Community House Winnetka

Select services venue

The venue will provide the space, plus a few extras.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $2,500

Guest capacity

Up to 185 seated guests

About this venue

One of the most timeless and romantic locations in all of Chicagoland and a true hidden gem! For more than a century, the Community House Garden has been host to some of the most beautiful events and weddings on the North Shore. Nestled within the grounds of the Community House, the Historic Gardens provide a timeless setting for a magical wedding ceremony or an enchanting alfresco dinner. The Garden Courtyard is framed with architectural brick columns and surrounded by a Tudor style barn building, a charming pergola area, a stately breezeway area and a social garden for cocktail hours. The Indoor Garden Room features plenty of natural light and offers a close-up view of the landscaped gardens through a wall of French doors and windows.

Seated guest capacity

  • 25-185

Venue type

  • Historic Estates, Mansions
  • Parks, Gardens

Venue setting

  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093

Our event spaces

Historic Garden Courtyard

Our Historic Gardens provide a memorable and magical backdrop to any celebration!

The courtyard is encircled by historic brick columns, a Tudor-style barn building, and a quiet pergola area. It features a large inlayed blue-stone and brick patio great for dining and dancing. At night the courtyard comes to life with ambient spotlighting on the surrounding historic columns and trees.

Guest capacity

Up to 185 Seated

Up to 200 Standing

Square footage

5,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Elopement

Included in this room:

With your rental you get exclusive use of all indoor and outdoor spaces listed here during your rental time, as well as tables, chairs, a dancefloor (if needed), free parking for guests and access before your event to our historic building and garden grounds for photos. An on-site bridal suite is included and access begins 4 hours prior to guest arrivals with options for earlier access.

Room cost

Fridays - $4200 / Saturdays $5100 / Sundays $3200

Social Gardens and Arched Breezeway

Get the party started!

These areas work well for cocktail hours and social gatherings of any size. The iconic Arched Breezeway is a grand entrance into the courtyard and the Social Garden features a charming cedarwood bar accented with string lights. Both areas have space for highboy and lowboy tables throughout.

Guest capacity

Up to 185 Seated

Up to 220 Standing

Included in this room:

Highboy and Cabaret Tables

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Garden Room

Have a front seat view of our beautifully landscaped historic gardens!

Our modern Garden Room banquet space features natural lighting from a wall of floor to ceiling windows and has 4 sets of French doors that open directly into the Courtyard. Other unique features include beautiful custom woodwork paneling and adjustable ambient lighting.

Guest capacity

50-185 Seated

50-220 Standing

Square footage

4,000

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Historic Ballroom

Feel the enchantment of our Historic building!

Our Historic Ballroom features a high ceiling, brass chandeliers, and tall gothic arched windows. It seats up to 185 for ceremonies or services or up to 80 for a seated luncheon, shower or dinner.

Guest capacity

Up to 80 Seated

Up to 185 Standing

Square footage

1,750

Room cost

This room is included as an indoor backup space with the addition of a ceremony.

Historic Garden Courtyard

Our Historic Gardens provide a memorable and magical backdrop to any celebration!

The courtyard is encircled by historic brick columns, a Tudor-style barn building, and a quiet pergola area. It features a large inlayed blue-stone and brick patio great for dining and dancing. At night the courtyard comes to life with ambient spotlighting on the surrounding historic columns and trees.

Guest capacity

Up to 185 Seated

Up to 200 Standing

Square footage

5,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Elopement

Included in this room:

With your rental you get exclusive use of all indoor and outdoor spaces listed here during your rental time, as well as tables, chairs, a dancefloor (if needed), free parking for guests and access before your event to our historic building and garden grounds for photos. An on-site bridal suite is included and access begins 4 hours prior to guest arrivals with options for earlier access.

Room cost

Fridays - $4200 / Saturdays $5100 / Sundays $3200

Social Gardens and Arched Breezeway

Get the party started!

These areas work well for cocktail hours and social gatherings of any size. The iconic Arched Breezeway is a grand entrance into the courtyard and the Social Garden features a charming cedarwood bar accented with string lights. Both areas have space for highboy and lowboy tables throughout.

Guest capacity

Up to 185 Seated

Up to 220 Standing

Included in this room:

Highboy and Cabaret Tables

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Garden Room

Have a front seat view of our beautifully landscaped historic gardens!

Our modern Garden Room banquet space features natural lighting from a wall of floor to ceiling windows and has 4 sets of French doors that open directly into the Courtyard. Other unique features include beautiful custom woodwork paneling and adjustable ambient lighting.

Guest capacity

50-185 Seated

50-220 Standing

Square footage

4,000

Room cost

Included in total venue pricing

Historic Ballroom

Feel the enchantment of our Historic building!

Our Historic Ballroom features a high ceiling, brass chandeliers, and tall gothic arched windows. It seats up to 185 for ceremonies or services or up to 80 for a seated luncheon, shower or dinner.

Guest capacity

Up to 80 Seated

Up to 185 Standing

Square footage

1,750

Room cost

This room is included as an indoor backup space with the addition of a ceremony.

Available services that can be provided by Community House Winnetka

Services & amenities

  • Dance floor
  • Dressing room / Bridal Suite
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Transportation & access

  • Self parking - free
  • Wheelchair accessible

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

6 reviews

  • KC

    Katie C.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Oct 6, 2026

    Our dream venue

    We're so grateful to have found Community House Winnetka! Of all the venues in the Chicago area, this venue felt like "us." Sahra, the venue coordinator, was such a great communicator which was such a relief because we were planning this wedding from out of state. She was so responsive to our questions and kept everything running smoothly with our vendors on our wedding day. While this venue is a community center, our wedding felt completely private. Any locals in the community who happened across us while taking photos in the early afternoon were so kind and respectful, and our wedding ceremony and reception was completely private. The fact that this venue also has an indoor space to be used as a back-up plan in case of weather also gave us peace of mind. The venue has so many cute areas for photos, and the courtyard was absolutely stunning. So grateful to have found this place!

  • AT

    Allison T.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Jun 23, 2026

    Hidden Gem of the North Shore

    We loved The Community House the second we stepped foot onto the grounds. The lush gardens, slightly hidden, dappled with sunlight made the perfect setting for our intimate wedding celebration. We wanted a venue that could fulfill my garden party dreams and The Community House checked all those boxes, and more (those garden status!!!). Even the ceremony for the rain-plan space is jaw dropping! Sahra, the venue coordinator, is incredible. From the get-go, she was excited, thorough, and put us at such ease. When the day-of came, she was on it. She checked in, made herself present and available, and anticipated our needs. She was even able to help us out with some sound things :) Ultimately, it was her that gave me such a peace of mind. My family even commented on how spectacular she was. If you're looking for a gorgeous venue in the North Shore, here it is.

    Sahra Ballowe•Jun 24, 2026

    Aww shucks Allison - thank you so much! It makes me super happy to hear you spent the day with peace of mind. Your wedding was a perfect peek into an enchanted garden come to life for your guests. I certainly can't take credit for how gorgeous the Community House is or how beautiful the garden and courtyard areas are, but I am so grateful for the backdrop it provides for both intimate moments with family and friends and of course PARTY TIME! Congratulations and enjoy the rest of your summer!

  • LS

    Luke S.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Apr 2, 2026

    Wonderful Experience at The CHW

    Our wedding day at The Community House Winnetka was everything we hoped for—intimate, elegant, and beautifully organized. The space itself was perfect for our gathering, with a warm ambiance that made the afternoon feel both special and relaxed. But it was Sahra who truly made the experience exceptional. From the very beginning, she brought a wealth of experience, thoughtful guidance, and an easygoing presence that made every step feel manageable. She helped us shape the day with confidence and calm, and her support made a meaningful difference in how smoothly everything unfolded. She was a gem. We didn’t get those peacocks, though—maybe next time. ;) We’re so grateful for her partnership and for the wonderful home The Community House Winnetka provided for our celebration.

    Sahra Ballowe•Apr 3, 2026

    I am always honored to get to make memorable days come together and even more honored when I get to work with such gracious and kind (and fun and lighthearted) humans. I hope your day went smoothly and just how you envisioned and especially glad you got to enjoy the moment. I know you worked hard to make this a good experience for your guests (and yourselves) and I am so glad they caught the vibe and enjoyed the day here with us. Even sans peacocks. ;)

  • MM

    Molly M.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Nov 20, 2025

    GEM of a Wedding Venue just north of Chicago!

    We were looking for a wedding venue that wouldn't break our budget (compared to the expensive options in Chicago), and delivered on charm and quality. And WOW, what an outstanding wedding venue!!! Sahra, the coordinator at the Community House, was incredible and highly attentive to detail - served as a clear point of contact for our planner. We planned a late September wedding in the outdoor courtyard garden under the stars, and couldn't have imagined a better day. I was nervous initially about feeling tight in the courtyard with our headcount - we had about 150 people, a mix of round and long tables, and a live band and everything fit PERFECTLY! Gorgeous scenery around the Community House as well, perfect for wedding photos. Truly a gem of a venue and such a special place. Best part is that there is an indoor option in the case of any weather event - we were happy to have enjoyed the outdoors, but not every outdoor venue has a plan B!

  • RV

    Rev. Michael V.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Aug 4, 2025

    A North Shore Icon

    You are going to love hosting your celebration at this iconic north shore location. The private brick paver courtyard is the perfect setting to exchange your vows. The gardens and historic architecture will ensure that your wedding photos are nothing less than amazing!

Preferred vendors of Community House Winnetka

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Real couples who got married at Community House Winnetka

Show all photos
Yes, Free parking is readily available to guests. The village lot is located directly off our garden entrance.
May, June, July, August, September, October, and November
All rentals include exclusive use of both indoor and outdoor spaces as well as tables, chairs, a dancefloor if needed, and plenty of free parking for your guests. Bridal Suites and/or Groom Rooms available for an extra fee.
Event duration is 5 hours (6 if you are also adding a ceremony) and vendors may have access 2 hours prior to the event to set up and 1 hour at the conclusion of the event for strike. Additional hours may be purchased for $350 each.
The Community House partners with 7 full-service caterers that provide many options for several types and styles of events. We also have specialty and ethnic caterers (Kosher, Vegan, Indian) available to choose from as well. If you choose to bring in your own caterer an additional $1500-$1000 off list fee will apply and the caterer must provide insurance and be approved by the Community House.
January, February, March, April, November, and December
Yes, our garden and our facilities are wheelchair accessible.

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