely love this venue because of the SkyDeck and think that this feature alone is worth checking out!

2. Columbus Park Refectory

Columbus Park Refectory is an amazing venue on the west side of Chicago that we absolutely love. With the ability to hold up to 180 guests, we know that this is a great space both inside and out. The park surrounding the venue makes it really easy to have beautiful, nature-filled wedding photos and the huge parking lot for your guests is also a major perk. The whole space has a room that you can use for dancing and another to use for your dinner that we think helps with the flow of the space and being able to have your guests that like chatting have a quieter, brighter time at your wedding. But the main reason this venue is on this list is because of the covered pavilion that you can use for your ceremony or cocktail hour. The view looking out into the nature, but still protected from the weather, is a huge benefit. There is also a small patio in the back of the building that you can use for cocktail hour, so your guests don’t have to be involved in seeing any room flips or teardown which is better for their experience overall. Generally, as this is a Chicago Park District building, it also is a lot more affordable than most other Chicago venues but you still get so much with the space, including tables and chairs if you like them! We definitely love Columbus Park Refectory and think it is worth checking out if you want a guaranteed outdoor element to your wedding day like your ceremony or cocktail hour.

3. Artifact Events

Artifact Events has multiple beautiful spaces that means it can host multiple amazing events, but the best part in our opinion is the Courtyard for the outdoor ceremony. The Courtyard is attached to the south first floor and we definitely love how this courtyard looks like it is something out of a European love story. This space can hold up to 269 people and we think it is lovely to have your ceremony or cocktail hour out here. The north first floor space has a beautiful ceremony spot though too with the multi-story ceiling pouring in tons of natural light, so in either case you are going to have an amazing, memorable wedding. They have a list of preferred caterers which makes the planning simpler for you to be able to not have to look through hundreds of options while knowing you are getting the best of the best. We absolutely think this venue is worth looking into for your Chicago wedding!

4. Galleria Marchetti

Galleria Marchetti also has multiple dedicated spaces depending on which you are booking with and every single one of them have the beauty that will surely stand the tests of time. The Pavilion has The Courtyard you see pictured here and it is absolutely divine for your 200 guests. The space is also attached to a covered patio that couples have used for their cocktail hour to also be outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the space. They also have with this rental another ante-room that brings extra space for guests to spread out throughout the event. If this space is already booked or you have a slightly smaller guest count, The Pergola is their other option with a greenhouse-like effect that is even more gorgeous than you can imagine. You can have 100 guests seated in a space with a lovely glass ceiling and walls and you know you will have the best service no matter which space you choose because their in-house caterer is the best in the business. We definitely recommend checking out Galleria Marchetti for your event to be absolutely amazing for you and your guests!

5. Greenhouse Loft

Greenhouse Loft is the modern couple’s dream with the entire space being soft and white in the interior. You get a wedding suite, a photo booth, an in-house DJ, some parking, graphic design services for their projectors, and access to their art gallery to use for cocktail hour. But what really is a beautiful addition to the space is the outdoor patio you can use for your cocktail hour or ceremony. It has AstroTurf which means the green will look great no matter what time of year, but you also have some beautiful foliage for the times that the weather is good too. This space can hold up to 175 guests and really is one of our favorites. It’s also very much appreciated that the catering list is open to whoever you’d like, which means you can shop around for something that suits your exact needs. We absolutely think it is beautiful and if you’re looking for something very modern with the outdoor element for your ceremony or cocktail hour, we definitely recommend this one!

6. Morgan’s on Fulton

Morgan’s on Fulton has the rooftop party vibes that you would imagine is out of the movies and we think is amazing. They can hold up to 150 guests and if you’re looking for something that guarantees that you will at least feel like you’re outdoors even with bad weather, this is definitely worth looking into. The ceiling is able to be opened and closed which means you don’t have to worry about any rain plans, but still can get the breeze of the outdoors. It has an in-house caterer that prepares amazing food and also has a second floor that you can use to have your wedding party put personal items if needed. The covered areas are also surrounded by a balcony that you can sit out at too - there are so many opportunities for some beautiful setups here and we recommend checking it out!

7. Chicago History Museum

Chicago History Museum is of course a stunning space, but what is even more beautiful is the outdoor plaza that is right in the heart of Lincoln Park. Having your morning to afternoon ceremony on the plaza (or an evening ceremony if you’re also having your reception there) also includes access to their Chicago room and a wedding suite so you are sure to be all set for the wedding. It can host up to 300 guests (or 260 if you are also having your reception there) and we think that it is perfect to feel like you are really in the city of Chicago. They have such a beautiful area from every angle and there is enough space on the plaza that you can add tables and chairs for guests to spend their cocktail hour out there too. The processional coming from the museum truly is iconic and will surely be something you and your guests remember forever!

8. Firehouse Chicago

Firehouse Chicago is really a venue for the intimate crowd but still wants a venue with character. With the space holding up to 100 guests, you can utilize the outdoor space for both your ceremony and your cocktail hour to really get a beautiful day! One of the coolest things about this venue is that it’s an old fire station, so it not only has a ton of character but also you can do your grand entrance from the fire pole! There is an entire upstairs floor for you too to put all of your personal belongings and to get ready in too. The ceremony spot feels so quaint and intimate, as if you’re in someone’s beautiful yard, and the ivy walls are definitely a great spot for your wedding photos too. Having string lights means also that you can really use this area to the fullest because it looks just as sweet in the evening! We think that this is a great spot to have your wedding if you’re looking for something super personal and super cool.

There are so many beautiful wedding venues in the city of Chicago, but not all of them have an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour location. These are some of our favorites that are going to knock your socks off and provide you with an amazing view!

If you’re looking for extra help nailing down your venue or coordinating your wedding to run smoothly, you can reach out to us at our contact page and we can make sure you enjoy your engagement and can actually enjoy your wedding day.