Seamless. Gorgeous. EASY. This was an after wedding celebration for about 180 people. We did cocktails in the front area and hidden behind the partition was the dinner area, seen below. It was a dream. When you meet Spencer, he's warm, laid-back, and accommodating. Never do you wait for a returned email or call. They could charge more than they do, but they don't. And the pick up in the Rolls ... what a fun way to start the night! Thanks Spencer and Vicki for taking such good care of us from A-Z. We are 100% happy and grateful. read more

Ovation - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our review is going to sound just like the rest of all the amazing 5-star reviews on this page because that is the experience that Spencer and his team clearly deliver over and over again - and we were no different! From the start, Spencer and his team were communicative in all aspects of planning. Anytime I had a random question (and I had a lot), Spencer responded in a very timely manner and was super helpful anytime we needed any extra info or clarification for anything. The value that you get for this venue is insane - the cost includes a DJ with Spencer's company, Style Matters (shoutout to John Simmons - you were amazing at our wedding and kept our dance floor full all night long!), a ride around town/photo shoot with a vintage beautiful Rolls Royce, a photobooth, graphic design services, candle treatment throughout the venue, and beautiful chairs/tables. We were amazed at everything included, and they also have an open catering list, meaning you can bring in whatever catering and/or liquor vendors you want! We'll be singing Ovation's praises from the rooftops for years to come. Thank you to the team for making our wedding weekend absolutely amazing! read more

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We attended a wedding there and had a great time! I can't speak for the internal experiences but as a guest, the venue was nice and it was perfect location for our friends! read more

Okay, I wrote a review before, but Ovation was so amazing, I need to write another one!! I finally had my dream wedding on 6/27/2021, Spencer and Jason (my DJ) were the absolutely best! They both made sure my day went as smoothly as possible! Spencer, the owner, wonderful communication, so genuine, and above all else not arrogant but cool!!!! During the day, of course as the bride, I was beyond stressed, Spencer made sure everything was good and even said bye to me toward the end of the wedding! Ovation, the venue itself, I mean speechless. Very modern/rustic twist to it! The layout is soooo spacious. Parking is so easy, and the photo booth is such a wonderful addition! Jason! Dude!! After filling out the questionnaire, we were paired with Dj Intel (Jason)! He is so awesome! Nothing but compliments from my guests, and let me tell you, they are picky people when it comes to music. He listened to everything I wanted from the ceremony music, to cocktails hour, and the reception/dancing! He made sure I was ready to move on to the next event, and I really appreciated that! I recommend him, and I will definitely hire him for any future private events! Now, one complaint I do have is, many of my family and friends complained about Brian, I believe is his name. I mean I wouldn't know because he didn't even introduce himself to me when we arrived. I think he was suppose to be the event coordinator. Now, I don't know what his job title entails, but to be honest, I didn't like his attitude/mood. One of my friend asked him to help with something, and he responded, "well that's not really my job." He just acted like he didn't want to be there. He was very absence to me. Anyways, I did get super drunk at my wedding :/ and left many of my stuff at the event. I do believe Brian met with my friend the next day to grab the items, so I appreciate that! Regardless, Spencer and Jason, thank you so much for going above and beyond for us! Ovation was beyond beautiful, and if I can do all this over, Ovation will be my choice every time! read more

Ovation - Ceremony - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ovation gave us the most amazing backdrop to the best day of our lives. Like most couples, this was the first vendor we booked and we could not be happier with that decision. Spencer and his team were all amazing to work with - super responsive, experienced, and transparent with us along the whole process. As we went on to book the rest of our vendors, Ovation always received high praises from everyone proving we had made the best decision for our big day. The space is so well planned out, from the way the speaker system is set up to the size of the kitchen for catering plus and all the amenities and perks that come with it (DJ Style Matters, rentals, bridal suite, photo booth, Rolls Royce) are sure to make your wedding memorable for you and all of your guests! read more

Want a venue that can accommodate an unforgettable party? Look no further than Ovation. Not only is the venue stunning and offer everything (seriously, everything) you need for an epic event, Spencer and the entire Ovation team - from security, to the DJ, to the onsite day-of lead - are absolute professionals. Throughout the whole wedding planning process which unfortunately included a few postponements due to COVID, Spencer was communicative, responsive, and transparent. Unlike other venues around the city, Ovation offers straightforward pricing and unmatched flexibility, partnership, and event expertise. Equally as awesome as the venue itself, is the Style Matters DJ that is included with your Ovation booking. Rest assured that this isn't your average wedding DJ: they are professional, creative, original, and adept at reading the room to craft the desired experience. John was the DJ for our June 2022 wedding, and he absolutely nailed it! Our dance floor was on fire the entire night, and I still have guests asking if he can provide our cocktail hour playlist. Music was extremely important to us for our wedding day, and the Ovation team lived up to the hype and more. Many thanks to Spencer, John, & the entire team for making our night unforgettable! read more

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WOW is all I have to say about Ovation. Planning a wedding during a pandemic hasn't been easy, but through date changes, changing mask mandates and guest counts and all the normal wedding things in between, Spencer and Brian were incredible partners to work with to throw what was truly the party of our dreams. They're so responsive and kept the day running flawlessly. Some highlights: the GORGEOUS space that my guests couldn't stop talking about, the DJ (Hey Major Taylor!) who kept guests on the dance floor the whole night with a set that felt like us, post-ceremony photos in the Rolls Royce and the old school photobooth. If you're looking for a space that brings the good vibes and thinks through every detail, Ovation is for you! read more

