The Library at 190 LaSalle | Venue Spotlight
At BW Studio, we’re all about helping couples find wedding venues that reflect their personalities and priorities—and we love when a space truly feels like an extension of the couple themselves. That’s exactly what happened for Melissa & Todd, whose wedding day was a perfect blend of classic elegance, cultural traditions, and nonstop celebration. Their venues, Saint Mary of the Angels for the ceremony and The Library at 190 LaSalle for the reception, were absolutely ideal for their vision.
From the moment they described their plans, we could tell this wedding was going to be something special. And wow, did The Library at 190 LaSalle deliver.
Melissa & Todd’s wedding day began at the iconic Saint Mary of the Angels, one of Chicago’s most beautiful churches. After a touching ceremony accented by soaring architecture and organ music, the couple ended the service with a dramatic touch- bagpipers! The music filled the street and sent guests off with excitement for what was to come.
Following the ceremony and family photos, we spent some time at a nearby park to capture the couple and wedding party photos before heading downtown to The Library at 190 LaSalle, where the party truly began.
The energy kicked up a notch as Melissa & Todd made their entrance into the reception space to the sound of a dohl player and more bagpipe music, blending traditions and celebrating both of their backgrounds. Before dinner, they lit a ceremonial Hetti Paththuwa candle, a beautiful Sri Lankan tradition that symbolizes blessings for their marriage.
From there, the night flowed seamlessly into heartfelt toasts, an incredible meal served by Beyond Catering, and a packed dance floor… all within one of Chicago’s most distinct and dynamic wedding venues.
Why We Love Weddings at The Library at 190 LaSalle
If you haven’t yet visited this hidden gem, The Library at 190 LaSalle is an event venue that mixes classic Chicago architecture with modern functionality. It’s located on the 40th floor of 190 S LaSalle, offering stunning city views, unique design elements, and multiple spaces to host each part of your event, from ceremony to reception.
Here’s a breakdown of what makes The Library at 190 LaSalle a top pick for the BW Studio team:
Ceremony Options
There are multiple beautiful ceremony options, depending on your guest count and style:
The Grand Lobby: Couples can exchange vows in front of either the golden amphitheater-style steps or a stunning custom piano sculpture. Both options create a statement-worthy backdrop that needs minimal additional decor.
The Library Ballroom: Some couples opt to host the ceremony directly in the main reception space, but this requires a room flip (totally doable with the right timeline and team!).
Pro tip: If you’re planning to use the same space for your ceremony and reception, be sure to work closely with your planner to create a flow that feels smooth and effortless.
Cocktail Hour in the Stacks Lounge
The Stacks Lounge, adjacent to the main ballroom, is one of our favorite spaces at The Library at 190 LaSalle. It’s the perfect location to transition guests from ceremony to celebration.
What we love about it:
A built-in custom bar with stylish finishes
Lounge furniture for a cozy, elevated vibe
Perfect location for decor items like your welcome signage, a guest book, card box! And also activities like a photo booth!
A large TV screen that can display monograms, slideshows, or even sports for big game nights
A pool table that doubles as a catering display or fun guest entertainment
This space can comfortably hold up to 200 guests in a cocktail-style format and offers plenty of flexibility to design a pre-reception experience that feels personal and interactive.
For Melissa & Todd, we displayed a custom monogram image on the TV screen, which added a personal touch as guests mingled and enjoyed cocktails.
Reception in the LaSalle Ballroom
Now let’s talk about the showstopper: the main ballroom at The Library at 190 LaSalle. This room is filled with character, charm, and opportunities for creativity.
The room is shaped in a T-style layout, which creates natural flow between the dance floor, dining space, and hidden lounge areas.
Lined with walls of historic law books, the room instantly feels both grand and intimate.
Spiral staircases lead up to a second-floor loft. This space is ideal for couple portraits, creative lighting, or even a musician or DJ setup.
Underneath the loft, there are private nooks and niches, some with seating, dart boards, or tables for late-night snacks and games.
The space can accommodate 180 seated guests for dinner or 250 for a cocktail-style reception, making it incredibly versatile for weddings of different sizes and styles.
Helpful Onsite Amenities at The Library at 190 LaSalle
Getting Ready Rooms:
There are several conference rooms on the same floor as the event spaces, which are ideal for getting ready, storing items, or even changing outfits mid-event. Melissa & Todd used one of these rooms to switch from their Western wedding attire into traditional Sri Lankan outfits for dancing!
The Boardroom (Catering Staging Area):
There’s a dedicated space for caterers to stage dinner service. While there’s no full kitchen onsite, The Library at 190 LaSalle works with an approved catering list, and we highly recommend choosing from that list, because they’re familiar with the flow of the venue and how to make the best use of the space.
Dance Floor:
No need to rent one—The Library at 190 LaSalle includes a dance floor ready for your DJ or band to fire things up.
Spacious Restrooms:
Well-appointed restrooms are located just off the main hallway, easily accessible from both the LaSalle Ballroom and the Stacks Lounge.
Elevators:
Your guests will take gorgeous elevators straight up from the lobby to the 40th floor, setting the tone for an upscale, city-chic celebration from the moment they arrive.
Parking:
While there’s no parking garage in the building itself, there’s ample street parking and several nearby garages. We always recommend including parking suggestions in your guest info cards or wedding website to keep things smooth.
Final Thoughts: Is The Library at 190 LaSalle Right for You?
If you’re a couple looking for a downtown Chicago wedding venue that combines old-school elegance with modern amenities, The Library at 190 LaSalle should be high on your list. From stunning ceremony backdrops to dynamic reception spaces and thoughtful details throughout, this venue offers flexibility, beauty, and serious wow-factor.
Melissa & Todd’s wedding is a perfect example of how The Library at 190 LaSalle can accommodate multicultural traditions, formal dining, and high-energy dancing all in one night. We loved helping them bring their vision to life, and we’d be thrilled to help you do the same.
Thinking about getting married at The Library at 190 LaSalle? Reach out to us at BW Studio—we’d love to help you plan a day that’s beautiful, intentional, and fun from start to finish.
Contact Information
Address: 190 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 444-1234
Website: https://www.thelibrary190.com/
Email: Kayla & Gracie - BeaconEventSpace@jll.com
Capacity: 180 seated and 250 cocktail style
A huge thank you to M&T’s creative team that made their day so special!
Venue: The Library at 190 LaSalle // Church: St Mary of the Angels // Photo & Video: This is Feeling // Florist: Branching Out Chicago // Catering: Beyond Catering // Cake: Alliance Bakery // Entertainment: Fig Media Inc. // Dhol Drummer: Maninder Singh // Bagpiper: Chicalba Bagpiping // Photo Booth: Pixter Photo Booth // Rentals: Black Oak Productions // Hair & Makeup: Makeup by Roop // Saree Draping: Star and Style Saree Draping // Hotels: JW Marriott & W Chicago City Center // Transportation: Ideal Charter // Planning: BW Studio + Events