The Arbory Review
Heirloom Event Company does not receive a commission for positive reviews or venue referrals for The Arbory.
Looking for a wedding venue in Chicago that isn't another industrial loft? The Arbory should be high on your list. The website barely scratches the surface—this is a space you truly have to see in person to appreciate.
We’ve planned dozens of weddings in and around the city, and The Arbory continues to be one of our top recommendations for couples who want something fresh, flexible, and effortlessly goregous. It’s not just the exposed brick or greenery (though there’s plenty of both in this former warehouse). You’ll also find to vibrant artwork, colorful furniture, and a stylish bridal suite for a range of backdrops for your day. But most of all, we love the venue’s seamless experience, the responsive team, and the way the space flows through each stage the celebration without ever feeling cramped or repetitive.
Price
The Arbory’s pricing lands right in line with other high-demand venues in Chicago—and with the quality of the experience, it’s easy to see why. For reference, 2025 couples booked at:
$12,000 for Saturday weddings
$10,050 for Friday weddings
$7,500 for reception-only rentals
The standard rental window is from 6:00pm to midnight, with vendor load-in starting mid-afternoon. You can purchase early access if you’d like to get ready on-site.
What’s included is refreshingly generous:
Oak and wood tables
Lounge seating
Folding tables and cocktail tables
Two built-in bar setups
DJ booth
Italian café lighting
Lush greenery and pre-installed plants
LED candles
Access to a private suite
Optional add-ons range from uplighting ($1,200) and a video/photo booth ($750) to a disco ball ($350) and parking lot rental ($500).
The venue offers serious flexibility. Most couples use the Skylight Room for dinner and ceremony, then transition to the West Side for dancing and cocktails. The flow is easy and intuitive for both guests and vendors.
Rating: 7/10
Planning Process
Few venue teams operate as smoothly—or as kindly—as the crew at The Arbory. Leading the charge is venue manager Shay Moran, whose reputation among planners is nothing short of stellar. Shay is responsive, detail-oriented, and genuinely invested in your event. Whether she’s advising on chair selections or timing a disco ball to hit at the exact moment in a song (yes, truly!), she helps couples feel supported every step of the way.
The broader on-site team (typically 4–5 staffers) is equally excellent. They’re efficient, communicative, and add a layer of calm confidence throughout the day.
That said, a couple of things are worth noting during planning:
Rehearsals are not guaranteed and are confirmed only two weeks in advance with a small fee.
Parking is limited for both guests and vendors. Most couples encourage Uber/Lyft or opt to rent the Mitchell Elementary lot nearby for added ease.
Rating: 9/10
Day-Of Execution
This is where The Arbory truly shines. From a planner’s perspective, weddings here tend to run like clockwork. The layout supports a natural flow of events, and the staff is always on point.
Of course, success also depends on having the right vendor team — and at The Arbory, we only partner with Viola’s Kitchen, our favorite Chicago caterer. Their team is consistently outstanding: attentive, helpful, and known for both their delicious food and stunning dessert displays. We credit much of the wedding day success here to their expertise and execution.
It’s rare to find a venue where every handoff—from planner to catering to venue team—feels so cohesive. That’s the beauty of The Arbory.
Rating: 10/10
Value
With a price tag that’s competitive for Chicago’s top-tier venues, The Arbory offers excellent value for what’s included. The ambiance alone—equal parts urban loft and art-forward garden—gives couples a one-of-a-kind canvas. Add to that a rock-solid team, flexible layout, and built-in design elements (hello, greenery!), and you’ve got a venue that feels like a complete package.
Even with modest decor budgets, couples can achieve a high-impact look here because of how thoughtfully the space is already styled. And with seasoned pros like Shay and Viola’s Kitchen in your corner, you’re set up for a stress-free celebration from start to finish.
Rating: 9/10
Is This the Venue for You?
If you're drawn to urban charm, design-forward spaces, and want everything under one roof without sacrificing aesthetic variety—The Arbory is a venue worth touring. It’s ideal for couples who want an all-in-one location but still want the feeling of multiple environments.
Planning here is smooth, day-of logistics are tightly managed, and the guest experience is as vibrant as the space itself.
We give it an overall rating of: