It pains me to write this review because that means our wedding is over and we don't get to hang out in this incredible space anymore. Seriously. We were lucky enough to get a spot in this venue despite a short engagement (4 months) due to a cancellation, which we jumped on immediately. From the very beginning, Spencer quelled all my anxiety about having (or more accurately, not having) a cookie cutter wedding. Not only that, all the bells and whistles that come with Ovation are 100% worth the price. Heck, the way the Rolls Royce looks in our pictures is worth the price, but that's just the beginning. The venue itself is absolutely gorgeous. The last thing I wanted to worry about was table linens or decorations at all really -- with Ovation you don't need to worry about any of that because everything from the wood tables to the built in bar are already top notch. We literally just threw some candles and random flowers in bud vases on the tables and it looked done. Really. We didn't even do aisle or altar decor because it does not need it. Spencer and his crew did an amazing job with the lighting and that was that. I never thought playing the Princess Bride and Young Frankenstein at our wedding could look so frickin' cool, but it did because Spencer and co. know how to make everything look much, much cooler than we actually are. Oh, and lounge furniture on the dance floor? Forget about it. I can't even with how amazing this spot is. If you ever have any doubts during the course of planning that Ovation is the gold standard, the way vendors' eyes light up when you say that's where your wedding is should put your mind at ease. Just do it. read more

This is one of the most beautiful event spaces in Chicago. It is so elegant and spacious, the sound system is gorgeous, I have used this event space several times and have attended many functions here. Parking is pretty easy to find on the street and it is free. The hospitality is top-notch Spencer and his crew run a wonderful business and a tight ship! Would very highly recommend 3 thumbs up!!! I am going to host all of my events here whenever they are available! Hozier read more

Space is great. acoustics is fair so it was difficult to hear the speeches. Street parking (free) is nice BUT several cars, including mine, were broken into while at the venue. I was parked right outside on Fulton (not a side street) & it was between 6.15pm & 9.15pm. Hosts may want to consider hiring extra security to protect their guests vehicles!!! read more

Our experience hosting our wedding at Ovation was flawless! Spencer was incredibly easy to work with throughout the process. The venue comes with so many extra treats like the vintage car, photobooth, foosball/ping pong table, that it really feels unique. It's such a huge relief to be unrestricted with vendors, and we were free to DIY all our decor. Also, Max did an AWESOME job being our DJ- he listened to our requests and tastes and executed it perfectly. Brian did equally fabulous work putting together our graphics. Overall, we had such a blast, got so many compliments from guests, and so much of this was due to our venue!! We 100% would have our wedding at Ovation if we could ever do it again, and are thankful to the entire Ovation team! read more

Ovation - flowers being dropped off at Ovation - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Beautiful venue. I was informed that the venue does not handle the catering whoever rents the venue is responsible in hiring the catering .Make sure when hiring your caters they are able to handle getting the food to the venue on time and hot. We attended an event and the appetizers were great but the food and dinner service were awful . read more

Choosing our venue was definitely the most difficult part of wedding planning. Mostly because Ovation wasn't available for our chosen date. When they magically were available again... we knew we needed to hop on it. It's clear that Spencer and his team thought of everything when they created Ovation. It was great getting guidance on the DJ, and the rest of the amenities were such great value as well (photo booth, candle treatment, ROLLS ROYCE!, video/visual creation, furniture). Spencer is so great to work with - responsive, professional, totally chill. Just wants you to have the best time. And we did. If you're looking for modern, industrial, or just a great freaking party - this place is definitely for you. read more

This review has seriously taken me some time to do. Why should it? The space is perfect, the owner is amazing, and everything was beyond what I could expect. Sometime it's just hard to find the words actually! So my company reached out to Spencer for an upscale gala involving a charity, needless to say the planning on my part was going on for months. But this space has everything you could possibly imagine! We had two separate bands for the night, which the AV was ON POINT! They even provide a DJ if you want music and a dance floor to end your festivities with, which we gladly did. Our company and sponsors had many logos, but Spencer incorporated them throughout the space including the photo booth, tv and projectors. We went through a series of interviews with catering company because of our budget, but every single one has worked with Ovation before and were so glad to be delivering, so you know it will be easy to plan your event here! What more can I say? He's extremely easy to work with, returns my bizillion last minute emails, and knows his stuff for sure! I can't say enough about Ovation and Spencer alone, and I truly can't wait to plan our next event here. This space is one of a kind, and if you're thinking of a wedding, a corporate event, or even a small gathering, this space has your needs! I'm very thankful our black tie gala was held here, I wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else! read more

