Chicago: Escape the Big City Hassle! Celebrate your Wedding at Ancestral Acres Lodge and Barn
Chicago: Escape the big city hassle! Have your Weekend Wedding at Ancestral Acres Lodge and Barn
Wedding Venue Near Chicago for a Private Weekend Destination | Ancestral Acres
Wedding Venue Near Chicago for a Private Weekend Destination | Ancestral Acres
Escape the city and step into a place that feels entirely your own. Just 2–2.5 hours from Chicago, Ancestral Acres offers:
A private wedding weekend
Exclusive property access
Luxury lodging
Timeless countryside beauty
And it’s more affordable than you might think — especially when you compare it to Chicago wedding prices.
A Private Wedding Weekend — Just a Scenic Drive from Chicago
Leave behind the crowds and the rush:
No shared ballrooms
No hotel noise
No feeling like your most meaningful moments are on a schedule
At Ancestral Acres, weddings aren’t a single day—they unfold across a full weekend. You and your guests can settle in, slow down, and celebrate with intention.
Historic lodge and a beautifully restored barn sit within peaceful grounds designed for connection, beauty, and unforgettable memories.
For couples who want a destination feel without complicated travel, Ancestral Acres offers the rare balance of easy access, complete escape, and affordability.
Why Couples Are Choosing Wedding Weekends
Couples today are reimagining the traditional one-day wedding, creating weekends that allow for:
Warm welcome gatherings and relaxed arrivals
Laughter-filled evenings
Slow mornings with coffee and sunshine
Unhurried photos in natural surroundings
Deeply meaningful moments with family and friends
From the moment guests arrive, the celebration begins — and continues long after the ceremony ends.
Affordable, All-in-One Wedding Experience
A Wedding Weekend That’s More Affordable Than You Might Expect
Many couples are surprised to learn that hosting a full wedding weekend at Ancestral Acres is often more affordable than a single-day wedding in Chicago.
By combining venue, lodging, and catering flexibility — and eliminating many hidden city costs — couples are able to create a relaxed, multi-day celebration without stretching their budget.
Here’s what that typically looks like:
Clear, Thoughtful Pricing
Venue Rental
Our venue fee ranges from $4,600 to $5,600, depending on guest count.
This includes exclusive use of the property, with no shared spaces or overlapping events.
On-Site Lodging
The entire Lodge is available for two nights at $2800.00 with 7 bedrooms for our guests.
This means that the cost is approximately $60 per person, per night, allowing couples and their closest guests to stay together for the entire weekend.
Catering
Catering begins at $16 per person, offering flexibility and approachability while still allowing couples to design a menu that fits their style and priorities.
Together, these elements create a full wedding weekend experience — often for far less than couples expect.
How This Compares to Chicago Weddings
Many Chicago venues require:
Venue fees that exceed $10,000–$15,000
Mandatory in-house catering starting at $150–$300 per person
Hotel room blocks averaging $250–$400 per night
Strict time limits, service charges, and city-related fees
At Ancestral Acres, couples frequently find they can host:
A full weekend instead of a single evening
A private property instead of shared ballrooms
On-site lodging instead of expensive downtown hotels
A more relaxed, personal experience — without sacrificing quality
The Bottom Line
For many couples, the value isn’t just financial — it’s emotional. More time, less pressure, and space to truly enjoy the people who matter most.
Couples can save $30,000–$67,000 by hosting a wedding at Ancestral Acres instead of a typical Chicago venue. For 200 guests, catering starts at just $16 per person compared with Chicago’s $150–$300 per person, and the venue fee is roughly $5,000 versus $10,000–$15,000 in the city. These savings allow couples to create a full weekend celebration that reflects their style and priorities—investing in personal touches, guest experiences, and extended festivities—rather than being locked into inflexible, high-cost city requirements.
Your Entire Weekend, Your Entire Property
When you reserve your date at Ancestral Acres, the whole property is yours:
Lodge
Barn
Grounds
Your wedding will feel private, uninterrupted, and entirely your own. This isn’t an upgrade — it’s how we do weddings.
A Wedding Weekend That Feels Effortless
Most couples stretch their celebration across three days:
Friday — Guest arrivals, rehearsal dinner, welcome cocktails
Saturday — Leisurely morning, heartfelt ceremony, joyous reception
Sunday — Farewell brunch and lingering goodbyes
Instead of watching the day fly by, you get to live it fully.
Historic Charm Meets Refined Comfort
Beautifully restored barn full of warmth and character
Historic lodge perfect for gathering and getting ready
Expansive countryside grounds to explore
Golden-hour landscapes photographers adore
Plenty of space for guests to relax and connect
Every corner of the property is welcoming, elevated, and effortlessly beautiful.
Easy for Your Guests
Downtown Chicago — about 2–2.5 hours
North Shore — about 2 hours
Western Suburbs — often under 2 hours
Close enough to simplify travel, far enough to feel like a true getaway.
A Celebration That Cannot Be Duplicated
We host only one wedding at a time, making your weekend private, intimate, and completely yours.
Because we limit weddings each year, couples often choose their dates early — sometimes calling it their favorite part of planning.
Begin Planning Your Wedding Weekend
If you’re looking for a venue that feels private, intentional, beautiful, and affordable, we invite you to experience Ancestral Acres firsthand:
Schedule a private tour
Request availability
Start the conversation
Your wedding deserves a setting that’s just as meaningful as the day itself — without the city price tag.