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Our wedding day at Ovation was better than we could've ever imagined and was perfectly "us"!! From the day my (now husband) and I toured Ovation back in 2021, we knew we found the perfect venue. We loved that we were able to personalize things to fit our vision and loved the perks that came with the rental like the graphic design, DJ, photobooth, and Rolls Royce. Brian's graphic design came together beautifully and complimented our decor perfectly. The DJ Max was awesome, fit our taste to a T, and the dance floor was packed all night long!! We are still getting compliments from our friends and family about how rarely they left the dance floor- my dad said he was sore the next day, haha! We loved taking the Rolls Royce for a quick ride and got some super unique photos under the L tracks, and really enjoyed going through all of the photobooth pictures that our guests took! Brian and Nicole were extremely helpful the day of and helped take away any stress we had so we were able to enjoy every moment of our big day. Our guests were extremely complimentary of our entire wedding, raving about the ceremony, venue, reception, and flawless execution of the setup, flip, dance floor, and genuinely great time that they had. When we completed the venue's questionnaire back in February, we wrote that when it's all said and done, we wanted our guests to say, "Wow, that was a blast! BEST WEDDING I've ever been to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Two months later, after reflecting on our once in a lifetime day, we can confidently say that they made that happen! We cannot recommend Ovation enough and will be forever grateful to them for making our day the most joyful and memorable one of our lives. :) read more

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Hey you! Get off this silly website and email Spencer right now about a tour! However, if you still need some convincing then here is what I have to say.... We knew from the go that we were not looking for a stuffy traditional banquet deal so I hit the internet and started reading. Found Ovation and immediately felt a spark of excitement. Right away the vibe is not your typical venue, which is exactly what we were looking for. It is a blank slate, which meant we could customize it and stock our own bar, which was important to us. No need to look anywhere else. We immediately booked and actually picked our original date based on their availability. I seriously didn't care what day it was, I just knew I wanted to party there. I am not exaggerating when I say that many of our vendors eyes lit up and ears perked when we told them that our venue was Ovation. Not only did they seem excited to work in the space itself, but they were genuinely excited to team up with Spencer. If you have already met Spencer then you know why. He's an incredibly chill guy with a very reasonable approach to this whole party thing. Especially during pandemic times. We totally respect his following of guidelines and not contributing to the spread of this covid mess. We postponed twice, eloped in the interim, and then we were kinda faced with the decision to potentially scrap the party all together and just move on. However our heart was completely set on throwing a rager at Ovation and I cannot stress this enough....THIS PARTY WAS WORTH THE WAIT! Our guests were wowed by everything.....from the slideshow that Brian made, the photo booth, the Rolls Royce, the music from DJ Esteban, and the raw beauty of the building itself. Many of our guests reached out to tell us how much fun they had dancing the night away. We had the most fun though. Now I just sit here pondering my memories of an incredible night and twiddle my thumbs hoping someone else invites me to an Ovation party....because I sincerely can't wait to go back! read more

We've been working with Spencer and his team to plan our wedding at Ovation since 2018, and then COVID-19 hit... we were two months away from our big day. Spencer was on top of it and immediately helped us weigh our options and we decided to plan a smaller, micro wedding for this fall and move our large reception to next summer. We just had our micro wedding yesterday and it went off without a hitch. His team helped make sure guests felt safe as we followed social distancing and mask wearing when not eating it drinking. His team even took care of music cues and playing playlists, as well as recording our ceremony via Zoom for everyone who couldn't be there. Thank you Spencer for helping us navigate the process through these uncertain times--we still had the BEST day ever. read more

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Seriously, I echo the sentiments of all the other reviewers and newlyweds. In a way I'm sad that our wedding is over and that I'm not in constant contact with Spencer, Dustin... and the rest of my amazing wedding team (vendors) that made such a memorable event. Ovation is amazing. I'm going to be honest - it was the FIRST and ONLY venue we looked at. One of my best friends had recommended us checking it out, as it was a new venue. We set up an appointment with Spencer, and when we walked out, I looked over at my now-husband and said, yup, this is it. Spencer was amazing the entire process through. If we needed to come by and take another look, or get any info, or walk vendors, we had no problems. He was quick to answer and email back and questions we had. What we liked about Ovation was that basically everything was included in the price - no up charges for tables, curtains, etc. and no requirement to use a preferred vendor list (besides music). However, they readily gave their recommendations (we had to find a second caterer through the process, and Ovation gave a great recommendation). What the venue includes: DJ, Rolls Royce ride (one way), photo booth (emailed digitally about two weeks later), tables/chairs, curtains, grand piano, video wall (two of them - one by the dance floor and one by the main floor), private room for wedding party. Basically, we just had to find a caterer (food and linen), cake, and florist. We had been planning our wedding for about a year and a half, but the day went by SO fast! I wish that it was longer lol. All our guests really loved the venue, and kept saying it was an amazing day, with amazing vendors. I'd definitely recommend Ovation to betrothed friends, and to anyone else landing on this Yelp page. Thanks again Spencer!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

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Hands down one of the best venues in Chicago, the owner is amazing and the entire place is spotless. Pick this venue trust me you'll love it. read more

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Long story short, we ended up at getting married at Greenhouse Loft, Ovation's sister venue due to COVID and government event size restrictions. We originally fell in love with Ovation because of how gorgeous and spacious it is (we both had large invite lists and were planning for about 200!) But when we didn't need as much space, Spencer made the transition easy. Both venues are beautiful, the event teams are professional, their DJ sound systems and add on services are top notch, and you honestly could not ask for more beautiful wedding day back drops for your photos. Their flexibility and support during these times were so appreciated and we had a wonderful wedding day. I've attached photos of our social distanced set up. If you are thinking about doing a "micro wedding" you cannot beat this. We had 30 people and everyone felt very safe with the indoor/outdoor flow and the ample space we had to continue to social distance to everyone's comfort level. I can only imagine Ovation would have been just as lovely, but we personally wanted to try something new after plans fell through. And I cannot thank their team enough for the support. It was a great day, thank you, Spencer & Lindsay! read more

