The Museum of Science and Industry
The rotunda at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago fits 1,000 seated guests, so invite all of your second cousins to celebrate beneath its 120-foot domed ceiling with a hanging airplane. For a smaller party, choose the U-505 exhibit, and dine in the submarine's shadow. Guests can even tour the sub during the festivities (773) 753-2583, MSIChicago.org
The Cuneo Museum
An antique-lover's dream, the Cuneo Museum in Vernon Hills is an old home decorated with early- 20th-century furniture and artwork. Look familiar? The mansion, gardens and gazebo were in the movie My Best Friend's Wedding. From mid-April to mid-October, have your ceremony and reception on the back lawn of the house in the Pavilion Tent, which seats up to 300. (847) 362-3042, CuneoMuseum.org
The Museum of Contemporary Art
In addition to the Museum of Contemporary Art's sleek architecture, guests will love the Chicago museum's view of Lake Michigan. The outdoor Kern Terrace and the sculpture garden can be combined and tented for a seated dinner with up to 500 guests. For something even more unconventional, there's the Warehouse, a vast space with brick walls and exposed beams that was once a pie bakery. (312) 397-3855, MCAChicago.org
The Chicago History Museum
Perfect for an outdoor ceremony, the 15,000-square-foot Uihlein Plaza at the Chicago History Museum in Chicago overlooks the Lincoln Park gardens. Stay outside for a tented reception on the plaza, or move inside to the hardwood and black-and-white checkered floors of the Chicago Room, which can fit up to 310 for a seated dinner. (312) 799-2254, ChicagoHistory.org
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
History buffs will love the rotunda at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, which has a full-scale reproduction of Lincoln's childhood log cabin and a replica of The White House. This space, called the Museum Plaza, can seat up to 300 guests for dinner. (217) 558-8873, PresidentLincoln.org
The Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for fantastic views of many major city landmarks from Crown Family Great Hall, which seats 300, at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago. Plus, the 30- foot-tall atrium is sure to impress. For a more intimate reception, fit 60 guests for a seated dinner in the tenth floor Landmark Room & Outdoor Terrace. (312) 322-1718, Spertus.edu
The Elmhurst Art Museum
The floor-to-ceiling windows at Elmhurst Art Museum in Elmhurst make the indoor space feel like it's smack in the middle of a garden. Invite up to 150 guests, who can roam the galleries before a sit-down dinner. (630) 834-0202, Elmhurst ArtMuseum.org
The Smart Museum of Art
The crisp, white walls covered in art make the Eunice Ratner Reception Gallery at the Smart Museum of Art on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus a striking space for a small reception for up to 80 people for a sit-down dinner. Right outside the gallery is the Elden Sculpture Garden, where you can have a tented party with up to 250 guests. (773) 702-0200, SmartMuseum. UChicago.edu
The Field Museum
How's this for built-in décor: the largest, most complete T. Rex fossil ever discovered! The Stanley Field Hall & Balcony at The Field Museum in Chicago has space for 1,500 guests for a seated dinner. For the environmentally conscious, it almost entirely uses solar power for lighting, the approved florists offer locally grown flowers and the approved caterers prepare sustainable menus. (312) 665-7600, FieldMuseum.org
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Have your reception on the Recycled Paper Greetings Terrace at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago. The space seats up to 300. Then, send your guests on a guided tour of the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven during cocktail hour. Start the day off with a garden ceremony in the Paula and Howard Trienens Courtyard, which is naturally landscaped and just steps from a pond. (773) 755-5100, NatureMuseum.org
-- Jaimie Dalessio