The Top 10 Barn Wedding Venues in Illinois
Planning your wedding is an extremely exciting time, but it also comes with a long list of decisions and a lot of individual vendors to coordinate. One of the central aspects of the big day that you should nail down at the very beginning is the venue. While many people choose upscale hotels, country clubs, and high-end restaurants, that level of sophistication is not ideal for every couple. If you love the simpler things in life and you want a more rustic, wide-open feel for your wedding, these top 10 barn wedding venues in Illinois are exactly what you’ve been looking for.
AND CHECK OUT A *BONUS* VENUE AT THE BOTTOM THAT’S WON 9 DIFFERENT AWARDS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS! IT’S UNIQUE, FUN AND PROVIDES A GREAT OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE!
10. Hudson Farm
Hudson Farm can become the ideal location for wedding sizes between 50 and 325 guests. With a smaller rustic barn for ceremonies and a larger shed for receptions, this venue is perfectly designed for seamless transitions from one wedding event to the next. A farmhouse is available for use as a bridal suite and get-ready area.
Hudson farm has been owned by the same family for six generations; it dates all the way back to the early 1860s. The dairy barn was built in 1945 and served the community for a long time. The first wedding at Hudson Farm was held in 2013 by the newest generation of that family, and when other couples started asking to use the space, a new purpose for Hudson Farm was born.
Hudson Farm is not an all-inclusive wedding venue, and they do require that you work with one of their approved vendors for your meal. There is a fully-stocked bar on-site that can be tailored to every budget; your bartending staff will also be provided by the venue.
Active cornfields and soybean fields, a ride on a tractor to your ceremony, majestic mature trees, and a beautiful red and white barn are only the highlights of Hudson Farm. If a simplistic, country-chic wedding is exactly your style, Hudson Farm has the right setting for you.
Check out more at their website: https://hudsonfarmweddings.com/
9. Engelbrecht Farm
Engelbrecht Farm encompasses 8 spacious acres of farmland and natural landscape. Their two-story, 4500 square foot barn is large enough to seat 220 guests with plenty of room for dancing and socializing. An old feedlot and flower garden serve as the outdoor ceremony location. A three-bedroom farmhouse is at your disposal for your stay.
Engelbrecht Farm has origins dating back to the late 1800s. It began as a dairy and grain farm and evolved to its current purpose as a crop farm. The barn on the property has been standing since 1940. The most recent renovations took place in 1956, and to this day you can still see the prints from the turkeys and farm dogs that walked through the wet concrete.
Engelbrecht Farm is almost exclusively a venue-only space, and as such, you won’t be receiving many amenities when you book here. You’ll need to coordinate with outside vendors for your meal, bar service, and wedding cake. For couples that want a hands-on approach to their wedding day, this venue is the perfect space.
Engelbrecht Farm is incredibly unique in the way the wedding package is structured: each wedding couple can book the property for an entire weekend, but you also have to do your own setup and take down. You’ll have access to a 1934 Chevy truck for photos along with multiple other props and photo locations on the property.
Check out more at their website: https://farmsteadwedding.com/
8. Mount Hope
Mount Hope is one of the larger venues on this list with a ceremony capacity of 250 guests and a reception capacity of 265. 250 acres of wooded forests, rolling hills, active apple orchards, and riverboat ferries can all become part of your wedding day when you book with Mount Hope.
The barn at Mount Hope was built back in 1860, and it is one of the oldest wedding venues in Illinois. If you’re looking for a bit of tradition and historic charm for your wedding day, you’ll find it at Mount Hope.
The only thing missing from this well-rounded venue is in-house catering services. Rather than restricting your options to a preferred vendors list, though, the staff at Mount Hope welcome any catering company of your choosing for your meal and bar service. If you’d rather cook all of your own dishes and supply your own alcohol, you can do that, too.
Antique pews for guest seating during your ceremony, a serene pond with rustic bridge and tire swing, a Guest Cottage that serves as a bridal suite and honeymoon suite, and a Lodge to accommodate your overnight guests are only the top highlights of this all-in-one venue. Mature trees, gorgeous lawn space, and the bright red paint on the barn provide exceptional photo backdrops.
Check out more at their website: https://www.barnweddingsillinois.com/
7. A Pocket Full of Sunshine
A Pocket Full of Sunshine is a wonderful indoor/outdoor wedding venue. Their large wooden barn is connected to a covered patio that leads out to a courtyard; no matter what setting you envision for your wedding, there is a space at this venue to accommodate that dream. The max capacity of this venue is 240 guests for both the indoor and outdoor areas.
A Pocket Full of Sunshine is a newer event venue established in 2018. Single mom Talia is the woman behind the magic at this venue; after losing her husband in a tragic car accident in 2017, she decided to pursue her dream of opening a wedding and event venue in his honor. The property she purchased and developed is just down the road from her family home.