An AMAZING venue for your wedding!!! We checked out about 7 venues and Ovation was everything we were looking for plus more. They have an open floor plan (handicap accessible), exposed brick, wood/farmhouse tables, disco ball, vintage photo booth, projectors and video walls, graphic designer, Style Matters DJ, game room, you can choose your own vendors, and a Rolls Royce (epic photo opportunity). Spencer was excellent at communicating with us and got back to us right away with any questions we had. He recommended getting our liquor from Prestige which was awesome. They picked up the liquor at the end of the night and reimbursed us for whatever we didn't use. He recommended a few caterers and florist which we ended up going with the ones he recommended. They were both amazing! When the wedding got closer, he had us fill out a questionnaire to get to know us better and have us decide on the music we wanted at our wedding. From there, he matched us up with a DJ. We were a little nervous at the beginning having to wait till 2 weeks before the wedding to have a DJ selected but he didn't let us down! Ryan was absolutely amazing and kept our guests dancing all night. Trust Spencer, he has your back and really knows what his couples are looking for! Everything was absolutely perfect. The decorations looked amazing, everything flowed perfectly all day, and everyone had so much fun dancing and taking pictures in the photo booth. Spencer sent us all of the photo booth pictures digitally the next day. We loved looking through them to see how much fun all of the guests had! It was truly the best day ever! Don't hesitate and have your wedding at Ovation! read more

My husband and I are so incredibly grateful to the Ovation team for making our wedding on March 31, 2018 the absolute best day possible! Really. It was the most incredible day and so much of that had to do with Spencer, Brian, and Dustin, our DJ who is in-house with Style Matters DJs. From the very beginning of seeing the space and meeting Spencer, we knew that Ovation was extremely special. Communication with the team was beyond perfect and we always felt like we were top of mind. The planning process with Ovation was always easy, and they gave us so many helpful recommendations and advice along the way. Our friends and family members were so impressed with the space, atmosphere, and Ovation team! We continue to receive tons of compliments about how wonderful our venue was, and how it was THE best wedding they'd ever been to. Dustin was hands down the BEST DJ and kept our guests on the dance floor literally the entire night! We couldn't keep people away because his song selections were magic. Every. Single. Time. We loved him as our song curator! Bottom line: consider Ovation to be the venue for your wedding. You won't regret it, and the day will be as perfect as you envision it. read more

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I'm a wedding photographer and I need to rave about this place, Not only is the space beautiful but the staff is amazingly kind! TWO people tonight asked me whether I needed to get a clean room shot, they fed us on time, and the bartender asked us if we wanted anything other than water. Ask me how it was last time I worked here? Exactly the same. If all this sounds small, it shouldn't. Vendors can get treated pretty horribly depending on the space. Thank you so much for being so wonderful!! read more

There is certainly a reason why Ovation has all of these stellar reviews, it is because everything about the experience was a class act! I got married 8/29/15 and from the moment I started communicating with Spencer and once I saw the venue - I knew Ovation was going to host my wedding reception. Since our wedding, my husband and I have gotten so many compliments from our guests, saying how unique and beautiful the venue was. You truly get to express your creativity and make what you want out of the space. Let start with the venue itself, Ovation has history, being an old foundry. The outside of it is so unique & modern and the inside has so many features. The ceiling lets in natural light, the farm tables are perfection, chairs are unique, the bar is beautiful, so is the dj booth, and a photo booth is available for your guests. The place also has curtains, couches, up-lighting, a bridal suite and you get to use the Rolls Royce for a ride on your big day - which is awesome for pictures. The dj is also included in the deal. You fill out a detailed questionnaire and if you take the time to fill it out, you will be very happy with the music - we received SO many compliments on the music. Now on to Spencer. His customer service alone helped me decide to host my reception here. He's so responsive to emails, listens to your ideas, is very open to them and is just a hard worker. He was also our DJ and was there for every single walk through with my vendors. There's something to be said about when you put your heart and soul into building a business with your family, he always went the extra mile to help make my husband and I happy customers. You do not get the same customer service out of venues that are not managed by their actual owners. If Ovation is available on your date, do not look any further! Book it and I promise you won't regret it!! read more

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This is a difficult review to start writing, because there may not be words in the English language that accurately describe the level of awesomeness you will find at Ovation. Hands down, this place is the best place to celebrate in the history of parties. We hosted our wedding at Ovation on New Year's Eve, and throughout the planning process leading up to the big day, Spencer and his team were so helpful, so responsive and so fun. They're super creative and helped us envision an evening that kept everyone dancing, drinking and ringing in 2016 in style. You never really feel like a client when you're working with these guys; you feel more like a trusted friend. Spencer is committed to making sure that preparation is smooth and that, once everyone arrives, that they are in for an amazing night. The space -- you can't beat it. They have designed the hippest wedding venue that allows for seamless transition between ceremony to cocktails to dinner to dancing. The music -- one of the best pieces of Ovation is that your DJ is included in the package thanks to Ovation's partner company, Style Matters. And our DJ, Dustin Harris, was the absolute man! He played the best mix of throwback hip hop, indie rock and pop (our requests) imaginable. When you see your 66-year-old mother dancing to Whiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow", you know the party is a success. One important note for this review: this is the groom writing. The groom! As we planned our wedding, my typical reply was, "sure, whatever you want." I knew the wedding would be fun, but I wasn't wrapped up in any of the details. Our experience at Ovation proved just how stress-free and incredible inviting all your friends and family in for a wedding can be. If you're in the beginning phase of searching for a wedding venue, I recommend going straight to 2324 W. Fulton. It will save you from having to take any other tours, because once you see this place, you'll know why everyone loves it. Thanks, Spencer, Brian, Dustin and everyone at Ovation! You guys rule. Sincerely yours, Dave, Lexi and The Lost Wedding Cake read more

