If you are looking for a wedding venue in Joliet Illinois then you know that there are quite a few places to choose from and I have been to pretty much all of them. Out of all of them, there are only two that I would recommend. These two places have so much style as well as having a staff that will take care of you. The places that I am talking about is The Jacob Henry Mansion and The Joliet Union Station. By far, these are the two places that you should check out if you live in or around Joliet Illinois.
The Jacob Henry Mansion
I have been to The Jacob Henry Mansion a ton of times and it seems that every time I go there, I find something else that’s unique to incorporate into an image. Here is what they say straight from their website.
The Jacob Henry Mansion Estate contributes to the beauty of your wedding day by offering a unique, Victorian setting for both your wedding ceremony and reception. The Jacob Henry Mansion, the flagship of our Estate, is known for its Gilded Age architecture, decadent hand carved woodwork, and lavish period decoration.
A winding path leads from the Mansion, through the Secret Gardens, to the Old Central Church. Built in 1895 of locally excavated limestone, The Old Central Church’s splendor includes three stained glass windows, and its original 2,000-pipe organ played over 100 years ago when the Old Central Church was the most prominent congregation in Joliet.
From an era of wealth, opulence, and romance are two historic landmarks-a Mansion and a Church combined to make your wedding celebration an unforgettable experience.
What’s unique about this location, aside from the incredibly stunning Victorian atmosphere that they provide, is the fact that they have two completely different locations on the same piece of land that you can have your wedding as well as your reception.
The Mansion
The Jacob Henry Mansion itself is meant for smaller groups, usually no more than 100 people. There is a ton of spaces to use for images in this house; anywhere from the many bedrooms upstairs with all of the Victorian details, the old central staircase leading down to the dining room, or the beautiful courtyard in the backyard, this location has it all. Here’s how they describe it straight from their website.
The Jacob Henry Mansion Estate is a distinctive, unique setting for wedding ceremonies and receptions. A beautiful place for your beautiful day. Wedding party photos, staged along the Mansion’s magnificent staircase, become treasured heirlooms. Intimate conversations with guests, in the library, the dining room, on the second-floor landing, become happy memories. Moments spent dancing underneath the stars in the courtyard, or under the twinkling chandeliers, in the drawing room, become legendary.
Ceremonies and receptions at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate are custom-designed to reflect your style as a couple. In the time prior to your wedding, our wedding specialist will develop intimate working relationships with you-making certain every detail is accounted for, every wish is granted, and every moment of your wedding day is blissful. Our entire team focuses on you, the Bride and Groom, making your every dream come true.
With this location, we also have access to the entire grounds of the estate which provides us with endless options for photos. In the evening, the strings of lights come on over the yard just in time to take full advantage of the setting sun that takes place right in front of the mansion itself. The grounds are also great if you are planning to have a large bridal party because we actually have room to work with.
The Victorian Ballroom
The Victorian Ballroom is meant for a larger crowd usually up to around 300 people so you will have to invite all of your friend’s friends in order to fill this room! When you have your reception at the Victorian Ballroom, you are usually seated with your bridal party on the stage of the room so you will be looking down at all of your guests which I always think is a pretty nice touch. The dance floor itself is huge and can support any number of people and there is no breakdown time because they don’t need to put any tables on the dance floor itself since it is such a large room. Here’s how they describe the room.
The Victorian Ballroom, on the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate, was completed in late 2005. It boasts a romantic theme of Victorian and Italian style ambiance. The warm and inviting hues of burgundy, cream, and deep greens compliment the open, inviting atmosphere.
The Ballroom comes complete with a full stage, large dance floor, and a unique pub setting with a European fireplace that adds to any photo opportunity for your special occasion or event.
A short walk from our non-denominational chapel, in the Old Central Church, the Ballroom is encompassed by a full promenade walkway making it perfect for outdoor cocktails, hors-d’oeuvres, or romantic strolls as the evening draws to a close. Whatever the occasion, the Victorian Ballroom is a beautiful compliment to any social affair.
- Seats up to 300 guests
- On-site catering, wait staff, and bartender
- Bridal Room
- Wedding Hostess
If you are looking to get married at a church, then you are in luck, they also have a church that is attached to The Victorian Ballroom so this is a full one-stop shop. Most bride and grooms usually choose to do everything there: from getting ready, getting married, and the reception. It gives you less to worry about and more time to enjoy the wedding day.
The Joliet Union Station
The first time I visited The Joliet Union Station, I couldn’t believe how beautiful this location was. The incredibly tall ceilings paired with the stunning architecture makes this place a dream location for wedding photography. A lot of couples tend to have their wedding here as well to give themselves a bit more time to relax and take in their wedding day.
Here’s how they describe their location.
The Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station wants to ensure that your dreams will come to life, so no matter your preferences, our staff is here to help you plan a wedding that is uniquely you.
Our experienced team can help you bring any vision to life and can customize menu selections, suggest decor items, and refer exceptional vendors that reflect your styles and tastes. Our menu has been designed in a way that allows you to create your own package and provides flexibility with each course.
The Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station occupies one of Joliet’s most historic buildings. What was once the bustling hub for travelers waiting to catch their trains, is now a beautiful and unique private event space.
The Ballroom is a versatile space with both indoor and outdoor locations. It is ideal for all types of events including receptions, fundraisers and corporate events. We offer customized menus and an exceptional team of event professionals that will help you through the process, from the initial site tour to the end of your event.
This space is one space that gives us so much to work with while we are there. They have a downstairs area with gigantic beautiful windows and a stunning marble staircase. Outside, we have the train station itself to work with as well as the train tracks itself. This is another location that people tend to do everything there because with a beautiful location like this, why not!
Either one of these locations, you cannot go wrong with and will ensure that you will have the wedding day that you dreamed about. If you have any questions at all or need any recommendations on wedding vendors, let me know!