I can not say enough how perfect our day was and so much of that was because of Spencer and his team! Not only is the space beautiful and sound quality amazing, but Spencer and his team are truly one of a kind! The day was so special, fun and joyful. Spencer is such a warm and calming presence and is so attentive to detail- from working the curtains, suggesting the best location for speeches and layout of tables, to having old videos playing during the dancing. They have really thought of everything! It was raining the day of our wedding, and the team was there to greet guests with umbrellas when they arrived- how thoughtful! The set up and transitions throughout were flawless and every continued to comment on how much they loved the Rolls Royce, unique tables, and digital designs- and how can I forget the photo booth! Not only is Ovation staffed with amazing, caring, and attentive people, but they are also so talented! Ryan was our DJ(and I am sure the entire team is amazing!) and at one point my sister came up to me and said, I don't have time to sit down because every song is a "banger." We loved working with Ryan and he even set up time to meet with us as well prior to the big day and walked through how things would be set up. He is so passionate about music and so great at getting everyone out on the dance floor. Leading up to the big day, Spencer was so responsive to emails, let my mom come and see the place, sent us a great survey to fill out to help prepare for the day, set up a final walk through with us and the cater to help organize the day. When he asked us about how we wanted the ceremony and speeches to go, we said we weren't sure and he was so willing to help out! One more thing I thought was really nice was Spencer texted us the morning of our wedding ensuring us everything would go great and to let us know if we needed anything extra. Small, but I just feel like it emphasizing how much the Ovation team really values their clients and loves what they do. We can not thank Spencer and his team enough for such an amazing day! The space is beautiful, sound system amazing, and the people working there are wonderful, caring, and know how to keep the party going! We feel so lucky to have met them. You will not be able to find a better place for your wedding or any other event. read more

This is such a lovely event venue and has a cute industrial chic theme. There's also a nice little room upstairs to store items or get ready for events. read more

We couldn't praise Ovation and the team there more -- we've been raving about Ovation since we decided to have our wedding there, and now that the day is behind us, we still talk about the space and working with Spencer every chance we get. Spencer was helpful from the moment we walked in the door to look at Ovation for our wedding reception to the end of the evening on our wedding day. We ended up changing the date of our wedding just to have it at Ovation, and it was one of the best decisions we made. Spencer has completely figured this business out, and he was a total pleasure to work with. The space is beautiful and conducive to both an elegant sit down dinner and the dance party of a lifetime. Spencer and his team are so responsive and reliable, and we were completely at ease going into the day because we knew they'd make sure all went smoothly -- and it did. Only wish we could do it all over again because it was the perfect place to celebrate the happiest day of our lives. read more

This review is long overdue, but life moves fast. My wife and I had our wedding at Ovation in September 2018 and I can't speak highly enough about Spencer, the event space and our entire experience. We knew the style of venue we were looking for, but kept running into the same problem - cost. Chicago weddings are expensive - we knew that - but the restrictions on the vendors you can use and the prices those vendors charge really add up. We stumbled across Ovation - at the time there weren't too many reviews on it - and decided to take a look. We knew right away this was where we would get married. Being able to pick your vendors is a huge luxury. Spencer stayed in contact throughout the process, provided feedback on the vendors we wanted to use and really made us feel comfortable during a stressful time. Our guests loved our wedding - my mom still gets compliments over a year later - and everything turned out perfectly. If I could give Ovation 10 stars, I would! read more

