What A Chicago Wedding Photographer Has To Say…
The Best Rustic Wedding Venues Near Chicago IL
- Warehouse 109
- Brookfield Zoo
- Northfork Farm
- The Public Landing
- Seargent Means Park
Over the 7 years that I have been a Chicago Wedding Photographer, I have had the chance to see a wide variety of wedding venues. Anything from centuries-old Downtown Chicago churches, backyard weddings (some of my favorite weddings to date), impressive venues with tons of style (more on these in a second), and just straight to the point no frills kind of places. I also had the chance to work with many fantastic wedding coordinators and staff at all of these locations and they are one of the reasons that I rank certain locations as being so great. They give me the time that I need to photograph the wedding as well as the freedom without hovering over my shoulder the entire time that I am there.
Location Requirements For Me
A great location for me has to have a combination of a few requirements that I have on my list as well as having the atmosphere that matches my style. When I think about what venues match my style and have a staff that I actually look forward to working with, there are only four locations that come to mind that are close by for your Chicago wedding. Sometimes it will be a little bit more of a drive but they provide one amazing escape from the bustling city of Chicago. These venues are ones that I would actually be comfortable with recommending for your wedding day.
A Brief Chicago History
The name “Chicago” is derived from a French rendering of the Miami-Illinois word Shikaakwa, known to botanists as Allium tricoccum. (How cool is that!?) The first known reference to the site of the current city of Chicago as “Checagou” was by Robert de LaSalle around 1679 in a memoir. Henri Joutel, in his journal of 1688, noted that the wild garlic, called “Chicagoua”, grew abundantly in the area. According to his diary of late September 1687:
when we arrived at the said place called “Chicagou” which, according to what we were able to learn of it, has taken this name because of the quantity of garlic which grows in the forests in this region.
With over 2.7 million residents, it is also the most populous city in both the state of Illinois and the Midwestern United States. It is the county seat of Cook County. The Chicago metropolitan area often referred to as Chicagoland, has nearly 10 million people and is the third-largest in the United States. Chicago has often been called a global architecture capital and is considered one of the most important business centers in the world.
Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed and grew rapidly in the mid-nineteenth century. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless, the city made a concerted effort to rebuild on the damage. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by 1900 Chicago was one of the five largest cities in the world. During this period, Chicago made noted contributions to urban planning and zoning standards, new construction styles (including the Chicago School of architecture), the development of the City Beautiful Movement, and the eventual creation of the steel-framed skyscraper. Most of this information was found at this terrific resource.
Warehouse 109
When I walked into Warehouse 109 for the first time, I was in awe. Located close to 59 and 126th, you will find a rustic location surrounded by breweries and coffee rosters matching the style of this venue. Walking through the gates, you are greeted by two vintage cars and strands of warm glowing lights with Edison bulbs.
You then walk through a building that leads into a large 2,000 square foot courtyard with an airstream trailer that is set up to be a photo-booth (a very cool idea I have to add). This is the area that many wedding couples choose to have their own caterers slanging out their food. One of the coolest caterers that I have seen there was the incredibly talented people of Wooden Paddle Pizza out of Lemont Illinois. They were cooking up a variety of custom pizzas in their wood-burning oven (which the owner told me was the largest in Illinois, feel free to fact check that) and a really awesome Italian chop salad.
The Building Itself
Walking up to the building itself, you are confronted by large bay doors that they open on cool summer nights allowing you to dance outside if you want. On the inside (one of the coolest things about this venue) on display are 12 vintage motorcycles in a grid on the wall. I’m not even into motorcycles but I thought it was a really nice touch and something you normally don’t see in a wedding venue. The room itself has very high rustic ceilings with exposed wooden beams throughout the 4,000 square foot interior space.
You are able to get drinks from their vintage style bar and if you decide to take a break from dancing, you can sit down at their seating area with a warmly lit light feature and vintage grey sofa. According to their website, you are able to create your own unique indoor/outdoor event for seated dinners of up to 150 guests, receptions for up to 200 guests and wedding ceremonies.
