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Weddings

Attributes highlighted by couples

Guests comfort
Unique aesthetic style
Amenities

About this vendor

Clare Agra
Clare Agra
Director of Sales

LGBTQ+-owned, Woman-owned

Small team (2-10 members)

First Lady is a boat wedding venue in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. Your wedding is the start of your lifelong journey together, so begin that journey in a truly memorable way - with a cruise on the Chicago River & Lake Michigan aboard your own private yacht for the night!

Facilities and Capacity

Imagine your wedding unfolding alongside magical views of the city’s iconic skyline. Dance the night away as glittering skyscrapers glide by. Enjoy fireworks over Lake Michigan if you cruise Memorial Day through Labor Day. A wedding aboard First Lady is a night you and your guests won’t soon forget!

You will have seven vessels to choose from. You can host intimate gatherings of two to large, lavish receptions of up to 200 guests.

Services Offered

You will have exclusive use of the yacht during your celebration, ensuring that you get the most out of the nautical setting. First Lady offers a variety of catering and bar packages to best suit your vision and budget. The charter team will work closely with you to help you make your wedding day unique to you and one you will always cherish!

FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$3,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$3,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$690

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$690

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
Lighting/Sound
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$42

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
Open Bar

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

2

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

7

Describe your venue:

Beach
Boat/Yacht
Cruise Ship
Historic Building
Marina
Rooftop
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Server(s)
Stations

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Aisle Runners
Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
Flatware

What transportation and access is available?

Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September

What months are included in your off-peak season?

April
October
November

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of First Lady

Weddingwire
4.7/5 6 reviews
Google
4.8/5 3797 reviews
S
2697Fce4659Ce6359256779025B0573728B01A22 Sent on 09/11/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Best of everything

"🌟✨ Our wedding at Chicago’s fair lady cruise was absolutely incredible! From the moment we stepped foot on the boat, we were blown away by its beauty and charm. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was perfect, and we couldn't have asked for a more seamless and memorable event. Our guests were in awe of the stunning location and the impeccable service provided. We highly recommend Chicago’s first lady cruises to anyone looking for a truly magical wedding experience. Thank you for making our special day unforgettable! 💍"
J
Jim A. Sent on 03/13/2014
5 out of 5 rating
We had our wedding and reception on 'Chicago's Little Lady." It was the greatest day ever. The entire team of people, from the office staff to the crew, helped to make our day what it was. The advice everyone had was priceless,. Thank you all!
P
Peter Sent on 08/13/2014
4.9 out of 5 rating
We choose the First Lady for our wedding reception - and it was absolutely perfect! Working with Max during the planning stages was flawless. So helpful, especially since we had to plan our entire wedding remotely from another country. The staff and boat itself are great - our guests had the best afternoon/evening ever. No better to celebrate in Chicago. Thanks to all!
U
User1797895 Sent on 09/07/2014
4.8 out of 5 rating
This was the perfect place to have a small wedding. a wedding on a boat is a memorable event that every will be talking about for years to come. The crew at Chicago First Lady was absolutely wonderful. My guests were very happy!
U
User2304316 Sent on 09/07/2015
4.2 out of 5 rating
Chicago's First Lady Cruises knocked it out of the park for my wedding! It was such a unique, magical, affordable, and fun evening. Getting married on the Chicago River followed by a cruise on Lake Michigan at night was stupendous. Our guests will be talking about this event for weeks!
N
Natalie Sent on 10/03/2016
4 out of 5 rating
I booked The Fair Lady 15 months out and got my first choice date. We were very excited about such a unique, intimate experience for our guests. The website and the coordinator assured me that 70 guests could fit for "fine dining" on the Fair Lady, so we made the guest list and sent out save-the-dates. About 11 months out, after asking a lot of questions, I was told that if it rained, only 50 guests could be seated, and 20 guests would have to stand around and wait for other people to finish their meals and give up their seats. We decided this was not a risk we wanted to take, so we found and booked a different boat venue that would accommodate our 70 guests. About 9 months out, I asked Chicago's First Lady for $800 of the $1,000 deposit back, explaining the problem. They promptly refunded the entire $1,000 deposit (more than I asked for). We had also suggested that they put "(weather permitting)" next to the number of guests on their website, which I don't see yet.

Overall, I am impressed with their customer service since they refunded my entire deposit. However, I think the entire hassle could have been avoided if they had been more clear about the capacity of their boats.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

6
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Team

Clare Agra
Clare Agra
Director of Sales

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First Lady frequently asked questions

First Lady includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Set Up
  • Tables
First Lady includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at First Lady includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Open Bar
The space offered by First Lady for wedding events is known for:
  • Beach
  • Boat/Yacht
  • Cruise Ship
  • Historic Building
  • Marina
  • Rooftop
  • Waterfront
First Lady offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
First Lady offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
First Lady offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Liability Insurance
  • Outside Vendors
First Lady offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Aisle Runners
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Tables
First Lady is recommended by 93% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in value, 4.7 in professionalism, 4.6 in average response time and 4.4 in flexibility.
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