My wife and I were married here on April 12th 2026 and it was the best day of our lives. Walden was an absolutely major contributor to the best day of our lives. Oh and by the way, it was the 2nd wedding we planned. Our original plan was having a wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in April, but due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel ~50 days out and plan a whole new wedding. Walden saved us, especially our wedding planners, Sydni and Katie-Rose. The venue was empathetic to our situation and they were so prepared to take on the challenge and help us get a new wedding planned from scratch. From the start, we felt so comfortable and knew that we were going to pull it off and still throw the wedding of our dreams despite our circumstance. The communication was open, and regular. Walden put us in touch with all sorts of vendors. They allowed my wife and I to consider our options, while keeping us on a tight schedule. All of our vendors expressed positive notes and experiences with Walden. Both spaces, the ceremony area, and the reception/cocktail area are beautiful spaces that give any couple an open canvas to design their dream wedding. That's exactly what we got. Our guests loved the ceremony, they loved the space, they loved the giant bar, they loved the incredible drinks, and they ESPECIALLY loved the food. I will recommend any engaged couple or a couple interested in renewing their vows to host their event at Walden. Ask for Sydni and/or Katie-Rose and your visions will come true! read more

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10/10!!! If we could get married 10 times over again, we would be at Walden 10 times more. Walden was the most perfect wedding venue from start to finish. The main thing that we were looking for in a venue was an all inclusive vibe that would allow for as little planning and stress as possible, as neither of us were really into the whole wedding planning thing. Walden was just that. The wedding planners that you work with from the beginning, make it so easy to stay on track. the app that they use was super helpful to make sure that everything was organized and things are done according to the best timeline. We never once felt stressed out about the whole wedding planning process and that really says a lot about Walden and how great they are. Big shout out to Krystle and Alyssa for making the process so seamless and making sure we were supported. The other important piece of criteria that we wanted was on site catering so that our guests would have the best experience from a food perspective. The food was phenomenal! Our guests raved about how great it was, saying it was the best wedding food they've ever had. The bar was the best wedding bar I've ever seen. The drink selection was on point, with amazing cocktails and the bar staff was incredible. A huge shout out to bartender Amy, who made sure that both of us had drinks in our hand the entire night! Walden is so thoughtful in their entire approach from making sure you are taken care of months before the wedding, to the day of the wedding, giving you space to have a cocktail, appetizer, and a breather before the party starts! We are obsessed with this venue and we really hope that one day we get invited back to someone else's wedding there so we can relive the wonderful experience that we had! read more

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If you're looking for an incredible all-inclusive wedding experience in Chicago, this is your place. My husband and I are always a bit stressed out about planning events, especially something as big and important as a wedding, but the entire team makes it so easy and seamless. A few things that stand out: First, the in-house food and beverage! Everything is delicious, and many told us the food was the best wedding food they've ever had. The team is great too - they put on a tasting party for the spring couples, where we were able to not only pick out our menu but also the cocktails. They were super sweet and accommodated a couple of goofy requests from my dad to make the cocktails extra special. That kindness and attention to detail went a long way. Second, the space! It was a dream. There is a gorgeous ceremony space upstairs, along with a bridal getting ready suite (which is a lifesaver, so you don't need to get a hotel), and just downstairs is the reception area. The space is beautiful as is but they work with you to make any additions that you like in terms of lighting and decor. The layout keeps it super easy for guests and the couple! Last but not least, THE PLANNING TEAM! This wedding wouldn't have happened without them, and I want to give a special shoutout to Krystle, Ally, and Alyssa, who were on this journey with us from day 1. They helped us pick out vendors, make decisions, and keep everything organized and moving and grooving. They were so kind, patient, and thoughtful throughout, and many of our guests commented on how attentive they were on the big day. The last thing I'll say is that the true testament of a great experience is a referral, and I already have a friend who booked Walden for her wedding next year. :) I can't wait to come back! read more

Highly Recommend! Everyone we worked with was phenomenal and made our wedding everything we wanted! So many compliments on food and drinks. Briscel made our lives easy and was amazing from day 1! read more

Choosing the Walden as our wedding venue and planning team was truly the best decision we made during the entire wedding process. My husband, Eric, and I were married there in December 2025, and the experience was nothing short of magical--effortless for us as a couple. After touring several venues in Chicago, we instantly knew Walden was the perfect place for us. With our busy work schedules, it was essential to find a venue and planning team that could streamline the process while still providing exceptional and top-line service. Unlike many other venues that required us to bring in everything from catering to bar service, Walden made it easy, especially for a winter wedding. Having attended numerous weddings, we understood that food, bar service, and overall flow are crucial to the guest experience. Walden exceeded our expectations in every way! We're still receiving compliments about the incredible food and bar service, and how much fun our guests had (too much fun)! Trust me, the food and bar package is not over-hyped - it is truly on par with Chicago's top restaurants. The venue itself is beautifully designed for weddings--every detail, from the getting-ready suites to the stunning bar and open layout, is thoughtfully designed to make sure you and your guests have the best experience. And I cannot say enough about the planning team. Working with Briscel, Kalila, Ally, and Sydni was amazing. They brought our vision to life in a way that felt uniquely "us," rather than standard or cookie-cutter. Their talent, responsiveness, organization, and proactive approach made everything effortless. From recommending top-tier vendors to coordinating every detail (including support for our church ceremony), they were with us every step of the way. One of my biggest concerns was whether I would be able to genuinely relax and enjoy our wedding day. Thanks to the entire Walden team, I didn't have to worry about a single detail. Everything ran flawlessly, allowing us to be fully present and cherish every moment. We truly had the most perfect wedding weekend, and I can confidently say it wouldn't have been possible without the wonderful team at the Walden. They exceeded every expectation and gave us the best day of our lives. We are endlessly grateful! If you're considering a wedding venue, we wholeheartedly recommend Walden--you won't regret it! read more

