salvage one chicago wedding
at salvage one, you can either have your ceremony inside or outside the venue and both are equally as cool, however I am glad they chose to do it outside. the way the building surrounds them with the ivy on the walls and all of the vintage artifacts is such a cool vibe.
Chicago, IL | Erica + Austin
This wedding was over two years ago now… and I still think about it.
If you’ve ever stepped inside Salvage One—or better yet, danced your face off at a wedding there—you get it. It’s not just a venue. It’s a whole mood. A brick-walled, ivy-covered, vintage-soaked, neon-sign-glowing mood.
And if you know me at all, you know warehouse weddings have my heart.
Give me a classy bride, a joyful groom, and a clawfoot bathtub in the background? Yes please.
Old rugs layered over concrete floors? I’m in.
Neon signs and gospel tears? Absolutely.
Why Salvage One Is Pure Magic for a Chicago Wedding
There’s something about a Salvage One Chicago wedding that feels both sacred and a little rebellious. Like… we’re honoring something holy, but we’re also going to party under antique chandeliers and probably take portraits next to a 1920s sink.
You can choose to have your ceremony inside or outside, and both are stunning in their own way. But Erica and Austin chose the courtyard—and I’m so glad they did.
The way the building wraps around you.
The ivy crawling up the brick.
The vintage artifacts quietly witnessing the vows.
It feels intimate. Protected. Almost like the city steps back for a second and lets you have your moment.
And their ceremony? It wasn’t performative. It was present.
You could feel it.
A Wedding Rooted in Faith and Joy
Erica and Austin’s heart for their day was simple:
They wanted people to feel loved—and to see the love of Jesus reflected in both what was spoken and what was seen.
And they did just that.
There were tears (the good kind).
There was laughter.
There was the kind of joy that doesn’t feel forced—it just bubbles over.
Here’s what Erica shared about her man (and yes, I cried, okay?):
“I love talking about my man <3 There is no one in the world quite like Austin. He is a strong man of faith with a burden to share the joy and truth of Christ with everyone he meets. His desire for holiness has sharpened me and his incredible humor lightens me. Our biggest hope for our wedding day at Salvage One Chicago is that people will feel loved by us and would understand the Gospel through what is spoken and through what is seen. We also can't wait to break out all of our favorite dance moves and watch others do the same. We can't wait to start a crazy adventure together!”
Sacred. Intentional. Full of meaning.
And also… ready to absolutely tear up the dance floor.
For the Couple Planning a Salvage One Chicago Wedding…
If you’re dreaming about getting married at Salvage One, here’s what I’ll tell you:
Lean into the contrast.
Let the softness of your dress meet the grit of the brick.
Let the sacred vows echo under vintage chandeliers.
Let your faith, your quirks, your dance moves, your weird inside jokes all belong in the frame.
This venue was made for couples who don’t want cookie-cutter.
It’s for the ones who value presence over perfection.
Who want photos that look like art—but a process that feels like home.
And if you’re sitting there wondering, “Will it feel like us? Will we be awkward? Will the right person really understand the weight of this day?”
I see you.
Your wedding isn’t just an event. It’s a sacred chapter. And it deserves to be documented by someone who feels like an old friend walking in—not just another vendor with a camera.
If Salvage One is your place, and you’re looking for someone to witness it with you… I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
Tell me about your vision.
Tell me about your person.
Tell me what makes it feel like you. 💛