Planning Tools, Ideas, & Advice
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For Wedding Pros
Planning a wedding is all about creating a day that feels uniquely you. And if you’re a practical, fun-loving couple who’s dreaming of an intimate micro wedding, Illinois has no shortage of beautiful and unforgettable venues to fit your vibe. From charming small-town spots to breathtaking locations with stunning Chicago skyline views, the Land of Lincoln is brimming with places perfect for your small wedding vision to come to life.
I know from my experience planning a micro wedding that finding the perfect venue can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Everywhere you look, you're probably seeing the same venues all made for bigger traditional weddings. But, we're here to help! We’ve searched high and low to uncover some of Illinois’ best small wedding venues: from Chicago to Peoria, and beyond. If you’re looking for the perfect place small wedding venue in Illinois, look no further than this blog post!
And, if you're new here, be sure to check out our blogs about what a micro wedding is and how to plan a micro wedding.
Chicago may be famous for its towering skyline and vibrant energy, but it’s also a city full of intimate charm and hidden gems—perfect for planning a small wedding that feels both personal and unforgettable. Whether you’re drawn to the city’s historic architecture, chic rooftop views, or cozy neighborhood spaces, Chicago offers endless options for creating a unique micro wedding experience.
From elegant venues in the heart of downtown to serene spaces along Lake Michigan, Chicago has a perfect small wedding venue for every couple looking to celebrate love with their closest family and friends. Check out some of our favorites.
A self-proclaimed “exceptional venue for extraordinary events,” the Wandering Tree Estate is a magical option for your small wedding venue in Illinois. From the lush garden spanning 10-acres to the quaint museum and model trains on-site, this venue is both unique and stunning, with endless picturesque spots for the ceremony and pictures. In business for over 50 years, the Wandering Tree Estate has a reputation for hosting unforgettable events on their grounds; and, since this venue only offers gatherings of 50 guests or fewer, you can be confident that they will make your small wedding the memorable main event.
Having options is almost always a good thing. At Oak Hill Farm, an impressive array of beautiful structures and picturesque outdoor spots are offered for your ceremony, including a scenic woodland waterfall and a historic chapel constructed in the 1800’s. Here, reception locations are designed for all types of weddings, so you can be confident that this venue and its friendly staff will take your small gathering just as seriously as any large one. With endless gorgeous places for photo ops, provided antique decor, and a couple of donkeys on the property to add some whimsy to your day, Oak Hill Farm will strive to make your wedding as perfect (and stress-free!) as possible, making it a great option for a small wedding venue in Illinois.
Desiring a simple affair without compromising on romantic ambiance? The Lytle House offers elopements and micro weddings for you and up to 25 guests in their charming courtyard - or, in the case of inclement weather, inside the modern industrial yet dreamily-lit house on-site. For a candle-lit elopement in the courtyard, you’ll be allowed one hour for the ceremony and photos, with the ceremony officiant provided. Additionally, the courtyard of the Lytle House provides multiple backdrops for the ceremony and photos, including a lush wall of climbing ivy and historic brick, allowing you to customize your ceremony without the stress of tons of minute details.
The Barn at Allen Acres is a charming micro wedding venue in Illinois, blending rustic charm with modern amenities. Originally built in the 1920s and restored in 2011, the barn features stunning wood beams and a 26-foot vaulted ceiling, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Perfect for small weddings, the venue includes both indoor and outdoor bar areas, as well as a 40x80 seasonal tent (May through October) for flexible event setups.
The venue's rental package offers 40 handcrafted farmhouse tables and 400 mismatched wooden chairs, adding to the vintage aesthetic. The on-site Farmhouse provides convenient accommodations with four bedrooms and a bathroom, decorated in a cozy vintage style, just steps away from the barn. With picturesque surroundings and multiple photo opportunities, The Barn at Allen Acres is ideal for couples seeking a unique and intimate setting for their special day.
Providing all of the amenities of a large gathering with a fraction of the stress, Pleasant Home is a large, architecturally impressive 19th-century home that offers “petite weddings” of 50 guests or less. Petite wedding packages at this venue are all-inclusive (venue, ceremony, and catering) and include access to the entirety of the grand first floor and the beautiful front porch for the ceremony and reception, as well as the well-manicured Mill Park nearby for photos. These gatherings are only offered Sunday through Thursday and on Saturdays at lunchtime; if this schedule works for you, then booking your all-inclusive petite wedding at Pleasant Home for your Illinois small wedding venue guarantees you a stress-free planning experience without losing any of the attention to detail.
Standing as a historical landmark on Lake Villa is the gorgeous Lehmann Mansion, a 1912 summer home that is now available for micro weddings of 40 to 50 guests. The beautifully restored architectural details and stunning decor create endless photo ops and an undeniably elegant and romantic atmosphere, making it an amazing option for a small wedding venue in Illinois. If you just can’t get enough of this decadent setting, this venue can also provide on-site catering for the reception to keep the celebration going. With the promise to supply everything you need for an unforgettable wedding day in this unique location, the Lehmann Mansion may just be the venue that you’ve been hoping for.
Specializing in small gatherings and providing everything you need to make your big day memorable without going over the top, the Blue Thistle Farm is a one-stop shop for a wonderful wedding. With decorations, bridal flowers, an officiant, and day-of coordinators available in every package, this venue wants you to have a magical experience without all of the fuss or exuberant cost of a big wedding. The wedding chapel is cozy, charming, and amenable to your unique vision for your big day. At Blue Thistle Farm, you can be sure that your event will receive the special attention it deserves, no matter how many guests you invite.