Ovation - We got married. And it was awesome. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ovation, and Spencer and his team, are absolutely top-notch! Our wedding was the second event in the space, and, similar to Matt M., we only saw the space when it was a big old barren warehouse. In a matter of months, that space was transformed into one of the most amazing venues in the city! First, as noted above, Spencer and his team (most of them being his hard-working family!) are an absolute delight to work with. They really care about the details of your event. Spencer and I exchanged dozens of emails about everything from the color of the drapery to the width of the tables. Because Spencer has worked 100s of weddings himself, he is very tuned in to details of what works and what doesn't. The space is beautiful. Many of the guests at our wedding said, "when you described the venue, I didn't expect THIS!!" The space is sleek and modern, but with a warm glow of reclaimed wood and exposed brick. There is a large skylight that allows natural light to shine down, and two full walls of windows. There is a nice bridal suite on the second floor in the back of the space that has comfortable furniture for lounging before the ceremony, and a private bathroom at the bottom of the private staircase. They've thought of many little details like including a mirror in the bridal suite and cloth towels in that bathroom. The woodwork is one of my favorite things in the space. The bar, dj booth, and the TABLES were custom made from reclaimed barnwood, and they're beautiful! We chose to set the 8-foot long tables end to end to make 4 very long communal tables. I loved the look, and it actually made the table assignments much easier to do because people aren't restricted to talking to just the 8 people at their table! It was a great fit with our family style meal. And for those of you into music, this is your place. The sound system was, of course, amazing. You don't realize what a difference that makes until you go to a wedding or event where the wonky rented AV system has static or is abnormally loud. Photobooth! This was one of the highlights of the wedding for the guests. How much fun is it to have free photobooth photos? I am still finding strips of ridiculous photos left from that night in bags and shoe boxes. All in all, Ovation is the complete package. What other venue can give you: a killer soundsystem, modern, beautiful space, custom reclaimed wood tables, photobooth, Rolls Royce (with the nicest chauffeur around!), and service with a smile?? Many people say that your wedding day is one of the best days of your life. Mine definitely was, and it was in no small part because of Ovation & the Ovation team! Can we do it all over again next year?? read more

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My new husband and I hosted our wedding reception at Ovation and wouldn't have changed a thing! Spencer and his team have created a much needed Chicago venue that includes so many great amenities. Planning- Spencer & his team were very accommodating throughout the entire planning process. They fit us into the schedule for various vendor (and parental) walkthroughs and had the space ready for us the day prior to our reception so we could set out some decor elements. Space/Decor- The tables and chairs are great and fit the warehouse feel of the venue- definitely beats rental tables with linens. Also loved the wood bar, counter top and DJ booth. We had the drape closed during the cocktail hour and when it opened the guests had a great surprise factor seeing the rest of the space. We played old movies on the video screens and projector throughout the night and it looked great. The Ovation team was able to stream our movie selections without a problem. Everyone loves a photo booth so that was another big crowd pleaser! The Rolls Royce is amazing. Spencer and his dad picked us up from our ceremony in the car and it was a great added touch to the day to make us really feel like celebrities. So far our favorite photos are of us getting out of the car in front of the Ovation window. Music- Style Matters covered all of our musical needs. String Theory played during our offsite ceremony and again for our cocktail reception. Again, very accommodating and worked with our specific requests. Dustin was our DJ and he was great. We didn't want to give too specific of a list and it worked out perfectly. Dustin assessed the audience and kept people dancing for almost 6 hours straight. We had a pre-meeting with Dustin to review our musical requests and the overall timeline (when to do speeches, cut cake, etc.) which was very helpful. Guest Reactions- everyone that attended our wedding had an amazing time (or so they say!) and really seemed to enjoy attending a party in a different space. I think our event was very memorable and kept people entertained throughout the entire night. My parents are already trying to decide what type of event they can host there next :) Other Highlights- The upstairs green room was great for us to take a breather and eat some dinner. Our caterers appreciated the amazing kitchen space. All vendors seemed to load in and out with ease. Photo credit to Rachel Gulotta; rachelgulotta.com read more

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Where to even begin???? I met Spencer back in August of 2014. My fiancé and I were looking for a venue that would fit 200 people, but wasn't your typical hotel ballroom. Luckily our caterer knew of this fantastic spot that would be opening in September of 2014. When we walked in it was still dirt floors and very raw. But the second we met Spencer and he began talking about his vision and what his plan was for the space, we were hooked! We booked the next day, didn't think twice about it, we knew this was going to be the perfect spot of our reception! And it was, our guests are still talking about our June 2015 wedding and how much fun it was. They loved the space! We had a lot of out of town guests at our wedding and they had never been to a place like Ovation before and they were blown away by beauty and function of the space. Aside from the perfect event space, Spencer and his team made the entire wedding planning process a breeze. He was so accommodating about showing us the space, answering our millions of questions and helping us with ideas on how to best use the space. The fact that Ovation includes the DJ, sound system, gorgeous tables and chairs, a photobooth, two video screens and has a huge prep kitchen, took the stress out of planning our wedding. Ovation is my go to event space in the city. Spencer and his team have created the perfect spot for any event. We are truly grateful for all of his help and I know that he was a huge part of our reception going off without a hitch and turning our wedding into an event that people will talk about for a long time. Thank you Spencer and Ovation! read more

Ovation - The exposed brick at Ovation made for some great pictures! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ovation is a dream come true for a Chicago Wedding and/or Reception. This venue is way ahead of the curve in terms of décor, music and creative. We had the pleasure of working directly with the Owner - Spencer from the very beginning, but everyone we interacted with was fantastic. We toured Ovation as a construction zone and it still somehow surpassed all other places we viewed in the city, so we booked it right away. We couldn't had been happier about taking that risk when we were finally able to see the finished product (and it keeps getting better!). The staff is as professional and experienced as they come. They provide really unique ideas but also give you free reign to make the space yours; even though you don't need much on top of all that they offer for the night (DJ!, Tables, Chairs, Screens, Photo Booth, Lounge Furniture, Bar, Parking, A ROLLS ROYCE, etc.). Much better value than you get with the standard 'blank canvas' venue in Chicago. I can't say enough good things about Ovation, and neither can our families and guests who were in attendance. We wanted a special night that was a bit different than your standard banquet reception, and Ovation is the main reason we were successfully able to achieve that. Other Vendors we used in conjunction with Ovation: Catering -- Maison Catering Alcohol -- Garfield Liquors Photography -- Aubrey Jane Photo Table Décor - Shaadi Creations DJ -- Fancy Boy (Provided by Ovation) read more

Ovation - Table Décor: Shaadi Creations Photog Credit: Aubrey Jane Photo - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Unique, modern venue with a sophisticated rustic urban vibe. We celebrated our wedding this October at Ovation & everything was absolutely flawless. Spencer & his entire team were instrumental in ensuring that every detail was tailored to our personal style. It was their attention to detail & commitment in ensuring the space reflected us that really sets Ovation apart from the competition. The space is beautiful & really sells itself, however, when you consider all of the other amenities included, there is no other venue that remotely compares. Unlike it's competitors, there are no hidden costs or up charges, they really do offer a straightforward, no nonsense approach to doing business. All of our guests were really impressed by the venue's elegant simplicity, it undoubtedly had the WOW factor! The music from start to finish was on point the entire night. The cocktail music set the perfect vibe while the DJ set got our all of our guests on their feet to dance the night away. Everyone had a blast & still talk about it today. Ovation, a befitting name for the venue, Spencer & his team deserve one for their help making it a truly remarkable evening that we will always remember... read more

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We held our wedding at Ovation on August 11 2017. The space is perfect for a wedding. We had so many compliments from our guests about the space's flow and the party atmosphere. Not to mention it's big - so it never feels crowded. Another compliment I kept getting was the tables (which are included in the cost). They are quality and look really nice with whatever your centerpieces. One of the best things about Ovation was (weirdly) the private bathroom for the bride/groom/wedding party. I know doesn't really sound like a make or break situation, but I went to a wedding 2 weeks after mine and the bride was in the line to use the bathroom. It just didn't look right. Also what or who we loved the most that night was Max. Amazing DJ. Best DJ hands down. When our bagpiper was late Max identified that problem and was all over it trying to organize a back up song for us to walk out of our ceremony to. Myself and the groom had such an amazing time dancing the night away. We had such a great time dancing (because every song that came on is one you love) - I hardly noticed what was happening off the dance floor. He tailored it to our party and we had a weird mix of people. He even allowed us to have a Scottish tradition at the end and walked all the American guests through it. He was great. SO happy we got paired together. He even gave us the playlist after the wedding so we can relive the great tunes. The vintage photobooth is awesome too. I only took one picture the whole night in it which is a huge regret, but the pictures we collected from guests were amazing. Finance wise Ovation is probably the most affordable place in Chicago. Ya you can get cheaper, but if you want to be in Chicago (not the burbs), I would be impressed if you could find a better place. Spencer was super helpful during the year of planning. He was really easy going and when I made the mistake of not sending our final payment over at the contracted time. He never embarrassed me and chased me for it, he was totally chill about it and he happily accepted it a week late - no fee or penalty. Not to brag but as of August 11 we had the longest running wedding from 4pm - midnight and Ovation was completely fine with that. Another perk to Ovation there isn't weird 6 hour time limits that some Chicago venues have. Definitely give it go. I am trying to convince my brother to get married there too it was so good. Thanks to Spencer and the team. read more

It's difficult to express how grateful JT and I are to Spencer and the staff at Ovation. After a surprise engagement, we knew we wanted to bring all of our family and friends together in Chicago. As most of you reading this review have probably already figured out, weddings in Chicago don't come cheap. Ovation was the first and only venue we ever considered. The space is gorgeous, the ambiance was exactly what we were looking for, from the rustic tables to and lighting to the modern amenities, it felt immediately right. But more important than the space itself are the people who are there to support you on your big day. Spencer is one of the most genuine individuals I have ever encountered. His demeanor upon first introduction was one of sheer comfort. He is the definition of positivity, empathy and vast experience. He was readily available the entire15 months before our wedding and even the week after to congratulate us once again. While I'm certain every bride feels special under his tenure, I must say he made me feel more at ease with the planning process than any other vendor. Consummate professionalism. The Ovation crew was incredibly responsive and had recommendations for anything we needed. Our day of coordinator, florist and caterers were all elated to hear we had chosen Ovation for our reception. Spencer organized a meeting with our DJ, Noah, from Style Matters (included in the venue rental) to ensure we were comfortable with his style and our music needs. The result was better than we had hoped; so many of our guests stayed the entire night on the dance floor, moving to everything from Journey to Drake. Noah was incredible. If you're a bride with an a la carte vision for your big day, Ovation is the best option by far. Because we had the flexibility to choose our own vendors, we were able to bring upscale BBQ to life with Blackwood in the space. I felt like a princess being escorted by Spencer in the Rolls Royce (included with rental) and loved revisiting the night via the photo booth strip images (also included). What's most impressive is that the staff at Ovation know they've unlocked a winning formula for wedding venues, yet they all remain extremely humble and helpful. I couldn't imagine celebrating our day in any other space. My advice? Don't even hesitate, because they will be booked if you blink. Thank you so very much to Spencer and the Ovation staff! read more

