Affordable Wedding Venue for Sunday Brunch in Chicago Suburbs?

Is $5000 for the venue or for everything? If it's for just venue you should have considerable options. If you spend $30/ per person on food that's $3000 unless you do just cake and punch, in which case make sure it is not at a meal time.

For cheap venues I recommend public/state parks with pavilions and/or buildings.

You should expect only people really close to you be there at that time. At least if not many people come, the smaller guest list would mean less money for food and drinks.

We are aiming at $5000 for everything (minus the dress and rings). I am having trouble finding venues that are only $30 per person. Most that I have seen are at least double that. =( I will look into public/state parks however as that is a good idea. Thanks!

If your guest list is around 100 you should be able to find a restaurant that can host. Carlucci is one in Rosemont (I think they have one in OakBrook too). They are around $50-$60/person for dinner, so brunch would be less. Restaurants/banquets would be the least expensive IMO bc you don't have to pay for venue rental fees, catering is in house so you won't have to worry about extra expenses for their rental equipment, and linens/tables/chairs are all included, etc.

Edited: Not sure if Carlucci does brunch, but just suggesting a restaurant-type place as an example

Do you have a specific type of venue, or a theme/feel that you are looking for?

Cut your guest list. $30 per person for a formal brunch isn't going to cut it in Chicago. Look for private rooms in restaurants. Casinos often have pretty nice brunches if you're willing to do that.

I can't imagine attempting to serve a catered brunch in a state park.

I live in the Elmhurst area. Some brunch spots around here are Drury lane, macks golden pheasant, claim jumper, and Casey's restaurant. There are many others too. Maybe start there. There is also a place called Allegra banquets in villa park that I remember having good prices but I'm not sure if they do brunch. Their dinner food is yummy though

Unfortunately I am not sure how much smaller I can get the guest list as we both have large families (I have 8 siblings and he has 4 just as an example). We easily reach 100 just with our close family and few friends.

As for venue, I am pretty open however I do not want to do completely outdoors. We do want to have more of an informal wedding with a theme of fun and games.