The very first part of your wedding day (after some coffee and a slow morning, hopefully) is getting ready. These are our favorite bridal suites in Chicago and some of the best hotels to get ready for your wedding.

What to look for in your Chicago bridal suite

Your bridal suite is truly where the party kicks off. This is the place where nerves are soothed, and the transformation into a bride begins. Chicago’s no stranger to epic wedding scenes, and it’s only fitting that the Windy City offers bridal suites that are as kickass as your story.

We’re about to take you on a whirlwind tour of some seriously cool bridal suites in the city. But before we dive into these hip havens, let’s chat about why your getting ready location is way more than just a spot to zip up your gown – it’s the HQ for making memories with your crew.

Natural Lighting

Look for big, beautiful windows that flood the bridal suite with natural light. It’s like an instant filter for your photos that will make you glow! It also sets the mood just right. And if big windows just aren’t going to happen, mirrors can help bounce that light around — plus you’ll need plenty of mirrors for your wedding party to easily do their hair and makeup.

Enough Space

Finding the perfect place to get ready for your wedding isn’t just only about a nice backdrop; it’s about ensuring you’ve got enough room to rock ‘n’ roll with your wedding entourage. Picture this: you, your crew, and maybe even your folks all sharing precious space as you prep for the day of a lifetime. It’s a bustling morning, with hair and makeup artists doing their magic, your best friends laughing, and the camera squad capturing every moment. Trust us, things can get cozy real fast.

So, here’s the deal – go big! Choose a getting-ready spot with enough breathing room for everyone to thrive without tripping over each other’s enthusiasm. Plus, more space means more opportunities for those killer, multi-angle getting-ready shots. And who doesn’t want their wedding day memories to look kickass from every perspective?

Be A Little Boujee

Use your bridal suite as an excuse to be a little boujee and spoiled on your wedding day. It’s okay, you can do it — we give you permission! After all, it’s not every day that you’re getting married! So don’t be afraid to go all out, upgrade your room to a suite and live it up.

Create an Aesthetic

Naturally, the design style of your Chicago hotel will influence the final look of these photos. So keep an eye out for aesthetics that don’t quite match your vision. Plus, your photographer will usually use this space to capture emotional moments with loved ones, and to take your detail shots. This can include your invitation suite, jewelry, your veil, floral trimmings, bouquet, perfume, etc. While we can usually bring along a styling mat (to provide a background of our own), the lighting still affects it all.

Helpful tips for booking your bridal suite in Chicago

1. Book the hotel for two nights. You and your maid of honor can sleep there the night before your wedding so you can wake up on site, ready to go, and without rushing to get up and going. Then, your bestie can sleep there after the wedding, and gather any remaining items while you jet off to your honeymoon.
2. Splurge a little on the larger suite. If you’re inviting the whole bridal party there, plus mom and grandma too, you’ll need space to spread out. Maybe get the king with the additional living room!

Best Getting Ready Locations in Downtown Chicago

Over the years of photographing hundreds of weddings, we have been able to find the best of the best hotels to get ready for your wedding in Chicago. These bridal suites are for couples who are looking for all of the boxes checked off. They have amazing lighting, unique decor, and architecture, helping create your aesthetic and giving you a one-of-a-kind experience.

Eurostars Magnificent Mile – Presidential Suite

If you haven’t guessed by now, we are a big fan of suites for your getting-ready spot. One of our faves is the Presidential Suite at Eurostars Magnificent Mile. What you might find is that a lot of suites will have amazing city views as well as tons of windows. The presidential suite has no shortage of that. Filled with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private gym, and open and airy living & dining spaces, this suite is a no-brainer for any couple. Check out more info on the presidential suite at Eurostars Magnificent Mile.

Viceroy Chicago Hotel – Penthouse Suite

The Penthouse Suite located at the Viceroy Chicago Hotel is a prime hotel bridal suite here in Downtown Chicago. The Viceroy Chicago Hotel is inside a 120-year-old building and yet is the epitome of luxury and elegance. You can immerse yourself in the beautiful city while having a luxe stay in the beautiful penthouse suite. Surrounded by windows, the amount of natural light that peeks in is unbelievably beautiful. You can have enough room for you as well as several other guests and it is one of our favorite getting-ready locations in Downtown Chicago. To check out more details of the Penthouse Suite, click here!

