The Top 10 Wedding Venues in Central Illinois

Your wedding is one of the most important and special days of your life. Planning your big day is therefore one of the most exciting but stressful adventures you’ll ever embark on. Starting off your planning with your venue choice is one of the best ways to start bringing your dream to life early on, and it will make the rest of your decisions a lot easier to navigate. Whether you envision a small intimate gathering surrounded by nature, a classic fairytale event, or an extravagant party, one of these top 10 wedding venues in central Illinois will be right for you. And check out some amazing Aurora wedding venues too that you'll definitely enjoy!

AND CHECK OUT A *BONUS* VENUE AT THE BOTTOM THAT’S WON 9 DIFFERENT AWARDS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS! IT’S UNIQUE, FUN AND JUST A FEW MILES NORTH!

10. Millikin University
With an 87,000-square-foot University Commons building available as a wedding venue, Millikin University can host any size of wedding comfortably and with a flexible floorplan. If you’d prefer a smaller venue for your reception, there are a number of banquet rooms available for booking suited to 100-150 guests and a chapel for a traditional ceremony.

Millikin University has been around since the very early 1900’s. With buildings dating back to the formation of the University, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a building with more history and importance. The main wedding venue on campus, the University Campus, is a newer building, but it was merged with the original Stanley library erected in 1976.

At Millikin University, you won’t need to work with outside vendors for much of your wedding details. They have an event planner on staff and a catering team to take care of your meal and bar service on the big day.

If stunning photo backdrops and a significant history are two boxes you want checked for your wedding venue, Millikin University is the best of the best. With century-old architecture paired with modernized interiors, this venue offers you the unique opportunity to be married in a building steeped in tradition and grandeur.

Check out more at their website: https://millikin.edu/gallery/banquet-room-photos

9. Mt. Zion Convention Center
The Mt. Zion Convention Center is home to a grand ballroom 11,000 square foot in size that can host events up to 800 people. The ballroom can be sized down to three separate rooms in order to create a cozy, intimate space for as few as 10 guests, too. You’ll have full control over the event layout and size to fit your day to perfection.

The Mt. Zion Convention Center is a fairly new space, renovated in 2011 to its current function as a multi-purpose event space. While you won’t have the chance to experience any history at this venue, the versatility and flexibility make this a wonderful event space, nonetheless.

When you book a wedding at the Mt. Zion Convention Center, you have the option of working with one of eight contracted vendors. The flexibility here ensures you’ll be able to perfect your wedding menu and bar service with a budget that works for you.

The most appealing quality of this convention center is the adaptability of the space. Whether you wish to seat 80 guests or 800, decorate for a fairytale wedding or wildly creative alternative theme, the space can accommodate you. The entire floor plan is also entirely up to you. If you have a unique vision for your big day, this is the space to make it happen.

Check out more at their website: https://www.mtzconventioncenter.com/plan-your-event/floor-plan-options/

8. Red Rock Bar & Grille/Red Rock Events
The Red Rock Events venue is an extension of the Red Rock Bar & Grille. This location is home to two private event spaces, and you may choose to book one or both of them. The first option is a 4000 square foot tent primarily used for ceremonies, but with a guest capacity of 300, you may choose to use it for a reception. The second event space is the main floor of the building, 5500 square feet in size and accommodating 300 guests as well.

Red Rock Events is a newer wedding venue that has evolved from 18 years of service put in by the Red Rock Bar & Grille family. They have turned their focus to weddings and other special events and renovated their space accordingly. If you’re looking for a modern venue, this is the space for you.

In order to manage both a restaurant and the event venue, Red Rock Events teamed up with a catering company called Bells Catering. Their 50 years of experience in the industry ensures that every couple will receive a well-executed and personalized meal and bar service for their big day.

This family-run venue is all about individualizing the space to fit your needs. They are open to every idea and will work tirelessly to bring your dream day to life. With a stage, projection screens, and an incredibly versatile, neutral backdrop, you have the freedom to create a space that is all you.

