written by Curator, Lisa Kathan Photography

*Old Post Office (photo by Lisa Kathan)*

Cold weather in Chicago is fast-approaching, and if you’re planning to get married this winter or early spring, your indoor options are definitely limited during a pandemic. We recommend keeping your party to 10 people or less for indoor ceremonies, but there are a few creative options!

If you’re planning to have a tiny ceremony anywhere, and you’re hiring a professional photographer to capture your day, you'll need an indoor location for great wedding photos: an interesting space with lots of variety and natural light.

We've pulled together a list of a dozen of some of the best venues in Chicagoland, where you can have both a ceremony and a fantastic place for photos. There are city and suburban locations across the budget spectrum welcoming the tiniest of wedding parties — following mitigation current mandates, of course.

The venue pricing listed is for a ceremony and photos only — with 10 or less people — unless noted below.

Walden Chicago

Cost: $500 (2 hours)

Walden Chicago is an incredible loft space in the West Loop with wooden floors, exposed beams, and brick walls. A gorgeous space for your wedding photography, you can also add beverages and menu options to customize your event.

The Haight (SUBURBAN Kane County)

Cost: $3,000 (for 6 hours)

A popular venue in downtown Elgin, the Haight is an industrial space that includes farm tables and chairs, a sound system, an event coordinator, security, two private suites and use of the entire building for your ceremony and photos. If weather permits, the Haight also has a rooftop, and included in this package is a complimentary champagne toast. If you’re looking for a package with fewer hours, The Haight may be able accommodate you when you contact them.

Note: you must get your marriage license in Kane County to be married at this venue.

Artifact Events

Cost: $300 (2 hours), $150 each additional hour

Artifact Events in Ravenswood is an enormous and unique warehouse venue, including a getting ready space. The space is perfect for your tiny ceremony with tons of spots for photos (check out a shoot we did there!), and you can BYO your champagne toast.

CV Atelier | CHICAGO VINTAGE WEDDINGS

Cost: $375 — Monday-Thursday; $425 — Weekends (winter rates per hour)

CV Atelier is small, wheelchair accessible event venue located in Pilsen, and is ideal for your intimate, stylish wedding. With your rental you get an on-site event manager, chiavari chairs, tables, sound system, use of their kitchen, and discounts on their event rentals.

The loft of Elements Preserved (SUBURBAN Kane County)

Cost: $900 – Monday through Thursday; $1200 – Friday, Saturday and Sunday (for 2 hours)

Elements Preserved is a loft space in downtown Elgin, flooded with light and perfect for a tiny ceremony. You’ll also have access to some of the vintage furniture available in the space and a mantel backdrop.

Note: you must get your marriage license in Kane County to be married at this venue.

Big Delicious Planet

Cost: varies, see below

Big Delicious Planet is the only 4-star Certified Green Restaurant in Illinois, with an urban farm right next to their West Loop kitchen. They cater specifically to small events in their space, so they’re a perfect solution if you’re looking for a spot that includes a beautiful meal. For full service events, BDP packages start at $250/person, plus a fee of $1,500, which includes the use of the space for 3 hours and a four course dinner/ brunch/luncheon, and open bar, as well as rentals and staff.

If you’re just looking for the use of their space for a ceremony and photos, you can rent their venue for $500/hour.

The Vault at the Old Post Office

Cost: $2,000 (for 2 hours)

The Old Post Office reopened as an event venue last year, and it's filled with tons of history and original art deco vibes. The Vault is a beautifully sized room, filled with natural light, and your rental includes photo use of entire building, including the Meadow rooftop. No food or drink permitted.

Gallery 1028

Cost: $1,028 (for 2.5 hours)

Gallery 1028 is a unique loft space the Goose Island neighborhood, with wood floors, exposed brick and beams, and lots of space for your wedding photos.

Salvage One

Cost: $1,500 (for 1.5 hours)

Salvage One is an awesomely quirky warehouse venue in the West Loop. This huge venue features exposed brick, large windows, and wooden floors, but also has an eclectic mix of furniture in the space. With their package, you can use the 1st floor for your ceremony, and all three floors of the vintage store for photos, as well as the courtyard and their well-known Chicago sign.

*Barrington's White House (photo by Lisa Kathan)*

Barrington’s White House (suburban Cook County)

Cost: Friday — $1,250; Saturday — $1,500; Sunday — $1,000 (for 3 hours)

Barrington’s White House is a beautiful, historic mansion in downtown Barrington, with a fireplace room perfect for a tiny winter wedding. The mansion also has a getting ready space, and so many spots for your wedding photos. You can add a champagne toast for an additional cost.

Note: you must get your marriage license from Cook County for this venue.

Wicker Park Inn

Cost: $300 (for 2 hours)

The Wicker Park Inn is a charming bed and breakfast in the Wicker Park neighborhood. The inn has a sweet little multi-use space, perfect for very tiny ceremony. Rental of the space includes a champagne toast. And of course, you can rent a room and stay at the inn!

Chicago History Museum

Cost: $2,500 (for daytime 2.5 hours)

The Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park is offering a “petite package” for your tiny wedding, which includes use of wooden chairs, highboys, linens, sound system, and a complimentary sparkling toast. They also offer add-on services, such as a cake, officiant and livestream services.

*city hall wedding Chicago (photo by Lisa Kathan)*

Planning to get married at City Hall?

In the past, there were several options around Chicago during the cold-weather months to take photos indoors after your city hall ceremony, for no or low cost. But because of COVID-19 restrictions, all those public locations are either closed, or you must wear masks the entire time you're in the space.

PRO TIP: shake off the city hall wedding (it's taking months to get an appointment anyway!) and get married in one of these beautifully unique private spaces. You can hire a professional officiant — or have a friend marry you — but you'll be able to enjoy your ceremony and wedding photos mask-free.

Need a photographer for your tiny wedding?

If your planning to be married this winter or spring, and you need a photographer who specializes in tiny weddings, get in touch! I can help you with any questions you might have, make recommendations, etc.

12 Indoor Locations for Your Tiny Wedding!