You are also provided with…
- Exclusive access on day of event
- Assistance with layout of event
- Venue manager on-site for entire event
- Cleaning before and after each event
- Adjacent parking for up to 100 vehicles
- Wi-Fi
- Use of The Airstream Lounge
- Use of the vintage bar
- 3 Buffet Tables (see Prop Shop)
- Antique motorcycle gallery
- Fire pit (weather permitting)
- String lights in main space and courtyard
- Trash cans & trash bags
- Use of three Restrooms
- Use of small catering prep kitchen (refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and sink)
This wedding venue is an absolute dream to work with for a Chicago Wedding Photographer like myself. The owners give you free rein of the location for wedding photography and they provide us with a lot of great details to work with. My favorite was the stunning entryway with the evening setting sun or the use of the Edison bulbs as accents in night photos. If you are looking for a rustic location with kind of a hipster vibe, then this location is definitely worth a look and it’s about a 40-minute drive from Chicago. Contact Debbie or Clayton to submit an inquiry form or send an email!
Brookfield Zoo
If you live in or around the Chicago area then you have had to have gone to the Brookfield Zoo at least once. At 216 acres and with 2,300 animals, I would have to say that this Wedding Venue has plenty to work with. Usually, when I photograph a wedding at the zoo, we do everything on site. From getting the dress on, the actual wedding ceremony, bride and groom photos, and the actual wedding reception; we do everything there so it saves a lot of time on traveling. This is how the talented people at the zoo describe a wedding day taken from their website…
Brookfield Zoo’s lush grounds and tranquil settings form a lovely–and completely unique–backdrop for your special day.
Your guests will enjoy “Cocktails with the Animals” in one of the zoo’s magnificent wildlife habitats–from the deserts and rainforests of far-off lands to the underwater world of our famous bottlenose dolphins.
Then it’s off to your elegant dinner…complete with themed decorations. Enjoy live music and outstanding food as you and your guests dance the night away. Be sure to allow plenty of time for unforgettable pictures among the sculpted gardens and with an animal or two!
When it comes to setting a truly exotic stage for your special event, no place compares to Brookfield Zoo. Lions roar in the distance, monkeys chatter nearby, and a giraffe might even stretch his long neck in your direction to check out your party.
Our unique venues provide the perfect backdrop for any event–from company picnics to formal affairs, showers to weddings, anniversaries to family reunions, bar mitzvahs to adult birthday parties. Plus, our top-notch catering staff and the professional culinary team will ensure that your event is elegant and virtually effortless.
Since I am a Chicago Wedding Photographer and I deal in the visual arts, they are much better at putting their own location into words. There are some amazing hidden gems at the zoo that I try to capitalize on for photo sessions that most photographers don’t know about. One of my all-time favorites is the patch of pine trees by the dolphin exhibit. When you look at the images, you wouldn’t think we were in Illinois at all.
One of the Largest Wedding Venues
Since this venue is so large, your wedding coordinator (Carly Gessert is the best that I have worked with) will drive us to each location to save time. Some of the most common spots that we usually try to hit are the rhino exhibit, dolphins, some of the long flowing pathways, the big cats, as well as some of the hidden spots like the above-mentioned pine tree forest and the rocks by the giraffes.
For the cocktail hour, you are able to hang out with your guests right where the animals are. The two coolest are the apes and the giraffes especially when they are active. One of my favorite locations for the reception portion of the wedding day is the Bocaditos; with beautiful natural light during the daytime and dark grained wood throughout the location, this is definitely a location that is a Chicago Wedding Photographers dream spot to work with. The Brookfield zoo staff is one of the most amazing groups that a photographer could ask to work with. They are always happy and will greet you with a smile and are always there to help you if you need it. If you need to talk to someone about planning your special day, Carly Gessert is by far the best person for the job. Contact Carly here.