Tired of expensive micro-wedding packages that claim to be cost-effective? The Chapel in the Pines breaks the mold by allowing you to select exactly what you would like for your wedding without any hidden fees or required add-ons. This venue only offers gatherings of 20 people or less, with a wedding officiant, charming Victorian chapel, garden gazebo, chairs, and access to the lush, manicured grounds and garden included in the base price for all packages. Here, you decide which extras you would like to pay for, such as dressing room access and additional decorations. If you’re looking for a venue with all the basics and none of the unnecessary cost, then check out the Chapel in the Pines.
Planning a wedding is a daunting task. The Moment on Main knows this, and goes above and beyond to create an experience that is as stress-free as possible for the happy couple by providing wedding planners that will handle all of the grunt work of your big day - leaving you free to focus on your larger vision and filling out your complimentary, incredibly helpful planning folder. With three romantic indoor ceremony locations and a micro-wedding package designed to make your intimate gathering unforgettable, you can be sure that the Moment on Main wants your wedding to be as perfect as you do.
Like something straight out of a fairytale, Storybook Gardens wants to make your intimate wedding dreams come true - and all you have to do is make a wish. Nestled serenely amongst lush greenery and picturesque nature, this quaint venue offers an elopement package for you and up to 49 guests, with all decor for the ceremony and reception included, as well as a day-of wedding coordinator that will serve as your fairy godmother for the day. Unique and dedicated to excellence, Storybook Gardens promises you not only a happy ending, but also an enjoyable beginning (with 2-hour access to the bridal suite before the ceremony) and wonderful climax (an unforgettable ceremony) to your big day.
Promising an “escape from the ordinary” is The Homestead 1854, a venue that strives to find the perfect balance between extraordinary uniqueness and beautiful simplicity in everything they do. With an indoor space suited for hosting your intimate gathering of 50 guests or fewer and multiple intriguing outdoor spots to utilize for pictures (or simply to marvel at), here you will feel transported from your everyday life to somewhere truly exceptional. An eye for detail and a mind for creativity are what you can expect from the staff at The Homestead 1854, where you will be encouraged to relax and simply take it all in on your wedding day.
Everyone who has planned or is planning a wedding can agree that adaptability is a priceless quality to have, especially for the venue hosting your event. The Prairie Street Brewing Co. prides itself on its ability to make their elegantly decorated, historic space available to both large and small weddings. Here, you can choose between multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, with on-site catering provided for the reception. Booking your wedding at the Prairie Street Brewing Co. entitles you access to their attentive Events Specialist leading up to the wedding and a highly organized Wedding Coordinator the day of. For an unforgettable wedding where no detail goes unattended to, give the PSBC a try!
This VRBO boasts a blank canvas for you to design your micro wedding. This Illinois small wedding venue offers more than just a venue; it offers an experience. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, farmhouse, and plenty of verdant surroundings perfect for gorgeous wedding photos. There’s plenty of space both indoors and outdoors to host your ceremony and reception.
If Sugar Spring Ranch sounds like a sweet spot to get married at, that’s because they specialize in darling intimate weddings for a fraction of what other venues charge. Their Manor is able to host you and up to 48 guests, this Illinois micro wedding venue offers multiple indoor and outdoor locations for the ceremony, with an officiant and wide-array of decor (that you can browse online!) provided no matter the size of your event. Awash in historic elegance and stylishly decorated according to your personal tastes, you can’t go wrong when booking your small wedding or elopement at Sugar Spring Ranch’s Manor.
Stress-free and weddings are two words that aren’t usually used in a sentence together. Company 421, a pop-up small wedding venue in Illinois, wants to change this by offering 2-hour wedding ceremonies for you and up to 40 of your favorite people. These pop-up packages are only available on specific dates with specific times you can choose for your event, and include everything that a traditional wedding does: flowers, a photographer, stylish decor, a sweetheart cake for the happy couple, and appetizers. All you have to do is book your date and time, pay the deposit, find something to wear, and show-up! If you’re someone that values peace of mind over controlling every minute detail, then Company 421 may just be the venue you’ve been dreaming of.
Peoria might be known as the heart of Illinois, but it’s also a hidden gem when it comes to planning a small, meaningful wedding. Nestled along the Illinois River, Peoria offers a mix of plenty of small wedding venues that are perfect for couples looking to celebrate their love with an intimate gathering of family and friends.
Originally constructed in 1895, the Cannery is a historically industrial space transformed into the perfect place to hold your intimate wedding in Illinois. Craftsmanship, celebration, and creativity are valued above all else here, and booking this venue for your big day gives you access to the stylistic expertise of the Cannery’s dedicated staff. Multiple ceremony and reception locations are offered here, each one romantically rustic and wonderfully curated to create an atmosphere perfect for celebration, yet still totally amenable to your unique vision. Keep in mind that the spaces reserved for smaller gatherings are only available on Sundays - if this fits with your schedule, then the Cannery is a great option for your intimate wedding.
If simple country charm appeals to you, then the Haven on the Farm may just be your dream micro wedding venue in Illinois. Sitting on a sprawling 10-acres with a rich history, here you can expect elegance and antique detail to blend into a dreamy, romantic atmosphere perfect for your ceremony and reception. This venue boasts the ability to host weddings of all sizes without compromising on any of the important details. This is ensured by the dedicated and attentive staff of Haven on the Farm, who will be there to help you coordinate your big day down to the smallest detail.
Hopefully this list gave you some inspiration for finding your perfect small wedding venue in Illinois! Be sure to check out our top tips for finding all the best hidden gem wedding venues no matter where you're getting married!