Check out more at their website: https://red-rock-bar-grille.business.site/

7. Piper Glen Golf Club
Piper Glen Golf Club offers two locations for you to hold your wedding. The Palmer Room is a newly remodeled space that can accommodate a wedding size of up to 125, and it is characterized by high ceilings and large windows that create a very spacious feel. You can also rent an air-conditioned/heated outdoor tent large enough to seat 200 guests.

Built in 1996, the Piper Glen Golf Club has been host to both local and professional golf tournaments. The grounds are kept tournament-ready at all times, which works out great for wedding parties: hello gorgeous pictures.

Piper Glen Gold Club is not an all-inclusive location, so you will need to work with outside vendors for your planning, décor, and catering. They do offer a bar service, but you may wish to purchase a bar package through your chosen caterer instead.

When you rent a tent at the Piper Glen Golf Club, you will have access to two golf carts to help you navigate the course for photos. Breathtaking views of the course, large windows for natural light, high ceilings, and flexible floor plans and décor guarantee every couple can cater their space to fit their vision perfectly.

Check out more on their website: https://www.piperglen.com/weddings/

6. Spruce St Studios
When you book a wedding with Spruce St Studios, you have multiple venue options. Studio A is a 4000 square foot space that can seat up to 300 guests. Studio B is a slightly smaller space at 2500 square feet, and this room can seat 220 guests. Their outdoor is ideal for ceremonies and cocktail receptions and can accommodate 200 seated guests.

If you’re looking for a little history during your big day, you’ll be able to find it at the Spruce St Studios venue. Both studios are part of a restored church and still retain their original design. Of course, both spaces have been renovated over the years, but the indoor and outdoor spaces still hold a lot of charm and elegance.

Spruce St Studios is one of the most flexible venues when it comes to catering. They want your special day to be perfect, so they welcome any caterer of your choice to perform the meal and bar service for your wedding. They have a prep kitchen available for the catering staff and can offer some recommendations if you don’t know where to start.

With three gorgeous event spaces at your disposal, you have the freedom to design the wedding of your dreams. Whether you want to make use of all three event spaces or only one, the Spruce St Studios team can make your dream wedding a reality. Beautiful wood ceilings, beams, and chandeliers make both studios ideal for every bride and groom.

Check out more at their website: https://www.spruceststudios.com/

5. Double Tree by Hilton
When you book your wedding at the Double Tree hotel, you will have access to just over 18,000 square feet of event space. The flexibility in room size ensures that every wedding can take place in a room that fits their needs and feels perfectly sized. With guest list capacity ranging between 10 and nearly 1100 guests, every wedding can be accommodated in style. There is an outdoor courtyard with space for 200 guests, as well.

The Double Tree by Hilton was originally built in 1994, with renovations taking place as recently as 2019 to ensure this venue is as modern as possible. However, much of the original architecture is in place today, and you and all of your guests will be treated to high class décor and architectural artistry.

As the Double Tree by Hilton is an all-inclusive wedding venue, all of your vendor needs will be met by the staff at the hotel, including your catering. No outside vendors required! A specialized and experienced team will help you perfect your menu and take care of all day-off activities.

The Double Tree by Hilton is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. If you’re looking for an upscale, classically decorated venue for your wedding, this location is one of the best. You’ll also have the opportunity to reserve 10-25 rooms for your guests to keep everyone close by for the festivities.

Check out more on their website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chiasdt-doubletree-chicago-alsip/events/

4. Arlington’s
Arlington’s is a two-story event venue that offers flexible wedding packages. If you have a smaller wedding, you can book one floor or the other. If you’d like to host a larger wedding, both floors can be utilized. The top floor can hold 140 seated guests or 275 people for cocktail reception. The bottom floor is the smaller of the two spaces and can accommodate 70 seated or 100 standing guests.

The Arlington’s building has been around since 1917. It’s lived a few lifetimes in its century of existence: from meat packing plant to fur factory to live music venue and now wedding and special event venue, this location is packed with history. To this day, it retains its old factory frame and beautiful architectural accents that will add sophistication and timelessness to every wedding.