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From the very first moment we toured Walden, I knew it was something special--but what makes this venue truly extraordinary goes far beyond the gorgeous space. Walden makes you feel like so much more than just another couple on their calendar. You're paired with a full team of planners who take the time to know you, your partner, your vision, and your personalities. They don't just plan weddings--they guide, educate, and empower you so that every decision feels thoughtful and intentional. I instantly connected with my planners, Briscel and Ally, who brought honesty, positivity, and energy into every meeting. Planning a wedding is a huge investment--financially and emotionally--and I always felt they were on my side, offering both creativity and candor in equal measure. On the wedding day itself, Jessica and Sydney carried that same spirit through every detail, and I have never felt so supported. It truly felt like being wrapped in a big hug from beginning to end. The venue itself is stunning, but what makes it shine is the pride every single team member takes in their work. From the chefs to the bartenders to the coordinators, everyone shows up in a way that feels deeply personal. This is not "just another event" to them--you can feel their dedication to making your day meaningful and unforgettable. As a former wedding planner myself, I cannot stress enough how vital it is to trust the people you surround yourself with on such an important day. Walden is that team. They balance professionalism with heart, and they deliver an experience that is elevated, seamless, and full of joy. The all-inclusive pricing is brilliant--you receive so much value without ever feeling like you're compromising. The food was outstanding (our guests are still raving about it), and the bar program is unmatched, with mixologists crafting cocktails that feel special and unique. The space itself is flexible, personalizable, and accessible (even my stepmother, who uses a wheelchair, moved comfortably throughout the venue). From the stunning bridal suite to the incredible tasting event--where you get to experience the food, meet vendors, and see the space fully dressed--Walden gives you the tools to build your own wedding adventure. Looking back, our wedding day feels like the most beautiful blur--a swirl of joy, gratitude, and love. I can't remember every moment, but I will always remember how I felt: supported, celebrated, and deeply cared for. For that, I will be forever grateful to the Walden team. If you're searching for a venue that combines beauty, intentionality, and an unparalleled level of service, I cannot imagine a better place than Walden. They didn't just host our wedding--they helped bring our dream to life with grace, conviction, and heart! read more

My wedding was almost three weeks ago! I haven't stopped thinking about the Walden. I would recommend this venue to EVERYONE!! For starters...the owner Maria took time BEFORE we even saw the venue to call me to introduce herself and tell me a little about the venue. She followed up a few days later. That costumer service alone sold me. I feel absolutly in love with the venue. The staff. I cannot say enough wonderful things about them. Included in the package are wedding planners. Sydni was my main girl. I will forever be so insanely greatful for her! She is by far the best wedding planner ever! I don't know how my wedding would have gone without her. Ally and Helen were my day of planners and they were beyond amazing!! The three of them were my dream team! As far as the food....I am still being told by family and guest that it was the BEST wedding food they ever had!!! I cannot recommend this place enough!! read more

You know you've picked an amazing venue when every single vendor you book responds with "you got the Walden!? I love the Walden!!" The Walden was easily one of the best choices we made when planning our wedding. They took care of all the little details, helped keep us organized and on track throughout planning, and made the day of the wedding run SO smoothly! Ally and Briscel did an excellent job supporting us throughout the process. The food and drinks are spectacular - got a lot of compliments from our friends and family! The value for money is also spot on with all that is included in the rental. I highly recommend this venue to any couple looking for a full service wedding venue and minimal headaches for wedding planning! read more

We couldn't be happier with our decision to work with The Walden, and having Kalila and Alyssa as part of our venue's planning package was invaluable. From the very beginning, they brought so much expertise, clarity, and calm to what can easily become a stressful process. They were incredibly organized and proactive, giving us gentle reminders along the way and laying out everything we needed to do months in advance through Basecamp (the project management tool used by The Walden) which made it easy to stay on track. Our event was a bit non-traditional, and the team was enthusiastic and flexible every step of the way. Whether it was skipping a ceremony or DIY-ing table decor with homegrown plants, they never made us feel like we had to fit a mold -- instead, they helped bring our unique vision to life. On the day of, the support was exceptional. The itinerary was extremely detailed, and the team coordinated with speakers, vendors, and staff to make sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. We had three coordinators staggered throughout the day who ensured everything ran smoothly and made sure we were well taken care of. The quality of the included elements (tables, chairs, and the base room decor, etc) was high, and every staff member we interacted with (planners, coordinators, coat check, bar, food service) was professional and warm. We received tons of compliments on the food -- it was delicious and the portions were generous. They also handled dietary restrictions exceptionally well, with clearly labeled passed apps, informed servers, and custom menu accommodations where needed. The bar continued this pattern. First of all, the physical bar is absolutely beautiful. The cocktails were a huge hit -- we were able to choose several signature drinks, a few draft cocktails, and then guests could request any other drinks to made to order. The non-alcoholic options were just as thoughtful - we had a signature N/A option, Matt made it clear than any of our signature options could be made without alcohol, and there were also N/A beer options. There was also a great selection of draft beers and wines - that we could customize based on our tastes. The bar was well-staffed, and guests rarely had to wait for a drink, which made everything feel more elevated. Taken together, the catering package seemed like it easily could have been that of a high-end restaurant. One underrated but hugely helpful feature was having a locker onsite the week of the event. We were able to drop everything off in advance and didn't need to think about it again until after the event -- a small thing that made a big difference in lowering stress. Overall, if you're considering this venue -- do it. The team truly elevates the experience, and we're so grateful for the care and professionalism they brought to every aspect of our event. read more

