10 Nature Centered Wedding Venues in Illinois

YOU DID IT! You got engaged and now the time has come to start planning your wedding day! You’ve dreamt of this moment for what seems like forever. You have a vision of what your day is going to look like. Now the only question is how to make that dream a reality.

While there’s a lot of different pieces that make up a wedding day, one of the main parts is choosing a wedding venue for your day. If your dream wedding involves having a whimsical wedding day surrounded by nature, I have good news for you! Today we’re taking a look at 10 of my favorite nature centered wedding venues found in Illinois!

So without further ado, let’s get into them!

How to Decide on the Right Venue for You

No two wedding venues are the same, just like no two wedding days are the same! Each venue is going to have different amenities, spaces available, pricing, feel, guest limit, and more. So how do you know which is right for you? That comes down to you and your partner!

Be sure to openly talk to your partner about what you want your wedding day to look like.

• Do you want a big or small wedding?
• Are you two more on the DIY side of things?
• What experiences do you both hope to have on your day?

Try to get as clear of a picture in your mind of what your ideal wedding day will look like. From there you’ll know what to be on the lookout for as you search for the perfect wedding venue!

10 of My Favorite Nature Centered Wedding Venues in Illinois

Ok, NOW we can get into my favorite nature centered wedding venues in Illinois! Some of these locations may look familiar to you if you’ve been following my blog for a bit now.

Keep in mind that no single wedding venue is going to be the best for every couple. Keep your wedding day priorities in mind so that you choose the venue that is best for YOU!

1. Allerton Park

First up on our list is the ever gorgeous Allerton Park which is in Monticello, Illinois. You may recognize from Madison and Austin’s engagement session!

Allerton Park sits on over 1500 acres!! It offers a wide array of spaces for you to celebrate your wedding with your loved ones.

There are 11 different spaces to choose from, each with their own unique style and feel to them. Whether it’s whimsical gardens, a rustic barn, or a stunning mansion that you’re after, Allerton Park has you covered! The sites each have their own guest limit ranging from 75 to 500 guests.

There are few nature centered wedding venues in Illinois that offer as many diverse options as Allerton Park. Looking into Allerton is a must for almost every couple to consider for their wedding day!

2. Oakhill Farm

The next venue on our list is the renowned and sought after venue of Oakhill Farm! Oakhill Farm is a wedding venue near Galena, Illinois that sets itself apart from other venues through the amenities they offer, the spaces available, and the setting of the venue itself.

Oakhill Farm is located in the forests of Apple River which makes your wedding day feel like something straight out of a fairytale!

The Farm has 9 venue spaces ranging from a classic 1800’s chapel to a recently constructed pavilion which can seat up to 250 guests. There’s also getting ready spaces for both the bride and groom, an abundance of amenities and support from the venue staff, and a ton of locations for unique portraits which make it easy to see why this nature- centered wedding venue in Illinois is as popular as it is!

3. Camp Aramoni

Camp Aramoni is our next wedding venue and can be found in Tonica, Illinois! The camp specializes in more intimate weddings with a guest capacity of 75 for their indoor reception space. Being a campground though, Camp Aramoni has PLENTY of outdoor space for you to use and enjoy if you are looking to have a larger gathering.

The campground also has 11 boutique, safari style tents that you and your guests can rent out which can make for a one of a kind wedding weekend getaway. There are also getting ready spaces available on site for both the bride and groom.

Camp Aramoni is the perfect nature centered wedding venue in Illinois for any couple looking to enjoy an entire wedding weekend with their closest friends!

4. Timber Pointe Outdoor Center

Up next on our list is Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, a summer camp that also specializes as an incredible event space! While the venue cannot be booked from the middle of May to the middle of August due to the summer camp season, there’s still plenty to enjoy here at Timber Pointe!

The campground vibes of this venue are second to none and give you a one of a kind feel for your nature centered wedding in Illinois! With a lakefront ceremony space, 2 indoor reception spaces that can seat 200 and 250 guests, private changing rooms for the bride and groom, and cabins on site for you and your guests to rent. There is a LOT to love about Timber Pointe!

5. Pine Creek Escape

Found in Oregon, Illinois is Pine Creek Escape, a wedding venue that lives up to its name as a true escape into the beauty of nature! Pine Creek offers an array of wedding venue spaces to choose from, each with a different style to them.