There are just not enough superlatives for Spencer, his team, and his venue. My husband and I had our wedding ceremony and reception at Ovation last weekend--what an incredible experience from start to finish! It exceeded my very high expectations, which, if you know me, is not easy to do. I'll start with the space. The pictures on Ovation's website do not do it justice. It is gorgeous, light-filled, warm, and spacious. Guests commented on the amazingness of the space throughout the night and continue to do so post-wedding. Unlike other wedding venues in Chicago, you get SO MUCH bang for your buck with Ovation. Included in the price are a photo booth, a killer DJ from StyleMatters, beautiful tables and chairs, lights, candles, a Rolls Royce ride, and much, much more. Unlike so many other wedding venues in Chicago, you do not need to "dress up" Ovation. It's perfect just as it is. Ovation is 100% geared towards making your event as hassle-free and fun as possible. And that starts with Spencer. Spencer just gets this wedding thing. He has great ideas, but is not pushy in any way; he's incredibly responsive; and he's tremendously detailed-oriented in contrast to most of the other people I worked with through the wedding process. Most of all, Spencer dispenses with all of the wedding industrial complex nonsense, which is so refreshing. He lets you bring in your own alcohol. He lets you choose your own caterers. All of this makes having the event YOU want a breeze. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the sound system and the DJ. Our guests were on the dance floor, having a blast, all night long. We were having so much fun that we extended the evening about a half hour (for free, of course, thanks to Spencer). After the wedding, our guests--many of whom are seasoned wedding pros!--got in touch with us to tell us it was the best music they had ever heard at a wedding. Ryan, our DJ, rocked the house. I could go on for hours about Ovation. Suffice it to say, it was the best night of our lives, our guests absolutely loved the party, and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat. If there's any justice in the world, Ovation will be booked solid for years to come. Get on the Ovation train while you still can! read more

Choosing Ovation and Style Matters for our wedding venue and DJ was the best decision we made! Neither us nor our guests could get over how great a space it was and how fabulous a party they threw. Spencer was incredibly easy to work with, laid back, responsive, and on board with our vision. The space accommodated all our needs, and had everything we were looking for. From the large open layout to the photo booth to the included DJ/musician to the antique escort car, Ovation is really a stellar venue and easily surpasses a lot of others we considered. Additionally, if you're not looking for super intricate and fancy decor, they offer a simple candle treatment that, combined with the cool furniture and suave style already there, really brings the place to life without you needing to add a lot to it. When it came to the music, Style Matters takes things seriously. They really want to get to know you, your guests, and your music tastes before the big day. You answer a lot of questions and then they recommend a specific DJ based on your preferences - it made us feel very special and taken care of. We matched with Duke and he ROCKED! It was easy to connect with him, and we had a great time grabbing a drink and talking all about what we were looking for. To some extent, we weren't sure what we wanted and Duke had a lot of suggestions and questions to ask to guide us through the process. We asked him for recommendations for certain pieces of the ceremony and his thoughts were on point. We both felt like the music at our wedding was spectacular and we got so many compliments! He was great at feeling the vibe of the room and keeping people on the dance floor. All in all, we will continue recommending Ovation and Style Matters til the cows come home. We could not have been happier, and feel like our wedding had so much extra flair and pizzazz thanks to these folks! read more

From the moment my husband and I decided to get married at Ovation, we received constant reminders from everywhere that it was one of the best decisions regarding our wedding we had made! Ovation came highly recommended to me by a friend in the industry. From the second I walked in, I knew it was going to be a top contender. The space was gorgeous, there was a ton of street parking (something every real Chicagoan looks at), the long wood tables were stunning, the windows, and then of course, the cherry on top - Spencer. Your wedding is a one time thing and the people involved make all the difference. I had a feeling that Spencer was "our guy" from the second I met him. He was laid back, crazy positive, easy, and smart. Feeling pretty sure this was our spot, I leave the venue and barely walk a few feet without a gelato vendor (who shall remain nameless) turning the corner and saying "I hate to put you on the spot but I overheard some of your conversation and I cannot let you leave this venue without telling you that it's the coolest and you won't regret working with Spencer." Needless to say, a combination of our gut feeling, our friendly gelato vendor, and a slew of 5 star yelp reviews, caused us to decide on Ovation. Our anniversary is new years eve and despite Spencer and team having a wedding to set up for that night, he let us come in and show our family the space because the day was symbolic to us. The Ovation crew let us show off the space to our friends and family a multitude of times (more than we should have asked for) and answered any question we had within minutes. They made all of the logistics easy, they had recommendations for anything we needed without forcing it down our throats and they earned themselves quite a reputation amongst vendors a la "You're getting married at Ovation, that's such a good choice, we LOVE working with them!" Earlier this year, I became one of those vendors. I has the pleasure of photographing a wedding at Ovation and it was magical. The bride and groom were so happy. I got to see first hand just how easy it was to get married there. Everything was seamless. The Ovation team was comprised of people smiling from ear to ear, the DJ was hype, the Rolls was shiny and perfect... Flash forward to the week before our wedding where Spencer and crew organized a DJ showcase at Ovation (Oh yea guys, you get an amazing DJ from a long list of talent at Style Matters INCLUDED in your venue rental) and invited all the couples getting married there or who had gotten married there already (in addition to the neighborhood and really anyone who wanted to enjoy). Since this was the week before our wedding we already had some friends in town and we decided to go. We got to see our DJ (WHATTTTUP ANDREW PASCALE WE LOVE YOUUUU) play a full set in his environment which was such a treat! He was on fire. He was so good, he made time to come talk to us and ask us how we felt about what he played. We were able to see the whole team support each other, dance to each other's tracks, interact with each other's families. IT WAS THE BEST. It was the coolest way to kick off our wedding week and just made us all the more positive we were going to have the best day ever. Spencer told us very early on he would not be able to work our wedding because of the holiday weekend tradition (on Sunday) he has with his family. We totally understood but were understandably a little sad. Let me tell you guys, if this happens to you, you are still in INCREDIBLE HANDS. Brian was amazing on our wedding day. He was perfectly on time to pick us up in the Rolls Royce (!!). He was so friendly and helped our photographer find a perfect spot for photos. He even helped shake all the leaves out of my veil that had gotten stuck all with a huge smile on his face as if that was his full time job. He helped gather my GIGANTIC bridal party and allowed me stay hidden as guests started to arrive. He was perfect. He checked on us just the right amount of times and even turned the Photo Booth back on well after the party was over just because my sister didn't take a picture with me. As if you need more reason, here is the last piece of the puzzle. Despite Spencer having family commitments, he STILL made time to stop by our wedding that night just to make sure we were okay and give us a hug. WHAT? You guys..that right there is what makes Ovation different than anywhere else. They truly care about their clients. Book it now. You will have zero regrets. Thank you Spencer, Brian, and team Ovation for making our wedding the best day ever!!! read more