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Our wedding day was incredible and it wouldn't have been possible without the amazing Walden team - specifically Krystle and Briscel. We worked with Briscel throughout the planning process and she was our day-of coordinator as well. She brought the best vibes possible - I felt totally confident about every aspect of our day and her fun personality totally put me at ease. We received endless compliments on our wedding with people specifically calling out the space (and how nice it was to have everything in one location) as well as the food/bar. read more

Walden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I attended a wedding at the Walden this past weekend and it was amazing. Not only did the grooms rave about the process being seamless and actually fun-- but the drinks and food were spot on! The chicken and beef both were cooked to perfection, the cocktails were sublime and merlot was delish. Staff were professional and welcoming. The venue itself is uber convenient. A one spot shop-- upstairs for the ceremony, downstairs with a cocktail hour space and reception spot. It's bright and airy. The Walden is a phenomenal spot to host an event! Check it out. read more

Best venue and experience ever! My husband and I had our daughter's quinceanera at the Walden, last month in December, and it was a dream. Our planners, Briscel and Alyssa, were amazing from the start. I had so many ideas and they helped make everything come to fruition. They suggested vendors, reached out for quotes and kept contacts and dates organized which made the entire process fun and stress-free. On the day of the quince, Briscel, Alyssa and their team were there to assist all day. From the morning when everyone was getting ready, to the church mass, to the reception - it was such an amazing experience! The event space itself was breathtaking, food and drinks delicious and staff so accommodating. I would choose Walden again without hesitation and have already recommended them to many family and friends. We received so many compliments the day of, everyone was blown away by the venue and staff. And to top it all off, our daughter Mina was beyond happy. She loved everything and had a great time! Thank you Walden for making our daughter's quinceanera so perfect, it was a beautiful day and will forever be a beautiful memory for my family. read more

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I don't even know where to begin. As a former wedding photographer I found Walden while shooting a wedding years ago and was blown away by the space and service. When we got engaged they were the first venue I contacted for a tour and every single step along the way has reaffirmed that there's no team I would rather have for our wedding. Maria, the owner was so fantastic for the first walk through and all of the communication was thorough and quick. Matt, the bar manager was phenomenal and everyone raved about our welcome and signature drinks. He worked with us to come up with exactly what we wanted and they tasted phenomenal. Forever in love with our fall welcome drink and my Prickly Pear Mojito. Nick, the co-owner and head chef was SO prompt with his responses and the food was to die for. As a former wedding vendor I know wedding food is typically sub par and that was 90% of my deciding factor for where we booked. EVERYTHING is amazing. He even worked with us to do items off the menu with our request to bring in some of our culture. Loved every second of it and was so sad when I had to accept we're done with their cooking. The service team, literally all of them from start to finish were the most exceptional people I've encountered. So thorough, caring, and attentive. Never did I have to wait or wonder where anything was or what was happening next. They checked on us non stop and were always ready with another drink or hors d'oeuvre. Truly exceptional. Finally, to our two amazing planners. I don't have the words. Krystle and Alyssa MADE our day, week, year. Always ready to provide input, be a sounding board, and go the extra mile. Plus, they have incredible taste in music and hometowns lol. Just speechless with you two. All of our gratitude and love forever. All in all just absolutely exceptional. We are so sad our day is over but have been raving about you every minute since it started and will be for years to come. Everyone has been floored with the beauty you all created. THANK YOU! Lots of love, The Zdravev's read more

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Our December wedding at the Walden was truly a dream. From day 1, the team at the Walden made our wedding planning seamless and easy. We couldn't be more grateful to the ENTIRE team, but especially our lead planners Krystle Erler and Katie Pattillo for making our day everything we hoped for and more. We are still getting compliments from guests on the venue, service, food, and overall experience. Thank you to all at the Walden - you are excellent at your work! read more

We recently had our daughter's wedding at Walden. From day one the staff was very attentive and creative. They provided recommendations for music, flowers, photographer, hair and make up, linens, paper goods, desserts, and parking. The vendors we used were all outstanding! The day of was magic! The venue took care of everything so the families and bridal couple could just enjoy the day! The food, beverages, and service were outstanding!! A special shout out to Krystle and Katie for their months of planning and organizing. The day went off without any complications due to their attentiveness! Thank you for helping us create a truly memorable day! Joanne M. read more

My husband and I toured Walden back in 2022 and knew immediately this was where we were going to get married. The moment a table was pointed out to me and was told that "it is the perfect height so women in heels don't have to bend over to far" I knew we were in good hands. The planners and entire Walden team think about every single little detail that you wouldn't even think to think about when planning your wedding. Everything is done with intent and the planning team does a wonderful job of getting to know you and your personality. Our planners Briscel and Alyssa were nothing short of exceptional. They made us feel reassured and confident in every decision we made along the way. They were completely honest about what they thought would be a good purchase for the wedding or things that we could skip out on. Again, always thinking about the fine details. They really took a lot of the stress that comes with wedding planning off our shoulders and we couldn't be more grateful. The venue speaks for itself with it's exposed brick, high ceilings, gorgeous windows, and the beautiful paint jobs around the entire building. We didn't add much to it for this very reason! We let the venue be the focal point and added things here and there to elevate the space even further. Everything about the space is timeless and we continue to get comments about how gorgeous the space was. I could write an entire essay on the food and drinks but all you need to know is that our guests kept saying "this is the best wedding food we've ever had." Looking back, our wedding day was nothing short of beautiful. So much love, gratitude, and joy exuded from us, our guests, and the Walden team. While I don't remember every single moment, I will remember how confident, supported, cared for, and celebrated I felt throughout the entire day. We are eternally grateful to the entire Walden team for giving us the best day ever. read more