I just went to my brother's wedding at the ovation. They had catered from Feast and Imbibe. This is the first time I have been to this venue. The place is large and accommodate the wedding beautifully. It's a all in place where the ceremony was held first then the same area converted to dining while guests hangs out outside curtained area with band. The place was beautifully done and catering was amazing. It's a good place to hold any venue. read more

I cannot say enough fantastic things about Ovation! I hosted a New Years Eve party there and the space and event team exceeded all expectations. First off, Spencer and his team are amazing. Not only was he extremely helpful with everything, including creating a video countdown for us, but he was constantly helping out at the party. You can tell Spencer has seen a lot of parties and really knows what works. Max, our Style Matters DJ for the night, was the best, keeping everyone on the dance floor the whole night. He played great music for our demographic, and I am so grateful he was able to help us create the dance party we dreamt of. Not only is the crew amazing, but the space is perfect. We had 150 guests, and the warehouse fit them comfortably, also providing us with various couches and lounge furniture for the guests to sit on. Ovation also has beautiful tables and chairs, along with tallboys and a stunning and extremely long bar. Lastly, there is a photo booth, which was the hit of the party. Ovation is an amazing and unique place that all our guests commented on. Ovation made everything perfect for our party so obviously they are five stars. So happy we booked with Spencer and his team! read more

Ovation - Party at Ovation with the furniture provided by the venue. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm not the first to say this (literally, see the posts below) but Ovation is hands down the best venue in Chicago. Peter and I looked at a few venues around the city when we initially got to engaged -- to be honest, most felt a little outdated, over priced and had an absurd preferred vendor list. Then we toured Ovation. From the beautiful design of the space to the farm tables to the Rolls Royce ride and awesome owner (what's up, Spencer!), we knew that this was where we wanted to hold our wedding reception. From the time we booked Ovation, vendors had an ecstatic reaction when we told them where we were getting married. Literally, my mom thought I paid them to have such an enthusiastic response about the venue. Throughout the entire planning process, Spencer was always extremely responsive to any and all wedding related questions, often responding to e-mails within minutes. It was kind of incredible. Spencer has an awesome team of people who help run the show at Ovation, including Brian. Brian helped us create a unique digital seating chart and graphic for the photo booth strip using provided assets and he KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. If I could include the praise hand emojis in Yelp reviews to describe Spencer and his team, I would insert them here. Seriously, Ovation has the nicest, most talented people in the business and we're so lucky we were able to work with them. One of the other awesome perks of Ovation is that you get to use a Styles Matters DJ for the reception. Not going to lie, it's hard to decide which one to go with because there are so many talented artists but, after a search on Yelp, we went with Max. To anyone reading this review let me just say... Max is the absolute best. I literally feel emotional writing this post because I was so impressed with his work. We met with him about a week before the wedding and he was first off one of the nicest guys we've ever met and also fully understood the vibe we were going for during the reception. The night of the wedding he completely blew our minds -- Peter and I and honestly all of our guests were in awe of how great the music was - we couldn't get off the dance floor even if we tried! Long story short... Ovation is the absolute best and you'd be silly not to have your event/wedding there. read more

We started working with Spencer and the Ovation team back in 2018 to plan our 2020 wedding. From the start, we knew we would get married here - the venue is gorgeous, but more importantly, Spencer is so wonderful! He's quick to respond to emails and incredibly helpful. We looked at a couple other venues, but we always knew that this is where we would pick. Once COVID hit, we were able to work with Spencer to reimagine what this year's event would look like. We were able to plan a small, intimate wedding for this year on our original wedding date and then a bigger reception event next year. We got married a little over a week ago now and it was perfect! They followed all of the COVID safety precautions while also still making us feel like it was a special day. Our guests felt so safe and we've received so many compliments about how smooth everything went and how grateful they were that all of the precautions were in place. We can't wait for next year to celebrate at Ovation again! read more

We loved our wedding at Ovation! It's an awesome city venue with the perfect vibe for what we wanted. Our guests gave us lots of compliments on the venue. They were great to work with along the way, and we really appreciated their vendor flexibility and willingness to work with our ideas. And our DJ Jon was amazing! Totally nailed it - everyone had rave reviews for the music choices all night. A great experience all around - highly recommend! read more

