Proposals and weddings at The Drake: spaces, scale, and process
The Drake accommodates proposals, small elopements, and large weddings across historic event rooms like the Gold Coast Room and Grand Ballroom, plus intimate spaces such as the French Room and Camellia Room. Wedding planning is handled through the hotel's events team and can include on-site rehearsal dinners, receptions, and overnight stays for guests in The Drake’s guest rooms and suites.
In this guide
Why choose The Drake for a proposal or wedding?
The Drake is a historic Gold Coast hotel at 140 E Walton Place with multiple event rooms that span intimate to large-scale capacities, and it sits directly across from Oak Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail.
Couples can combine a ceremony or reception with on-site dining at Palm Court, Coq d'Or, or Cafe on Oak and provide nearby activities for guests, including walks on the Magnificent Mile and visits to 360 CHICAGO.
- Central location at the north end of the Magnificent Mile
- Multiple indoor event rooms for different guest counts
- On-site restaurants for rehearsal dinners and brunches
| Nearby attractions | Walk time from The Drake |
|---|---|
| Oak Street Beach / Lakefront Trail | About 3–5 minutes |
| 360 CHICAGO (John Hancock Center) | About 5 minutes |
| Water Tower Place / Magnificent Mile shopping | About 1 minute to the shopping district at the hotel’s base |
Spaces and scale: which room fits your guest list?
The Drake offers a range of event spaces from the intimate French Room and Camellia Room to large ballrooms. The Gold Coast Room is the largest ballroom and the Grand Ballroom is a historic 1920s space suited to mid- to large-size receptions.
Capacities and square footage vary by room; use the hotel's events team to confirm the best fit for ceremony layout, cocktail hour, and seated reception plans.
- Gold Coast Room — largest ballroom; listed at about 6,838 sq ft, capacity up to 900 guests
- Grand Ballroom — roughly 5,214 sq ft; commonly used for ceremonies and ballroom receptions (capacity ~500)
- French Room — the most intimate ballroom with hand-crafted ceilings and crystal-basket chandeliers
- Camellia Room — suited for intimate to mid-size gatherings (up to 200 guests as described in event materials)
| Room | Square footage (published) | Typical max reception capacity (published) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast Room | 6,838 sq ft | Up to 900 guests |
| Grand Ballroom | 5,214 sq ft | Around 500 guests |
| Camellia Room | Published sizes vary | Up to 200 guests (mid-size events) |
The planning and booking process
Contact The Drake’s events team to request proposals, hold dates, and receive menus and pricing; the hotel coordinates rehearsal dinners and related events across its event rooms. BookResorts agents are available 24/7 at +1 (888) 605-1350 to assist with reservations and questions.
The reservation holder for guest room blocks or wedding room nights must be at least 21 and present a photo ID and credit card at check-in. Ask the events team about room blocks, rates, and the number of rooms available before committing.
- Request a written contract that lists the space, date, estimated guest count, and cancellation terms
- Confirm whether food & beverage minimums, service charges, and sales tax are included in event pricing (ask for line-item details)
- Discuss logistics: setup/breakdown windows, outside vendors (florists, DJs, photographers), and load-in areas
| Event step | What to ask the hotel |
|---|---|
| Site visit / tour | Confirm sightlines, ceremony location, and guest flow between rooms |
| Menu tasting | Which menus are available for your guest count and special diets |
| Room block | How many rooms you can reserve and cut-off date for guest reservations |
Catering, dining, and vendor options
The Drake provides on-site dining venues that can support wedding events: Palm Court for afternoon tea and reception-style service, Coq d'Or for cocktails and American fare, and Cafe on Oak for breakfast and brunch gatherings.
Coq d'Or operates on published hours and accepts walk-ins; Palm Court requires or strongly encourages reservations for afternoon tea, and seating for tea lasts up to 90 minutes. For plated or buffet receptions, coordinate menu details with the events team.
- Palm Court — Afternoon Tea (Friday–Sunday, 12:00pm–4:30pm); reservations recommended
- Coq d'Or — open daily across published hours; walk-in friendly and available for private bar buyouts
- Cafe on Oak — breakfast/brunch service (weekend hours published; check front desk for weekday hours)
| Venue | Typical use for wedding events |
|---|---|
| Palm Court | Bridal brunch, afternoon tea receptions, photo backdrops |
| Coq d'Or | Cocktail hours, late-night drinks, private bar buyouts |
| Cafe on Oak | Wedding morning breakfasts or small group brunches |
Guest experience and practical details
The hotel offers 535 guest rooms and 74 suites, including named suite categories; ask about connecting rooms and cribs if families are attending. Standard WiFi in rooms and lobby is available for a daily surcharge, though loyalty members may receive complimentary access.
Parking at The Drake includes self-parking (in/out privileges) and valet for a daily fee; the property does not provide an airport shuttle. The Drake is non-smoking and provides accessible features such as accessible paths to elevators and dedicated accessible parking.
- Reservation holder must be 21+ and present photo ID/credit card at check-in
- Standard WiFi has a published daily charge; check loyalty benefits for complimentary access
- Self-parking and valet are available; EV charging is available nearby rather than on-site
| Service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Parking | Self-parking and valet available for daily fees; self-parking often includes in/out privileges |
| WiFi | Standard in-room and lobby WiFi billed per day; complimentary for eligible loyalty members |
| Fitness | 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines, free weights, yoga mats |
Ceremony logistics and accessibility
The Drake accommodates wedding ceremonies and receptions indoors across several rooms; discuss acoustics, staging for bands or DJs, and guest seating with the events manager. Some rooms have second-story balconies or stage areas — confirm whether these are available for your layout.
Accessible features include wheelchair-accessible public spaces, accessible parking, and assistive listening devices. If you have specific accessibility needs for guests, raise them early in planning to ensure required accommodations are in place.
- Confirm elevator access and zero-step routes for guests with mobility needs
- Ask about assistive listening devices and accessible restroom locations
- Plan load-in and vendor access routes in advance with the events team
| Accessibility item | Published availability |
|---|---|
| Accessible paths to elevators | Provided |
| Dedicated accessible parking spaces | Provided (20 dedicated spaces listed) |
| Assistive listening devices | Available — request in advance |