The Ritz-Carlton – Navy Pier Two Bedroom Suite

One of the most infamous hotels in any major city has got to be The Ritz-Carlton. If it were up to us, we would hands down choose the Navy Pier Two Bedroom Suite for the perfect getting-ready spot. This specific suite gives you panoramic views of Lake Michigan and unobstructed views of Chicago’s Navy Pier and the Chicago city skyline. This suite has a ton of amazing natural light that makes it one of the most perfect places to get ready. Check out The Ritz-Carlton’s Navy Pier Two Bedroom Suite!

Waldorf Astoria – Presidential Suite

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a luxurious, elegant, and timeless hotel located in Downtown Chicago. The Waldorf Astoria Hotel provides a one-of-a-kind experience for all of its guests and truly has some of the best services. Like we were floored! As for your bridal suite, we highly recommend checking out their Presidential Suite. The Presidential Suite is a 2,400-square-foot elegant suite and is completely covered in natural light. With floor-to-ceiling windows, Juliette terraces, and gorgeous views from the 26th floor, it will seriously take your breath away. It sure did for us! Check out The Waldorf Astoria Presidential Suite!

Blackstone Hotel – Presidential Suite

Next up, is the Blackstone Hotel. Well known in the Chicago community as “The Hotel of Presidents”, the Blackstone Hotel has everything you ever need for a once-in-a-lifetime stay. It’s been in operation since 1910 and has since undergone transformations to develop it into the sought-after hotel that it is today. Known as one of their iconic suites, the Presidential Suite was good enough for some of the U.S.’s most infamous presidents. Now, anybody is able to book their stay at this elegant and luxe suite. When you book the presidential suite, you get a lavish foyer and powder room, dining room, and beautiful views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan. Check out Blackstone Hotel’s Presidential Suite!

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Royal Suite

Next up we have the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel. Now try saying that three times fast – LOL. Known as the crown jewel of Michigan Ave, the ICCH has been a legendary hotel location since 1929. The building itself still reeks of the 1920s essence but in the best way possible. We love it! If you’re looking to book a stay here to get ready for your wedding, we highly recommend checking out their Royal Suite. The Royal Suite is located at the top of the hotel’s historic Executive Tower and offers stunning views of our beautiful Chicago. It’s a two-story suite with king beds, a separate den, a dining area, and an entryway powder room. You really can feel like royalty here! Check out the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Royal Suite!

Chicago Athletic Association – Founders Suite

The Chicago Athletic Association is the epitome of Chicago culture. It has that timeless Chicago style and is the perfect place if you’re looking to feel the heart of the city. Located directly across from Millennium Park, this is a boutique hotel housed within a Venetian Gothic 1893 building. You are met with grand ballrooms, pubs, and incredible detailing. Our favorite spot here would hands down be the Founders Suite. The Founders Suite is the perfect blend of old and new charm. It incorporates the history of the building and that old Chicago style, with still a hint of a modern touch. Gorgeous views, stunning decor, and lighting… it’s a no-brainer to have this be one of your top getting-ready locations!

Hilton Chicago – 2 Bedroom Luxury Suite w/ King and Double Beds

Last but certainly not least, we have the Hilton Chicago. This gorgeous hotel overlooks Grant Park and is in close proximity to some of the most well-known destination spots here in Chicago. However, if you’re looking for the best of the best room here at Hilton Chicago, we recommend checking out the 2 Bedroom Luxury Suite. This suite is decorated to give off those cool and modern type vibes, which of course we are always here for. A common theme you may notice is the tons of natural light in these rooms. This is essential if you’re taking getting ready photos, in case you forgot. Check out the Hilton Chicago 2 Bedroom Luxury Suite!

Choosing the best Chicago bridal suite for you

These have got to be some of the best bridal suites in Chicago. Want to talk more about your vision, and get to know a photography/videography duo too? That’s us. Say hi!