Where: Architectural Artifacts

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This architectural salvage and antique shop is on Ravenswood Avenue — one of the coolest streets in the city, about three blocks from our apartment. It's got personality and flexibility to be sure, but a hefty pricetag.

My mom and I both adore architectural salvage shops - the sort of places where you can find bathtubs for your St. Francis of Assisi, torsos of old statues, fireplace fronts and more. Architectural Artifacts is in a huge, tall building on Ravenswood and arranges the antiques and salvage items in a modern, interesting fashion.

I love the windows, the light, the old stuff with modern surroundings, the street with trains buzzing by. I love that I could walk from home to my wedding.

A private rental at Architectural Artifacts is $4200. Yikes. That's without food, servers, drinks, anything. But you don't need to set the scene at all, and guests automatically have a ton to look at. Despite its high price I'm calling Architectural Artifacts to learn more.