Top Illinois Proposal Barns

• Spaces for 200-300 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Farm

Abbey Farms is a one-of-a-kind agritourism farm in Aurora, Illinois, but we prefer to think of ourselves as a fun destination for the whole family! For nearly 75 years, Abbey Farms has been creating memories with our fall festival, which includes a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and other outdoor attractions; our holiday season, which includes dozens of acres of U-Cut trees and our Christmas store; our Summer Ramble season, which includes a specialty cafe menu and live music; and, soon, our apple orchard and new winter season activities! It all began in the 1930s, when the monks of Marmion Abbey moved here and began planting trees, and it was first opened to the public in 1949. Abbey Farms is a thriving, nonprofit farm where 100% of the profits go to the monks and their goal. Summer Ramble's quiet, collected demeanor, as well as the fact that we are closed in the Spring, may create the impression that they are slower seasons on the farm. That is not the case! Farming is a year-round, full-time job! What you don't see is often the most important factor in the success of what you do see. Here's a look at what goes on at Abbey Farms every year: Winter is the time of year when we establish the foundation for the rest of the year. Whether it's apple orchards, pumpkin patches, or Christmas trees, fields must be cleared and cleaned to remove pests and disease hiding places. As the snow melts and the weather warms, we'll be able to see what we're up against and ramp up our efforts. This is an excellent time to plant new apple and Christmas trees in the fields. At the same time, we're trimming the existing apple trees to focus their energy on producing bigger, healthier fruit. We can compost and mound the pumpkin patch later in the Spring, after the last threat of frost has passed, and sow seeds straight into the earth. Isn't it true that we're always fooling around with the trees in the orchard and tree fields? Yes, we are! To ensure healthy growth and a beautiful shape, both apple and Christmas trees require year-round pruning and shaping. Summer is also when we need to be particularly cautious about insect control and water intake for all of our crops. Abbey Farms is, of course, busiest in the fall! We begin with the apple harvest — while you're collecting apples, we're cleaning up fallen fruit to prevent pests, fertilizing plants, planting new trees, and yes, trimming once again. We need to clear the field and put additional compost into the ground so it's ready for next year once you've had a chance to visit the pumpkin patch and bring home the perfect jack 'o lantern.

• Spaces for 350 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Outdoor
• 2 Total Spaces

The Barn at Hornbaker Gardens is a four-season event venue built in 2015 on the grounds of Hornbaker Gardens, a destination garden center and botanical property that has grown over 40 acres since its founding in 1987. Set in Princeton, Illinois, the property surrounds the Barn with mature botanical gardens, an arboretum, a native Illinois prairie, and manicured meadows — giving couples and their guests an expansive natural backdrop at every turn. The centerpiece is the 7,000-square-foot Great Room, which welcomes up to 350 guests for ceremonies and receptions. Three custom chandeliers hang from a vaulted wood ceiling, while grand windows frame views of the gardens. The Barn is climate-controlled year-round, and two private wedding suites give the wedding party a dedicated space to prepare. A large covered patio serves as a natural cocktail hour setting, and an outdoor patio with a fire pit extends the evening under the stars. The venue carries its own liquor license and works with a list of approved caterers. An on-site catering kitchen with commercial equipment supports food service operations throughout the property.

• Spaces for 200 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 space at this venue

Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve is a 40-acre public farm and event venue owned by the City of Collinsville, Illinois. The property centers on a restored 10-acre historic farmstead that recreates 1940s rural agricultural life, featuring a 1930s Craftsman-style farmhouse, historic barns, vintage tractors, and live animals including chickens, goats, and donkeys. The Bank Barn is available for private rental and accommodates up to 200 guests, making it well suited for weddings, family reunions, and celebrations that call for an authentic rustic setting. Groups can also rent the Carl Schultze Pavilion for smaller, more intimate gatherings, or opt for a full farm rental that includes the barn, pavilion, chicken pergola, and farmyard — giving exclusive access to the heart of the farm. A white wooden arbor is available for ceremonies, and a fire pit is included for bonfires and marshmallow roasting. Beyond the event spaces, the property encompasses more than 30 acres of conservation reserve, with over three miles of natural-surface hiking trails winding through upland forest, woodland, and prairie on historic Mississippi River bluffs.

• Spaces for 85-150 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Historic Space

Lakeview Nature Center is a timber frame event facility set within 80 acres of prairie, wetland, and woodland in Macomb, Illinois. The building was constructed using hand-hewn oak timbers and mortise-and-tenon joinery — no nails hold the framework together, only wooden pegs — and was renovated in 2017. The center spans two main levels, both wheelchair accessible, and accommodates up to 85 guests. The main level features hands-on educational exhibits focused on local flora, fauna, and the area's ecological systems. The lower level is a flexible space suited to workshops, gatherings, and private events — from baby showers and birthday parties to business meetings and intimate celebrations. The surrounding Lakeview Nature Area is also home to the nation's largest seven-circuit Prairie Labyrinth, with hiking trails and diverse outdoor areas that extend the venue experience well beyond its walls.

• Spaces for 330 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Farm
• 1 Historic Space

The Nagel Emporium at Abbey Farms sits on the grounds of a working, nonprofit farm in Aurora, Illinois that has been growing trees and welcoming visitors since 1949. All proceeds from events held at Abbey Farms benefit the monks of Marmion Abbey, whose mission and the 300-acre property the farm sustains. The Emporium itself is a 6,000-square-foot hall clad in antique reclaimed barn wood and hung with elegant chandeliers, offering climate control through all seasons and sweeping views of the Fox River Valley. An oak dance floor and cocktail lounge anchor the interior, while a covered porch opens onto a custom brick patio with a stone fireplace. A dedicated bridal preparation room with antique furnishings rounds out the private amenities. The hall accommodates up to 330 guests and has hosted wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate meetings and retreats, family reunions, and other private celebrations. The Emporium is handicapped accessible from the parking lot.