Why Choose The Murphy As Your Chicago Wedding Venue?

Photo courtesy of Christy Tyler Photography

Chicago is the most visited city in the Midwest and one of the most popular destinations for weddings in the United States. That’s no surprise, considering Chicago is a diverse cultural center offering outstanding cuisine and a wide variety of entertainment options.

There are thousands of wedding venues in the city and the surrounding suburbs, but The Murphy is a truly unique choice. Described by Choose Chicago as “Chicago’s most elegant venue,” The Murphy Auditorium offers stunning architecture, luxury, and attention to detail. A historical wedding venue, the original auditorium was built in 1926 and has since been renovated and restored. The Murphy is truly one of Chicago’s finest architectural jewels, and our gorgeous Tiffany doors are the perfect backdrop for gorgeous wedding photos. 

The Murphy is the right choice for your wedding because we offer plenty of space, an on-site event coordinator, and have relationships with the top wedding vendors in Chicago. Our venue can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests and can host both the ceremony and reception if needed. Our 4-story ceiling creates a stunning open space, and our intricate French architecture sets the tone for an unforgettable ‘I Do’ moment.

We also offer a private bridal suite that allows the bride to get ready in a relaxed setting and provides the couple with a space to store their belongings in a private and secure area away from the commotion.

The Murphy also features a balcony that can be used for a cocktail hour in the summer or can serve as a space for guests to catch some fresh air.

The Murphy is one of Chicago’s top wedding venues. But don’t just take our word for it! 

The following websites have listed The Murphy as a Chicago wedding venue worth considering:

Junebug Weddings - Illinois’s Best Wedding Venues

http://junebugweddings.com/wedding-venues/Chicago-wedding-reception-sites-locations-venues/

The Knot - Wedding Reception Venues near Chicago, IL https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/wedding-reception-venues-chicago-il

Wedding Wire - Wedding Venues in Chicago, IL

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/the-murphy-chicago/03db3ffe67b3ccb7.html

Chicago Style Weddings - Ceremony & Reception Locations

http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/wedding_vendor_detailsNew.aspx?vid=3879

Chicago Wedding Venues

http://www.chicagoweddingvenues.com/main/murphy-auditorium-chicago-il/

Big City Bride

http://bigcitybride.com/content/murphy-chicago-driehaus-museum-2/

Choose Chicago

http://www.choosechicago.com/listing/the-murphy/39015/

Borrowed & Blue - Chicago Ballrooms & Banquet Halls

https://www.borrowedandblue.com/chicago/wedding-venues/ballrooms-banquet-halls/the-murphy

Brides.com - Venues near Chicago, IL

http://www.brides.com/wedding-vendors/detail/venue/03db3ffe67b3ccb7-The-Murphy?reviews_sort_by=rating_highest&reviews_page=1&tab=profile

If you’re interested in hosting your wedding at The Murphy, please contact us today. For more information about our venue, visit our website.

Why Host your Wedding in Chicago?

Chicago, AKA “The Windy City” is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason! Chicago is a bustling multicultural city that thrives on the diversity of its people and neighborhoods. With distinctive qualities like one-of-a-kind skyscrapers, infamous attractions, a dedicated sports fan base, and the best pizza around, Chicago rightfully earns its name as “the great American city”. 

There is a lot that Chicago has to offer, especially for wedding celebrations! Each year, thousands of brides and grooms celebrate their wedding day in Chicago. Aside from numerous skyscrapers and mouthwatering pizza, what makes Chicago the ideal location for hosting weddings? Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of the top reasons to get married in Chicago!

What Makes Chicago Ideal for Weddings?

Gorgeous backdrops. One of the main reasons Chicago is a great city for weddings is because it is sprawling with gorgeous architecture, famous monuments, colorful districts, and picturesque surroundings, making the perfect backdrops for wedding photos. Known as having one of the most beautiful skylines in the world, many brides and grooms prefer the Chicago skyline overlooking Lake Michigan as their wedding backdrop of choice. You simply can’t beat Chicago’s breathtaking skyscrapers dazzled with bright, sparkling lights standing tall above the water. If you’re looking for more of a fun, eccentric backdrop for your wedding photos, Chicago’s art districts offer the perfect surroundings. Pose behind a giant mural or make your photos pop with a local artist’s sculpture. No matter what corner you turn, there are limitless options for wedding backdrops in Chicago.

