It’s no surprise that many couples honor the city of Chicago in their weddings. The city boasts a beautiful lakefront, stunning cityscape, and too many museums and sports teams to count. It is also a perfect place for a beautiful and memorable wedding — and a city in which many couples meet or call home.
We love to see all of the creative ways that couples pay respect to the Windy City in their Chicago wedding celebration. Whether it’s a cake with the city’s iconic skyline or a hidden homage to a favorite team on the bottom of stilettos, these couples show us new ways to love your hometown. Read on for 15 unique ideas for your Chicago wedding.
1. Choose a Historic Chicago Venue
2. Say “I Do” With a View
From the deep blue of Lake Michigan to the sparkling skyline, Chicago features views galore. Why not use them as a back drop for your nuptials?
3. Chicago Wedding Invitation Suite
Set your wedding scene, and get your friends and family excited to celebrate in The Second City by including Chicago’s iconic skyline or street map on your wedding invitation.
4. Represent Your Chi-Town Team
We love a subtle homage like this. And when it comes to Chicago sports, you’re bound to have your hometown faves.
5. Get Pics Against Chicago’s Best Backdrops
The Windy City is filled with the perfect spots to visit with your photographer, either for your engagement photos or the first look on your big day. Capture your love in the city that you love.
6. Ride to Your Wedding in Chicago Style
The last streetcar in Chicago might have run in 1958, but you can still have a trolley good time by renting a gas-powered version to ride your nuptials.
7. Chicago Skyline Wedding Place Cards
8. Chicago on Ice
The joke is almost too easy; after all, Chicago is on ice for half of the year. Why not memorialize the city with a stunning ice sculpture that will turn into a favorite photo spot at your wedding?
9. Chicago Map Table Names
Choose classic Chicago places like Lake Michigan, the Art Institute, or Willis Tower for clever table names, or make like the couple below and employ your neighborhood street names.
10. Chicago-Theme Lighting is Illuminating
You can still have a skyline view on the first floor —even without windows. Projection lighting can conjure any version of the city you love for a fun, immersive vibe.
11. Chicago Mascot Photo Op
Chicago sports legendary teams, from the Cubs to the White Sox, and da’ Bears to the Blackhawks, why not have a mascot do a drop-in for a surprising moment for your guests?
12. City-Themed Dance Floor
Custom dance floors give you options galore. We like how this one mimicked a Chicago transit map with favorite spots marked.
13. Chicago-Centric Sweets
Illinois’ iconic shape and Chicago’s identifiable place in it make for great themed iced cookies. We could imagine the image in cupcake shapes too. And these Chi-town hot dog-inspired cookies? All we can say is No Ketchup!
14. Cityscape Wedding Cake
15. Chicago Wedding Groomsmen Gifts
Consider gifting your groomsmen with a Windy City-themed gift like tickets to a game or concert. Or consider the groom’s gift pictured below and pair a great bottle of whiskey with “maps.” brand rocks glasses etched with a Chicago city map.
People Also Ask…
What is the best month to get married in Chicago?
We think that every month is a great time to get married in Chicago. Obviously, because of the more reliable weather, a summer wedding in Chicago is a great choice. But, each season has its charms. Whether you’re envisioning a fall wedding rich with rustic detail, a winter wedding with modern touches, or a spring wedding with fresh blooms and lots of color — Chicago makes a beautiful backdrop.
How should I start planning my Chicago wedding?
We always recommend starting by hiring an experienced wedding planner. Start with our list of the Best Wedding Planners in Chicago. Your skilled planner will advise you on venues to see based on your wedding vision and budget as well as help you line up the right vendors for you.
Where can you get married outside in Chicago?
When it comes to getting married outside in Chicago, you have two options: wait for warm weather or opt for a venue with weather safeguards in place. For a venue with an outdoor space for nice days, visit our venue directory and click the venue type filters to find “Outdoor & Rooftop” spaces, “Yachts & Boats,” “Farms & Barns,” “Venues & Wineries,” and more.