Lake County is a beautiful area for weddings, as it situated on the shores of Lake Michigan and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area, in close proximity to major attractions and transportation, and has some great resources to help the wedding planning process go smoothly.
Major cities and villages in Lake County include its county seat, Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Zion, Park City, Highwood, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Deerfield, Barrington, and Hawthorn Woods.
Lake County has a large selection of unique wedding venues, from lakeside resorts and luxury hotels, to historic sites and gardens, including Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, which is also a popular spot for engagement and wedding photographs, the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago, the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center in Zion, and the Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.
![Wedding Venue in Zion, Illinois](/image/wedding-photos/zion2.jpg)
The county has 75 inland lakes and thousands of acres of parkland and forest preserves, so you will have plenty of locations for your wedding photographs if you want a natural setting for them. The lakes and parks offer many outdoor recreation opportunities for water skiing and boating, hiking and biking, and fishing.
Lake County also has plenty of shopping venues, from traditional malls, to upscale boutiques and family owned stores, so whether you are looking for couture bridal gowns or one-of-a-kind wedding favors, you will be able to find everything on your wedding checklist.
Make sure you check out Deer Park Town Center, Gurnee Mills, Historic Volo Country Village, the specialty boutiques in Long Grove Historic Village and Main Street Libertyville, and Westfield Hawthorn in Vernon Hills.
Finally, Lake County has numerous entertainment options and museums for you to enjoy during your free time, including the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home, the Cultural and Civic Center of Round Lake Beach, Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, and the Marytown National Shrine of St. Maximilliam Kobe.
View Larger Map
Tags:
Lake County Weddings, Waukegan, North Chicago, Shopping in Lake County, Lake County Wedding Venues