Hosting our wedding at Walden was truly a dream come true. They made the process leading up to and the day of the wedding so smoothe. They delivered on every promise. We'd looked at several venues prior to finding them and had been so frustrated trying to calculate what the actual cost would be between furniture rentals, decor, and preferred/required caterers with no provided info on a price range. We couldn't believe it when in addition to being the most beautiful venue we saw, Maria told us all that came with booking there - full service planning with our own dedicated planner from Plum and Ivy for no additional fee, clearly priced (and absolutely phenomenal) food and drink packages from Real Kitchen, all day access to a beautiful bridal suite, and beautiful furniture throughout the venue. After our tour and once we decided to book, we had a call with Maria where we went over our budget and priorities and she then sent us a breakdown of what we could expect to spend, which was incredibly helpful to keep us on track. Their planners use Basecamp for project management, which I was so excited about as I had previously used it for work. It was so helpful having all of our tasks outlined there with deadlines. With so many moving parts and different vendors, it made it easy to break down into manageable steps. We never felt overwhelmed and truly always felt like we were on track every step of the way. Briscel was our assigned planner. From the very beginning she was incredibly easy and fun to work with. She understood our vision completely and was so helpful with vendor recommendations. From the big stuff like choosing our florist to even the small details like planning a trip to the barbershop for a fresh shave for the Groom's Wedding Party. It's a rare thing to work with someone who is not only extremely talented at what they do but also shows true interest and cares about their clients. We had full confidence throughout the process with Briscel on our team. We had been given the advice by many to "be ready for something to go wrong" Not sure that was possible with Briscel, everything was exactly how we had envisioned. She truly is the best. The entire team at Walden made our day special and easy. During the planning process Walden hosted us and our parents for a tasting party. Which was an awesome part of the planning experience with Walden. It made deciding the food for the day of the wedding fun and also so hard (Everything was delicious!). Nick, their Executive Chef, has crafted a tremendous seasonal menu. Our guests were blown away by the food. We enjoyed their wonderful selection of cocktails and wine throughout the night while getting to go over options with Matt, their bar manager. The Venue Space itself offers such a fantastic flow for the event. The Bridal Suite provided the bridal party a comfortable and spacious area for hair, makeup, and getting ready. While also doubling as a secure room for storage later in the evening. Walden also provides a conference room for the groom's party to relax leading up to the ceremony on the day. The rooftop includes a phenomenal view of the Chicago Skyline for photos. The second floor has a gorgeous ceremony location, including a bar for a welcome cocktail to be served. The first floor not only has an incredible space for the reception with room for dining and dancing but also the robust bar area provides a terrific setting for cocktail hour while the reception is being prepared. The size of the bar prevents large lines or extended wait times for drinks. The servers and bar staff were so great on the Wedding Day. I can't imagine a more perfect place to have our wedding. read more

