Founded in 1830, Chicago quickly grew to become the largest city in the Midwest. This major metropolis was home to numerous factories and transportation hubs — creating a magnificent skyline of brick and steel. While today’s Windy City boasts soaring glass skyscrapers, it still features many of its old industrial gems. Luckily for couples, some of these warehouses have been restored and converted into chic industrial wedding venues. Couples can also find newer event spaces that sport a modern, industrial aesthetic.
We searched through thousands of real wedding albums on PartySlate to find our favorite industrial-loft venues — with help from two top wedding planners in Chicago. You’ll discover repurposed factories, restored warehouses, and even a mid-century schoolhouse. With your wedding day before you, the future is bright. Of course, with a history as rich as Chicago’s, we can’t help celebrating the past and the present. These 15 industrial-loft wedding venues promise to set the scene for a historic event.
*Listed in no particular order…
For the ultimate blank canvas…
Pilsen
Miranda Archer, Principal Planner and Creative Director of Fremont Group, shares, “Unlike a traditional hotel ballroom, The Geraghty is a stunning and expansive open space with built-in technical features that are hard to come across. This venue provides a unique opportunity to create captivating immersive experiences.”
The Geraghty can host up to 1,500 guests.
For a customizable space with furnishings to match…
Jod Wolf, CEO of Paulette Wolf Events, often recommends this modern industrial space to her clients. With over 12,00 feet of customizable event space and an extensive inventory of custom-designed furniture, Venue West can easily accommodate any wedding vision.
Contact Venue West for guest capacity details.
For an impressive column-free space with vintage charm…
River North
This restored mid-century schoolhouse offers a unique layout with its original gymnasium that features vintage ticket windows, wall tile, and an open-beam ceiling — not to mention, access to an outdoor courtyard.
The School House can host up to 400 guests.
For picturesque views and epic entertainment opportunities
Lincoln Park
Theater on the Lake is set in a historic, Prairie-style building that boasts sweeping steel arched pavilions, dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows with dazzling skyline and lakefront views, and a spacious outdoor patio that’s perfect for a ceremony or transitional cocktail hour.
Theater on the Lake can host up to 500 guests.
For an urban space with lush garden vibes…
Guests will love entering the Sculpture Garden Gallery through an original five-story elevator cab and into a beautiful entryway, adorned with modern chandeliers. The outdoor component is just as stunning with a covered courtyard built along the historic former railway that once serviced the building.
Bridgeport Art Center can host up to 500 guests.
For a modern, environmentally-sustainable space…
Magnificent Mile
Venue SIX10 offers an open-concept venue that can easily transform to fit any vision. We especially love the sustainable design that’s powered by 100% renewable energy.
Venue SIX10 can host up to 1,000 guests.
For an industrial chic space with endless configurations…
This 15,000-square-foot repurposed factory can easily accommodate any event flow. Built-in technological features include an LED wall and stage, ensuring entertainment and creative design are at the forefront of your celebration.
Moonlight Studios can host up to 450 guests.
For an urban-chic space with plenty of natural light…
Whether you choose to celebrate on the Main Floor or the Outdoor Patio, you’ll love how this hip spot in the West Loop offers industrial city views. We love how the top floor opens out to an outdoor patio for a space that allows a seamless indoor/outdoor flow.
Loft Lucia can host up to 160 guests.
For an industrial space with everything you need on-site…
West Town
This restored century-old lumber warehouse boasts 7 large skylights, hand-painted murals, and exposed brick. We especially love the unique on-site amenities that include café lighting, lush foliage, a custom DJ booth, and more.
The Arbory Chicago can host up to 300 guests.
For a sophisticated industrial rooftop…
Fulton Market
This four-story event venue, once used for meatpacking, features everything from a four-season rooftop terrace to an underground lounge and industrial loft space. We especially love the Rooftop and Penthouse space where guests can enjoy stunning views of Willis Tower.
Morgan’s on Fulton can host up to 150 guests.
For a historic space with modern sensibilities…
Motor Row District
Originally home to the Illinois Automobile Club and the Chicago Defender building, this industrial event space, brought to you by Revel Global Events, features over 20 on-site events spaces. We deeply appreciate the effort that went into restoring the original woodworking, stained glass, and other unique architectural details.
