The Drake Hotel is one of Chicago’s most iconic wedding venues: a landmark of classic elegance at the top of the Magnificent Mile, steps from Oak Street Beach and the lake. Couples have been celebrating here for a century, and the Gold Coast Room and Grand Ballroom remain two of the most timeless reception spaces in the city.
Hosting a Wedding at The Drake Hotel
Wedding Costs
- Venue rental: $8,000 to $15,000 in peak season (May to October); $5,000 to $12,000 off-peak.
- Catering: typically $150 to $300 per person, with open bar packages starting around $40 per person.
- Ceremony fee: $1,000 to $2,500 for on-site ceremonies.
- Service charges and taxes: expect an additional 20 to 22 percent service charge plus sales tax.
Read our full Drake Hotel wedding cost guide for a detailed breakdown.
Planning Tips
- Book early for peak Saturdays. The Drake’s history makes it a perennial favorite, and prime dates go fast.
- Use the location. Oak Street Beach and the Lake Shore Drive skyline are minutes away for portraits between ceremony and reception.
- Ask about guest room blocks. With many guests staying on-site, getting-ready coverage, first looks, and the reception all flow in one location.
Filming Weddings at The Drake Hotel
We have filmed many weddings at The Drake, and it is pure cinema: the gilded ceilings and chandeliers of the Gold Coast Room, the sweeping staircase entrances, and the lakefront just outside for golden-hour portraits and drone establishing shots. Historic venues can be dark on camera, but we know exactly where the light falls here at every hour of the day. Watch our Drake wedding films on this page to see it in motion.
The Drake Hotel Wedding FAQ
How much does a wedding at The Drake Hotel cost?
Most couples invest $5,000 to $15,000 in venue rental plus $150 to $300 per person for catering, before service charges.
Where do couples take photos and film near The Drake?
Oak Street Beach, the Lake Michigan shoreline, and the Magnificent Mile are all within minutes, plus the hotel’s own staircases and ballrooms.
Is The Drake good for wedding films?
One of the best historic venues in Chicago: ornate ballrooms, grand entrances, and a lakefront location made for cinematic footage.
Getting married at The Drake? We know every corner of it. Check your date →