River Roast

Host a Wedding by the Flowing River and Against the Chicago Skyline!

Congrats, you are engaged! If you just said “Yes!” to your partner and the flutter in your stomach has hardly settled down when you get confronted by another exciting prospect- you get to have a Chicago wedding-well, congrats, once again! Whether you are a native or a visitor, we are sure you are no stranger to the allure of this amazing city. 

There is something about this city that is unwaveringly springy and so full of life that life itself learns how to do a bit more living from Chicago! A staggeringly gorgeous city with world-class architecture, stunning artwork, and awe-inspiring statues and sculptures, Chicago is a little bit of everything and more! Having been the muse to many photographers, the city has an uncanny charm that translates beautifully on film- perfect to play a cameo in your wedding pictures. Being a naturally breezy city as it lies in the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is lovingly nicknamed the ‘Windy City’. There is no surprise that it has long billed itself as an ideal summer resort because of its cool lake breeze. 

Home to some of the most epic skylines, Chicago also paints quite a pretty picture- thanks to its gracefully flowing Lake Michigan, ravishing white-sand beaches, and bewitching parks. From the culinary sell-points like the much-acclaimed Chicago deep-dish pizza to the sports-lovers’ favorite Chicago Bulls, from architectural marvels like Cloud Gate to the stunning Navy Pier, Chicago is a carnival for all your senses. Having your wedding in this glorious city will not only add a lot of character to your wedding day, but it will also be a delight for your guests, as there is no shortage of places to explore and things to do!

Whether you want to do a quick round of engagement pictures in the city landmarks like the stunning Art Institute of Chicago and the romantic Buckingham Fountain, as our engagement photographer captures the vibe of the city perfectly, or you want to keep your guests occupied when they fly in for your wedding, Chicago will not disappoint. If you have chosen this epic city to be the canvas to paint your unique love story in, you are just in luck, as the sparkling city boasts classic Chicago wedding venues which will leave you and your guests raving about them for years to come. 

One such stunner out of all the amazing wedding venues in Chicago happens to be River Roast, the very throbbing heart of Chicago extravaganza! Perfectly embodying the fun and culture yielding background for your Chicago wedding photography, River Roast, Chicago, has the casual vibe yet a grandeur that is unmissable. A modern Chicago venue with a history that runs deep, this place is sure a juxtaposition of old and new. First thing first, we can talk forever about the setting itself. Reflecting every aspect of Chicago in the gorgeous mirror of the flowing river, something about this location is like a heady love affair itself. Located smack dab on the river right by the River Roast is a waterfront restaurant nestled in the downtown area. The location casually overlooks the glistening Chicago River, the skyscraping Chicago cityscape and LaSalle Bridge like it is no big deal (it is!). You can somehow never get used to the epic skyline glittering in the background which takes your breath away every time you glance towards it, the silent cascading of the Chicago River right by you, as your guests dance the night away under the twinkling lights- this place is anything but ordinary!

River Roast lists high in Chicago wedding venues and sits pretty inside the historic Reid and Murdoch building which is a true beauty with its exposed brick walls, tall columns, and pressed-tin ceilings. Elements like the while crystal chandeliers and billowy draping on the spacious veranda set the scene for your reception dinner to light up in a romantic iridescent glow, as the theatrical setting in the background gives your wedding a movie-like charm- only this time it is real! One of the best wedding venues in Chicago, this sprawling beauty offers six different indoor and outdoor venues for you to take your pick from. Whether you are hosting an intimate gathering or a glorious reception for up to 1,000 guests, River Roast in Chicago comes with its A-game, ready to sweep your guests off their feet. The venue has a room for everyone and will make your dream wedding a grand success- and better than in dreams! 

The venue is also conveniently located by the LaSalle bridge, a coveted spot for wedding photography, which also happens to be situated just a stone-throw from the River Roast and provides the most amazing setting for you and your partner to get some gorgeous clicks in! Sneak out with your partner after the ceremony, or huddle up with your wedding party and make it a full-blown photo session. The gorgeous bridge adds that old-world romantic charm which bridges are capable of!

