Union League Club of Chicago Wedding Guide
Few Chicago venues carry history the way the Union League Club does. Founded in 1879 and housed in its landmark clubhouse on West Jackson Boulevard since 1926, the club pairs old-world grandeur, soaring chandeliers, rich wood paneling, and a museum-grade art collection, with white-glove private club service in the heart of the Loop. As wedding videographers, we consider it one of the most cinematic interiors in the city.
Union League Club Wedding Films
Watch two real weddings we filmed at the club:
Zac & Bridget’s classic celebration with a Saint Clement ceremony and a Trinity Irish Dance performance.
Ali & John’s December wedding with vows at Holy Family and Ken Arlen’s Entourage in the Lincoln Ballroom.
The Spaces
The club offers a full wedding day under one roof. Couples typically get ready in the club’s guest rooms and suites, hold cocktails in the President’s Hall or on the 2nd floor, and celebrate in one of two showpiece rooms: the Main Dining Room on the 6th floor, with its dramatic ceiling and windows over the Loop, or the Lincoln Ballroom, an elegant, warmly lit room that photographs beautifully by candlelight. Because the club also operates overnight guest rooms, out-of-town guests can stay where the party is.
Ceremony Options
Many couples hold their ceremony onsite before dinner, while others marry at one of the historic churches we regularly film nearby: Saint Clement, the Church of the Holy Family, or Saint James Chapel. The club’s Loop location keeps transfers short on a tight timeline.
Photo & Video Locations
This is one of the best-located venues in Chicago for portraits. The Art Deco canyon of LaSalle Street and the Chicago Board of Trade are a block away, and the Art Institute, Millennium Park, and the riverwalk are minutes by limo bus. In winter, the club’s interiors carry the whole day beautifully, which is why it is a favorite for winter weddings.
What a Union League Club Wedding Costs
Based on the weddings we have filmed there, most Union League Club celebrations land in the $40,000 to $100,000+ range all-in, depending on guest count, season, and design. As a private club, pricing comes through their events team, so treat these as planning figures and confirm current food and beverage minimums directly with the club.
Filming Weddings at the Union League Club
We know this building well. We know that the Main Dining Room’s windows give gorgeous natural light for afternoon room reveals, that the wood-paneled lounges make the richest backdrops for letter readings, and that the art-lined corridors turn a simple walk to the ballroom into a cinematic sequence. We coordinate with the club’s staff on elevator logistics and timing so that nothing about the day feels rushed on camera.
FAQ
Do you need to be a member to get married at the Union League Club?
The club hosts private events including weddings; membership requirements and sponsorship policies change, so ask their events team directly when you inquire.
How many guests can the Union League Club accommodate?
The Main Dining Room handles the largest celebrations, with smaller rooms like the Lincoln Ballroom suiting more intimate guest lists. The club can match a space to almost any size wedding.
Is the Union League Club good for a winter wedding?
It is one of our favorite winter venues in Chicago. The interiors are warm, dramatic, and completely weather-proof, and the holiday-season decor in December adds real magic on film.
Who films weddings at the Union League Club?
We do. 312FILMS has filmed multiple weddings at the club, so we arrive knowing the rooms, the light, and the staff. Check your date →