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! to the entire team who made Friday, July 23rd a dream come true. We had the BEST weekend and it was because of the level of service delivered by The Walden. From start to finish, we felt so relaxed, calm (even during a pandemic), and excited to see the space FULL of our closest friends and family. We had an incredible experience. The Walden went above and beyond for us from start to finish. Our top priorities were great food, Chicago-style design, and help with planning! We were shocked to find out you get a wedding planner when you select this location. It truly is a one-stop-shop! The Walden's foundational design palette allows for any pinterest board vision to come to life. The team will help you define, construct, and execute your vision and handle everything with professionalism, honesty, & grace! The questions we would often get are... 'so wait, are you sure you don't just get a day-of wedding planner?' YES, we were lucky to have Erika from start to finish. Every vendor enjoys working with her, because she has built strong relationships from Plum & Ivy. We really appreciated how she also kept our budget in mind by finding creative ways for us to save money (e.g. splitting the cost with the Saturday couple & using the bridal bouquets as centerpieces). 'Does your venue have restrictions about caterers?' No need to worry about that because Real Kitchen is a top-notch in-house team that makes a creative and delicious menu! We also have guests with very serious allergies. The team organized everything perfectly and our friends were taken care of! Everyone says the tasting is their favorite part of planning - Tasting at The Walden is a memorable experience. Since we live in Seattle, WA, we had a mini-planning session while we enjoyed the food & drinks to be served at our wedding. We picked our menu cards, napkins, linens, so much fun! During the wedding, the dining experience is synchronized between the staff and the main manager on the floor. Guests shared how this was the best food they had a wedding, how their drinks were always full, and how the staff gave everyone top notcher service. 'Do you have open bar?' Another thing you don't have to worry about. With a seasonal cocktail menu, there is no shortage of options. Special requests are discussed with the bar manager, Matt, and he'll make them happen! Everyone loved ALL of the drinks and my MIL really enjoyed the experience! If you're considering The Walden, just say, YES! You're going to love every step of the journey with this team. It's absolutely worth every penny! 'How much is the bridal suite?' Also included!!! This was very important to me & a WOW FACTOR. Your hair and make up team will thank you for having GREAT natural lighting, enough outlets, mirrors. Our Photographer @ElizabethNord also loved the space. There's a sitting room in the bridal suite with an emerald green chair, some chic wallpaper, and plenty of mirrors! We did our portraits in this area! Gone are the days for finding an end table at a hotel for your team to doll you up. We had 10 women getting hair and make up done, a team of 4 (2 hair and 2 make up from @RareBirdBeauties) and PLENTY of space! We had our own bathroom. The bridal party kept their belongings in the room and we had the code. They have WIFI for your music! This group thinks of every detail - I'm not surprised! OH, and they have a steamer! That's right. The bridesmaids when to start steaming, and the morning planner stopped her, took the dresses, and steamed them all for the group. #service read more

We got married at Walden in December and it was the best decision we could have ever made for our wedding. Walden ensured that we were taken care of every step of the way. Walden has it all, amazing food and drinks, full service planning, and great relationships with some of the best vendors in Chicago. Maria was so wonderful to work with in the beginning stages to book our wedding with Walden. She answered our many questions and scheduled multiple calls with us to ensure we were comfortable with the contract we were signing and was so accommodating! Krystle and Alyssa, our amazing planners, could not have been better!! They were there every step of the way whether it was to offer suggestions on vendors, reach out to vendors for us to get pricing/details, and to keep us on track with planning every detail. As an indecisive bride who really had no vision going into wedding planning I could not be more grateful to Alyssa and Krystle for making the planning process as easy as possible. From the moment I arrived the morning of my wedding we were taken care of by the amazing staff at Walden. Helen greeted us with breakfast set up, took our dresses to steam them, made sure my veil and all accessories were ready for detail shots, and checked in on us to help with anything we needed. Krystle helped ensure that the day went according to plan and made every dream of ours come true. She brought our vision to life and we could not be more thankful for her. Jenny was our closing planner the day of the wedding and made sure we were taken care of the entire night. She helped coordinate the set up of the desserts and late night snacks and helped secure all of our belongings at the end of the night. The planning team is a dream and allowed me to not have to worry about a single detail the day of my wedding. They gave me the ability to be fully present with family and friends for every moment of the day. The food and drinks were hands down the best we have ever had! Our family and friends could not agree more, we continuously receive compliments on the appetizers, entrees, and drinks at our wedding. We can't thank the kitchen and bar staff enough! Our wedding was a dream and we could not be happier with how everything turned out. I would highly recommend getting married at Walden and I hope that I get to attend a wedding there again to experience it all over! read more