Chicago couples looking for a gorgeous venue with natural light and a massive bar, THE most helpful and responsive wedding planners, and delicious cocktails and food, you've found your perfect match with Walden! We toured Walden in June 2024 and we couldn't help but compare every other venue we looked at to Walden because Walden was - simply put - the BEST! Even before we officially signed with Walden, we felt very taken care of by Maria who gave us our tour and she assured us we'd feel that way with our planners and day-of coordinators, which she was spot on about! We were super impressed by the physical space (the tall ceilings! brick walls! gorgeous ceremony and getting ready space!) and by the bartender-to-guest ratio (highly recommend asking about this at venues if you have a lively guest list like we did!), but our Walden planners are what made our day SO special and truly stress-free. Krystle and Katie Rose (our wedding planners) were thoughtful, professional, encouraging, creative and fun throughout the entire process. I remember them saying "we like to have our couples in a bubble on the day of" meaning they would be around to coordinate everything from steaming dresses, to making sure the bus knew where to park, to ensuring all of us ate, and more! Krystle and Katie Rose provided helpful deadlines, documents (like a "details" check list) and vendor recommendations to us throughout the planning process, and I appreciated their honesty when it came to vendors we were inquiring about. They truly are experts in their craft and were such a joy to work with. I don't think I ever waited more than 24 hours for a response from either of them. Day of, there were several coordinators at all times, so we felt very taken care of. The food and drinks were out of this world. We got so many compliments from guests about the appetizers, the flow of dinner, and the kind bartenders. Another perk of Walden is that it hosts an incredible, unique tasting for couples. Walden hosts several couples and their guests at the same time, so you can see what the space looks like when it's full, you can see how accommodating the catering and bar staff are, and you can sample the delicious food and drinks. The location can't be beat, especially for guests staying downtown and if you want to take photos in the city with your wedding party. We know we'll be back at Walden for future weddings since so many of our friends were SO impressed by the venue and staff. Thanks, Walden!!! read more

Walden - dinner tables - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We had the best time planning our wedding with Walden. Bristle, Ally, Sidni, and Helen made our entire process so seamless and made our wedding day go smoother than we could have hoped. Our guests are still talking about how amazing the food was, how spacious and gorgeous the venue was, and how, to quote my father-in-law, "If there was an issue I couldn't tell for a second." There are so many parts of a wedding that can be stressful, but we found that the entire team was communicative, quick to respond to any questions we had, and willing to work with us and provide their expert insight to our ideas. We couldn't imagine having our wedding anywhere else and we can't say enough good things about our Walden experience. It was Magic! read more

Walden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our venue was by far the best experience we had throughout the entire wedding planning process -- starting from our very first tour. Having everything in one location and a full wedding planning service included in the venue cost was truly unmatched, and it was the only place we found in Chicago that offered this. Our wedding planners made the entire experience seamless and completely stress-free. We never once felt overwhelmed or rushed. They created a clear timeline, guided us every step of the way, and helped make our day absolutely perfect. Their recommendations for vendors in the city were invaluable, especially in a city as large and overwhelming as Chicago. One of the highlights of our entire wedding experience was getting to know our planners and having their support throughout the process. We will forever be grateful for their dedication, care, and effort. Shoutout to Briscel, Ally and Kalila. They went above and beyond to ensure our cultures were respected and honored. One side of our family came from Puerto Rico, and they made sure this was reflected beautifully -- from Puerto Rican beer from the island to tropical cocktails that brought an island feel to our celebration. The food was phenomenal -- we received countless compliments saying it was the best wedding food guests had ever had. Everything came out hot, cocktail hour appetizers were elevated, and the bar service was incredible with so many bartenders that no one ever had to wait for a drink. The staff was kind, organized, and attentive, and the entire day flowed seamlessly without a single hiccup. We could not imagine a better venue or team. read more

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We could not have been happier about our Walden experience and would highly, highly recommend it for anyone getting married or having any kind of party or corporate event. The planning team was organized, fun to work with, highly responsive, and knowledgeable, with excellent recommendations for vendors like the band (Entourage) and photographer (Emma Varley), plus we introduced them to Kaufman's Bakery for literally the best desserts we have ever tasted. Walden also has a helpful on-line system for keeping track of to-do items. Walden's food was excellent and a number of our guests commented that they were pleasantly surprised to get restaurant-quality meals at a 100-person event. They have a great, long bar, so your guests don't have to bodily compete with each other just to get a drink (which is what I usually have to deal with). The vibe is urban chic and the space is very flexible so it is easy for you to make it your own. The location is a bit off the beaten path but that turns out to be an asset since there is plenty of free parking for your guests and there is good, visible security. We looked at a lot of potential venues before selecting Walden, which turned out to be one of the few places that ticked all of the boxes for us, and we never regretted our choice for a second. Throwing a nice party was never going to be cheap, but we felt that Walden provided excellent value for what we spent. read more