I am so glad we chose to have our annual fundraiser at Ovation. Spencer was great to work with, as was all the staff. The venue is beautiful, and we received nothing but compliments on how lovely it is and how lucky we were to find it. The rates for nonprofits are also extremely reasonable and include a lot more than some other venues. I recommend them to anyone throwing a fundraiser. read more

Brides, grooms, stop your search here. You've arrived. You can't get any better than Ovation. The best part about planning your wedding with Ovation are the people. Spencer and his team know their stuff, are quick to respond (like, literally, we were shocked that we often had a reply to a pressing question within minutes), and are just a lot of fun to work with. It's easy to get stressed out planning your wedding - catering, rentals, photographer, etc.. and Ovation not only gave us solid referrals, they helped us coordinate with our other vendors to make sure everything came together. (Nate's wife here -- as a bride who was nervous all the planning would ultimately come together as I envisioned -- let me tell you -- it was WAY better than I expected.) Plus, Spencer and his team are real, genuine people. It wasn't just about an event or a contract - they got to know us, helped us display our personalities through our wedding, and even calmed us down during small freak-outs. Other reviews here have said it, and it's so true. Ovation is your one-stop for so many items on your wedding wish-list (and they're all so, so well done). DJ, Photo-booth, Just Married car, a whole lot is wrapped up into one contract. Oh, I haven't even mentioned the space itself yet. Not only is it unique in character, it's been washed of a lot of the traditional, stuffy feeling venue styles. It flips from ceremony to reception easily and comfortably for the guests, and of course, a space designed by musicians has incredible acoustics and dance floor. We could go on - but rather than continuing to read this, just call Spencer and his team. Now. Seriously. read more

Amazing venue for a wedding we just attended. From the open air feel to the expansive communal tables, these and many other unique touches set this apart from the average main stream banquet halls and wedding spots. read more

I am so happy I chose Ovation for my wedding, it has lots to offer! Our wedding party started as a small intimate gathering by the bar, and then opened to a large dining space with up lights and candle treatment. The big screens played our wedding story pictures , the sounds by Style Matters DJ John Simmons were awesome, and street parking was easily available for guests. The transition between cocktail hour, dinner and dancing was smooth. The photo booth was very popular, and guests raved about the look and comfort of the space and lounge furniture. The amenities included in the wedding package really set Ovation apart from any other venue in the area. Working with Spencer was simple, he's very honest and straightforward. There were no surprises regarding terms or services and he was very quick to respond to inquiries. I had a lovely time celebrating my special day here, you will too! read more