Arlington’s is not only a wedding venue; they are also a full-service catering company. As such, they will be delighted to cater your wedding on-site whether you have chosen an informal dining style or an elegant and classy plated dinner service. They will help you plan your menu and will provide bar staff as well.

Not only will you be surrounded by stunning architecture and visible history in the brick walls and exposed woodwork of Arlington, but you will be incredibly well taken care of by the staff and facilities. Elevators, private restrooms, sound systems, and friendly and accommodating staff can be your expectations at this wonderfully unique and historic venue.

Check out more on their website: https://arlingtonsspi.com/event-space/

3. Oak Terrace Resort & Spa
With a full 18-hole golf course available for pictures, two outdoor ceremony locations, and an indoor banquet hall that can hold anywhere between 10 and 350 guests, the Oak Terrace Resort & Spa can be the ideal location for any wedding. There are even multiple lodging options available such as lakeside villas, townhomes, and an inn.

The team at Oak Terrace Resort & Spa have been hosting weddings for more than two decades, and the owners have called the land and resort theirs for 40 years altogether. Whatever you envision for your wedding day, their team and location will work together to make it a reality.

While the folks at Oak Terrace Resort & Spa are happy to welcome outside vendors into their wedding planning endeavors, they do request that every couple uses their exclusive caterer Angelo’s. Their culinary team is experienced in catering for small and large events and can customize their menu to your preferences.

By far the best thing about this venue is the setting. You’ll be able to hold your ceremony on a gorgeous pier facing a fountain and tree-lined shore across the 66-acre lake or in a beautifully-crafted gazebo surrounded by trees and a perfectly manicured lawn. If you’re looking for a stunning outdoor venue for a ceremony and an all-inclusive indoor reception experience, you won’t find a better pairing than the Oak Terrace Resort & Spa.

Check out more on their website: https://oakterraceresort.com/events/weddings/

2. The Venue CU
With 10,000 square feet of versatile event space, every couple has the freedom to pack their guest list or simply invite the folks closest to them. The largest space, the Varsity Ballroom, can easily hold 350 seated guests, and smaller wedding sizes of 150 or less will be comfortable in the Main Street Lodge.

Built in the late 1800’s, The Venue CU building served as a confectionary and theatre in its past life. The buildings are even listed on the National Register for Historic Places. The buildings aren’t the only ones with history, though. The Venue CU team is outfitted by a team with more than 50 years of combined experience in the wedding industry: they have the know-how to bring any vision to life.

The Venue CU will provide you with a list of preferred vendors to make your wedding meal dreams a reality. There are four catering vendors available to you, and four food truck vendors if you’re looking for something a little different to surprise your guests.

If a modernized industrial setting is the look you’re after for your wedding venue, The Venue CU is the best of the best. Wooden stairs, metal railing, exposed brick, original tin ceiling, and stunning greenery accents make this venue one of the most memorable and eye-catching locations to host a ceremony and/or reception.

See more here on their website: https://www.thevenuecu.com/

1. Crowne Plaza Hotel
The Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield boasts more than 70,000 square feet of event space available to you on your big day. Between the indoor and outdoor spaces, you can host a wedding with up to 1500 guests. Whether you’re inviting everyone you’ve ever met or you want an intimate wedding of only your closest friends and relatives, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is the best venue in central Illinois.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel has been around since 1997 and undergone many updates and renovations since then. It has been a leader in the hotel and event industry for almost all of that time. You are guaranteed a professional and upscale wedding planning experience and a flawless wedding day when you book at this grand venue.

As the top all-inclusive wedding venue in central Illinois, you can expect that your meal and bar service will be no expectation to the quality you expect. Their experienced culinary team will prepare a customized plated or buffet-style dinner for your wedding and a bar package of your choice. They can even throw in wine service with dinner and ice carving.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel has a long list of amenities and nearby attractions to entertain your guests in between wedding events. In addition to lodging your guests on-site, they will have access to all of the amenities including the pool and fitness center. There are nearby fairgrounds, parks, historic sites, and museums to visit as well.

See more details on their website: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/springfield/spicc/hoteldetail

*BONUS 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 and 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.

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