Spirit of Chicago
A Grand Lakefront Chicago Wedding Venue on the Water
For couples who want a Chicago wedding that moves — literally — the Spirit of Chicago offers one of the most dramatic and memorable settings in the city. Operated by City Cruises and departing from Navy Pier, this flagship vessel takes wedding celebrations out onto Lake Michigan, delivering unobstructed 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline, Willis Tower, and the open water as guests dine, dance, and celebrate together. With a capacity of up to 600 guests, the Spirit of Chicago is one of the largest and most impressive floating wedding venues in the Midwest, and it consistently ranks among Chicago's most sought-after waterfront event experiences.
The vessel's thoughtfully designed event spaces feature climate-controlled interiors with panoramic windows that frame the skyline from every angle, alongside open-air exterior decks that offer an unmatched alfresco experience on the lake. City Cruises' all-inclusive wedding packages cover everything from chef-prepared plated, buffet, and food station menus to full bar service, live DJ entertainment, china, linens, glassware, and a dedicated on-site coordinator. The package also includes a champagne toast, complimentary cake cutting, and a one-year anniversary dinner — making it one of the most comprehensive wedding experiences available in Chicago. Every detail is handled so the couple can focus on the celebration itself.
At Wedicity, we love planning weddings aboard the Spirit of Chicago because it creates an experience guests simply cannot replicate anywhere else. The combination of the moving vessel, the skyline views, and the energy of being on Lake Michigan together gives every celebration an electricity that is impossible to manufacture on land. Our team knows how to design and coordinate events on the water, and we handle every detail — from floral and design to vendor management and day-of execution — to ensure the experience is as beautiful as the view.
Why Engaged Couples Love the Spirit of Chicago
Few Chicago wedding venues offer the kind of experience that the Spirit of Chicago delivers: a celebration that is genuinely in motion, with the city's most iconic landmarks unfolding around you as the evening progresses. Watching the Chicago skyline at sunset from the deck of the Spirit of Chicago — or dancing beneath the glow of Navy Pier's fireworks — is the kind of moment that guests talk about for years. It is not just a backdrop; it is an active part of the wedding itself. For couples who want their guests to feel like they are truly experiencing Chicago, there is no better stage.
The all-inclusive nature of the Spirit of Chicago also makes the planning process significantly more streamlined than a traditional venue. The in-house catering team, full bar service, DJ, coordinator, and event infrastructure are all built into the package, which means fewer vendors to manage and more energy to invest in the personal touches that make a wedding feel unique. City Cruises has been recognized seven times as a Best of Weddings winner by The Knot — a reflection of the consistently exceptional experience couples have aboard their fleet.
When you plan your wedding on the Spirit of Chicago with Wedicity, you have a team that understands how to bring the best out of a venue this dynamic. We work seamlessly alongside the City Cruises team to layer in the personal design details — florals, styling, custom touches — that elevate the experience from beautiful to unforgettable. For couples seeking a Chicago wedding venue that combines grandeur, movement, and spectacular lakefront views, the Spirit of Chicago stands in a category of its own.
Ready?! Let's Plan Together
Next Steps
Inquire
Complete our inquiry form, and we'll get back to you promptly to schedule a 30-minute consultation discovery call — where we can connect and learn about your wedding dreams.
Consultation Discovery Call
During your discovery session, we’ll get to know you and your fiancé, discuss what’s most important to you, the level of planning and design you’re seeking, and start envisioning your dream wedding weekend. You'll also learn about our approach, and if we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule a proposal review to move forward.
Proposal Review
In the Proposal Review, we’ll outline what you can expect working with us, go over our full planning and design process, and answer all your questions. You’ll leave this meeting feeling excited, confident, and ready to move forward with a trusted partner by your side!
On-Boarding & Kick-Off Call
The Wedicity Planning Experience officially begins! We’ll get you onboarded into our planning platform and schedule an initial Kick-Off Call. Prior to the call, you'll complete our Wedding Party Questionnaire and Wedding Foundation Guide — helping us get to know you, your priorities, and vision for your day.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At Wedicity, diversity, inclusion, and love in all forms are at the heart of what we do.
We are proud to be a LGBTQ+ Friendly, Denomination-Wide, and Racially/Culturally Inclusive wedding planning team — leading with a service-first mentality and a passion for creating joyful, meaningful celebrations.
Hate has no place here. Love is Love!
Our Locations
At Wedicity, as a destination Wedding planning service, we offer our services across the country and in various worldwide destinations from coast to coast, including New York, Southern California, Aspen, Italy, Amalfi Coast, and Paris. Our team of expert wedding planners and event designers are ready to create unforgettable experiences for you and your guests.
To learn more about our planning and design services and how we can help you plan your dream wedding, please contact us using the form above. Our team is based out of Chicago and services weddings from City to Coast!
Looking to get away for an intimate wedding celebration or bring the entire family to a destination wedding abroad? Pack your bags and we'll take care of the rest! Serving the US and beyond.
Inquire above for investment details.