FAQ

Wedding Ceremony and Receptions

Are wedding ceremonies allowed at the Adler?

Ceremonies may be held in the museum if the client is also hosting the wedding reception at the Adler.

At what times may ceremonies be held?

Start times for ceremonies and receptions are dependant on the season. Please see the following schedule to determine your event start time:

Labor Day through June 14 not before 6:00 p.m.
June 15 through Labor Day not before 6:30 p.m.

Wedding ceremony and reception commencements are not permitted before or during the museum daily operation.

Guests will be permitted into the space 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.

Are ceremony rehearsals permitted?

The outdoor terrace ceremony area is available both during the day and after hours. The indoor ceremony area, Café Galileo’s, is open until 3:30 p.m. and is unavailable until then.  Rehearsals between 3:30 p.m. and the museum’s closing can be arranged with the Food For Though consultant, however any such rehearsal may be preempted by the rental of the Adler for another private event on the rehearsal date.

Are dressing rooms available to the bridal party?

A complimentary room is made available for the bride and/or groom.

Does the Adler provide catering?

To ensure the success of your events, we have selected an exclusive catering team. Your facility rental coordinator can provide contact information for the caterer. For more information, please visit our Catering page

Is a wedding coordinator required at the Adler for the event?

A wedding coordinator is not required at the Adler.  If you have one, we will be happy to coordinate with them for your arrangements.  If you would like to have one, we can provide you with a list of coordinators who our clients have employed in the past.

What are the set-up, teardown, and prop requirements at the Adler?

Set-up time for the evening events vary depending on the start time of the event and should not interfere with regular museum activities. Your Adler contact can confirm the set-up time. The client must arrange for any props used in the ceremony and reception to be removed immediately following the event. All props used in the event are subject to approval by the Adler event coordinator.

In the case of inclement weather, what happens to an outdoor wedding?

An indoor space is reserved as backup. The Adler’s event coordinator will stay informed with the local weather information. A decision on whether to use the backup space will be made no later than 3:30 p.m. the day of the event.

Does the Adler require the use of specific vendors for floral and entertainment?

Any florist, band, or DJ is welcome to service your event at the Adler. Their contact information is to be provided to the Adler event coordinator at least 30 days prior to the event; they will be required to follow rules regarding load-in and load-out at the Adler.

Is there a parking fee for event guests?

Limited metered parking is available along Solidarity Drive. When additional parking is required, the parking lot south of the Adler is available for a fee. The parking log on the east side of the Field Museum, the south parking lot adjacent to Soldier Field and the Chicago Park District offices lots are also available for rental.

Rental of the parking lots may be arranged through:

Soldier Field-Auto Parking Department
425 East McFetridge Drive, Gate 0
Chicago, IL 60605
Attn: Amy Whealan
(312) 235 7202

Parking arrangements are the responsibility of the client and not of the Adler Planetarium. It is encouraged that clients arrange for parking accommodations as far in advance as possible. The Adler Planetarium is not responsible for parking conflicts that can arise from Northerly Island concert bookings or Museum Campus events.

Valet parking is permitted but must be arranged by the client along with the rental of a parking lot from Soldier Field Auto Parking Department.