Wedding on the water with City Cruises

The Top 10 Reasons to Have an Epic Wedding on the Water

Your wedding day is one of the most significant moments in your life—a celebration of love, commitment, and the beginning of a new chapter in your love story. So why not make it unforgettable by hosting it on a luxury yacht? There is something undeniably magical about being on the water, offering couples a unique option to celebrate their love in an unforgettable way. It brings a sense of romance and adventure that can’t be matched by any land-based venue. With a plethora of benefits and amenities, such as breathtaking views, all-inclusive packages, and exceptional service, City Cruises offers everything you need to create the wedding of your dreams. Here are the top 10 reasons to host an epic wedding on the water.

1. Scenic Beauty and Dynamic Backgrounds

One of the most compelling reasons to have a wedding on the water is the breathtaking scenery that will surround you. Imagine exchanging vows against a backdrop of glistening waves, a vibrant sunset, or a city skyline reflected on the water. Water-based venues provide a naturally stunning setting that enhances the romance of the occasion. Every direction offers a new perspective: the endless horizon, the play of light on the water, or the silhouette of a distant landmark.

Since your yacht will be continuously cruising, you’ll have a variety of scenic views—whether it’s the city skyline, an iconic landmark, or a serene sunset over the water. City Cruises operates in some of the world’s most beautiful cities, from New York and San Francisco to Chicago and Toronto. You can sail past the Statue of Liberty in New York, under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, or alongside the Toronto skyline. The ever-changing views create a dynamic environment, keeping your guests engaged and adding a magical touch of adventure to your special day.

Romantic Proposal on a City Cruises Yacht

The Most Romantic Proposal Ideas to Start Your Fairy-Tale Love

Once upon a time… proposing to the love of your life is a fairy-tale moment. It is a significant occasion that deserves to be the ultimate highlight of your love story. When it comes to planning a romantic proposal, every detail counts. Whether you’re dreaming of a grand gesture or an intimate moment, this milestone is something you’ll tell for years to come. The perfect proposal feels personal and meaningful, reflecting your relationship and the love you share. If you’re looking for romantic proposal ideas as special as your special someone, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of the most romantic proposal ideas to help you create an unforgettable moment.

We Propose These Romantic Ideas to “Pop the Question”

1. A Sunset Proposal on the Water

There’s something inherently romantic about a sunset. One way to elevate it is by marking this occasion on the water. Picture the two of you standing on the deck of a beautiful yacht as the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow across the water. A sunset proposal is classic and undeniably romantic. Arrange for a private cruise with City Cruises during the “golden hour,” and find a quiet spot on the deck where you can take in the stunning scenery together. As the sky turns shades of pink and orange, express your love and drop to one knee. The sunset’s natural beauty and a yacht gliding through the water create the ultimate magical moment.

2. Surprise Engagement Party with Loved Ones

Why not make your proposal a surprise celebration? If your partner would love to celebrate your engagement with loved ones, consider a surprise proposal with friends and family. You can propose privately and then head to a venue where your loved ones are waiting to celebrate your engagement. This idea adds an extra layer of joy and excitement, as your partner will be surprised twice! Choose a location with sentimental value, like your favorite restaurant, where you shared a meaningful moment, or onboard a City Cruises yacht.

chicago wedding ceremony

Brunch with the Bride and Groom: Weddings in Chicago 2024

Brunch weddings are having a moment. They are becoming more common as the soon-to-be-wed realize the many benefits of hosting a brunch wedding celebration. For many couples, an evening wedding followed by a formal wedding reception isn’t what they have their heart set on. They want to spend time with their guests and a daytime wedding allows them to intentionally connect. Let City Cruises Chicago curate a one-of-a-kind wedding soiree with Lake Michigan or the Chicago River as your something blue. Sail into forever under the iconic Chicago skyline as you embark on your dream wedding experience and create moments to treasure for a lifetime.

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Anchoring Employee Engagement with City Cruises Daytime Social Events 

Continued shifts in the workplace environment have caused conversations to become a little, well, intense to say the least. Organizations need to create people-centered strategies to help employees thrive and boost productivity. An alarming 46 percent of the workforce would quit or look for a new job if given the opportunity. Employee well-being in today’s climate is suffering. Stress, burnout, and low morale appear to be the culprits, with many employees saying their job negatively impacts their mental health. The good news is there is a solution at all leaders’ fingertips – employee well-being.  

Chicago Wedding

Your All-Inclusive Chicago Wedding Package is At Your Fingertips

Weddings are wonderful no matter where you host them, but City Cruises goes above and beyond and is a unique step above the typical location or wedding venue. It’s on the water where weddings are more spectacular, more romantic, and more adventurous. City Cruises has all-inclusive wedding packages in Chicago that will thrill you and your guests, and the memories made will be unmatched.

The best Chicago wedding venues are on City Cruises yachts, where everything comes together under one all-inclusive package. It doesn’t matter what your budget entails, City Cruises works with you directly to find not only your dream wedding but one that is affordable. The packages include everything you can imagine for your big day, so you don’t have to worry about different vendors. City Cruises’ team will work with you to make it happen together, in one romantic place.

And not to toot our own horn, but City Cruises Chicago has been selected as a 2024 winner of The Knot Best of Weddings. This accolade represents the top local wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples on The Knot, a digital wedding planning authority and one of the largest wedding Vendor Marketplaces in the US. This is the 5th year City Cruises Chicago has been named a winner of The Knot Best of Weddings awards.