Unique setting. Compared to other cities, Chicago offers a little bit of everything, for everyone. For those of you who wish to have a more classic, traditional wedding, Chicago’s older neighborhoods and quiet, serene parks can be just what you need to bring your vision to life. Old Town, one of Chicago’s oldest neighborhoods, is lined with victorian-era buildings, old brick alleyways, and tree-lined streets, and that’s only one of many! Chicago has a lot to offer people on the other end of the spectrum, as well. If you’re looking to switch things up and break the mold of traditional weddings, Chicago’s edgy, urban districts can provide a hip look and feel that will give your wedding a more urban flair. Neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Logan Square, Ukranian Village, and Pilsen are perfect examples.

Plenty to do. Chicago isn’t only one of the largest tourist destinations in the world because of its manifold and diverse neighborhoods, but also because there is so much to do, and so much to see! Museums, art exhibits, restaurants, bars, hotels, sports stadiums, shopping centers, music festivals, the list goes on and on. Places like Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Lake Michigan, and Willis Tower are infamous to Chicago and are perfect destinations to visit on your wedding day. After all, what’s a wedding in Chicago without visiting The Bean!?

Easy transportation. Chicago’s public transportation system makes it so easy to get to and from places. Almost every business, shop, and neighborhood is accessible by train, taxi, subway, and even your feet! If you host a wedding in Chicago, you won’t have to worry about getting people to and from your celebration. 

At The Murphy, we have everything you need to give you the Chicago wedding of your dreams. Located in the heart of the city and just minutes from the Magnificent Mile, The Murphy is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Chicago. Hundreds of weddings have been held in our auditorium, each one bringing a different style and feel to the space. With gorgeous french-style architecture designed with precision, The Murphy can comfortably accommodate your guests, setting the stage for an unforgettable Chicago event.

If you’re planning a wedding in Chicago, look no further than The Murphy! Give us a call today!

32 Questions to Ask an Event Venue Before You Book

Choosing the perfect venue for your special event can be a daunting task. There’s so much to consider and keep track of that it can get very overwhelming.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, gala, fundraiser, or corporate event, it’s important to know exactly what to ask when you visit a venue. That’s why we took the time to create a list of questions you should ask any event venue before you book it for your special day.

The Date

• Is the space available on your desired date?
• Is there a discount for booking during a certain time of year or season?
• Is there a price difference for booking during the busy season vs. the off-season?

Set Up/Logistics

• How many hours do you have the venue for in total? How many hours early can you get there for set up? How long do you have to clean up after the event? Can you pay for additional hours?
• Can things be shipped or dropped off at the venue prior to the event?
• What furniture/equipment comes with the venue?
• What staff is included in the booking cost?
• What kind of security is provided with the venue?
• Who exactly will be managing your event? How much experience do they have?

The Cost

• How much is the deposit? Is the deposit refundable?
• What are the policies to book? Be sure you fully understand all of the terms and conditions for booking the venue before you make any decisions.
• Are there hidden costs, such as service charges, gratuity, cleaning fees, or overtime charges?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• Do they offer certain packages?
• What is included in the price? Is it strictly the venue, or are security, set up, etc included?
• What forms of payment are acceptable and is there a payment schedule?

Space/Accommodations

• Is the venue big enough to accommodate your number of guests?
• Are there spaces for all of the activities you have planned? For example, if you’re interested in having a separate cocktail hour, a stage, or space for dancing, it’s important to be sure the venue can accommodate.
• Is the venue located in a convenient location for all attending?
• Is there enough parking for guests?
• Is public transportation near the venue or easy to access?
• Will the decor of the venue match with your desired event decor and design?
• Does the event space have the right acoustics and is it wired for AV equipment? Are there volume restrictions?
• Are there any restrictions? Such as decorations, outside vendors, alcohol minimums, etc.
• If your event is a wedding, are there other rooms available for the bride and groom to get ready in prior to the event?
• Is there a coat check?
• Is the space wheelchair accessible?

Food & Drink

• Do they allow you to use your own vendors, or must you use theirs? Is there an additional charge if you use outside vendors?
• Do they have a liquor license?
• Can you bring your own alcohol? If so, is there a charge to do this?
• Are there food and drink minimums? What are they?
• Is there a cake cutting fee?

The Murphy is a Chicago wedding venue that offers a historic setting, plenty of space, and gorgeous architecture. We’ve served as the setting for a number of weddings, nonprofit events, and corporate events over the years, and are dedicated to helping you create an event you and your guests will never forget.

For booking information and to learn more about our Chicago event space, contact The Murphy today!