This wedding ceremony and reception location is a short 40-minute drive from Chicago and is one location that you will not forget!
Northfork Farm
I am one Chicago Wedding Photographer that is into the rural/rustic feel as well as any venue that can get me outside more often than inside and Northfork Farm hits this right on the money. Here is how they describe the location right from their website…
Situated on a hillside in Na-Au-Say Township in Kendall County just 35 miles Southwest of downtown Chicago, four miles west of Plainfield, and five miles east of Oswego, Northfork Farm features beautiful rolling pastures and views that are breathtaking. With the Chicago skyline in the distant background, it is remarkable how quiet this prairie is. With quick access to Interstate 55 for both Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Courses, Northfork has transitioned into both a thoroughbred horse facility and a pleasure riding and boarding facility.
This Wedding Venue Has it All
This wedding venue has it all as far as an outdoor wedding ceremony is concerned. While I was there, the bride walked down the long rows of horse stables from the old barn to her crying groom for the ceremony (it was a beautiful moment to experience). The wedding took place under a pair of old growth trees with a newly born horse watching the entire ceremony. Since the wedding ceremony was at the same place as the reception, we had plenty of time for photos. It was hard to choose which spot of the farm that I wanted to capitalize on first. I chose to photograph the wedding party first so I would have extra time to photograph the bride and the groom.
They have a ton of beautiful locations as well as details to work with especially in the evening when the sun takes on its beautiful golden glow. We chose to take some photos in the barn first that is decorated with strings of vintage lights and old rustic mirrors on the walls. Another great photo spot is the farmhouse itself with its large wrapping porch that catches the perfect amount of light.
I was excited to see that they actually included asparagus in the landscape (I nerded out on some plants real quick during the bride and grooms photo session. They didn’t seem to mind though). We then chose to use the long pathways between the horse stables as well as the baby colts themselves. This wedding venue really comes alive when the sun dips below the horizon.
After the Photo Session
After the photo session, we headed to the reception which was in a large tent in the field next to the horses and was filled with a ton of their own personal details as well as 200 of their closest friends and family. On their website, they took the time to list a bunch of vendors in case you are in search of a great caterer or an alcohol vendor. I cannot say enough about how much I love wedding receptions that take place in tents. The lighting is always easy to work with and there are always so many details that make the reception unique.
This wedding venue is roughly a 50-minute drive from Chicago.
The Public Landing
The Public Landing in Lockport Illinois. This is the description straight from their website…
For over 25 years The Public Landing Restaurant has become a Chicagoland dining destination. Located on the old I&M Canal in the historic district of downtown Lockport, our family of service professionals brings their combined knowledge, talent, and hearts to ensure a memorable dining experience for each and every guest.
Our dedication to quality is found in every aspect of this family owned and operated restaurant. We still do things the old-fashioned way by preparing our menu items daily.
Offering unparalleled ambiance within a unique historical and picturesque setting.
The Public Landing is the ideal venue for all of your banquet needs.
Our staff will provide an evening of food and fun that you will be proud to offer your guests.
Our full-service banquet facilities can provide customized events and
accommodate groups from 25 to 180 guests.
This Location Has So Much Character
This location has so much character built into one location. You are able to have your wedding ceremony both inside or outside and both offer a lot of rustic charm. The outdoor location for the ceremony is one of my favorite outdoor locations that I have photographed. The beautiful old Gaylord building makes for a perfect background to any wedding photo with the evening sun throwing its golden light onto the building and trees.
There are also many other spots right around the location that works perfectly for wedding photography. The bridge that runs over the I and M canal, the train tracks right next to the building, the pathway that runs along the river, the beautiful courtyard, as well as the rustic interior makes this location a wedding photographers dream.