Hands down one of the best event venues in Chicago. We had the privilege of tying the knot at Ovation in March of 2016, and everything about the place and staff exceeded our expectations. We received tons of compliments on the space. It was the first of many places that we researched around Chicago, and we ended up choosing Ovation for many reasons. First of all, the rental cost includes beautiful wooden tables, cool looking high boys and couches, an in-house photo booth, a ride in a super cool 1959 Rolls Royce, and the most banging sound Void system you can imagine. If you compare Ovation to its competitors, you will notice most of them don't provide these amenities; this alleviates some of the cost and stress because there are fewer components to coordinate. On top of the physical features, Spencer and his team were a dream to work with. They don't restrict your vendors, your times, or your music. Most venues have a set list of vendors, times, and you need to bring in your own entertainment. Ovation provided us with a West Fest Legend - DJ John Simmons - and his services were also included in the rental price, which is so nice. This guy kept our dance floor full all night. Our guests loved the music - it was such a blast. On top of all that, Spencer really went the extra mile to make our special day extra special. He didn't stop at having an amazing venue. He provided custom slide shows, music videos, graphic designs, off-roading in a Rolls Royce, staying open late, and an extra special message from one of our favorite celebrities. It just didn't stop. We were so impressed by his attention to detail and flexibility. If we had one complaint about Ovation, it is that we can only get married there once - we wish we could party with Spencer and his team every weekend! We would like to give Ovation a standing ovation for the love and hospitality they shared with us (yep, we went there!). Definitely check this place out for your next event. read more

On September 13th, 2014 we got the privilege of being the very first event that Ovation hosted. We had originally booked a different venue for our wedding, but they lost their license and we had to scramble to find a new venue. Our wedding planner had worked with Spencer and his DJ company before and put us in touch to see his brand new venue he was building (Ovation). We came in when it was still a rough space with cracked concrete slabs and no walls. We were a bit taken back, but when Spencer started to explain his vision for the space we were in immediately. Spencer was awesome to work with giving us updates at all times with what was going on in construction and new ideas he kept having for the venue. He always asked our opinions as well because he truly cared that we would have a great experience and day. He was extremely accommodating to our requests and questions and helping us come up with how the day would go. As for the venue itself....WOW! We were blown away by the finished product. From the beautiful polished concrete floors, glass walls, rustic/industrial decor, it was everything we could have asked for. Spencer and his wife DJ'd the whole night and nobody left the dance floor, it was packed from the time it opened, until it was time to go. They were able to feel out the crowd and kept them engaged all night. We looked at a dozen or so venues and nothing came close to what Ovation is or what they include. You get the DJ, tables, chairs, couches, photobooth, pipe and drape, grand piano, and a 1959 Rolls Royce to chauffeur you to and from. Even though we lost our other venue and our money on that, we still walked away seeing Ovation as a tremendous value. I would, and have, recommended Spencer and Ovation to everyone looking for a great, unique venue space. We're extremely lucky that we found Ovation and can say that we helped kick off this great venue! read more

It has been difficult for me to get started on this review, because I feel there is SO much I want to say, and just too many overwhelmingly wonderful emotions that go with it! Ovation. Is. EVERYTHING. My husband and I looked at only one venue before Ovation, and as soon as we walked into the space, we knew it was perfect for us. We met with Spencer (the owner of Ovation) and couldn't help ourselves from gushing with glee. The size was perfect for our 150-200 projected guest count. The refurbished wood floors, high ceiling, stunning ceiling joist architecture/skylight extending through the center of the space, a 20' wood bar, state of the art speaker system, I could go on and on and on. We booked the venue immediately and everything from that moment fell perfectly into place. Spencer and his team were not only some of the most capable, communicative, accommodating people I've ever worked alongside, but even more importantly, they had the best positive energy and made every meeting and interaction feel productive, fun, positive and hopeful. They all "got it" - every question or concern I had multiple immediate solutions, they had previously worked with almost every single vendor I hired (from catering, to lighting, to my day of coordinator), which made everything feel seamless. They left me feeling like I was in the best hands possible. And they did not disappoint. Our ceremony and reception were 100% perfect. They had everything under control the entire time, and I was fully able to enjoy every moment of the day. As a designer, I was very particular about how I wanted everything to look; from the TV screens, projection images, layout, etc; and they nailed everything to a T. All while having fun and keeping things feeling relaxed. The vibe was perfect. The aesthetic was perfect. I just wish I could live it all again. One final note, because it's super important: the DJ we worked with (through the venue) was amazing. We had most people telling us after the reception that that was by far, the BEST DJ they had ever experienced. And we fully agree. He (Max) knew exactly what to play and fed off the vibe of the crowd perfectly. It was a hell of a dance party and the energy just kept building. He helped take both our tastes in music and wove them together to create the ultimate party playlist. It was absolutely the best party I've ever been to! I wish I could work with Ovation (and most importantly, with the people who worked there!) over and over again. I would recommend Ovation to anyone and everyone. read more