The best decision we made while wedding planning was booking Walden as our venue! The venue itself is a beautiful blank canvas that you can make every square inch reflect your wedding day vision. Having an on site kitchen where all meals are freshly prepared and made to order was huge for us! The last thing we wanted to offer our guests was an average tasting re-heated meal...but that is not what you're getting at Walden! Nick & Matt, the kitchen & bar managers, made sure that all of our guest's dietary restrictions & allergies were accommodated appropriately. Everyone kept telling us how great our food & specialty cocktails were! No one went home hungry after our wedding. The BEST thing about Walden is the full service wedding planners you receive when you book your date. We thought hiring a planner would be out of our budget....but Walden provides you with a planning team at no extra cost! (I can't believe other venues don't offer this) Our planners, shoutout to Briscel & Krystle, were a blast to work with and made planning our wedding EASY! Who else can say planning was easy?! The two of them were always available when we had questions, consistently provided top quality vendors within our budgets, and made us feel like we were actual royalty. Briscel & Krystle took our initial vision and inspiration boards and made everything we wanted come true for us on our wedding day. They were always SO organized and top of every detail and all communication with our vendors. I could go on forever about how lovely and helpful they were!! The day of our wedding was so seamless and coordinated...I kept waiting for something to go wrong but literally nothing did. The day was PERFECT. Everyone knew when & where they had to be, we didn't have to worry about if our decor was set up correctly because we knew we were in the best hands possible. If you are looking for a stress-free wedding day where you, as the couple/hosts/MVPs can basically be a guest at your own party...do yourself a favor and book your wedding at Walden. You won't regret it! :) read more

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From the moment we toured Walden, my husband and I knew we had found our wedding venue! Maria was incredibly helpful and kind during the booking process, and Ally and Briscel were phenomenal planners. Our guests raved about both the food and the venue on the big day. I felt completely at ease throughout the wedding planning process - a true testament to the Walden team. We would happily get married at Walden again and highly recommend it to anyone. Thank you, Walden Team! read more

Had a great experience hosting our wedding at Walden in Sept 2025. Krystle and Katie were amazing throughout our planning process- we would've been lost without all of their guidance! Our day went so well and was as low stress as possible! We are so happy with our decision booking Walden. read more

Absolutely everything and everyone at Walden was exceptional!! We had our wedding at Walden at the end of December and only have positive things to say about the experience!! From our very first encounter with the staff at Walden, we were impressed. We inquired about the space and were met with a quick reply and Maria gave us a tour of the space a few days later. We were blown away by the space, so much natural light and so industrial chic with the brick, large windows, and exposed beams. Maria worked with us on a budget to see what would be possible and what we could expect in costs. She was so patient and helpful, we knew we wanted to book with Walden. Upon booking, we were promptly set up with a fabulous team of planners. Krystle and Katie were such a pleasure to work with!! They took the time to get to know us, get a feel for our vision and what was important to us on our wedding day, then worked tirelessly to bring that to life!! They kept us organized with Basecamp which set us up with detailed to-dos and made the planning process so easy on my husband and I. Their communication with us was so appreciated, they were fast to respond, and would send us gentle reminders to keep us on track. Their professional recommendations were also soooo useful for us, as we knew nothing about which vendors to book, what questions to ask, etc. We went with vendors from their preferred list and couldn't be happier with who we hired!! We also are so appreciative of their patience with us, my husband and I were quite indecisive and changed our minds a few times and they never made us feel bad for doing so. Not only were the planners so helpful in the months and days leading up to the wedding, but day of, the team was amazing - thank you Sydni, Helen and Sara. We opted to do DIY florals/decorations, and Helen and the planners did a fabulous job setting everything up, and handled our stuff with care. Also quick shoutout to Sydni who was so helpful!! HAMU was behind schedule and I was stressing out about our timeline, but as soon as Sydni showed up I felt myself calm down. She got things back on track and was so reassuring. The whole day she helped keep me calm and made sure we were doing okay. All the planners really seemed to care about us and care about making our day the best it could be. The planning team was truly invaluable and my husband and I are so grateful for them!! The food and drinks were delicious! Guests raved about the appetizers, and restaurant-quality entrees. The draft cocktails were awesome and our signature drinks were a hit! We also had so much fun at the tasting event, with all the amazing food and drinks we tried, it was hard to decide what to pick. They were excellent with accommodating dietary restrictions and clearly communicated to our guests that their meals were safe for them to eat (e.g., informing the gluten free guests that their meal is gluten free when serving their food) which made our guests feel cared for. Another notable thing about Walden was the lockers; we were able to store our stuff for the wedding a week before so we didn't have to bring everything the day before or day of, and they held it for us for a few days after until my husband and I were able to pick it up. Also another shoutout to Sydni, who had all of our stuff packed and on a cart when we came to pick it up so all we had to do was put it in our car!! The getting ready room was also wonderful!! So pretty and spacious, and the attached bathroom was so ideal. We really had the best experience at Walden, and the Walden team was instrumental in making our wedding day the best day of my husband and I's life!! I had heard and expected the wedding planning process to be stressful and burdensome, but the hardworking planning team made it a breeze. They are kind, dedicated and fun and everyone should experience the joy of working with them. Thank you Walden team!!! read more

Where do we even begin with Walden Chicago? All we have is gratitude and love for this venue! From our first inquiry with Maria pre-engagement, to our amazing planning journey with Kalila and Ally, we felt taken care of every step of the way. Walden itself is the perfect wedding venue. All of their spaces from their rooftop with a surreal Chicago view, their second floor ceremony space with impeccable lighting, their getting ready spaces for both ladies and gents, to their gorgeous and spacious reception space, everywhere we went with our guests felt magical. Now onto Kalila and Ally; we could thank them enough. From the moment we were paired and begun planning, they felt more like besties than anything. They were there to answer every question, complete every request, and help calm every nerve on the day-of, with constant laughter along the way. We will never forget them and all that they did to ensure our special day went as smoothly as possible! Thank you so much, Walden Chicago; we love you! read more