We recently got married at Ovation (a little over a week ago!). We had the best experience. The venue is such a gem, and Spencer and his team really know what they're doing. A lot of the other reviews point out how much Ovation includes in their contract, how professional Spencer and his team are, and how perfect the space is -- and those reviews are exactly right. From the moment we walked in for our first tour, both my husband and I fell in love with the space. It's gorgeous - with beautiful wooden beams, string lights, long farm-style tables, rustic chairs, a photo booth, a bar, a DJ booth, and a ton of space! You can see pictures on their website - it's incredible. We knew that we wanted to hold the ceremony and reception at the same venue, and Spencer was able to accommodate us perfectly. All through our wedding evening, our guests kept telling us how much they loved the venue, as well. On top of that, Ovation includes a DJ in their contract. You fill out a survey, and they match you with someone that they think will be a good fit. Our DJ was Duke! He was super nice and met with us before our wedding to discuss the vibe that we wanted. It was clear that he totally understood us and our tastes because the music for our wedding day was awesome. We explained that we wanted people to dance the entire night - and they did! He did a wonderful job incorporating some of our less dance-y songs during the dinner hour, which provided a nice ambiance. He was also open to suggestions and changes up to the last minute, which was appreciated! Lastly, when you hold your wedding at Ovation, you get a ride in their Rolls-Royce. We opted to save ours for the end of the night. It was such a beautiful way to be sent off by Ovation and our guests! My husband and I were so excited to hold our event at Ovation, and we weren't let down. They made sure that the day went smoothly, and they provided a gorgeous setting for our wedding. We highly recommend Ovation as a venue and Duke as a DJ for your next event! read more

Ovation was the perfect venue for our wedding. The night we walked in to view the space, the lighting was soft and the sound system was perfect. We needed a large space, and Ovation provided that without feeling cold or impersonal. Spencer and the entire Ovation team were extremely communicative and their knowledge of the wedding industry calmed our nerves through the entire process. No question was too small to ask the Ovation team. Our guests had a beautiful night, and so did we. THANK YOU! read more

Before I begin this review, I must admit that I am very disappointed... disappointed in the fact that Yelp does not allow more than 5 stars to be given to an establishment because Ovation DEFINITELY deserves more. My beautiful wife and I were happily wed at this venue just this past November and we couldn't have been more satisfied with our choice of location. Spencer, the owner of Ovation, was hands down the most professional, friendly, laid back gentleman we have come across. His service was impeccable; he accommodated our needs with urgency, everything from setting up a time to take a look at the venue to answering our emails with our miscellaneous questions. Ovation can be considered almost like a "one-stop shop" and by that I mean it included the following: DJ Rolls Royce transportation (one-way ride) Photo booth 4 LED Monitors (option to play slide show, display wedding program, seating chart, etc.) Candle treatments 8' Long tables and chairs 4' Tall boy tables Grand piano Video wall Bridal suite room Kitchen for caterer's needs The best part was that there was no obligation to use their list of preferred vendors! AWESOME. During the day of the wedding Spencer was on site, just to oversee the night's event. Our direct contact for the evening was the site manager, Brian, who was absolutely more than accommodating to the caterers, the DJ, and to our photographer who requested some adjustment to the ceiling lights for pictures. Brian got on a ladder himself and adjusted the lights. If that's not service, then I don't know what is. We HIGHLY recommend Ovation for your wedding needs. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Spencer and Brian! read more

We were so pleased that we chose Ovation as our venue. The two best things about the venue and its team are the flexibility and responsiveness. So many of the venues we considered had very strict vendor lists or requirements. Ovation had so much flexibility with our vendors, recommended several other excellent vendors that we ended up hiring and were completely transparent about everything along the way. We have a very particular style so the flexibility afforded to us by Ovation allowed us to put together a wedding that felt like "us." Being able to bring in a mix of all of our favorite foods in particular was important to us when we were considering a venue, and Ovation was perfect for that. We had a very long engagement and pushed out our wedding due to COVID, so the Ovation team was working with us for well over a year - and they answered every question we had with speed and clarity. They were also proactive about reaching out to us with updates on their end. It was such a relief to know that we would not have to wait very long to hear back from the Ovation team and Spencer in particular whenever a question arose. In addition to their responsiveness, flexibility and vendor recommendations, Ovation is just a really fun place to get married! Graphic design was included in our fee and we were blown away by how well the graphics matched our invitations and other paper goods. The Rolls Royce is a lovely and fun touch. We took advantage of the piano during our cocktail hour, and our guests absolutely loved the photo booth. The sound system was amazing - to be able to have a conversation on one end of the room and actually hear who you are talking to, and then move to the other end and be totally enveloped in the sound that only high-end acoustics can produce was really something special. We are so thankful to the entire Ovation team and will cherish the memories we made there. If you are considering Ovation, I highly recommend booking with them. read more

My wife and I just had our wedding at Ovation on Valentine's Day. We had the best time and so did our guests. From the get go Spencer was extremely accommodating. We originally booked Saturday Feb. 13th but decided to change the date a few months later. Spencer had no problem with pretty much anything we asked. He always responded to our questions and emails within a few minutes and was always available for us. His team created the seating chart last minute and got our art added to the Photo Booth pics all with no extra charge. Despite the weather being pretty bad on Sunday everything went smoothly and everything was good to go on time. A couple months before the wedding Spencer asked us to fill out the Ovation questionnaire to get a sense of what kind of party we wanted. Based on that he suggested Duke to be the DJ for our big night. He made a solid pick. We met with Duke and gave him suggestions but he took it from there. Needless to say the music was a hit and Duke killed it. Everyone had a blast and we have not stopped hearing about how amazing the venue and party was from all our friends and family. Needless to say if you are looking for a venue to host a wedding our another type of party, look no further than Ovation, it's definitely the perfect place to throw a party. Thanks again Spencer for making our night one we will remember forever. read more