I'm writing this review a bit late as my wife and I have been out on our honeymoon and otherwise just being married people since our wedding, but I've wanted to do this for a while now and let everyone know what a great experience it is having an event at Ovation. First of all, the venue is amazing. The pictures on the website were great, but seeing it in person they don't even do it justice. From the custom speakers (sound was amazing) to the private green room where the wedding party could escape the madness to the way the ceremony space seamlessly converted into a dining room during cocktail hour, Spencer and the team at Ovation thought of every detail. Every caterer/decor company/wedding planner/florist/etc. that we talked to raved about events they'd done at Ovation - the venue is set up specifically for these kinds of events and it really does make everything very easy. On the day of the wedding everything was set up perfectly. My wife is in the events design industry and her standards were exacting, but they met every single one of them. Everything was in it's place and ready to go without a hitch. A good looking venue is just part of the package, however, and where Ovation really shines is with their service. Spencer worked with us the whole way, always responding to our questions and requests quickly and meeting with us multiple times to go over the details. He was even there the night of the wedding to make sure that everything went smoothly, and he along with his professional crew ran the show effortlessly. The best part of any wedding (in my opinion) is the dance party, and Dustin, our DJ, was incredible. Very early on in the party I remember looking back at the tables where dinner had been served and there was not a single person sitting down - every single person was on the dance floor. People raved about the music starting from cocktail hour through to dinner and obviously during the main dance party. I had so many people ask me how we found our DJ and the answer was easy - we didn't have to! All we had to do was fill out a simple form describing the type of party we were looking for and Spencer was able find the perfect DJ from the very capable crew at Style Matters. He hit the nail on the head with Dustin, and we were very excited when Spencer offered to get up there and DJ alongside him. It was clear they were both having a blast and were really into it, which translated into getting everyone up on their feet and having a great time. Just to be clear, these are not those "DJ's" that show up to weddings and plug in an iPod. These guys are high energy, mixing tunes on the spot, and it really makes a difference. Here's an example - at one point I remember hearing Toto's Africa being mixed with Nelly's Ride With Me. It sounds kinda weird but I didn't think much of it because frankly it was awesome and the crowd loved it. I figured it was something they'd done before, knew to be a crowd pleaser, and that was it. Then about a week later I'm talking to one of my friends and he tells me about how his wife had requested Toto at one point and he had jokingly asked them to mix it with Nelly. And they did. And it worked. Beautifully. I am in awe - Dustin, Spencer, you guys killed it. Overall I don't think I would change a thing holding our wedding at Ovation. They made what could have been a hectic day a breeze (at least I thought so, I think my wife would agree?) and our guests couldn't stop raving about it all. Oh, and I almost forgot about the Rolls-Royce, another one of Ovation's countless small touches. Arriving in a Rolls is so choice, if you have the means I highly recommend it. Seriously though, it was pretty sweet and made for some great pictures. There's tons of other great stuff about Ovation, like the photo booth, the engagement photo slide show put together by their in-house graphic design team, etc., but seriously if you're still reading this lengthy review just stop and book your event at Ovation. You won't regret it. read more

Just went to a friend's wedding here this past weekend! It was beautiful but most of all the staff was so incredibly friendly and welcoming! Awesome customer service! Good job guys! read more