The wedding venue is highly malleable and can be customized easily as per one’s needs, stylistic approach, season and theme of the wedding. From the expansive dining and dancing area to the delicately put-together decor of the venue, the location is variable and quite accommodating for all kinds of weddings! Your guests will be wowed as they will find themselves catching their breath, as the panoramic view of the Chicago River and the cityscape wrap them up and play peek-a-boo, whether you are sitting indoors or outdoors. The interiors of River Roast lulls you in with a sense of warmth and exudes style with its cozy yet classy ambiance. It sure has a slow rustic elegance about it and the glam-meets-industrial details lent by the exposed brick walls, tall columns, industrial accents, and pressed-tin ceilings giving it a comforting yet stylish look. Dazzling crystal chandeliers here and buttery soft leather chairs there and a generous sprinkling of bar-top lamps for good measure, and you have a chic look, with just a hint of 1920s thrown in, which creates quite the mesmerizing effect for your wedding day. The off-white curtains drape elegantly, only to add to the overall vibe of the space. The massive windows of the restaurant look out to the splendor spread outside, giving your guests a peek at the magic which lays outside, and that they don’t miss out on the spectacular views of the Windy City’s best look. The stylish indoors comes equipped with a ginormous dance floor with gorgeous views surrounding you! Isn’t it drop-dead romantic when you hold your partner for your first dance to ‘your song’, as the medley of warm glowing interiors and the twinkling city lights witness the beautiful view- which is you! A perfect photo opportunity right there! Let your wedding photographers in Chicago capture the magic of the interiors in its domed lightings, romantic vines of greenery, and the romantic industrial blend of beauty and the comforting hustle of the guest of your wedding reception so that you can relive how the night felt like for years to come!

While the golden comforting glow of the social hustle indoors can build the spirit of the night, your guests can also step outside towards the elaborate dock area outside, known to be one the largest patios of the city. Whether the patio is for optional mingling purposes, or you are hosting your reception dinner out there, there is no doubt that this is one of the primary attractions of this wedding venue and it’s easy to see why! It is a party for all your senses, as the gentle breeze from the flowing river hugs you, the eyes are appeased by the glittering show which the city has put up, and the draped fairy lights which add that feel of festivities to the night. The easy and comfortable seating area, teamed with the romantic display of flowers and the soft comforting lighting makes the patio a focal entertaining area. Aside from the entertaining purposes, the patio also happens to be the perfect location for your wedding photographer to click some amazing wedding photographs. Let our Chicago wedding photographers capture the drama and enchantment in the background in just the right pictures, as the sparkling river and scenic skyline poses for the same. 

With choosing this location as your wedding venue, you are essentially signing up for a lot of good food, excellent service, and a feel-good warmth which this social house is abundant in. River Roast is known to specialize in handcrafted tavern-inspired American cuisine and will certainly not disappoint when it comes to putting out an unforgettable meal. River Roast is a heartbeat of the social activities in Chicago and is a lively social house from James Beard award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano and Executive Chef Cedric Harden. The menu is a careful selection of contemporary tavern fare inspired by London roast houses- which translates to roasted chicken, whole roasted fish, and slow-roasted beef, all served with signature potatoes. In other words, the word ‘hearty’ seems to be of prime importance here. With a menu of soul-food paired with artisan wines, local beers, and craft cocktails, this wedding venue is surely not all about the views.

As the spirit of the night rises, the cocktail reception will start seeing a lot of traffic. A romantic cocktail reception on the stone patio that stretches alongside the river is genius, as it coaxes the guests to take in the dramatic views of the city laid out ahead! A perfect place to mingle in and toast to your future ahead, the celebratory vibe of the patio is a perfect setting for you and your partner to strike a goofy pose, as your Chicago wedding photographers capture the candid moments before they are lost in the blur.

Yeah, the view is amazing, and the food absolutely delish, but it's the people who make or break a wedding venue! Whether you opt for a formal do or casual roast dinner with friends as your wedding celebration, the staff at River Roast is committed to helping you reach out to the dream wedding etched in your mind. Showcasing exceptional service and an impeccable eye for detail and backed with an innate instinct when it comes to event planning, the River Roast staff are the people who will wipe away your stress with their confident reassurance that they have it covered. It comes as no surprise that the River Roast team is extremely accommodating and will be providing hands-on assistance as you plan the perfect wedding. Whether it is about matching the vibe of the location with your wedding theme or going that extra mile to make your wedding by the magical riverside venue a truly memorable night, the staff has got your back. From helping you craft the complete reception timeline, to ensuring that the perfect song plays at just the perfect moment, to curating a table setting which is near-perfect, the River Roast clan strives to make your wedding day as stress-free as possible. 

River Roast is surely one of the unique Chicago wedding venues and is far from your usual wedding venue. What spells ‘fun’ better than a riverfront restaurant that comes with the purpose of revelry and a good time? A place with stories to tell. A place which has witnessed the gathering of friends- old and new. A place with tables which have seen too many Sunday brunches and floors which have witnessed many nights lost to the cause of dance. And most importantly, the walls of this venue have witnessed the clinking of several glasses on innumerable wedding receptions. The patio has seen several nights melted into the day as the guests danced the night away and the landscape changed from glittering glass buildings shining like the night sky to crisp mornings, all testimonials of time well spent!

Even though the time-honored building has seen it all, the astonishing beauty of the views that this location provides is something that can never be taken casually. It will still take one’s breath away, every single time. If that doesn’t speak tons about this classic wedding venue, we don’t know what does! One thing that you can be reassured about is that when the guests drive away, lulled by the roast dinner, the fine wine, and the feel-good vibe that this venue provides, they will forever think of this night as a magical night by the river when the city lights shined a little brighter!