The Trendy & Stunning Walden Chicago Wedding Venue

When you think of the Windy City, many things come to mind. While you may think of Garrett’s Popcorn, the Field Museum, Wrigley Field, or the Willis Tower, one thing that I love about Chicago is the many iconic wedding destinations, such as the Walden Chicago wedding venue. 

As a Chicago IL wedding photographer, one of my favorite hidden gems is The Walden. This two-story space has everything you need for your entire celebration. Located about halfway between River North and Garfield Park, this location is perfect for the couple wanting a beautiful ceremony as well as the wedding photographer in the Chicago area wanting the perfect backdrop. 

About The Trendy Walden Chicago Wedding Venue

Brief History of The Walden

While the Walden has only been open a few years, its founding brought together touches of what makes Chicago wonderful. This event space was founded by a collection of leaders within the city’s hospitality industry. Chef Nick Schmuck from Lincoln Park’s Charlie Trotter’s, co-founder of Half Acre Beer Company Maurizio Fiori, and event planner Maria Collins from Plum & Ivy teamed together with Bob Krause to open the new space. 

Since its 2020 opening, this West Town all-inclusive event space has become a favorite among trendy couples and wedding photographers in the Chicago area alike. The Walden took its name from Henry Walden Thoreau’s scenic respite. This space was created with a few goals in mind. One of the major focuses was to help make the wedding industry more sustainable. Another was to provide guests with an efficient one stop shop where they could meet all their wedding needs. They have succeeded in both aspects.  

Noteworthy Features of The Walden Chicago Wedding Venue

One of the highlights of The Walden wedding venue is the flexibility of the space. You can truly tell it was designed with beautiful weddings in mind. It can easily be flipped from a sit down to standing event. Meanwhile, the floor plans allow seamless transitions from ceremony to reception while facilitating socialization among guests. 

Another highlight of this venue is the aesthetic. A combination of wood, brick, and metal serves to create somewhat of an elegant blend of cabin chic and modernized industrial. Virtually every spot in the facility serves as a beautiful backdrop for Illinois photographers. 

Beer lovers will also enjoy the specially made bar with over 20 taps including many local beermakers. 

Accommodations for Ceremonies and Receptions

The Walden is an event space carefully designed for hosting customized events, particularly weddings. When considering usage of this facility for your dream wedding, it is useful to think about how each floor could play a role in your special celebration. 

Main Event Space

The heart of The Walden lies at the ground level. Here, couples have a few different options in terms of organization. The beautiful open-spaced area can accommodate 275 people seated or 500 standing along with a dance floor. Of course, this also includes a cocktail hour at The Walden’s bar prior to the main celebration. There is also space for a live band or DJ. 

Second Floor

The second floor provides an iconic location for your ceremony. Here, up to 250 guests can watch you walk down the aisle and exchange I Do’s. The second floor also includes a sizable bridal suite. Of course, there are plenty of places for your Chicago IL wedding photographer to take beautiful candid shots that capture your happiness on this special day. 

The Walden Wedding Cost

The Walden wedding venue was designed with the goal of helping simplify the wedding experience. This is seen in many areas including cost. The cost for this all-inclusive space is $10,000 on Fridays, $13,000 on Saturdays, and $5,000 on Sundays along with additional per person prix-fixe hospitality prices. These costs include full wedding planning services, hors d’oeuvres, cocktail hour, a plated dinner service, five hours of open bar, tables, chair, place settings, full staffing, and a number of additional amenities. 

Need a Wedding Photographer in the Chicago Area for Your Nuptials at The Walden Chicago?

With this venue’s all-inclusive nature, one of the only things you have left to do yourself is find your favorite Illinois photographer. I am currently booking dates and would be happy if you considered me to capture your special day! Reach out to me here!