The reception location has nice tall open ceilings with exposed wood beams as well as vintage brickwork and overlooks a large dance floor. Some guests choose to string lights across the beams to give the wedding reception a nice warm glow that makes for some great wedding photos. The staff is another reason why this location is so great. This is another place where everyone always greets you with a smile and is always willing to help in any way that they can which makes a Chicago Wedding Photographers job a lot easier. Dana is who I usually work with and I personally have seen her put in a brides veil because no one knew how; now that is service! Contact Dana Here.
This location is not too bad of a drive from Chicago. It is usually about a 35-minute drive but it is worth it.
Seargent Means Park
Seargent Means Park was one place that I haven’t heard about before I photographed Britta and Carlos’ wedding and I am very surprised about that. When I arrived I couldn’t believe how beautiful this place was. Walking down the main pathway, there were beautiful warm string lights hung between two large pine trees and the house that the bride has to get ready in is amazing! If you are looking for something with a little bit of a vintage vibe, this place will be up your alley. This is what Olympia Fields offers straight from their website.
MAIN BARN ROOM
Ideal for groups of up to 150 people.
PAVILION
Ideal for groups of up to 170 people.
SILO
Ideal for groups of up to 40 people.
RECREATION ROOM
Ideal for groups of up to 32 people.
CULL HOUSE LIVING ROOM
Ideal for groups of up to 14 people.
The Bradford Barn rental package includes:
– Venue set up and clean up
– Main Barn Room
– Pavilion (open air or enclosed with HVAC)
– Silo
– Catering Kitchen
– Loft for DJ
– Pre-ceremony preparations
– Access to facility
– Your own personal party host
– List of preferred caterers, florists, hotels in the area, photographers, etc.
– White chairs, round tables, rectangle tables
– Access to audiovisual equipment
– Firepit
Additional costs:
– Security
– High top tables
– Alcohol permit
Also, looking at their website, this option is extremely affordable. Their prices are as follows.
Sgt Means Park (per picnic grove) Limit 60
0-10 Guests
Resident No charge*
Non-Resident $60*
11-60 Guests
Resident $85*
Non-Resident $110*
61-100 Guests
Resident $110*
Non-Resident $185**
Alcoholic Permit and Liability Fees
$225 – Non-refundable
This Venue Is Definitely A One Stop Shop
This is one location that is safe to accomplish everything onsite. Everything from the bride getting ready, detail photos, the groom getting ready, the ceremony itself, all of the family formals and bridal party photos, the reception, as well as dancing. This place offers it all! The staff are all very friendly and easy to work with as well. This place really does have it all. By the old house with the old white fence was one of my favorite areas to take the bride and groom. There is a thick patch of old growth trees that provide an area of open shade (my favorite lighting condition) as well as the white fence itself that provides a nice rustic visual element.
For the reception, you are able to eat outside under a covered awning which is amazing! I wish more places allowed for outdoor seating, anything with fresh air is my type of reception. The dance floor itself is also pretty amazing! The whole interior is a rustic white color which provides me with a ton of options to light the dance floor. While I was there, they opened the big sliding door to cool off the dance floor which was a nice touch. One of the other nice details that this place offers is the pathway that is lit with warm string lights hung between beautiful pine trees at night. I was lucking that Brita and Carlos were into going outside for night time photos. If you have any questions at all, contact Mallory Dodds at the Olympia Fields Website.
If I had to pick just one off of this list I don’t think I could. Every one of these is unique in their own ways and I love photographing weddings and receptions at all of these locations. Every time a bride or groom brings up one of these locations, I get excited knowing that they are giving me a spot to work with that gives me so many creative details as well as a great staff behind the scenes. These are the places that make me happy to be a Chicago Wedding Photographer. If you are interested in planning a wedding and are having a hard time with laying out a schedule, this post would be perfect to read first!
Other posts that you may like are…
Britta and Carlos’ Seargent Means Park Wedding
Kaitlyn and Kevins Public Landing Restaurant Wedding