We all know that Indian weddings are ultra-grand celebrations, to say the least. Everything from the decorations to the outfits to the food and the photographs has to be just perfect, not to mention fit to accommodate and delight at least 300 guests. As opposed to Western weddings, Indian weddings are most often maximalist and absolutely need ample space.
This makes Chicago, one of the largest cities in the United States, the perfect place to have your Indian wedding. There are quite a few stunning locales and venues in the city that would make your event as dreamy and out-of-the-world as you wanted it to be.
Here we have a round-up of the top 10 best Indian wedding venues in Chicago. With the right wedding photographer, these venues will give you all the feels through the reels in the years to come.
But first, let’s take a look at some of the most important things you should look for in Indian wedding venues in Chicago.
5 Things To Look For in Top Indian Wedding Venues in Chicago
1. Venue Capacity & Layout
Indian weddings have multiple events spanning several days. You need a venue that has enough variety and space to ensure all your functions can take place without clutter. This includes open areas, outdoor spaces, indoor halls, and locations for the wedding mandap. Choose a venue that offers a high guest capacity and has multiple locations where you can organize different functions such as haldi, sangeet, pheras, and reception.
2. Inhouse Catering or External Vendors
Food is one of the most important parts of an Indian wedding. Some wedding venues in Chicago do not allow outside vendors unless they have an experienced in-house team that can manage Indian cuisine for multiple events, you’ll not be able to use them for your dream wedding. So, make sure you understand the catering offerings of each venue before booking.
Pro Tip: Try to work with venues that allow external vendors, so that you have flexibility in terms of catering options for your big day. It can also be more affordable for you.
3. Package Inclusions
Most venues in Chicago offer rental packages to wedding clients. Understand the inclusions of your package very well. This is a crucial step in budgeting for your wedding and also ensuring all the things you want on the day of your wedding are available, whether they’re included in your budget or not. The best way to ensure package inclusions do not cause you stress on your big day is to work with venues that offer wedding management services. They will ensure anything that you want is there on your big day, regardless of whether they are included in the package or not, even if it is at additional cost.
4. Customizations and Decorations
Indian weddings are known for grandiose decorations. There are venues that are not very flexible in terms of customizations of the decoration options they offer. You need to stay away from these venues. You need floral wedding mandaps and traditional backdrops to ensure your wedding looks and feels like home. Simply checking whether the venue has experience hosting Indian weddings or not will tell you whether they can keep up with your customization requests or not.
Pro Tip: Choose venues that have high-ceilings so that you have flexibility in terms of lighting design for indoor events like reception.
5. Venue Accessibility
Venues that are easily accessible are crucial for an Indian wedding. Considering a sizeable guest list, an easily accessible venue that’s located close to a landmark or the airport can make your life a lot easier. Also choosing venues that have ample parking and lodging facilities can make it easier for out-of-town guests travelling to attend your wedding.
10 Indian Wedding Venues in Chicago That You Just Can’t Miss
Now that you know about the non-negotiable needs of an Indian wedding from venues, here’s our curated selection of the top Indian wedding venues Chicago has to offer.
1. Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
The Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk offers large expansive spaces to host multiple events. Needless to say, it has plenty of room to accommodate quite a few guests. One of its notable features is a grand ballroom complete with colossal floor-to-ceiling windows, and beautiful chandeliers in contemporary styles to render a sophisticated appeal. What’s most attractive about the place is that its booking services offer a number of generous packages including a complimentary overnight stay for the newlyweds, champagne, and breakfast.
2. Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
The Four Seasons Hotel is an elegant, and charming space located in Magnificent Mile. It offers a great deal of grandeur and sophistication, just the way Indians like it, with its super-dramatic movie-worthy staircase, champagne-colored silk walls, and radiant chandeliers in its grand ballroom. It also has a noteworthy Lakeview Room with beautiful windows overlooking Lake Michigan, possibly perfect spots for Indian wedding photography. Yet another element that will make your memories rich with artistic value is its brilliant art collection featuring famous numbers by the likes of Picasso and Magritte.
3. Double Tree by Hilton Chicago
Double Tree by Hilton is well-known for its splendid gold metallic décor and lighting; elements that are inherently a part of Indian weddings exclusively. The ballroom boasts a magnificent crystal-studded ceiling and sophisticated customizable décor. It can be tailored for traditional events as well as contemporary cocktail events or receptions, being that it is versatile and grand at the same time. This is the place for you if you need your wedding photos to give off traditional palace vibes.
4. Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the most picturesque locales to conduct an Indian wedding, especially if you are open to having a hybrid mix of venues for events. They have stunningly beautiful outdoor and equally grand indoor venues, both of which can be tailored to be elegant and contemporary, or rich, colorful, and luxurious. Nestled perfectly in the North Shore, the place has some amazing and popular outdoor venues such as the English-Walled Garden, Rose Terrace, and the Buehler Enabling Garden, all of which would simply delight your Indian wedding photographer with their floral themes. For indoor venues, they have McGinley Pavilion, Nichols Hall, Burnstein Hall, and the Krehbiel Gallery; a selection of warm and cozy spaces for an elegant Indian wedding.
5. Rockwell on The River
Rockwell on the River is yet another versatile and customizable space with a great selection of indoor and outdoor venues. Set overlooking the Northern Branch of the Chicago River, its location is perhaps one of the best features of the place. It provides comparatively easy access to guests and offers ample customization options to craft a unique wedding event. The indoors are decorated with a hemispherical wooden ceiling which is capable of accommodating any kind of accessory, from balloons to flowers and vines. The outdoor venue is also quite suitable for an elegant dinner set-up.
6. Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is one of the most popular premium wedding destinations for couples who wish to host an unforgettable one. Located conveniently just a few steps away from Michigan Avenue, it offers gorgeous views of the lakefront as well as the skyline. Standing tall and large, it provides plenty of space and decorative elements, fit to hold a traditional “big fat Indian wedding”. The Aon Grand Ballroom boasts of a built-in stage, dome ceilings giving all the vintage feels, and dramatic stage lights that would make your Indian wedding photographer dance in joy. The place also has a Lakeview Terrace where scrumptious wedding feasts can be served, with an amazing landscape view.
7. Palmer House Hilton
Palmer House is the epitome of luxurious elegance, standing proudly in downtown with a rich history. It is one of the spaces that offer multiple options for event venues, including unique signature areas that are perfect for hosting pre-wedding ceremonies or other events. The architecture and ambiance amplify the place’s charm and romantic appeal, making it a dreamy spot for even destination weddings. In addition to being a premium venue, their services cover more luxe amenities such as spa treatments, dining options, fitness facilities, and more. Suffice it to say, a wedding at Palmer House, would not just be an unforgettable experience for the couple, but also for the guests.
8. Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center is perhaps a comparatively cost-effective venue in this list, that is every bit as grand and exquisite as the others. It offers stained glass dome ceilings and elegant décor, perfect to customize and create a grand space for an Indian wedding. The location of the center also complements its charm and elegance, making it easily accessible for everyone. Some of the detailing in its interiors, such as its marble walls with flower mosaics and mahogany accents, the artwork along its corridors and stairways, etc. will prove to be gorgeous backdrops for your Indian wedding photography as well.
9. Hilton Chicago
The second Hilton property on the list, Hilton is one of the most luxurious Indian wedding venues in Chicago. Quite a popular choice among Indian and South Asian couples, particularly Muslim couples, the space screams royal charm and elegance with its vintage architecture and décor. The ballroom rendering ultimate palace vibes is a sight to behold with its intricately carved ceilings, and pillars. The metallic accents sparkle under the light of the grand chandeliers, giving off just the right kind of drama that Indians want. The place also provides stunning rooms for the bride and the groom to get ready in. This means, your wedding photographer can give you the best dressing-up pictures.
10. Bridgeport Art Center
Last but definitely not least, the Bridgeport Art Center offers a mix of luxury and elegance in a comparatively modest setting, which proves to be a boon for both extravagant weddings as well as simple weddings. The space provides a loft overlooking the magnificent skyline, with wooden interiors, completely customizable. Its versatile nature allows couples of all South Asian cultures to plan and personalize their unique wedding event. It also offers an outdoor venue called The Sculpture Garden, with elegant brick wall décor which would be an ideal space for pre and post-wedding events like Haldi and reception parties.
Final Thoughts
As your big day comes closer, there will undoubtedly be a hundred different things to get anxious about. This list of the top 10 best Indian wedding venues in Chicago serves to ease you with the biggest task of choosing your wedding space.
Each of these spaces is magnificent and grand in its own way, with little details making them unique. We have included a set of venues coming under different levels of luxury so that you can choose one according to your budget.
As a veteran wedding photography company with ample experience serving couples in each of these locations, we can vouch for the beauty and charm of every place on this list.
Feel free to contact our team and ask for assistance choosing a place. We can help you get a “CLEARER PICTURE”. For more updates visit our Instagram page.
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