Chicago Winter Weddings: Venues, Ideas and Real Wedding Films

Winter is our favorite season to film in Chicago. Ballrooms glow with candlelight, hotels dress up for the holidays, snow turns the city quiet, and couples often find more open dates than in June. We are Anna and Artem of 312FILMS, and these are the winter weddings we have filmed, the venues that shine in the cold months, and what we have learned about planning a wedding between November and March.

Classic Hotel Ballrooms

Downtown hotels are the most natural fit for a Chicago winter wedding: everything happens under one roof, guests never have to step outside, and the ballrooms feel even warmer when it is snowing on Michigan Avenue.

The Drake: Lena & Nick

Lena and Nick spent their whole February wedding day at The Drake: reading letters, a first look with her dad, a ceremony in the Gold Coast Room and a twelve-piece band. Watch Lena & Nick’s film.

The Blackstone: Lexie & Austin on New Year’s Eve

Lexie and Austin married at Assumption Catholic Church and celebrated New Year’s Eve in a gold-and-silver ballroom at The Blackstone, ending with a midnight kiss. Watch their New Year’s Eve film.

Historic Clubs

Chicago’s private clubs were built for winter evenings: wood-paneled libraries, grand staircases and ballrooms with fireplaces.

University Club of Chicago: Elizabeth & John Paul

A black-tie winter wedding in Cathedral Hall, with a first look in the Library, a classical quartet and a night of dancing. Watch Elizabeth & John Paul’s film.

University Club of Chicago: Grace & Vincent’s Military Wedding

A first look on the 12th floor, vows at St. Clement, a saber arch and Springsteen on the dance floor. Watch Grace & Vincent’s film.

Union League Club: Ali & John

A December first look at the Board of Trade, vows at Holy Family and Ken Arlen’s Entourage in the Lincoln Ballroom. Watch Ali & John’s film.

A Winter Wedding at the Home Alone Church

Matthew and Barbara exchanged vows at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette, the stone church from the snowy Christmas Eve scenes in Home Alone, then celebrated at North Shore Country Club with a surprise fireworks show. Read our guide to getting married at the Home Alone church and watch their film.

Industrial Lofts in the Snow

Sydney and Brian married on December 14 at Grace Episcopal Church in Hinsdale, then danced under the city lights in the Skyline Loft at Bridgeport Art Center, with a first dance to Scotty McCreery. Watch Sydney & Brian’s film.

North Shore Inns

Aimee and Chase married at St. Mary’s in Lake Forest and celebrated at Deer Path Inn, complete with a military saber arch. Watch Aimee & Chase’s film.

Beyond Chicago

Sara and Stuart’s December wedding took us to Green Bay: getting ready at Hotel Northland, vows at St. John the Evangelist and a reception at Gather on Broadway. Watch Sara & Stuart’s film.

Tips for a Chicago Winter Wedding

Plan around early sunsets. In December the sun sets in Chicago a little after 4 p.m. If you want daylight portraits, a first look before the ceremony gives you time for photos and film while it is still light.

Have an indoor plan for portraits. Snow is beautiful for a few minutes, and wind off the lake is not. Hotel lobbies, club libraries and staircases make wonderful backdrops when it is too cold to stay outside.

Give guests a buffer. Winter travel can be slow, so leave a little extra time between the ceremony and reception if guests need to move between venues.

Use the season. Candlelight, holiday décor, velvet and warm wraps photograph and film beautifully. Our guide to what to wear to a Chicago wedding covers winter dress codes for guests.

Ask about winter dates. Many venues have more open dates from January through March than in peak season. Ask your venue about availability and terms for those months.

How We Film Winter Weddings

Winter days are short and receptions are lit by candles and chandeliers, so we film with cinema cameras that handle low light gracefully. Aerial footage depends on weather and local rules, so on snowy days we plan more indoor coverage. Above all, we stay unobtrusive, so the film feels like your day, not a production.

Planning a Winter Wedding in Chicago?

We take only five to seven weddings a year. Check your date and tell us about your venue. Browse more venues in our Chicago wedding venues guide.

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