This review is coming a few months late, but is so deserved! We had our wedding at Walden in November 2024 and it was nothing short of magical. From the beginning, Hannah and Briscel were present and responsive to our every need and endless questions. They helped bring our vision to life coordinating and setting up floral meetings, photographer meetings, and giving helpful input when asked but never being pushy one way or another. They were always honest, worked with our budget, and our personal cheerleaders throughout the process. We've heard wedding planning can become stressful for couples but we never felt that with the organization, communication, and flexibility Walden provides. Starting from the beginning with the day we decided to book it as our venue, through the tasting that gives you the experience your guests will receive, to our day of reception, it exceeded our expectations. They did a private showing of our reception space for the two of us before opening the curtain to guests and WOW! It was overwhelming watching the final piece unveiled. When the curtain was pulled back, there was an audible gasp amongst guests seeing the space. You cannot beat the service of Walden with the gorgeous plated dinners, attentive wait staff, creative bartenders, and exquisite chef. One thing no one talks about after weddings is the food, but with Walden, it's something consistently still talked about amongst our guests! We got married in a church off site in Lincoln park and sure enough, Hannah was there, ready to go before any of us arrived. She showed up the night before for the walk through too, ensuring our ceremony was exactly how we envisioned. Hannah and Briscel truly felt like two friends throughout the process helping plan the wedding of our dreams. We cannot thank them enough for helping our day turn out flawlessly!!! Walden is so unique giving you a rustic, stunning, blank canvas to truly make it your own vision. Lastly, so many of our guests told us they've never seen a couple have so much fun at their own wedding and it's truly because with Walden, comes an organized, detail-oriented, creative, and trustworthy team. It leaves the couple with nothing to think about on their wedding day except being present with each other and their day. It's something we'll forever be grateful for with Walden's team. Love, The Rabbitts read more

One of the best decisions next to my wife and I choosing to marry each other was choosing to have our wedding at Walden. Venue: The biggest thing that really sold us initially was having a planning team included with the venue rental. Then we met the team and clicked. I can honestly say they made our lives during planning 1000% less stressful. They really communicate, they help you build your vision into your wedding and most of all they keep you on track. On top of that they were the kindest most patient people you can meet! I am not going to lie and say it was easy, we still had to put in the work and make tons of decisions but they really reassured us when things felt out of control. Shout out to Alyssa and Krystle! The venue is also very flexible when it comes to style both the Ceremony area and the reception area. Whether you choose to be bare minimum or go extravagant it will look beautiful and customization options are pretty much endless. Food : you often go to weddings and many times the food is an afterthought and leaves a lot to be desired. I can tell you the food will not be an afterthought at Walden. The best part is you get to taste what you want before choosing your menu at their tasting night few months before your wedding! The service on the night of our wedding was also top notch and you can tell the staff are happy where they are. Bar: Along with tasting the food at the tasting night you get to taste all the cocktails on that same night. We were so full on our tasting from both the amount of food to the amount of drinks we had. The bar here is not the typical set in the corner, or portable bar. It's a full bar with professional bar tenders that know their drinks. It also looks like an actual nice restaurant bar. You can have a pretty good photo op at this bar and the drinks were amazing. All in all, take the time to visit and tour Walden, just like us it will be the one you keep referring back to and comparing other venues with. Make it easy on yourself and choose them. Thank you Walden, Team! read more

Getting married at Walden was a dream come true! I would recommend that anyone planning a wedding in Chicago get married at Walden! I got married at Walden in November 2022 and it was the most amazing day and weekend, thanks to the team at Walden! The entire planning experience was so easy and fun with the support of the planning team at Walden throughout it all. Erika was SO amazing to work with. She was organized, patient, fun, thoughtful, and so helpful throughout the entire year we were planning and on the wedding day. The model at Walden makes everything so easy and it all came together perfectly on the day. The team makes sure that everything runs seamlessly and you don't have a single worry on your wedding day. They even help organize your rehearsal and other wedding weekend activities. I appreciated the structure they provided so that I was never overwhelmed by the planning and could just spread the tasks out over the course of our engagement. On top of how simple everything was to plan, the venue is gorgeous! And thanks to their established relationships with so many vendors, it's easy to work with other teams there too. They even have a getting ready room available to use so you don't have to book a hotel suite somewhere. On top of the planning, they also have amazing food and bar service in house. When planning the menu, Nick was so helpful and accommodating. They helped craft a specialty cocktail that wasn't on their menu, and went above and beyond by providing a special meal for my dad. The food and drinks were so amazing! After the wedding, several of our guests told us that the dinner was the best food they'd ever had at a wedding. The entire day was so perfect, thanks to Walden being there every step of the way. I would give Walden 100 stars if I could, everything was perfect and I am forever grateful to everyone at Walden for creating a day more amazing than I could have imagined. read more