WOW. My husband and I looked at several wedding venues for our August 2018 wedding. Ovation was the last place we viewed, and we knew as soon as we walked in the door that our search was finally done. I honestly cannot even begin to imagine a more beautiful and perfect space for our special day. Spencer was a dream to work with, always responsive to our questions and making sure everything ran smoothly day of. The space is gorgeous, the rustic long tables for dining are beautiful, it comes with a photobooth (which everyone loved), a trip in the rolls royce (perfect for photos), an incredible dj, and you can bring in whichever caterer/alcohol you want. The space is large enough to accommodate 200 people but it still feels cozy and intimate which we loved; it helped create a sense of community among all our guests. Also, their DJ collective (Style Matters) is unparalleled. You're not getting a good "wedding dj" you're getting a great dj, an artist, someone who can read the crowd and keep the party raging all night long. We worked with Margot and she was absolutely amazing!! You're in for a real treat if you request her for your reception. Our friends and family (with very diverse musical tastes) were on the dance floor the entire evening. read more

Ovation is, without a doubt, the coolest spot in the city for a party. We held our wedding celebration on a rainy Sunday in November and the vibe inside was pure magic. Our friends and family travelled from around the country to join us and we were SO proud to bring them to Ovation for our celebration. Spencer, Brian and the Ovation team are not only the coolest, they are super accommodating and wicked talented. They covered our every need and were sure to make the day extra special. The graphic design was perfect and a fun surprise for us that night- Brian is a design genius (l can't fully express how good it was -- he nailed it!). Every time we met with Spencer he made us more excited for our party and helped eliminate any stress we were feeling. His response time is fast and was willing to work with us on our special requests. Our DJ (Dustin) was the best- like THE BEST. He brought nothing but good vibes to the party. He clearly understood our crowd and his energy was contagious, we danced ALL night. We truly felt as though Spencer, Brian and Dustin were celebrating with us that night -- they are an awesome addition to your wedding team. The inclusions in the rental are almost unbelievable; the photobooth was a HUGE hit and gave us immediate and lasting memories from the night. The open catering list was awesome. We were able to bring in our own liquor and hire the caterer that best fit our budget. It was extremely helpful in our planning. The space is so well designed we only brought in a few items to make the event feel like ours. The ride is the Rolls Royce is just icing on the cake -- we loved the ride together -- it was the perfect time to be alone on such a busy day. I'm telling you, you will not regret hosting your event at Ovation, we're overwhelmed with how perfect everything was and we're forever grateful to Spencer, Brian and Dustin for making it the best night ever. read more

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I attended one of my best friend's wedding this past weekend at Ovation and had an absolute BLAST! Knowing the couple, I kind of had a feeling that their venue was going to be elegant, tasteful, and very warm. Ovation is all of those things. The room is very large. I never felt like I was crowded or bumping into people. The bar, tables, lighting, everything was done in a way that was perfectly suited to their wedding. The staff was very good as well! Everyone was friendly and helpful! And the food and beverages were top notch! I understand that Ovation has some kind of partnership or working relationship with StyleMatters DJ which is great because they are the DJ company my fiancee and I are using for our wedding in September so we got a great preview of their style! They were excellent! Not a bad song on the playlist. I busted a move (not very well but it happens when whiskey is involved and I get to see old friends) and just overall had a blast! Overall, great place to attend an event! read more

Crazy Story Alert!!! One month exactly before my wedding, my wedding venue in Indiana burnt to the ground. Naturally, I reached out to every single venue in a 50-mile radius. Ovation (our #1 choice downtown), had a cancellation the NIGHT before my wedding venue burnt down and we snagged this crazy miracle. I mean, what are the chances an amazing venue like Ovation has a Saturday in July available 29 days in advance? Probably the same chances that your wedding venue will burn down a month before you wedding. With that said, I was shocked with how calm and collected Spencer was. He reassured me that our special day would run smoothly. My wedding was 185 people and I had no wedding coordinator since the last venue provided one and I was not about to shell out 2K for a "day-of" coordinator. Spencer let me do whatever it took for me to feel comfortable about our day. He responded to my emails always day-of (and let me tell you, when you plan a wedding from scratch in 29 days, there are a LOT of emails). Spencer's most common answer to every one of my questions were "Yes, whatever you need." Our DJ, Dustin (Style Matters), went above and beyond to get to know us and our music style and coordinated our entire reception without flaw. Spencer and Brian stepped up and coordinated our ceremony and even let us come in early to "rehearse." Spencer, Brian, and Dustin followed my timeline to the minute and made the night unforgettable. While it was a tragedy that my original venue burned down, I believe everything happens for a reason and I was meant to have my wedding at Ovation. I wouldn't change a thing about my wedding day and I have the Ovation team to thank for that. read more

There's nothing I would have done differently except find this location a lot sooner than what we did. Honestly, you won't find another venue as great and with all the bells and whistles included. Danielle and I had our wedding at Ovation Chicago and it was hands-down the best time of our lives!!! This was such a life-changing event for us and we couldn't have chosen a better place to showcase our love for each other. It was such a pleasure working alongside the owner, Spencer, his parents and their team of professionals. They exceeded our expectations and went above and beyond anything we could have imagined. Despite becoming a first-time father and dealing with his own life-changing events, Spencer went out of his way during this time to make sure our experience and journey leading up to our wedding was seamless. Everything from creating a custom slide-show of Danielle and myself for my guests to enjoy, to the candlelight treatment, high-end lounge furniture and the DJ from Style Matters was perfect! Thank you so much Team Ovation for creating such an amazing venue and for making one of the most important life-changing events in our lives memorable!!! We high recommend Ovation Chicago to anyone looking for an amazing place to host their event/party!!! read more