Although lacking the convenience of all-inclusive service, this venue is quite flexible when it comes to catering. You’re welcome to bring your own food for a rehearsal dinner, and for the event itself, you can choose from a list of preferred caterers for the meal and have your alcohol service provided by that caterer or provide your own.
At A Pocket Full of Sunshine, your wedding day is all about YOU. Whether your style tends toward classic décor or cupcake ladders and chalkboards, you’ll be able to express yourself completely at this venue. They have golf carts available, a manicured courtyard for lawn games, a beautiful pond and lush meadows, and a stunning whitewashed barn that is climate-controlled for use in every season.
Check out more on their website: https://www.apocketfullofsunshine.info/
6. The Mora Farm
The Mora Farm isn’t the largest barn-style venue in Illinois, but it can still accommodate the average wedding with a guest capacity of 200 people. You will have access to the farmhouse, tack room lounge, Chicken Coop bar, horse stables, two pavilions, and of course the big red barn.
The Mora Farm is a family-owned property. Jim Mora’s vision for this venue was to recreate the indoor/outdoor celebrations he experienced in San Miguel de Epejan. Music, dancing, laughter, and farm animals are the name of the game at The Mora Farm.
The Mora Farm is a Bring Your Own venue, which means they don’t provide any of the food or alcohol for your event. They have a preferred vendors list if you need recommendations, but they are willing to welcome any caterer of your choice; you have the freedom to stick to a budget and find the perfect team to handle your meal and bar service.
The Mora Farm has a number of fun and romantic features that make it a perfect setting for a wedding. A well-maintained courtyard surrounded by greenery, a three-tier fountain and bird bath, a rustic wagon, and a shiny red tractor is all elements that create fantastic photos. There are horses and peacocks on the property, too. The barn itself features wood beams, vaulted ceilings, and wrought-iron chandeliers.
Check out more at their website: https://www.themorafarm.com/
5. Midway Village Museum
Whether you’re looking for classic history or a more rustic setting for your wedding, Midway Village Museum has you covered. A restored 1905 barn on a 13 acre parcel of land and the Lakeview rooms in the museum center can both seat 200 guests. An outdoor patio is connected to the museum center and can function as extra reception space or a stunning ceremony location.
Midway Village Museum has been around since 1968. It is a museum dedicated to displaying and preserving the history of the Rockford area. It began on an 11-acre property donated by the Severin family and has grown over the decades to encompass 137 acres with various buildings and tons of natural landscape.
Midway Village Museum is not an all-inclusive venue. They will not be able to provide any of the catering for your wedding, but they do have a list of seven preferred vendors that you can work with in order to finalize the details for your meal and bar service. Your Event Host at the venue will coordinate your caterer of choice on the day of your celebration.
In addition to the main reception locations on the property, you will have access to gardens, a gazebo, a church, and a lakeside venue at the Millhouse. Whatever your ideal wedding looks like, there is space on this property for you to create it. The barn here is something special: two stories, high ceilings, an elevator, and a bar combine to make this an unforgettable location.
Check out more on their website: https://www.midwayvillage.com/midway-event-rentals.html
4. Kuipers Family Farm and Orchard
Situated on an active 230 acre farm and orchard, this venue is a massive one-of-a-kind location for a wedding. Kuipers Family Farm and Orchard can host up to 225 guests in their outdoor ceremony location and indoor reception space. If you’re looking for a serene, charming location for a wedding, this stunning orchard and wood barn is about as good as it gets.
In 1998, the Kuiper family opened a 71-acre pumpkin patch on their farmland to welcome guests from Chicago and surrounding areas. As their popularity grew, they decided to purchase the neighboring 160 acre apple orchard to expand their offerings: Kuipers Family Farm and Orchard was officially established in 2001. The farm and orchard combo is now an all-year-round hotspot for families.
Kuipers Family Farm and Orchard is a wonderfully all-inclusive wedding venue: planning will be an absolute breeze if you choose this venue for your special day. With a full in-house catering team excited to customize your meal, wedding cake, and bar package, you won’t have any coordination to do with outside vendors when it comes to filling your stomachs.
With two-story ceilings and exposed wood, the large Orchard Barn is a perfect backdrop for any décor theme you envision for your wedding. A patio with a fire pit and a stunning view of the extensive orchard adds a lot of outdoor charm to the space. You and your guests can even enjoy a Farmview Railroad ride.
Check out more on their website: https://www.kuipersweddingvenue.com/
3. The Barn & Vineyard
Well-manicured lawns, a wine-tasting room, and a barn housing a bar, seating area, and dance floor ensure that every couple can have their perfect indoor/outdoor wedding. As many as 300 guests can fit comfortably in the space, but more intimate groups will feel right at home, too. There are a number of outdoor patios to help large groups spread out without losing their connection to the event.
