The Drake Hotel Review
Heirloom Event Company does not receive a commission for positive reviews or venue referrals for The Drake Hotel.
Few venues capture the essence of Chicago elegance quite like The Drake. Since opening its doors in 1920, this iconic hotel has been a symbol of luxury and sophistication, hosting dignitaries, celebrities, and discerning guests for over a century. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Drake offers both classic charm and modern amenities—making it a show-stopping backdrop for weddings.
Step inside and you’re instantly transported: soaring ceilings, golden chandeliers, and marble corridors set the stage, while the attentive Drake team ensures guests feel like they’re part of something truly special. With multiple stunning spaces, The Drake can accommodate everything from lavish soirées to elegant micro-weddings.
The Drake Hotel boasts several exquisite venues:
Gold Coast Room: Spanning 6,838 square feet, this grand ballroom offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and can accommodate up to 900 guests, making it ideal for large weddings.
Grand Ballroom: With a capacity of 500 guests, this space features elegant chandeliers and a spacious dance floor, perfect for receptions and galas.
French Room: An intimate setting with silk wall coverings and hand-painted moldings, suitable for smaller ceremonies and receptions
Price
Weddings at The Drake are undeniably an investment in experience. Saturday celebrations typically require a $65,000 food and beverage minimum. However our 2024 couple successfully negotiated a Friday wedding package for a $40,000 food and beverage minimum, which includes the $1,500 + tax ceremony fee, plus room rental
The package included:
$40,000 food & beverage minimum (plus tax and gratuity)
Ceremony fee included ($1,500 + tax)—ceremony and reception in the Gold Coast Ballroom, cocktail hour in the French Room
Accommodations included: Two-night Bridal Suite for the couple, one-night stays in complimentary suites for parents and the groom with late checkout
Rentals included: Gold or silver Chiavari chairs, linen options (gold/silver/navy), tea light votives, printed menu cards
While these packages are comprehensive, couples should still plan for add-ons and upgrades—elevated linens, specialized décor, or late-night snacks can quickly shift the final investment upward.
Rating: 6/10
Planning Process
Even as a month-of coordinator, coordinating a Drake wedding is no small feat. Every detail matters when the setting is this iconic.
From the elegant table settings—featuring waterfall-folded napkins topped with menus and alternating Vosges Haut-Chocolat chocolates in two distinct flavors at each table—to the stunning five-tier Toni Patisserie cake, every element was thoughtfully curated.
The cake itself was a masterpiece with two alternating flavors per guest—vanilla genoise layered with white chocolate mousse and vanilla buttercream frosting and hazelnut genoise layered with dark chocolate mousse and vanilla buttercream frosting. Each serving was finished with a maraschino cherry and raspberry sauce elegantly presented in gravy boats.
Other meticulous touches included flower petals carefully scattered along the aisle and on the bridal party chairs, coordination of two officiants during the ceremony, and precise timing for specific chairs to toss dried petals—showcasing the many moving parts that made this wedding truly special.
The planning process benefited greatly from The Drake’s experienced in-house team. Working alongside Alexandra (Director of Social Catering) and Ariella (Catering & Events), we navigated everything from a seamless room flip to perfectly timed culinary service. We formed a strong trio that covered all the bases to bring this wedding to life.
The internal coordination made it possible to execute unique details like a dual-officiant ceremony, precise guest timing, and even special “petal-tossing” moments by select guests. Having Alexandra and Ariella as partners provided outstanding vendor communication and kept the day running on schedule.
Rating: 9/10
Day-Of Execution
Hosting a Friday wedding in downtown Chicago brings its own set of logistical hurdles (tespecially with out-of-town guests unfamiliar with local traffic). This wedding started nearly an hour behind schedule as the bride preferred to wait for more guests to arrive before beginning the ceremony. Fortunately, the Drake Hotel team was incredibly flexible and accommodating, allowing us to push back the start without sacrificing the cocktail hour’s full hour.
This flexibility gave us the necessary time to efficiently flip the room from ceremony to reception, which kicked off shortly after cocktail hour and ran smoothly until midnight. The room flip from ceremony to reception was seamless, with everyone—venue staff, planners, and vendors—working in concert to transition the Gold Coast Ballroom from a romantic ceremony setting to a dance floor ready for celebration.
We dove in laying out menus, adorning them with Vosges chocolates. Then, we teamed up with Flower Child to sweep up ceremony flowers and light candles, all while keeping the delayed timeline on track. The band played a tight setlist since they were booked later that night, then smoothly transitioned the party to a DJ who kept the energy alive all night long.
We especially appreciated the Drake’s willingness to accommodate our real-time timeline shifts and last-minute requests. The staff’s poise and professionalism allowed the couple to stay present and truly savor each moment.
Rating: 8/10
Is This the Venue for You?
The Drake is an iconic choice for couples seeking classic Chicago elegance, rich history, and a truly grand setting. The included accommodations (such as a two-night stay in the Bridal Suite and special suites for family members) add comfort and luxury, while thoughtful event spaces like the Princess Diana Suite offer a serene sanctuary for pre-ceremony preparations and unforgettable photos.
Couples who value tradition, opulent details, and seamless hospitality will feel right at home here. Just keep in mind that minimums and package pricing can be significant, especially on Saturdays, and the scale of the venue and its events demands attentive planning and collaboration. If you dream of hosting an unforgettable celebration that blends glamour and warmth in one of Chicago’s most storied hotels, The Drake delivers on every front.
We give it an overall rating of