We got married at The Walden in April, and oh my gosh - we're still on cloud nine! From start to finish, the experience was more special and seamless than we ever could've imagined. Alyssa (our wedding coordinator) and Hannah (our planner) were amazing to work with. From our very first meeting, they made us feel genuinely cared for - like we weren't just another wedding on the calendar, but a couple with a vision they were fully invested in bringing to life. They were so personable, kind, and full of excitement, which made us feel just as excited and at ease throughout the entire process. Their guidance was invaluable. They were patient with every single question (and we had a lot!), nailed every detail, and coordinated flawlessly with all of our vendors. Thanks to them and the amazing team at the Walden, we were able to actually enjoy our wedding day instead of stressing over logistics. They took care of EVERYTHING - from steaming bridesmaid dresses to setting up breakfast, making sure every little detail was perfect. The food and drinks were next level. The bar and kitchen staff truly gave a five star restaurant experience. We're still hearing rave reviews from our guests - everything was delicious, beautifully presented, and the service was impeccable! The day flowed so smoothly, it honestly felt effortless - which is a testament to how much care and intention went on behind the scenes. Every step of the planning process became a core memory for us, not just the wedding day itself. Choosing Walden and their full-service planning was hands-down one of the best decisions we made. We truly cannot imagine how we would have done it without them. If you're considering The Walden - do it. You will be in the best hands, and you'll have the most unforgettable, stress-free, and joy-filled celebration. read more

Too good, yet true. My wife and I looked everywhere in the city and in the suburbs for a unique, modern space for our wedding ceremony that was also relatively affordable--and we only had a few months to do it in! We were so lucky to have come across the Walden--not only was it more affordable than most other venues, it also came with a wedding planner who helped us every step of the way; on-site parking; an after-party next door at Midwest Coast brewing; fantastic in-house catering; excellent waiters, waitresses, and bartenders; an in-house speaker system which allowed us to opt for a Spotify playlist instead of a DJ; storage for our decorations before and after the event; and they even had a few left-over decorations for us to use which helped us to save money, time, and stress. Our planner was originally Maria, however Maria got switched out a few weeks before the wedding for Briscel; At first we were nervous to switch planners last minute, but Briscel was excellent and learned all about our wedding in no-time thanks to the comprehensive Basecamp project that the Walden team set up for us. Everyone at the Walden had a positive attitude throughout the process and they put up with all of our questions, comments, and concerns. When the big day came, everything was executed exactly as we had imagined it and we could not have been happier. Not to mention that the drinks at the bar were actually pretty dang good. If you have the opportunity to book your wedding with Walden, do it! It really seemed too good to be true at first and I just kept waiting for the catch, but it never came! This place truly earned their five stars. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Walden! We could not have imagined our wedding being anywhere else and selecting Walden as our location was easily the best decision we made throughout our wedding planning process. Everything about the venue is beautiful and classy from the ceremony space to the bar and reception space. From meeting with Maria for the tour, working with our planner, Erika, throughout the entire process, and working through all of the tastings and menu planning - everyone at the Walden was amazing to work with. They are all the consummate pros and have literally thought of everything you need for a perfect wedding. Their expertise was so helpful in selecting our vendors and keeping us on track with our planning. It made us feel so calm and in control of the whole process even during COVID. Not only are the people and the space amazing, Walden has the best wedding food we've ever had and we also had many guests tell us the exact same thing! The bar not only is beautiful but is also putting out the best specialty cocktails you could expect to have. We have been to dozens upon dozens of weddings and I can honestly say that Walden is a totally unique venue that I have never experienced before. Our wedding day was absolutely perfect and I know that is almost entirely due to the wonderful staff and Erika! I can't imagine anyone would ever regret picking Walden for their day and would recommend it a million times over to absolutely anyone! read more

Booking Walden for our wedding venue (November 2022) was one of the best decisions we made throughout the planning process. The team of planners was excellent - we worked with Erika, Dagne, and Katie Rose, who are three of the best people you'll meet and so incredibly good at their jobs. Their detailed approach to wedding planning gave us the wedding day of our dreams. No detail was overlooked and they helped us find the perfect vendors. Everything they did leading up to our wedding, and especially over the course of our wedding weekend, made wedding planning easy and allowed us to enjoy the day without stress. We had an offsite ceremony at a church and chose to get ready offsite as well. Their team helped coordinate everything from our rehearsal and dinner, to the morning-of details like steaming our bridesmaid dresses. Walden, on its own, is a beautiful space. When the curtain was pulled back to reveal the space, so many of our guests gasped in awe. They were able to make an already gorgeous venue look even more cozy and twinkly with candles and string lights. Our guests could not have been more pleased with with quality of the food and drink service. Our meals were delicious, the drinks were carefully crafted, and everything was served efficiently. We cannot recommend Walden highly enough and we hope that we get to return to Walden as guests at an event there in the future. You will not regret partnering with their fantastic team. read more

This venue was the perfect spot for our daughter's wedding . We originally scheduled the event when the Walden was still under construction . The enthusiasm that Maria and the other owners had for their vision won us over even before the space came to be. The team was so helpful in every aspect of planning for Jamie and Danny.... keeping them on track and letting them know when decisions needed to be made on what timeline The variety of vendors they recommended for them to consider for their music , transportation , flowers, bridal gowns, lodging and photography gave them many ( but not too many) quality options to consider . Zaire , their wedding planner was very available. knowledgeable and reassuring . The actual day of the wedding , the on site staff were very attentive the space was beautifully decorated . The on site parking was easy . The food was delicious... beautifully presented and served . The wait staff were very available but discreet . The bar staff and service was great ... guests did not wait for drinks and the suggestions made for beer and wine as well as signature drinks were spot on Having large glass self serve water dispensers made it so easy for our guests to stay hydrated We as a family would highly recommend the Walden for weddings or any other large gatherings. Jim and Paula St . Charles IL read more

We got married at the Walden on May 7, 2021. The Walden and the event planning team are simply exceptional. The venue is beautiful, and it stands out not only for its exceptional design and aesthetic, but it is one of the only full-service venues of this modern and elegant style. The food is amazing. The Walden staff is professional and adept, and they were extremely helpful and accommodating in navigating the COVID guidelines. This included allowing us to expand our wedding only one week before as the guidelines changed to allow for increased capacity. I cannot say better things about the Plum & Ivy planning team (especially Erika!). They guided us through every single (even minuscule) part of the wedding and provided us outstanding recommendations for everything from paper goods to flowers to entertainment to seating chart designs. We honestly could not have created our beautiful wedding without them, and their addition to the Walden experience is immeasurable. They are always accessible and communicate timely. Their inclusion is worth it even just for the day-of planning, making sure things went smoothly, on time, and managing every vendor (as well as the large, wild bridal party). Thank you, Erika and Zaire! read more

We had an amazing experience working with the Walden team throughout the wedding planning process. They are experts on all things wedding related and are very eager to help out during what can be a stressful time. They know so many vendors so they can either make recommendations or they likely know a vendor you found on your own. We worked with Dagne, Kristen, and Katie, and they were all amazing. We loved working with them so much. They make sure you're not missing anything and are more than willing to reach out to vendors on your behalf. They made the planning process feel less overwhelming. On the day of, they had absolutely everything under control and running smoothly. They are all so thoughtful and helpful. It made the day extra perfect. Walden is a beautiful venue. We did our first look up on their rooftop with a gorgeous view of the city and our ceremony was onsite with the reception to follow on the main floor. They did such an amazing job when building it out and really thought of everything. We used the bridal suite to get ready throughout the day and it was so easy because they have a great setup for hair/makeup. We can't recommend Walden enough. I hope we get to go back as wedding guests! read more

