Are you a new bride on the scene desperately scrolling through countless lists of the top “insert vendor” in Chicago trying to plan your wedding? We are here to tell you that your search has come to an end. If you are looking for a remarkable venue for your wedding in Chicago then you need to do yourself a favor and look into Walden Chicago.

The Walden is Chicago’s first all-inclusive wedding venue located in West Loop by West Town. From beginning to end you will receive world class wedding planning, top of the line catering, and all the amenities you didn’t even think you needed, in-between. Even if your guest list has downscaled this is the perfect venue for all you need.

VENUE

How do you feel about planning your ceremony, reception, and after party all at one location. The first floor houses the reception and cocktail hour space, the second floor houses your ceremony, secondary bar, & bridal suite, and finally a rooftop where you and your bridal party can take epic photos with the Chicago Skyline in the background. If you still have energy by the end of the night you can go to the Midwest Coast Brewing Company right next door for a night cap which has deals for couples of the Walden. Walden prides itself on not only being environmentally friendly but giving back to the community such as using locally sourced furniture. By holding your event here you are not only feeling good about your wedding but you’ll feel good that you supported the community and remained green because majority of the vendors are in the same building so there’s less driving, CO2 emissions, and waste.

When you first enter the second floor you are greeted with windows all throughout letting in ample lighting and a remarkable view of the Chicago skyline. This space has the capacity to seat up to ~230 guests. It also includes a secondary bar for cocktails if you’d like. Around the corner you have the secured bridal suite which can comfortably hold up to 12 bridesmaids getting ready with charging stations at each seat. You also have access to a separate room for beautiful getting ready shots and a full bathroom with shower.

Lined with beautiful rafters above and windows all along the walls, the first floor is where the party happens. With a cocktail hour section with full serviced bar, your guests will not only never be bored of the selection but they will not have to travel far for your reception. This space can hold 250 seated guests with cocktail usage or 275 without. The seating plan is endless. You will also be greeted with a cool greenery wall designed by Steve’s Flower Market that creates a lovely backdrop for your reception photos. The location allows for ample street parking but there is also access to a secured parking lot should you need it.

PLANNERS

The venue may be the new kid in town but from the collective years of experience of the in house team you wouldn’t know that. You don’t have to sweat the small stuff OR for the first time, the big stuff, when you have planners like Plum & Ivy event planning. This in-house event team coordinates everything for you and manages all your vendors and contracts so you don’t have to be stressed out as the main contact for everyone and everything. Once you hire the team you are kept in the loop through all the planning via a Basecamp app that allows you to know where in the process everything is so you don’t have to email back and forth or miss something important.

CATERING

With an in-house catering team you will never feel rushed to follow the chef’s schedule or worry that your food will sit under warmers for hours. Their main culinary chef Nick, who trained under influential restaurateur Charlie Trotter, ensures that each menu item contains fresh seasonal items. In addition, they can accommodate ANY dietary restriction or traditional cultural menu that you or your guests may have which is made easy with a fully serviced chef’s kitchen. Your wedding can have an endless selection of top restaurant quality menu selections for ~$175 per person.

With your cocktail hour you will be pleased to know that a full serviced bar with an independent draft system of 24 drafts of beer, wine, and cocktails allows bartenders to serve your guests top shelf drinks simultaneously without wait.

PRICING PACKAGES

So what’s included in the venue rental? Glad you asked. The beauty of holding your wedding at this venue comes down to all the amenities that are included to make your wedding the easiest occasion you will ever plan for. In your wedding package you not only receive the full service use of the Plum & Ivy planners and Chef Nick but you have included chairs, tables, in house speakers, full serviced bar, unbeatable skyline views, nursing rooms, bridal suite, lockers and coded doors to secure your items, in house light productions and speakers, coat service, the list goes on. Depending on the day you will expect prices to start at $7,000 for all the items above. Currently there is a special on rates up until early 2022. Inquire with them to find out more. You don’t want to miss this opportunity.

BONUS AMENITIES: One thing I was most definitely impressed with was they thought of a big issue that plagues couples and their guests, babysitting. The Walden provides the opportunity to have a babysitter for your guests who would like to attend but worry about finding babysitters. For a fee, you can have a sitter care for guest’s children in full access of their parents who now don’t have to leave early or worse not come at all. If you have nursing mothers they can comfortably nurse in a secured room on the main floor and not worry about being squeezed into a corner somewhere or in a bathroom stall.

You no longer have to worry about missing anything because you have an entire team right behind you. Though you are involved in every part of your wedding design, when you have a thorough and involved team it will feel like all you have to do for your wedding is show up. Now who wouldn’t want that? If you are the type to feel stressed out about planning a full-blown wedding or mini wedding in Chicago then this is the place for you. Did I mention that it is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator? The surprises never stop. This is definitely up there as the best wedding venue in Illinois. Click below to see a real intimate wedding at The Walden.

PeaceMade Photography can help capture every one of your intimate moments from first look to your exit as newlyweds. For more information contact us below and for more helpful tips join our VIP Wedding Group.