Proposals and weddings — venues, capacities and the booking process
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile offers multiple historic ballrooms and smaller event rooms for proposals, rehearsals, ceremonies and receptions — from the 7th-floor Grand Ballroom (up to 450 for weddings) to the 32nd-floor Tower Lounge (up to 40). Contact the hotel’s wedding/events team (312-944-4100 or salesordha@ihg.com) to request availability, F&B minimums, and a guestroom block.
In this guide
At a glance: Is this hotel right for proposals and weddings?
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is a landmark property with multiple historic event spaces across its towers and floors, including the Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Ballroom and King Arthur Court.
The hotel markets itself for full weekend celebrations and maintains an on-site culinary/event team and an onsite kosher kitchen for full-service catering, making it suitable for couples who want historic interiors and hotel-managed logistics.
- Historic 1929 building (former Medinah Athletic Club) with ornate ballrooms
- On-site catering and event team; private photography room available
- Courtesy guestroom blocks and valet parking options for wedding groups
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Guestroom inventory | Hundreds of rooms across two towers; courtesy blocks available for events |
| Catering | Full-service catering with onsite kosher kitchen |
| Event support | High-tech A/V, vendor list, private photography room |
Venues and capacities
The hotel lists a mix of large ballrooms, mid-size rooms and small meeting spaces across several floors. Capacities vary depending on setup (ceremony, banquet, theater), and some rooms have different maximums for weddings vs. general events.
Below is a short reference of the main spaces commonly used for ceremonies and receptions. Always confirm the exact capacity for your intended layout with the sales team.
| Room / Space | Typical wedding capacity (per hotel listings) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom (7th floor) | Up to 450 guests for weddings (max 1,000 for some meetings) | Large formal receptions and ceremonies |
| Renaissance Ballroom (5th floor) | Up to 220 guests for weddings | Mid-size receptions with ornate French-style décor |
| King Arthur Court (3rd floor) | Up to 160 guests for weddings (general max listed at 400) | Historic, character-filled ceremonies or receptions |
| Tower Lounge (32nd floor) | Up to 40 guests | Small welcome receptions, intimate ceremonies, farewell brunches |
| Avenue Ballroom (ground floor) | Up to 500 guests | Large banquets or conferences (check wedding suitability) |
Booking process and contacts
Start by contacting the hotel’s wedding and events team to check date availability and initial pricing. Wedding inquiries are handled at 312-944-4100 or salesordha@ihg.com; the hotel can provide venue holds, sample contracts and package details.
BookResorts agents can assist with general booking questions and 24/7 agent support at +1 (888) 605-1350, but contractual venue holds and F&B minimums are confirmed directly by the hotel’s sales office.
- Request a written contract and a detailed estimate that lists F&B minimums, room rental fees (if any), and service charges.
- Ask about a courtesy guestroom block, room-block release date, and any attrition clauses.
- Confirm whether deposits, payment schedules, and a security/incidentals deposit are required.
| What to request | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| F&B minimum and inclusions | Determines overall cost and which perks are included |
| Guestroom block terms | Protects room availability and may affect group rates |
| A/V and setup fees | Impacts rehearsal, ceremony timing and final invoice |
Costs, minimums and typical package elements
The hotel publishes sample food-and-beverage minimums for wedding packages on select ballrooms. These minimums represent a starting point for budgeting but can vary by date and space.
Packages commonly include a recommended vendor list, a courtesy guestroom block, valet parking, a private photography room and certain event-day staff or perks — confirm which items are included in writing.
- Grand Ballroom wedding F&B minimum listed at $59,000 (per hotel package page).
- Renaissance Ballroom wedding F&B minimum listed at $39,000.
- King Arthur Court wedding package lists a $26,000 F&B minimum.
- Perks vary by package; ask which are included (e.g., complimentary suite, tasting, room rental).
| Ballroom | Published F&B minimum (hotel listing) |
|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | $59,000 |
| Renaissance Ballroom | $39,000 |
| King Arthur Court | $26,000 |
Timeline, logistical notes and onsite services
Typical planning timelines vary by couple and guest count; the hotel supports full weekend events and can coordinate rehearsal dinners, ceremony timing and multi-day logistics. Ask early about preferred vendor rules, load-in/out windows and staging for photography.
The property has on-site catering, an onsite kosher kitchen, high-tech A/V support, valet parking, a private photography room, and guestroom blocks. The event team can often recommend local florists, photographers and officiants.
- Confirm load-in/load-out times and any restrictions for decorating (candles, confetti, hanging items).
- Verify valet parking capacity and any guest parking rates; valet is offered on site.
- Ask whether Centre Court or other dining spaces can be used for small rehearsal dinners or private breakfasts.
| Service | Onsite availability |
|---|---|
| Onsite catering | Yes (full-service; hotel lists kosher kitchen) |
| Valet parking | Yes (covered; fee applies) |
| A/V support | Yes (hotel provides high-tech A/V for events) |
Proposal ideas and small-scale ceremonies
For proposals or very small ceremonies, consider the Tower Lounge on the 32nd floor for city views and a private feel (capacity listed at 40). The hotel also has smaller meeting rooms and private dining options such as Michael Jordan’s Steak House private spaces and Casa Chi private dining.
If you want a public spot nearby, the hotel is steps from Michigan Avenue, Tribune Tower and the Chicago River and the concierge can help arrange nearby outdoor proposals or private boat departures for river tours — confirm permits and logistics with the concierge.
- Tower Lounge: rooftop-style city-view space for welcome receptions, proposals, or small ceremonies (listed capacity 40).
- Private dining in Michael Jordan’s Steak House or Casa Chi: ask the restaurant for private-room availability via their reservations channels.
- Concierge can help arrange nearby proposal elements (riverwalk, architecture tour) but confirm timing and any external vendor fees.
| Option | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Tower Lounge | City views and intimate seating for up to 40 guests |
| Private dining (Michael Jordan’s / Casa Chi) | Meal-focused proposals or small family dinners with private room options |
| Concierge-arranged river proposal | Close proximity to the Chicago River and Riverwalk |