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100% would recommend Walden for a stress-free wedding experience!!! We knew Walden was our venue when we read about their full-service wedding packages including planners, kitchen/bar all under one roof. After we toured the venue, we could not wait to have our wedding here. Our main planners were Hannah and Briscel, and we had the pleasure of a 3rd planner, Ally with a last-minute day-of staffing change. Hannah and Briscel took the stress out of wedding planning, keeping us on track with every detail and vendor. Ally made sure the wedding day ran seamlessly. One of the best things we loved about working with the planners was their recommendations for local vendors (floral, DJ, photography etc.). Their assistance contacting and coordinating calls/quotes from vendors was also a huge help. Every possible detail regarding the wedding was accounted for, so we were certain nothing would be missed along the way. Now for the fun part, our wedding day was absolutely perfect and better than we ever dreamt. The coordinators kept us on schedule and sent an itinerary in advance, so everyone knew where to be and what was coming up next. They handled all of the communication with vendors and all the little details, so we could fully be present on our wedding day. We did not have any moments of stress, or panic, and was rarely asked any questions or to do any tasks. The Walden team set everything up for us from the welcome sign to the memorial table and of course the gorgeous reception room. It's like suddenly we got teleported into our Pinterest vision board! A big shout out to Nick and Matt, the kitchen and bar staff. They were absolutely amazing! The drinks were awesome, the bartenders could make any drink guests wanted including mocktails. The food was incredible, so many guests complimented on how delicious their meals were. We also really appreciated their accommodations for various food restrictions and preferences. Overall, the Walden staff has truly thought of everything. They made the very daunting task of planning a wedding much more manageable, and made the whole day that much more special. Could not think of a better venue in the area for folks planning a wedding! read more

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Our daughter's wedding took place at The Walden in June of this year. The food was great, as was the liquor, and the design of the facility made for a very special event. Not only did everything they promise actually occur but our lead planner Krystle made it even more special! Krystle was so engaging, involved, concerned and caring! She addressed every detail, gave thoughtful advice and made sure that everything we wanted to happen did happen. Thanks to The Walden team -- and a very heartfelt thank you to Krystle!! read more

We had our wedding at the Walden in July of 2025, and it was truly the wedding experience of our dreams. We cannot stress enough how complementary each and every guest was after the wedding. They loved the space, they loved how organized everything was, they loved the food and the vibes. They loved everything about it, and so did we. Truly, we received endless comments about how perfect the day was, and all credit to this goes to the amazing Walden team! Weddings can be incredibly stressful experiences, but - though it was not without any stress - our wedding planning experience was incredibly smooth and seamless thanks to the team at Walden. The team kept us incredibly organized during the months leading to our special day. They spaced everything out in a way to help us, and were constantly there to help whenever we needed it. On the day itself, our experience could not have been more pleasant and seamless; the team at Walden had things working like clockwork, and the day truly flew by. In addition to the planning team, the kitchen and bar staff were so kind, hardworking, and amazing; they made all of our guests feel welcome, and paid extra careful attention to the individual needs of each guest. And the food! Enough compliments could not be paid to how good the food was. We cannot stress how pleasant of an experience it was, and how incredible our wedding ended up being. In particular, we are so grateful for the work of Briscel Martinez, who was our lead planner. She was with us every step of the way, and our wedding would not have been half as incredible without her! We cannot recommend the Walden enough. Anyone would be lucky to have their special day with this team and at this location - we know we felt that way! read more

How to even begin - the first time I talked to Maria, the owner, on the phone, I knew that Walden was special. I had been emailing and talking with other venues and no one had been as friendly, kind, and personable. She wasn't trying to sell me her venue, she was trying to get to know me, my relationship, and what my vision for my day was. When I first toured the venue, I walked in and told my fiancé that I knew it was the one. It is absolutely beautiful - even if it is completely empty. The exposed beams, the brick, the gorgeous bridal suite - its dark and moody while also having the bright gorgeous windows during the day. Over the course of the next year, I worked with a few of the planning team members - Erika and Briscel being the main two. Erika was our lead planner and she was on top of every little detail - constantly answering my questions, helping direct the vendors, and finalizing all the planning down to all the small details. Love a type-a person like myself! Having been a bridesmaid in multiple weddings, the planning services that Walden provides are highly worth it. They made the day, week and month of the wedding easy and less anxiety provoking for myself and my family. I was able to relax and just enjoy my day while the planning team truly took over all of the little details. I didn't have my phone with me for most of the day because I trusted that Erika and the team would handle all of the details and communication between vendors and family. I want to shout out Kristen as well - she was our opening planner and she was a true hero all morning. She busted her butt getting things set up in the morning, made sure that my bridesmaids and I all felt comfortable and was so genuine and kind. She was communicative with the morning vendors and made sure to keep us in the loop on what was going on when the photographers and other team/family members got there. For what most wedding guests care about - the food and drinks! The tasting was an absolute blast - make sure to take thorough notes! My family and I enjoyed this night so much, getting to taste all the various drinks, appetizers, entrees that were served. It makes it really hard to decide when everything tastes as good as it does. Matt and Nick were really helpful in deciding and they walked us through all of our decisions to ensure that we made the right choices for our combinations of food and alcohol preferences. I can keep going, but overall my wedding day was perfect and I am so grateful for the Walden team for helping make it come true! read more