Revel Motor Row can host up to 2,600 guests.
For an industrial space with an exquisite attention to detail…
Pilsen
Once the worldʼs largest macaroni factory, this 5-story event space now serves as a beautiful backdrop for a Chicago wedding. We especially love the Reverie Gallery with its hand-crafted cedar bench seating and custom bar area repurposed from salvaged shipping containers.
Lacuna Events by LM can host up to 350 guests.
For a customizable space with impressive city views…
West Town
We love how this industrial timber loft features wrap-around windows for a wedding celebration that’s beautiful by both day and night. Amenities include votive candle window treatments, reclaimed wood tables, an antique podium, and more.
City View Loft can host up t0 200 guests.
For a rustic-chic industrial spot…
Roger’s Park
When guests walk into Palmhouse, they are immediately impressed by the skylit, double bow truss ceiling. Modern furnishings and ambient lighting bring a warm urban vibe to an elegant wedding celebration with just the right amount of rustic.
Palmhouse can host up to 800 guests.
For an industrial space with comprehensive menu-planning…
Portage Park
Biagio Events and Catering features multiple spaces for a food-forward wedding. We especially enjoy the rustic-industrial ambiance of the Caroline and Michelle rooms. Exposed ductwork, Edison bulb chandeliers, and wood paneled accent walls create an elegant aesthetic that feels both modern and historic.
Biagio Events and Catering can host up to 450 guests.
For rustic revivalism at its finest…
West Town
This beautiful event space, located in Chicago’s Brewery District, features over 4,500 square feet of indoor space as well as a 4,000-square-foot backyard with dramatic views of Paulina Street Bridge.
Bridge 410 can host up to 175 guests.
People Also Ask…
What should I consider when choosing a wedding venue?
So much goes into finding the perfect wedding venue. You’ll want to take into account obvious factors like location, guest count, and budget. However, you should also consider elements like venue type, accessibility, amenities, and vendor restrictions.
We always recommend bringing a list of thoughtful questions to every venue walk-through. Read “Every Question to Ask Before Booking a Wedding Venue” to avoid any unforeseen budgeting or logistical woes.
Where can I find a wedding planner?
Choosing a wedding planner is as important as finalizing your venue. Your wedding planner will be responsible for far more than just the planning process. Consider a full-service event planner both a coordinator and a visionary. Great planners not only help bring your wedding vision to life, they also help assemble your vendor team, finalize your guest list, outsource any needed amenities, and so much more. Your wedding planner can even save you money (yes, really).
PartySlate makes it easy to find a wedding planner in Chicago with our curated directory. Use the filters to narrow your search by services. For the most seamless planning process, we recommend selecting the “full-service planning” option. From there, look to the “featured” tags to find PartySlate’s top recommendations.
If a planner catches your eye, make sure to click into their PartySlate profile to see real examples of their work and learn more about their business. You can then reach out directly through PartySlate. You can also contact our contributing panel below.
Consider Our Expert Planner Contributors
Miranda Archer
Principal Planner
Fremont Group
Jodi Wolf
CEO
Paulette Wolf Events
Pro Tip: Read how real brides at PartySlate found their perfect wedding planner.
Where can I find more Chicago wedding inspiration?
PartySlate connects you with the top venues and vendors in the industry; it also inspires with the latest event trends and evergreen ideas. Click below to discover some of our favorite inspiration for a memorable Chicago wedding — including all of the best pre-wedding activities in the Windy City.
featured caterer
VIOLA’S KITCHEN CATERING & EVENT PLANNING
We love how this team sources local and seasonal ingredients for the freshest fare — then makes its presentation just as beautiful with thoughtful design and décore. photo courtesy of: Viola’s Kitchen Catering & Event Planning
featured AV & Technology Vendor
BlackOak Technical Productions
These professionals turn events into experiences with creative production solutions that wow. We especially love the way their lighting visions elevate events and create evolving moods for every type of celebration. photographer: Bob & Dawn Davis Photography & Design