Our wedding day was better than we could have ever imagined and that is largely because of Erika and the team at Walden! They make the planning process so easy and for that we are forever grateful. The organization of it all was incredibly helpful, Erika's suggestions were so great in narrowing down all of the decisions and every vendor that was recommended was so pleasant to work with! The attentiveness throughout and the attention to detail when it came down to the wedding day were second to none. From our first interaction to our last, the service and experience throughout were top notch! My husband and I, as well as our families, were able to enjoy every second of the day because we knew Erika and the team had everything under control and nothing would be missed! Everything about the evening well exceeded any expectations we had and we are still getting so many compliments from our guests. We've heard it was some of the best wedding food (we can second that!) and a huge shoutout to Matt and the bar staff for making it one heck of a party with the most amazing cocktails! I honestly could go on and on about how awesome it all was. We can't recommend Walden and the team behind it enough!! read more

My daughter and her (now) husband celebrated their wedding at Walden last week. In a word, everything was perfect. The space works extremely well - especially if one is planning both a ceremony and a reception at the same location. The staff could not do enough for us. There was literally no request they were unable to accommodate. And the food....wow! Unlike many wedding venues, all of the food at Walden is prepared onsite under the supervision of an accomplished chef. I'm trying to figure out how to get invited back for dinner! A special shoutout to Kalila Harris - one of the Senior Event Planners on staff. When my daughter and her husband chose Walden for their wedding celebration, they were immediately paired with Kalila who walked with them through every step of the journey. Her presence throughout the process, and especially her presence on their wedding day, made everything run so smoothly. With no disrespect to the other Event Planners on staff, if you decide to have your event at Walden (and you should!) be sure to ask for Kalila! read more

The Walden made our dreams come true. Everything from the space to the staff were perfect on our wedding day, and throughout the journey leading up to the wedding. The space design is so beautiful and modern and thoughtful, from the gorgeous exposed ceilings to the granite bars. Maria and her team were amazing to work with from start to finish - they were so responsive any time we had a question and ensured all of our needs were met so we could have the day we hoped for. The service was outstanding with the bartenders and waiting staff being so attentive, helpful and knowledgeable. And the food was DELICIOUS!! It was the quality of a nice West Loop restaurant, which gave our wedding in the city a really great feel. We even got to take pictures on the roof, right in front of the skyline! We definitely recommend Walden for anyone looking for an amazing venue in Chicago! read more

Hannah, Erika, Maria, and each of the Walden staff were wonderful to work with for our corporate fundraiser. They were accommodating and helped guide our planning process. This was our first annual fundraiser back in person since COVID, and the thought of reentering planning a large event "post-COVID" was daunting! The Walden team did all the heavy lifting with vendors (linens, valet, getting COIs, etc.) which helped us focus on the details for making the event special for our guests. We were used to holding our event at a large hotel, and Walden staff flipped that experience for us by providing incredible food and drinks and making set up and tear down MUCH easier. The whole process was much more personal and integrated. Each staff we interacted with was accommodating, respectful, and helpful. Thank you to each of the Walden staff for a fun and successful event! read more

Our wedding was beyond amazing thanks to Kalila, Alyssa and the Walden team! We knew right away after our first tour that Walden was the venue we wanted to book. Kalila and Alyssa helped us along every step of the way. I could not imagine working full time and trying to plan a wedding without their help. Every detail was covered and they provided helpful tips when making decisions about our special day. We were married off site in a church and Kalila even came to make sure that piece went smoothly. They filled ever request we had, even an ice luge! Day of our wedding, everything was planned out and I had to make very few decisions, which was exactly what I had wanted. Would recommend Walden to any couple looking to not only have their wedding day be perfect, but also a great planning team! -Michelle and Joe read more

An unexpected benefit of moving away from Chicago has been traveling back into town for big events. Over the past couple years, I started a small tradition of anytime I visit a place that means something, I pick up a magnet. Work trips, conferences... well Jimi never does those. But he was recently at the Walden for a beautiful wedding. I wish the venue had magnets I could have added to my collection! Looking at my filing cabinet now, it's basically a map of places love has taken me. Rome, Buffalo, Ecuador, Montenegro. All equally important and memorable to Jimi. If anyone else out there collects magnets, know that you are not alone. And about that lovely wedding at the Walden, Jimi can confirm that there was indeed a strong magnetic attraction between the happy couple. 5 stars read more