My husband and I had a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception on July 4, 2015 at Ovation. This gorgeous, newly renovated, light-filled, industrial space is fully loaded with everything you could ever need (custom wood dining tables, vintage tolix chairs, a custom photobooth, video wall, candles, 1959 Rolls Royce, on-site parking) All you need is a caterer, a florist, a photographer, and an officiant and you have an amazing wedding on your hands without the hassle of renting your own chairs, tables, and having to go nuts with décor. My husband is a DJ, so the Void sound system and DJ were the most important details on his list to throw an amazing party (both are also included when you book the space). We were also pleasantly surprised to find out that we could get custom-designed graphics to display our seating chart on the projector wall (right behind the dinner buffet) and "welcome graphics" that matched our style (they integrated the album covers from our ceremony music into the design which was really special). A little bit about our day.... We had a short and sweet flower-filled evening ceremony (florist Cornelia McNamara) and Hearty Boy's Urban BBQ for dinner. After dinner we left for a photo-shoot in the neighborhood and were chauffeured around in the Rolls Royce with our wedding photographer, Jenn Schaffer. We got some really cool photographs in front of local graffiti art, one near the train with a panoramic Chicago skyline in the background, and the Rolls was a nice photo-shoot prop as well! We moved the party over to the bar/DJ area around 8pm just as the sunset. We really wanted a speak-easy vibe and to have a more intimate setting, so we used the drapes to close off the dinner area for the second half of the night. We had 50s-60s classic movies playing on the videowall. Spencer completely handled the movie set-up for us. He even downloaded the movies! The last thing we wanted on our wedding day was to worry about a million moving parts, but at the same time we wanted our wedding to feel modern, urban, cool, and for our guests to have a memorable experience. We found the perfect balance at Ovation. The place is fully loaded, which greatly streamlined the wedding planning process. Spencer and his team have so much pride in the work they do and will go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure your wedding is perfect. We can't thank Spencer enough for all he did! Make the wedding planning process a little easier on yourself and book Ovation! read more

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We recently held our wedding reception here (Nov. 1, 2014) for 150 people. This place is awesome. We held a cocktail reception, dinner, and then dancing; it was perfect. Not only was this place a great space but they saved us money on rentals with our catering. They have beautiful wood tables and metal chairs that need no decoration. They also had the Rolls Royce which picked us up from the wedding to take us to the reception and then took us home at the end of the night: included with the space. Such a bonus! And Spencer's awesome dad drove us around! 1) The bar was huge, plenty of space so that our guests weren't crowding to get drinks, 2) the dancing space was perfect and large, 3) the photo booth was a huge hit, 4) they had security which was nice to have, and 5) they have a space above that's away from everything that you can go to and relax. This was the perfect space for our event. Spencer is so easy to work with, we could not have asked for anything better. Everyone that works with Spencer is so nice! We never felt pressured to do anything and they were so flexible. We only saw the space before it was finished, but it came together wonderfully. It's already such a beautiful space, there's almost no need for decorations. Our guests commented on what an awesome space it was throughout the night! We cannot give this place enough accolades. They have done such a great job with this space. We are so grateful that we were able to have our reception here and would, and already have, recommend this place to anyone looking to have an event! read more

We had our wedding at Ovation in October and it was absolutely perfect! Spencer and Brian were great to work with and made everything run so smoothly- they were always so on top of all of my emails and questions, and helped the whole night run smoothly. The venue itself is so easy to work with and looks absolutely beautiful- I can't say enough good things about having a wedding here and would highly recommend it! read more

Ovation is the absolute best venue in Chicago. Period. Spencer Lokken is the most creative, flexible, responsive venue owner we have ever met. I researched hundreds (that is not a lie) of venues in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs of Chicago, and we met numerous venue owners and saw tons of venues. Ovation is such a unique venue. As soon as we stepped foot into Ovation, we knew that it was the place for our wedding. We wanted a very different, industrial loft type venue that would embody the Chicago feel we wanted our guests to experience. The exposed brick, high ceilings and large windows letting in daylight make this space so cool. Everything is so carefully laid out and designed. The rental fee for Ovation is not just for the space (which, in Chicago, is not very common). Just glancing at the price of the venue, it seems like a lot; however, when you factor in the things that are included, you really cannot beat the price. Access to a grand piano, a ride in a Rolls Royce, an old school photo booth, gorgeous wooden farm tables and industrial chairs, votive candle treatment, state of the art sound system, and a DJ through the company Style Matters is all included in the price. Ovation does not have an approved caterer list so you can choose any caterer you would like. This is huge, especially in Chicago where the caterers are extremely expensive. Spencer truly wants your wedding to be a reflection of you, but he also is conscious that many people have budgets. This was a huge plus. While we ended up not having the best experience with the caterer we chose, it was still nice to be able to have the flexibility to choose any caterer we wanted. Spencer and the Ovation team went above and beyond to make our wedding day perfect. I cannot say any more amazing things about this venue and Spencer. If you are looking for the perfect venue for your wedding, look no further than Ovation. read more

What a beautiful venue for a very special day. My cousin held her mixed faith ceremony and reception here and it truly accommodated the event well. Space was clean and big and beautiful. Parking wasn't too much of a hassle given city location. read more