Walden - The gorgeous rooftop that you can use to take photos on! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Walden's team guided us through a grueling year of preparation, and we would have been lost without their help. Krystle and her team had a curated list of recommended vendors for every possible wedding service: DJ's, flowers, decorations, desserts, you name it, they had a comprehensive list, complete with their own personal anecdotes and recommendations. I would say their most helpful service, however, was their ability to stay on top of us for whatever task needed completing. There are a million and one things to slip through the cracks, and the team set clear deadlines for all of them, which they kept close track of. They would advise us well in advance of any incoming deadlines and were always ready with answers to any of the questions that might pop up when arranging a wedding. They were also on top of things in terms of logistics, especially the day of the wedding itself. The team put together a precise, detailed timeline of the events of the day for my wife and I to follow and share with other vendors and family. Krystle personally saw to taking care of us in the bridal suite while awaiting our entrance, had food ready for us, and even showed up to the church rehearsal to help coordinate how the ceremony would be conducted. She also arranged for at least one coordinator to be present for the entire duration of the party, til the DJ was packing up his table and out the door. I would not hesitate to recommend the Walden. read more

We had my daughter's wedding at The Walden and it was AMAZING. The day went off without a hitch thanks to the staff of wedding coordinators. The food was delicious, the space worked so well from the bridal suite where we got ready to the ceremony space and party space. The room looked beautiful and they helped us find all the vendors. It exceeded all our expectations! I highly recommend it for your special celebration! read more

We held our December 2024 wedding at Walden, and we have nothing but good things to say about working with the Walden team. Throughout the entire process, the entire team was very responsive, whether it be related to planning, food, bar, etc. Walden provides full-service wedding planning, which was immensely helpful. We worked directly with Krystle and Briscel during our planning, and they were great. They're warm, fun, and open. The Walden team set us up on Basecamp, a project management tool, which was extremely helpful. It laid out all the tasks we needed to complete and suggested timelines for completing them. The day of the wedding went off without a hitch - our planning team created a detailed schedule for us and ensured that we stuck to it, so we weren't stressed. Service the day of the wedding was on point, and we got many compliments from our guests on the quality of the food and beverages. We highly recommend hosting your wedding at the Walden! read more

This is not an exaggeration when we say the Walden Chicago crew is five stars and then some. From beginning to end every single detail was covered which made our ceremony day flawless. Krystle, Alyssa and Sydni are theee* best to ever do it. My wife and I continually wish we could relive our wedding day over and over again and its due to the professionalism and services provided by the Walden. read more

Walden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We could not have been happier with our decision to get married at Walden! From the moment we booked our date, the planning process was made seamless and actually enjoyable thanks to the incredible built-in planning team, Kalila and Ally. Having coordinators included in the cost of the venue was such a valuable bonus, and they truly made all the difference. Kalila and Ally were there with us every step of the way, staying on top of every detail for our 18-month engagement/wedding planning journey. They reached out to vendors, followed up on our behalf when needed, and offered spot-on recommendations that perfectly suited our vision and budget. Their guidance and expertise helped us make the best choices, and their input kept us calm and organized. On top of their professionalism, they were so down-to-earth and fun to work with, bringing energy and laughter to every planning session and making the entire experience even more memorable. One of the highlights was the collaborative online planning tool we had access to as part of booking Walden. It kept everything organized in one place, allowing us to easily stay in touch with our planners, track tasks, and manage finances and contracts. It was loaded with helpful resources, making planning a breeze. Walden provided us with much more than a beautiful venue. They gave us an incredible planning experience and an amazing team that felt like family by the time the wedding arrived. The entire wedding party and all the family members who were there the entire day of the wedding had nothing but amazing things to say too...they were all shocked at how much support we had throughout the entire day to the point where we did not have to lift a finger. And don't even get us started on the food and bar...we've never been complimented more in our lives. We were shocked at how insanely good the food and drinks were at our tasting party months before the wedding, but we were curious if it would live up to the hype on our actual wedding day where we had 216 guests. It might've been even better on our wedding day! Guests were raving about our food and drinks. We were told by nearly every guest that it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding, bar none. We even had sober people come up to us and go on and on about how amazing even the mocktails were. The only thing we regret is being too excited and not having enough of an appetite to truly enjoy dinner as the bride and groom. But even so, our planning team made sure the servers packaged up our entrees so we could take them home a few days later when we came back to the venue to pick up our belongings. Honestly, there are a million other reasons why we'd recommend Walden for your wedding venue, but this is already getting to be too long of a review. Basically, if you're looking for an all-inclusive venue where you're genuinely taken care of every step of the way, we cannot recommend Walden highly enough! Thank you, Kalila and Ally, the entire bar/service staff, and truly just everyone at Walden for helping make our wedding day everything we dreamed of and more! P.S. - Make sure you get golden hour photos on the rooftop at Walden...we are soooo delighted with our photos from up there. read more

Walden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Truly can't say enough about our experience with Walden. Truly outstanding! From our first meeting with Maria to our goodbye with Erika the night of my daughter's wedding, it was an exceptional experience. We felt well cared for, heard, and supported throughout. Our Walden team, led by the incredibly talented Erika Baumgartner, could not have been better. From reading vendor contracts to giving advice re: photo locations to running the day of the event skillfully, we loved working with these professionals. Going into the day of her wedding, my goal was to ensure my daughter, who had worked so hard to make every decision and detail all along the way, didn't feel any stress or anxiousness. I wanted her to have the day she imagined and be able to enjoy every moment of her special day. With Erika and her team taking the lead, that happened for all of us! Erika coordinated with all of the vendors, made sure Catharine's wishes were followed, and took care of any hiccups along the way. Good news: the vendors we selected ensured the hiccups were few and minor! The meal and bar selections were on point and the service was incredible. As we said goodbye to Erika at the end of the evening we were all a little sad to be parting ways...she'd become such a part of the planning and we were so grateful for all the ways she made it an event to remember for a lifetime! read more

