North Side Wedding Walk: Visiting 6 Chicago Wedding Venues in One Afternoon

Mar 7

Last weekend I had the chance to attend the North Side Wedding Walk, one of the most unique wedding planning events in Chicago. The event gives couples the opportunity to explore multiple Chicago wedding venues in one afternoon while meeting a wide range of local wedding vendors.

As someone who runs Instant Photo Chicago, I love events like this because they bring together so many parts of the wedding community in one place — venues, planners, florists, photographers, DJs, and of course couples who are excitedly planning their big day.

What the North Side Wedding Walk Is

The North Side Wedding Walk is designed to help couples experience venues in a more interactive way than a typical open house. Instead of visiting just one location, attendees move between multiple venues throughout Chicago’s North Side.

Each venue is styled to feel like a real wedding day — complete with florals, décor, music, and drinks — so couples can picture what their own celebration might look like in the space.

Transportation between venues makes it easy to explore several locations in a single afternoon, which turns wedding planning into a fun and social experience rather than a stressful checklist.

Visiting Six Chicago Wedding Venues

During the event I visited six different venues, each with its own personality and style.

Some spaces leaned toward industrial loft aesthetics with exposed brick and tall windows, while others felt more polished and modern. Seeing each venue fully styled helped highlight how dramatically design, lighting, and décor can transform a space for a wedding.

For couples searching for North Side Chicago wedding venues, this kind of event is incredibly helpful because you can compare multiple spaces in real life rather than just through photos online.

Meeting Couples and Chicago Wedding Vendors

One of my favorite parts of the day was meeting so many couples in the middle of planning their weddings. Everyone had a different vision for their day, and it was exciting to hear about the venues they were considering and the details they were dreaming up.

Events like this also bring together a huge range of Chicago wedding vendors, which makes networking easy and natural. I had the chance to connect with planners, florists, DJs, and other photographers, all while seeing how different teams bring weddings together.

As an instant photographer, it’s always fun introducing couples to the idea of instant photos being handed out to guests during the reception — something that adds a tangible, interactive element to the celebration.

Why Wedding Walks Are Great for Planning

For couples planning a wedding in Chicago, events like the North Side Wedding Walk are one of the best ways to start building your vendor team.

Instead of scrolling through endless vendor lists, you can:

Walk through real venues
Meet vendors face-to-face
See design ideas in person
Get a feel for the atmosphere of different spaces

It turns wedding planning into an experience rather than just research.

Looking Ahead: Chicago Queer Wedding Show

After a full afternoon visiting venues and meeting couples, I left feeling energized for the upcoming wedding season.

Next up, I’m especially excited to attend the Chicago Queer Wedding Show this May. It’s an incredible event focused on celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ couples while connecting them with queer vendors across Chicago.

Events like the North Side Wedding Walk and the Chicago Queer Wedding Expo are great reminders of how creative and welcoming the Chicago wedding community can be.

And if you see me at an event with an instant camera around my neck, come say hi — you might just walk away with a photo.

See the Gallery Here

Mark Hawk