The Urban Union

The Urban Union is a wedding officiant service in Chicago, Illinois, that also offers wedding planning. Its stated belief is that every kind of love deserves to be honored and remembered, and it builds ceremonies around that idea.

LGBTQ+ couples

The business is LGBTQ+-owned and its work centers on inclusive ceremonies. For same-sex couples, this means you will not need to correct assumptions about vows, pronouns or the structure of the ceremony. Reviews score 5.0 across 13 ratings.

Services

• Officiating wedding ceremonies
• Wedding planning
• Ceremony writing that reflects your story
• Guidance and support for friends or relatives officiating for the first time

Support for a friend who officiates

Many couples ask a loved one to lead the ceremony. The business also coaches first-time officiants, which helps if that person is nervous about speaking in front of a crowd. This can mean help with structure, pacing and delivery.

Preparing your ceremony

Decide whether you want a short ceremony or a longer one with readings, rituals and personal vows. Think about how you wish to be introduced and how the processional should look. If you plan to marry legally in Illinois, confirm the license process and the timeline with the county clerk, and ask the officiant to explain what must be signed and returned.

Chicago offers many venues, from lakefront to historic halls, and each has rules about sound and timing. Share your venue early so ceremony length fits the booking.