From initial venue walk throughs to the day of the wedding, the Walden team curated the most amazing experience for us. Our amazing planner, Briscel, truly helped bring our vision to life and supported us with all the questions and decisions along the way. The planning team was with us from 7 am offsite at our getting ready location all the way to closing the dance floor at midnight. The kitchen and bar team executed flawlessly. The food was not average "wedding food" and all of our guests have been raving about it since. The bar was so accommodating to us and our guests as there was never a line for drinks. We truly had the best, most magical day and are so grateful to the Walden team. read more

My husband and I were engaged in September 2022, and we booked Walden in November 2022 for our March 2024 wedding. Walden was the last Venue we toured and there was no question in our minds that we were booking with them as soon as we got in the car to drive home. I have an intense, "Type A" personality. I'm very particular with decor and planning. Many of the other venues we visited in Chicago...the reps were late, couldn't answer basic questions, led the conversation with budget, etc. Nowhere was molding what we were looking for. We received a personal recommendation for Walden and were put in contact with Maria. We took the tour and were given ample amount of literature and pricing to answer all of our questions. Maria was also very responsive with follow up questions. One of the coolest perks of signing with Walden is that it comes with in-house, full-time planners. This is incredibly rare, and we were ready to retain a separate planner as we were touring different venues in the city. Our lead planner, Kalila, and event coordinator, Alyssa, were nothing short of phenomenal. They were attentive, patient, experienced, organized...they had great suggestions and recommendations for when we were narrowing decisions down for all the things. I cannot tell you how many times I'd ask, "is this worth it" or "am I being too extra," and they would tell me the truth and they never guided me in the wrong direction. We had a very specific and eclectic vision for our wedding, and it was executed better than I ever imagined. Finally, the space/day itself. We had AMAZING food and alcohol (all done in-house at Walden, which we taste tested), espresso martini shots, late-night food brought in, hanging flowers and plants, hundreds of candles, a live painter, black draping, chandeliers, a CO2 cannon, our planners there holding our hands the day-of...EVERYTHING! I barely lifted a finger. I felt like an absolute queen. Given my personality, no one could believe how calm I was, and I thank the entire Walden team (especially Kalila) for that. I was able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the hell out of my entire day and weekend. We heard from a lot of people that this was the best wedding they've ever attended. We think so, too. If you're looking for the coolest, most efficient, cost effective, and trendy Chicago wedding venue, look no further. Walden is your answer. read more

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We recently had our wedding ceremony and reception at Walden and it was a dream from beginning to the end. Everything was PERFECT. The venue itself was beautiful. We had access to the entire building from early morning till the end of the night which was part of our package. We had our ceremony on the second floor and cocktail hour and reception on the first floor. They had an elevator for easy access for our grandparents. The best part was the rooftop with the overlooking view of the city of Chicago where we had our first look, portrait photos and pictures with our wedding party. Also, we can't forget to mention their bridal suite. It was absolutely gorgeous! It had a station for our glam team which made it easier for everyone to get ready. They also had the conference room for the groom's party to hangout. We also had a pleasure to work with the Plum & Ivy wedding planning team. They used this amazing platform called Basecamp, which made it easy for us to communicate with the entire team and helped us with the planning process. Dagne was our lead planner with Briscel as our event coordinator. We have nothing but great things to say about these two. Both of them were very helpful and organized. Dagne was very professional and communicative with us and helped us in every way possible and made our wedding go smoothly. It couldn't have gone any better. She even helped us find vendors who can accommodate our pricing and needs. I personally had a great time working with Dagne throughout the planning of our wedding :) Nick, the executive chef at Walden from Real Kitchen, was amazing. He was able to accommodate some of our guests with special diets. The presentation of all the dishes were great. We received a lot of compliments from our guests about how tasty the food was from hors d'oeuvres to dinner time. Our night wouldn't have been as special and memorable without their delicious food. We also can't forget to mention Matt, the bar manager. We were amazed how the bar turned out. Matt was really nice to let us name our signature drinks. We received a lot of compliments from our guests about how tasty the drinks were from the Polyjuice Potion to the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster and all other drinks. Overall, Walden was an amazing wedding venue and would highly recommend it to others!!! read more

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When we first toured Walden for two years ago, we had our heart set on having our wedding. The venue is absolutely gorgeous and comes with full event planning and kitchen services! SO MANY of our guests complimented the quality of the food and especially the drinks and bar service!! Special shoutout to Kalila, the lead planner and Briscel, the coordinator for making it the wedding of our dreams. We were planning most of our wedding remotely and it was all possible because of the amazing recommendations and support we received from Kalila and Briscel. As with any important event, we had big and small questions on every single detail of our wedding but they were super patient and supported us along the way until we were able to make decisions. They fully understood our vision and worked with us closely at every step to make it all happen. read more

The Walden team was hands down the best team we could have ever worked with for our wedding! We could have never planned such an amazing event and weekend on our own. From the contracting process through planning to the wedding day, the planners and the extended Walden team (food, bar) were absolutely amazing to work with. The planners offered really amazing and insightful options and ideas for vendors and design/decor, and kept us on track with all the planning elements. They did not leave anything out! One of our favorite nights with the team was the tasting, where we brought out families to taste the food & drink options and see various linen, lighting and decor options. Not to mention, the space itself is beautiful! My bridesmaids and I got ready in the bridal suite which was perfect. We loved that the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception/dancing spaces were distinctly separate - no "flipping the room". 12/10 would recommend the Walden to anyone looking for a wedding venue! read more