The Barn & Vineyard is a brand new wedding venue that just opened in 2022. Acres of pristine farmland and active vineyards provide a back-to-your-roots rustic vibe for this modern and authentic venue.
The Barn & Vineyard has one of the most talented culinary teams on staff. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, a multi-course meal, a custom bar package, and all of the wait staff and licensed bartenders will be provided on your wedding day. Your guests will get to experience some of the best ‘wedding food’ you can get.
Whether you want to get married in the middle of the vineyard, under the pergola with a red brick aisle, or in the stunning wood barn surrounded by string lights, this venue can make your dream happen. They have a tasting room featuring a tile floor and wine barrels to elevate your photos and plenty of space outdoors to get your taste of nature.
Check out more on their website: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Barn-Vineyard/100071913036884/
2. Oak Hill Farm
In its entirety, Oak Hill Farm comprises 170 acres of gorgeous farmland and natural landscape. The max capacity for this venue is 250 guests, but they are happy to accommodate smaller groups as well. There are four unique outdoor ceremony locations, a restored church, and two indoor venues (barn and pavilion).
Oak Hill Farm has been a working farm for many years. Its current occupants have owned the property for 46 years. The church is the oldest part of the property; it was moved to Oak Hill Farm after the father passed to lay him to rest on the property. His daughter was the first to marry in that church, and his family now shares their farm with other couples looking for that picture-perfect venue for their big day.
Oak Hill Farm is an incredibly flexible venue when it comes to catering. There are licensed bartenders on staff, but you are allowed to bring in your own alcohol and work with any vendor of your choosing to cater your meal. There is a prep kitchen on site for your caterer to make use of.
Oak Hill Farm has some of the most dazzling amenities of any venue in Illinois. A vintage car or horse-drawn carriage service, a complimentary golf cart, a rowboat, and free sparklers are just the beginning. The property itself is home to two ponds, a stream, stunning forest paths, and charming horses and donkeys that will elevate your photo album to new heights.
See more here on their website: https://oakhillweddings.com/
1. Fishermen’s Inn
For intimate weddings with 50 guests or larger events with as many as 350 guests, Fishermen’s Inn is the premium venue for your wedding. A spacious barn with a main floor and a loft, a veranda, a pergola, and a garden platform are a few of their ceremony and reception location options.
The history of Fishermen’s Inn as a banquet and event space dates back to 1964. The original restored barn that housed the venue burned down in 1985, and the property was re-established in 1986. The original owner passed in 2005 and the property belonged to the bank for a number of years before being purchased and completely renovated by the current owners in 2012.
Fishermen’s Inn is the best all-inclusive location when it comes to barn venues in Illinois. Their talented and innovative culinary team will create a custom wedding cake and personalized four-course menu for your meal. They provide a bar service as well and all of the extras you expect for a great wedding: house wine with dinner and white glove service.
Whether you want to rent the entire venue or just a small portion of it for your wedding, you’ll be exposed to some pretty perfect features. Exposed wood and string lighting make the barn’s Great Room and Loft romantic and inviting. A stream with waterfalls, a small lighthouse, extensive gardens, and lush greenery, and an overlook deck off the loft create a picturesque setting at every turn. You can arrange valet parking, too.
See more details on their website: https://www.fishermensinnelburn.com/our-venue/
*BONUS OUTDOOR VENUE* – The Two Brothers Roundhouse
Obviously we’re a little biased, but if you look at our track record, we’ve got the awards to back it up! We’ve won 9 brewery awards, been awarded “Best Of Weddings” badge from The Knot in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and won the “Couples Choice Award” from Wedding Wire almost every year from 2012 – 2020!
Venues don’t win that many awards by luck or chance. That’s the consistent quality and reputation Two Brothers has for hosting weddings!
The Two Brothers Roundhouse property encompasses 70,000 square feet home to multiple buildings, gathering areas, and gorgeous landscape. The diversity of our location ensures that your guest list ranging in size from 50 to over 300 can all feel perfectly at home in the space. This includes majestic outdoor areas to host a ceremony or reception.
Our venue has one of the most interesting stories of all. Built in 1856, the roundhouse served as the storage and maintenance facility for the Chicago and Aurora’s Railroad locomotives. This historic building is the oldest roundhouse in the entire country. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that will surround you in history, there is no better location in Chicago’s suburbs.
As an all-inclusive location, Two Brothers Roundhouse has an exceptionally trained catering staff and bartending service available to design a menu and bar package according to the individual needs of every couple.
See why we’re quickly becoming the top choice for wedding venues in the greater Chicago area. We have more details on our wedding venue banquets page here.
Email us any time at Banquets@TwoBrothersBrewing.com or call us (630) 509-0215