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.
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.
Chicago Fleet and Venues
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.