COVER STORY | Country Wedding Charming Venues

Since we live in west suburban Chicago, we no doubt are surrounded by many beautiful country settings for you to choose from in preparation of saying “I do”

Unique Wedding Venue In Glen Ellyn Located along the shores of Lake Ellyn just 25 miles from Chicago, the historic and charming Lake Ellyn Boathouse is surrounded by a welcoming, flora-filled terrace. The Boathouse, built in 1937 and restored to its historic beauty in 2016, is a historic landmark location and is the ideal venue for a vintage/country/rustic wedding. Walls of windows let in natural light and overlook stunning views of the well-manicured park and sparkling Lake Ellyn. Many wedding parties choose to take their photos waterside and throughout the mature, tree-lined paths within the park.

There are many rental options including the main hall of the Boathouse which features an original stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and can accommodate seating for up to 120 guests. With the restoration of the facility, the rafters in the main hall are now exposed offering the opportunity to hang lights, poms, paper lanterns, tulle, etc, creating a warmer, more intimate setting. You can also rent the outdoor terrace for a small al fresco dinner, cocktail hour, or even ceremony! Because of the ample space, weather is never a concern as most renters are able to adjust their plans for an indoor event, and the facility site supervisor will assist in making any changes to the indoor floor plan to accommodate the change of event.

The Lake Ellyn Boathouse offers breathtaking views and casual elegance overlooking lush park greenery and a picturesque lake making this the perfect unique wedding venue of choice.

Above Photo: Located along the shores of Lake Ellyn, the historic Lake Ellyn Boathouse is surrounded by a welcoming, flora-filled terrace.

Middle Photo: The main hall of the Boathouse features an original stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and can accommodate seating for up to 120 guests. The facility also features many modern amenities including a commercial grade warming oven, refrigerator, freezer, and blue-tooth compatible audio system, and Wi-Fi.

Bottom Photo: The view of the Boathouse from across the lake is a popular backdrop for bridal party photos. In addition to the Boathouse, the surrounding deck and terrace are available to rent for exclusive use during your event.

Vintage Country Outdoor Setting In Wheaton Danada House is one of the suburbs most charming estates and a venue offering the perfect combination of rustic and elegance for any wedding. The white washed barns and stables surrounded by lush landscapes and nature make this gem feel like a home away from home. In addition to the beautiful setting, Danada House is unique because it is easily customized from simple elegance to very formal, and depending on how the couples decide to spend their wedding budget, almost any style works perfectly.

Along with deep and entertaining history, Danada House also boasts one of the most beautiful views available to an outdoor wedding venue near Chicago. In 1980, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County purchased the home built by the Rice’s and the 780 surrounding acres it sits on, including its out buildings and a 23-stall Kentucky style stable. As a neighbor to Danada House, the active forest preserve is also home to the Danada Equestrian Center and a 35-acre prairie restoration initiative. Guests at Danada House are privy to all of the beautiful indigenous wildlife of Illinois including many birds, trees, and grasses protected by the Forest Preserve District.

Not only is this home rich in history, it has lent itself to becoming one the most beloved wedding day settings accommodating up to 250 guests in the Atrium or up to 90 guests in the main level of the House. This is truly a venue for all seasons; and there isn’t a time where this venue won’t leave you breathless.

Above Photo: Even late into the evening, Danada House’s glow is undeniable. The reception hall is encompassed by windows and transforms effortlessly into a night under the stars as the overhead lights twinkle. Photo Credit TWA

Middle Photo: Lush, beautifully manicured landscapes add to the charm and ambiance at Danada House, the perfect backdrop for any outdoor ceremony. Photo Credit TWA

Bottom Photo: We love the way this venue lends itself to each wedding; the white washed barns and stables are a perfect compliment to every couple. Danada House is where history meets history in the making, and is the perfect combination of rustic and elegance. Photo Credit TWA

Farm Setting with Organic Food In Elburn With mother nature as the perfect backdrop, picture celebrating your special day on a beautiful Certified Organic Farm. Heritage Prairie Farm’s fully-customizable menus are something they are most proud of. They want each couple to come in with their own ideas, whether that be a family recipe passed down from generation to generation or a favorite dish that the couple shared on their dates. At Heritage Prairie Farm, all food is made in their scratch kitchen. Depending on the couples’ menu and the seasonality of the farm, they incorporate and harvest from their USDA Certified Organic Farm.

Heritage Prairie Farm’s peak growing season is July through August. That time of year is when all the great summer foods like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are yielding high amounts. In the spring months, there’s lots of lettuce, beets, and spinach. And then in the fall, there are all those beautiful autumn crops like pumpkins, squash, and kale. Depending on the couples’ individual style, they may prefer a Spring or Fall month over the Summer.

