The Chicago Cultural Center: A Classic Wedding Venue
Some Chicago wedding and event venues are just iconic. They’re beautiful and historic and just as jaw-dropping on their own as the events that take place in them. And when it comes to planning a wedding that blends love (of course!) with history and architecture, it’s hard to do much better than a Chicago Cultural Center wedding. Clover Events couple Chirag and Mike chose this unforgettable landmark as the setting for their gorgeous wedding, rounding it out with deeply personal touches that made it all the more special.
Why Have a Historic Chicago Cultural Center Wedding?
The Chicago Cultural Center—and specifically the breathtakingly beautiful Preston Bradley Hall—is an iconic venue. For Chirag and Mike, it was more than that, however. It was the perfect location to showcase their love and appreciation for Chicago’s architecture, history, and culture.
With its coffered ceiling, intricate mosaics, and a famously grand Tiffany glass dome, the stunning landmark—also known as the People’s Palace—is the epitome of elegant luxury, while also being incredibly meaningful to the couple. Plus, since it’s located in the heart of Downtown Chicago, steps from Millennium Park and the Bean (aka Cloud Gate), it’s an ideal spot right in the center of all of the action. An amazing launchpad from which to explore many of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
For Chirag and Mike, the classic location couldn’t have been a better fit for their wedding day.
A Ceremony Blending Identity, Unity, and Tradition
The couple chose to thoughtfully blend traditions and cultures in their wedding ceremony. In addition to readings on marriage equality, poetry by Rabindranath Tagore, and a performance of “I Have Dreamed” from The King and I, Mike and Chirag also chose to exchange garlands and to have a traditional Indian Mandap frame their vows to honor Chirag’s heritage.
The wedding was packed with warmth and love, family members and friends, and made for an unforgettable day.
A Simple Yet Stunning Reception
After the ceremony, wedding guests moved to GAR Hall for a cocktail hour, then returned to Preston Bradley Hall for the reception. The couple kept the decor intentionally simple and refined, allowing the architectural elements and beauty of the space to take center stage. With understated navy linens, gold chairs, and pops of white and purple floral arrangements, the decor was elegant without overpowering the architectural features of the room.
The elegance and warmth carried through to the menu, as well, with a caprese salad tower starter, Indian appetizers, entreés like short ribs and zucchini-crusted halibut, a three-tier wedding cake, and a nostalgic and fun ice cream sundae bar.
Celebrations Characterized By Fun & Surprises
The party continued into the evening with plenty of surprises, like a flash mob choreographed by Chirag’s sister, a serenade of “What a Wonderful World” from Chirag and his college a cappella group, and more.
With a fun, dynamic mix of pop hits and Bollywood tunes, the dance floor was full all night. When the clock struck midnight and the party officially ended, guests piled onto a school bus headed to Brian’s Speakeasy for an after-party (and pizza from Dough Brothers to keep the party going).
A Way to Honor Their Beginning
Chirag and Mike were brought together while training for a marathon. They were both running to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. As a sweet and special call-back to the organization that helped them find each other, Chirag and Mike decided to forgo traditional wedding favors and instead make a donation to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
FAQs
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The Chicago Cultural Center features historic architectural elements, ornate details, a centralized location, and the world’s largest Tiffany dome. People love the beauty of the Preston Bradley Hall (it’s iconic), the building’s mosaics, and the way the venue showcases a bit of Chicago history.
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You definitely can! Tons of couples—like Chirag and Mike—host both events at the Chicago Cultural Center. Oftentimes, the ceremony is held in Preston Bradley Hall—a gorgeous space—with cocktails in GAR Hall, and the reception back in Preston Bradley Hall, once it’s been flipped and decorated for dinner and dancing.
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Preston Bradley Hall can accommodate 330 for a seated dinner, 700 for cocktails, and 320 for a seated ceremony, depending on your layout. GAR Hall and Rotunda can accommodate 220 for a seated reception, 550 for cocktails, or 300 for a seated ceremony, so it's a great option if your wedding is a bit smaller.
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Yes, you can! In fact, you’ll need to. Chirag and Mike worked with Clover Events and a slew of other talented vendor teams to bring their dream celebration to life. Remember that you’ll need to bring in caterers, florals, entertainment, and more and factor that into your budget.
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The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events oversees the space, so you can inquire with them directly through their website. Similarly, if you’re working with wedding planning pros like Clover Events, they should be able to handle the logistics of booking the venue (and all that goes along with it) on your behalf.
Chirag and Mike’s wedding was a perfect example of how a Chicago Cultural Center wedding can blend historic grandeur with intimate personal stories. From the mosaic-covered dome to the emotional vows, every element felt intentional and full of heart.