With 6 different locations ranging from the Cobblestone Canyon and Enchanted Forest, to the Gazebo and the Grand Pavilion, the spaces offer quite the variety of experiences to choose from. Guest limits of these spaces vary from 90 to 300, which means the venue is suited for nearly any size wedding day. The venue also offers a large indoor reception space, a honeymoon suite for the bride and groom, on site lodging for family and your wedding parties, day of coordination, as well as other amenities. 

6. Wildlife Prairie Park

Wildlife Prairie Park is our next Illinois wedding venue to cover, and this one takes its love of nature to the next level! The venue can be found in Hanna City, Illinois near Peoria and has a multitude of spaces for you to use on your day.

With 4 scenic outdoor spaces to choose from for your ceremony, and 3 indoor reception spaces to choose from, there is NO shortage of options here! The indoor spaces vary with guest counts with the smallest being 90 and the largest being 250. You can upgrade your wedding package as well with 6 different styles of lodging, each with their own unique charm and character to them.

There’s also options to add on a 30 minute meet and greet with an animal ambassador at your ceremony, as well as a chance for you and your wedding party to head out on the Nature Trek which takes you right out in the middle of a bison herd!

7. Camp Wokanda

Up next is Camp Wokanda in Chillicothe, Illinois! This camp found near Peoria, Illinois has 5 different ceremony spots to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something more outdoorsy with that campground feel, or you want something a bit more classic and rustic, Camp Wokanda has what you’re looking for!

There are plenty of lodging options to choose from at this Illinois wedding venue, as well as camping opportunities for those looking to really immerse themselves into nature for their wedding day. With guest counts ranging from 75 to 250, you’re sure to find a space that will fit your wedding day vision here!

8. Camp Tuckabatchee

Our next wedding venue in Illinois is one that might look familiar to some as it’s where Jamie and Manny had their wedding day! I’m of course talking about Camp Tuckabatchee!

This camp found near Ottawa, Illinois is another location located in nature. The main campsite of the venue has an indoor lodge space that can easily fit over 100 guests. This is perfect for a reception or if there happens to be inclement weather for your wedding day.

There’s also 10 lodges for you and your guests to stay at on site and a plethora of nature to explore and enjoy around the main site! Jamie and Manny had their ceremony by the nearby creek. This really drove home the idea of a laid back wedding in the beauty of the outdoors.

9. Clayville Historical Site

We have another familiar face up next for those who’ve been following my blog, and that’s the Clayville Historical Site! This wedding venue in Pleasant Plains, Illinois is perfect for couples looking to have an outdoor ceremony with an indoor reception that also allows for easy access to the outdoors. Lexi and Alex’s wedding day was the perfect example of this as during their indoor reception. The children were able to play and frolic outdoors while the adults were dancing making it a fun time for everyone! The venue can fit up to 200 guests normally. However larger weddings here can also work as long as they take place outdoors.

10. Sangchris Lake State Park

Last but not least on our list of 10 nature centered wedding venues in Illinois we have Sangchris Lake State Park in Rochester! This location is a true bare bones wedding venue space. This makes it perfect for those looking to keep things simple and just want to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors during their wedding day. There is a pavilion with an overhang on location, but no true indoor space available which is something you’ll have to plan for in advance. You are able to have your ceremony right on the lake though which is breathtaking. There are camping opportunities available here if you’re looking to celebrate your wedding with an extended stay. Lastly, with this being a fully outdoor location there’s no real limit as far as a guest count that you have to worry about!

Bonus: Camp Saukenauk

GOTCHA! We actually have one more location to take a look at, Camp Saukenauk in Mendon, Illinois! There are simply too many incredible nature centered wedding venues in Illinois, I couldn’t just stop at 10! This is another classic from my blog as Brittany and Patrick celebrated their wedding day here. The venue has an outdoor ceremony space, or you can have your ceremony right on the lakefront if you would like! Then for your reception the rustic indoor lodge makes for the perfect setting for you to dance the night away with all of your favorite people. With spaces that can fit 200+ guests, this is yet another great option for your wedding day!

And there you have it! 11(!) wedding venues in Illinois centered around the nature that makes up this beautiful state!

I hope this blog helped get your brain flowing on the possibilities of an nature centered wedding here in Illinois! For more wedding planning tips check out my blog.

If you’re looking to book me as your wedding photographer send me an inquiry through my contact page!