Here’s Why Chicago Is the Best Place to Host a Queer Wedding
Planning a queer wedding means more than picking a venue or a playlist—it’s about creating a celebration that honors your love exactly as it is. In a world where LGBTQ+ couples still navigate outdated expectations and limited representation, Chicago offers something different: a vibrant, affirming, and proudly queer community that makes it one of the best places to say “I do.”
Here’s why we at the Green Wedding Alliance believe Chicago is the perfect place for queer couples to celebrate their love story—with authenticity, joy, and plenty of glitter.
A City With Deep Queer Roots
Chicago has always been a city of bold voices and radical love. From the country’s first officially recognized Pride parade in 1970 (along with New York and Los Angeles) to today’s thriving LGBTQ+ neighborhoods like Andersonville, Northalsted, and Rogers Park, this city has long been a haven for queer community, culture, and resistance.
When you get married in Chicago, you're not just celebrating your love—you’re joining a legacy of activism, art, and chosen family that’s deeply woven into the city’s soul.
A Vendor Community That Gets It
Through the Green Wedding Alliance and beyond, Chicago is home to an incredible network of inclusive, affirming wedding vendors—many of whom are LGBTQ+ themselves. From photographers and florists to planners and officiants, you’ll find pros who:
Respect pronouns without hesitation
Celebrate all gender expressions
Don’t flinch at “untraditional” ideas (in fact, they love them)
Understand that queer weddings are often deeply intentional and emotional events
Whether you're walking down the aisle in matching jumpsuits or ditching the aisle altogether, you’ll have a team that’s here for your vision—not a mold.
This Is Feeling (Photo provided by Naturally Yours Events)
Endless Venue Options—With Character
Want a garden ceremony in the middle of the city? A drag brunch reception? A museum, rooftop, speakeasy, or forest preserve wedding? Chicago’s got you.
This city offers a wide range of wedding venues that suit every style—from classic elegance to total camp—and many of them are owned or operated by folks who prioritize inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability.
Plus- public art, city skylines, and lakefront backdrops make for unforgettable photo ops (and iconic vibes).
A City That Shows Up for You
Chicago's queer community is tight-knit, vocal, and full of love. Planning your wedding here means you're never alone—you’re part of a larger network of people who’ve been where you are, and who want to help you celebrate in a way that feels right.
You’ll find everything from queer-led wedding fairs to LGBTQ+ support groups to niche makers creating gender-affirming fashion and accessories. This city is full of people saying “Yes, exactly like that!” to ideas that might feel too bold or too tender anywhere else.
Weddings That Reflect Your Whole Self
At the Green Wedding Alliance, we know that queer weddings are often about so much more than logistics. They’re about visibility, healing, joy, belonging, and celebration. Chicago gives you the space to bring your full self to the altar—and to feel supported while doing it.
We’re proud to be part of a city that values inclusion and sustainability in equal measure, and we’re here to help you find vendors and allies who actually walk the talk.
Ready to Plan Your Queer Chicago Wedding?
Whether you're dreaming up a backyard bash or a black-tie ball, your love belongs here—and it deserves to be celebrated on your terms.
👉 Check out the Green Wedding Alliance member directory to find vendors who are committed to love without limits, and weddings without waste.