Intimate Chicago Wedding

Intimate and Small Venues for a Boutique Wedding in Chicago

There’s an old adage that good things come in small packages, and that applies to intimate and small wedding venues — especially in a city like Chicago. Intimate wedding venues in Chicago provide the best of everything, ranging from the spectacular and iconic sites of the world-famous cityscape to all of the amazing arts, culture, and dining amenities visitors find there. In addition, wedding venues for small gatherings have become a popular concept for couples because they offer more flexibility and affordability, and can be customized for the bride and groom’s specific needs and wants, for any wedding-related event.

The success of a boutique wedding depends on selecting the perfect venue, which can make or break the big day. Since Chicago boasts two bodies of water — Lake Michigan and the Chicago River — which both provide breathtaking views, we suggest making the most of the surroundings by opting to celebrate the occasion with City Cruises!

Why Intimate Weddings Are Enticing

Who doesn’t like getting more for less? That’s one of the reasons couples have been planning for intimate weddings. As a wedding trend that’s on the rise, there are a number of benefits to hosting a smaller event. Not only is it cost-effective (which enables you to splurge on things you might not have been able to afford otherwise, such as a beautiful honeymoon), but it also makes for a more personalized experience, enabling couples to spend more time with their guests. That’s why in order to ensure you can enjoy all of it, it’s important brides and grooms select a venue that aligns with their vision — and delivers all of the amenities and features that can bring everything seamlessly to life.

Where to Explore Small Wedding Venues in Chicago

Because Chicago is a city celebrated for its variety of event spaces — from museums and high-end restaurants to parks, historic landmarks, libraries, and more — there are plenty of diverse options for couples to consider when it’s time for their wedding. Among them, intimate venues often offer everything larger venues can, just in smaller square footage. While outdoor spaces are characterized by lush greenery views, and indoor choices focus on cozy surroundings and stylish furnishings, only one specific venue can offer the best of both worlds while still being unique: We’re talking about a City Cruises Chicago experience, which makes the most of the cityscape and its surroundings.

What Makes City Cruises an Innovative Venue for Intimate Weddings

When couples partner with City Cruises for their intimate wedding, there are plenty of features and amenities they’ll have access to. Not only can they choose from a number of vessels they will discover as they Explore Our Chicago Fleet, but they will also be privy to unparalleled, 360-degree panoramic views of the city from every direction. Among the highlights are Chicago’s iconic skyline with its acclaimed architecture such as the Willis Tower, Adler Planetarium, the John Hancock Building, Navy Pier, the Civic Opera, and Ping Tom Park.

Our crafts — which are some of the largest and most luxurious in class — can offer customized décor, upgraded furnishings, and entertainment options that can be arranged to execute a specific event vision. The magic is in the details, and each of our venues offers an abundance of choices. In fact, when you take a visual tour, you’ll discover both indoor and outdoor spaces, including climate-controlled dining rooms with large picture windows as well as open-air exterior decks. Plus, a waterfront view for an intimate wedding makes for an unforgettable experience that transports all attendees to another place entirely and includes perks you won’t find on land.

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How to Plan Your Intimate Wedding with City Cruises in Chicago

Now that you’ve decided to plan your intimate wedding with City Cruises, the next step is to reserve a date and time, decide on how many guests, and what amenities and features matter to you most. A quick review of our Chicago Wedding Events page details all of the services we supply. Our all-inclusive options are tailored to your budget, party size, and style and include an extensive range of seasonal chef-prepared menus, specialty cocktails and mocktails, and full bar packages. In addition, catering, decor, and entertainment can be customized to your specifications and needs. And because we know how important the food is, fan favorites are available including seafood towers, cheese & crudité stations, pigs in a blanket, short ribs, carving stations, steak, and decadent dessert displays.

The best part? City Cruises’ team will be with you all the way — from booking to boarding and beyond. With expert event coordinators, stewards, captains, and bartenders catering to your needs on land and off, you will have all of the support you need to make the experience stress-free.

Book Your Boutique Chicago Wedding with City Cruises!

There’s a wealth of benefits to hosting an intimate wedding in Chicago. Not only will couples and their guests have access to one of the most renowned destinations for culture, hospitality, and travel, but they’ll also be able to customize their experience to be whatever they want. As long as they partner with the right provider, everything will fall into place. With all of the expertise and advantages that City Cruises Chicago provides as a venue of choice, the wedding day will be a unique and unforgettable experience for all. The best way to begin? Fill out this form with your event details, and soon after an experienced event coordinator will reach out to you and get the process underway.

chicago bachelor party

Why Chicago is the Perfect Destination for Your Bachelor Party

Chicago is known for historic sights, exceptional dining, arts, culture, and incredible nightlife. The buzz of the Windy City is one-of-a-kind, which is why it’s the ideal location for weddings and wedding-related events. When you host a Chicago wedding, couples find the experience unforgettable, so naturally, hosting other events in the city follows suit. For grooms, hosting a bachelor party in Chicago is a no-brainer — especially when they opt for a yacht venue. A bachelor party on the water elevates this pre-wedding celebration by providing a spectacular backdrop for a fun-filled evening. But when you choose City Cruises, the amenities and features offered set the stage for a memorable experience for the groom and his groomsmen. We detail it all below.