Outdoor Weddings at Heritage Prairie Farm come with a wide variety of amenities such as a Five Peak Century Tent, Rustic Barn, Multiple Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Locations, Bridal Loft, and Groom’s Lounge, and a Personal Wedding Coordinator. They also give couples’ complimentary use of their vintage tables, chairs, couches, props, and lawn games.

Heritage Prairie Farm is an all-inclusive outdoor wedding venue that prides on creating a relaxed environment for not only the bride and groom, but their families as well.

Above Photo: The newly renovated rustic barn is Plan B for Heritage Prairie Farm's Wedding Ceremonies. The barn is adorned with twinkling lights and couples are welcome to style the barn however you like.

Photography by Willow Lane Photography

Middle Photo: Dinner is served! Heritage Prairie Farm's Wedding Receptions are served family-style. The couples work with the farm's in-house chef to create a customized menu of their dreams. Photography by Kina Wicks

Bottom Photo: Just Married! One of the most popular ceremony locations at Heritage Prairie Farm is under the pergola. Couples and guests can enjoy the beautiful backdrop of their beautiful USDA Certified Organic Farm.

Photography by O'Malley King Photography

Stunning Picturesque Outdoor Wedding Venue In Lemont This extraordinary venue features breathtaking grounds with unlimited backdrops for the most memorable pictures as it is home to the largest privately owned wild flower preserves in Illinois. With 55 acres of picturesque ponds, waterfalls, plus a reception space boasting beautiful drapery, chandeliers, distinctive lighting, and floor to ceiling windows inside a tented glass house, the Monte Bello Estate in Lemont inspires dreams to become reality.

Reminiscent of scenes from Beauty and the Beast, the library inside the main house offers fairytale photo opportunities as brides choose to hang their veils from the loft surrounded by hand carved bookcases. Furnishings from around the world complete the interior design of the home inclusive of beautiful wood floors, Monet paintings, and a stunning 80’ mirror. The groom’s suite is second to none as gentlemen enjoy a one-of-a-kind man cave sporting a poker table, craps table, foosball table, guitars, a bar, and so much more!

The estate offers so many exciting opportunities for unique add-ons such as a s’mores bar and taco bar; or a Wine Tasting Experience during cocktail hour complete with a wine host to explain the different characteristics of each wine you select and give your guests an unforgettable experience!

Family owned and operated, Monte Bello Estate provides in-house up lighting and take care of your linen needs; while leaving the other creative elements up to you. Brides and Grooms can check out past weddings by visiting the estate Instagram and Pinterest boards to view ingenious and innovative ideas.

Above Photo: A picturesque pond makes for a romantic first look, post ceremony photos, and group photos.

Middle Photo: The gazebo is Monte Bello’s prime outdoor ceremony location, with other locations being in the forest with greenery all around, the clock location in the front of the house stamping the exact time couples became officially married, and our indoor location that overlooks the forest and creek with its floor to ceiling glass windows.

Bottom Photo: Cocktail hour takes place outside by the pool and connected paved areas that are scattered with custom lounge furniture and a posh bar structure. The pool creates the perfect ambience as it overlooks the wildflower field.

Farm Setting Wedding Venue In Oswego Have you imagined your own one-of-a-kind country farm wedding? How about wedding di cocktail hour in the barn with a Spanish guitar player sitting on a crate on the side playing music; or perhaps food trucks instead of a sit down dinner? Brides and grooms have complete freedom to envision whatever they want for their perfect wedding day amongst 300 pristine acres, a farmhouse, 6 barns, a clubhouse, and white fenced lined fields at Arranmore Farm & Polo Club in Oswego. It’s so country perfect that people often touch the grass to make sure it’s real because it’s so green!

Photo opportunities include the patios of farmhouse, the barns with vines, lush greenery, and horses poking their heads out of little windows in barn. Imagine a gorgeous sunset in the background as you get a beautiful view of the historic farmhouse that was moved to the property in 1999.

Wedding guests have been impressed with opportunities to watch polo players practicing on horseback during cocktail hour while sipping drinks from tables outside the wedding tent flanked by the pond and willow trees.

Arranmore is an open-air venue that is unique to the area and features a vast amount of property with elaborate wedding tents that are durable to withstand most weather conditions and each customizable to client’s guest size and themes.

Creating your dream farm wedding is simple at the family owned and operated Arranmore Farm & Polo Club, conveniently located 40 miles directly west from the city and 2 miles west of Naperville.

Above Photo: Mr. + Mrs. enjoying the sunset over Arranmore. In the background, you get a beautiful view of our historic farmhouse that was moved to the property in 1999

Middle Photo: Arranmore’s last couple of the 2016 Wedding Season takes to the dance floor for their first dance as husband + wife. This couple went with a nav-trac frame tent from created by Blue Peak Tents, covered in a sea of lights.

Bottom Photo: Guest sipped on signature cocktails + delicious bites from Chicagoland caterer, boutique bites, when one of our couples hosted an outdoor cocktail hour through the barns.

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