How Much Does it Cost to Get Married at The Chicago Athletic Association?

Set in a restored 1893 Venetian Gothic landmark, the Chicago Athletic Association brings historic grandeur and modern luxury together in one unforgettable venue. Overlooking Millennium Park and Lake Michigan, this architectural icon offers a sense of romance, drama, and timeless style—all within the heart of downtown Chicago. From ornate ballrooms with stained glass and marble floors, stunning rooftop restaurant with lake views, to reimagined athletic spaces like a vintage basketball court, every corner of this hotel offers a unique setting—and a story to match.

Couples can take advantage of the hotel’s many unique spaces, including Cindy’s rooftop restaurant, the Game Room, and the Cherry Circle Room, all offering custom food and drink experiences that reflect Chicago’s vibrant dining scene. Whether you’re planning a formal black-tie celebration or a playful, offbeat gathering, the Chicago Athletic Association has the flexibility and flair to bring your vision to life—all under one roof.

But what does it actually cost to get married here? The Tulle Together Wedding Pricing Transparency Project is on a mission to collect all of the pricing PDFs for wedding venues across the country. All of the PDFs in our database – 1,800 total and more than 100 in Illinois – are contributed by other couples planning their weddings. That means we can walk through the venue costs for you – without you having to email them. Below, we’ve broken down everything—from base fees to bar packages—to help you figure out whether the Chicago Athletic Association fits your budget and your vision.

Overall Cost Estimate

Let’s start with some total numbers before breaking down each fee individually. We combed through all the pricing details in the PDF to put together some high level quotes using Tulle’s Venue Calculator tool. This tool allows you to put in the most common elements of venue pricing PDFs to figure out the actual total without having to build a complex spreadsheet.

It’s important to note that the Chicago Athletic Hotel does not have a separate venue fee listed – their fees are reflected as a per person cost. That’s what we’ll be using for this calculation, which will be followed by the fees listed out separately.

$29,264 for 100 guests

This takes the the cheapest per person food & beverage package offered by the Chicago Athletic Club in addition to ceremony rentals and estimates the cost for 100 guests.

$43,896 for 150 guests

This takes the the cheapest per person food & beverage package in addition to ceremony rentals and estimates the cost for 150 guests.

$58,529 for 200 guests

This takes the the cheapest per person food & beverage package in addition to ceremony rentals and estimates the cost for 200 guests.

You can calculate the rough estimate of what it would cost to get married at the Chicago Athletic Association by using Tulle Together’s Venue Calculator! For the breakdown of the different costs, see below or log in to Tulle Together to access the entire pricing PDF.

Individual Costs and Fees at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

Ceremony & Reception Fees

The Chicago Athletic Association does not list a separate venue rental fee. Instead, pricing is built into wedding packages priced per guest, which vary based on the level of food, service, and bar included:

• $209 per person: 3-course dinner, premium bar, 5 hors d’oeuvres
• $279 per person: 4-course dinner, sparkling toast, upgraded hors d’oeuvres and proteins
• $309 per person: 5-course dinner, prestige bar, intermezzo course, late-night bites

Note: There is a $5 per chair ceremony setup fee.

What’s Included in the Wedding Package

Their per-person package includes:

• Cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres
• Multi-course plated dinner
• Premium or prestige open bar (depending on package)
• Sparkling wine toast (select packages)
• Wedding cake
• Coffee and tea service
• Floor-length linens, gold-framed table numbers, menu cards
• Votive candles, modern china
• Complimentary suite for newlyweds on wedding night
• Room upgrades for parents of the couple
• Changing room
• Discounted valet parking
• Room block for up to 20 guests (based on availability)

Food and Beverage Costs

All catering and bar service is provided in-house by the hotel. No outside catering or bar vendors are permitted.

Package pricing (above) includes full service for food and drink, and offers robust bar and menu options like:

• Imported burrata, short rib pot stickers, lamb chops
• Entrées like beef tenderloin, Faroe Island salmon, or halibut
• Late-night snacks including sliders, mini tacos, or even Shake Shack (on request)

Alcohol service follows Chicago ordinances and is handled entirely by the hotel’s licensed staff.

Additional Fees to Consider

Note: Venue rental fees are generally not taxed in Illinois, but food & beverage charges are subject to both tax and service fees.

How much could your total wedding cost be if you got married at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel?

When you factor in everything — from venue fees to vendor costs — Tulle Together’s Cost Forecast Tool projects that the total budget of wedding at The Chicago Athletic Association could land around $110,000, depending on your guest count (this estimates 1 50 person guest count), design scope, and other vendor selections. This estimate factors in a range of typical wedding expenses beyond the venue & catering itself, helping couples get a realistic view of what their wedding might actually cost before making any commitments. Of course, someone with a high budget could easily spend more than this – but it’s a starting estimate for what that total wedding cost could look like.

The Cost Forecast Tool is just one of Tulle Together’s budgeting resources. On the website, you’ll find a variety of budget tools designed to help couples plan out their total wedding costs before they book anything. Whether you’re estimating expenses, tracking your spending, or looking for real venue pricing, Tulle Together’s tools provide a transparent approach to wedding budgeting—so you can plan confidently and avoid unexpected surprises. Sign up here for a smarter way to plan your wedding!

Final Thoughts

Couples love the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel for its unbeatable location, storied architecture, and built-in food and beverage program that simplifies planning. While it’s a high-end experience with costs to match, many appreciate the all-in-one ease of hosting multiple events and guest stays under one historic roof.

Be sure to tour the venue and speak with the event team to understand how your wedding vision—and guest count—fits into the space. And as always, remember to budget for the extras: taxes, service fees, and enhancements can add up quickly. Happy planning!

Photo Credit: Pexels