I attended a NYE party at Ovation and I was very impressed with my experience. I did not expect such an elegant space from a warehouse. I have to also give props to Max, the main DJ for the night from Ovation, who was in tune to the crowd's demographic and played the perfect mix of classics and top 40. I have yet to find somebody less than impressed with the mix. I would definitely consider Ovation for a wedding or future events. read more

When we first started looking for a venue, Ovation was filtered out based on what I thought I wanted to pay. HOWEVER, don't be fooled by every other location! The other ones we saw only included the brick and mortar building itself, and rarely anything that was inside. One place even wanted to charge us extra for the couches that they already had in the place! Ovation includes their furniture and so much more - things that I didn't want to deal with coordinating, things that were on my wishlist but I probably would not have gotten, tiny details that I would not have noticed, and on and on. 1. Photobooth. Obviously an amazing perk - prints two copies, and Spencer sends you soft copies as well! 2. DJ included. Choose from their wide array - Spencer helped us pick Rio, and he definitely pulled it off, especially since we requested 90s grunge/alternative during cocktail hour, indie rock during dinner, and top 40/dance music. Every choice was fulfilled. 3. Tables and chairs. I don't know if you've done your research, but you have to pick tables and chairs?! when you have an empty venue. Ovation provides this, and they provide NICE ones. If you look for those chairs on any rental, I think they're at least $15 a piece just to RENT. Also, if you're like me, you don't want to make little decisions. 4. Ride in the rolls. Spencer picked us up and brought us to the venue - and he was dressed all dapper, too, perfect for photos! 5. The bar. This was a huge selling point for me. Everywhere else uses rickety rolling carts or folding tables. They have a built in, substantial, beautiful bar. 6. Slideshow, video, etc. Spencer could tell that I was not about to actually get a slideshow done, so he let me provide him with all the photos, and he made a slideshow and also provided amazing video material on the 4 giant TVs they have. I didn't even notice, but our friends told me it was an amazing detail! I'm sure there's more, but these are the main things that made it for me! Everything looked so beautiful, and it was largely because of Ovation (and our amazing caterer, the Caterist). I would almost do it all over again! read more

Working with Spencer at Ovation was truly a pleasant experience. They are professional and helpful. The space is stunning, with its reclaimed wood and open concept. I chose this space for our non-for profit's largest fundraiser of the year. At every meeting with Spencer he was on his a game and very helpful. He was courteous to our staff volunteers and to our caterer. The space has everything you need: A built-in bar, high tops with stools, dining tables with chairs, DJ booth with an amazing European sound system, lighting, curtains to divide the room, video screens, Photo Booth, seating vignettes, baby grand piano, very nice washrooms, a large bright and clean caterers kitchen with easy load in, and a private changing area. An added bonus is that there is plenty of free street parking by the venue. This space books up fast, and with good reason. I highly recommend this venue and would not hesitate to hold another event here. Our guests raved about this venue. It's a hidden gem that won't stay hidden for long. read more

Our wedding day was absolutely perfect thanks to the fantastic team at Ovation. Riding to the venue in a Rolls Royce made me feel like a movie star. The ceremony was beautiful with a backdrop of exposed brick and sunlight. And when they flipped the room and the curtains were drawn for dinner... There was an audible gasp from the entire room. After dinner, the dance floor was NEVER EMPTY. Our biggest request was to keep everyone dancing, and Spencer went above and beyond our expectations! The details throughout the night really made everything so special. The bridal room upstairs was wonderful for a moment with my new husband after the ceremony. The tables are so beautiful that we didn't even need to rent tablecloths (and wouldn't have wanted to cover them up!). The photo booth was so much fun that night and we have such a memorable guest book. Months after our wedding we still have friends and family telling how much they loved our venue. Spencer and his team (family) are such genuinely caring people who truly have their clients' best interests at heart, and who know how to throw a really amazing party! read more

You can tell this venue was designed by "someone in the biz" - it has so many bells and whistles that can start to add up if you aren't paying close attention to "hidden costs" at the beginning of budgeting for your wedding and event. Gorgeous tables and chairs, custom drapes (pipe and drape is expensive if you need to add it to an existing venue to separate a space!), all the built in sound and AV, the photo booth... even a vintage car. This is really a "one stop shop" that can take the guess work out of planning an event in a "raw space" - lots of bang for your buck, and Spencer is super flexible to work with... would give it 6 stars if I could. read more