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Beginner August 2022

Brunch Wedding

Renée, on January 2, 2021 at 10:13 AM Posted in Illinois Planning 0 12
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So we have our mindset we are having a brunch wedding. We are looking into sept/oct 2022 in Chicago area. I really would like our wedding to be in a hotel for the convenience of our guest. No drinking and driving just head upstairs to your room. Definitely want this day to be a day of fun with lots of drinks and dancing. The problem I’m having is the ability to have the venue from 12-6pm. A few places have told us a 4 hr window. I was thinking ceremony at 12pm over at 12:30. Pictures from 12:45-2. Grand entrance at 2:15 -2:30. Food served 2:30 along with first dances. Food served will be chicken and waffles, steak and eggs, shrimp and grits, something to that nature. The rest of the time would be filled with drinking and dancing. I really need to find a hotel for this event but scared it wouldn’t be possible. If not I’ll settle for a location where the hotel is walking distance. Anyone have any ideas, tips or venue location anywhere in Chicagoland

12 Comments

Latest activity by Renée, on January 3, 2021 at 12:03 AM
  • Lisa
    Rockstar July 2022
    Lisa ·
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    One question about your timeline: you stated that you're planning to do pictures from 12:45-2. Are you planning to provide entertainment for your guests during that time (maybe like a cocktail hour), since they won't be taking pictures with you? If so, you'll need to make sure you have a venue for them to go to while waiting for the reception to start. You could look at having the ceremony at a local park, and then check if you can setup a deal with the hotel bar or hotel restaurant to provide drinks and appetizers for a cocktail hour while you're taking pictures? That way, it won't count towards the four hours for the reception, and your guests will still be entertained.
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  • R
    Beginner August 2022
    Renée ·
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    Thank you so much Lisa!! I love this idea. I’ll definitely have cocktail hour for our guest
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  • V
    Rockstar July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    We looked mostly at hotels when we were looking for our wedding venue and all of them didn't have weddings until at least 4 pm. I'm thinking it could he because they have other events going on in the morning/afternoon. Also none of them had a four hour limit so that seems kind of strange. Maybe the four hour limit is just for the reception because I know we had to pay extra to have our ceremony at the hotel we got married at.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle Online ·
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    Most venues do not include ceremony time. Your block is for the reception events only.


    There is no reason that pictures should take an hour. Even if you aren't having a first look, try to get as many done before the ceremony as possible. There should not be a gap of more than 30 mins between ceremony and reception unless travel to another venue is involved.
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  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    I would clarify with the venue, as Victoria suggested. Most event spaces (hotels, country clubs, etc.) will have morning and evening events. For instance, I got married in the ballroom of a country club, and we had a 5pm wedding. When we got in early to get ready and such, there was a bridal shower going on in the ballroom that wrapped up at around 3pm. It may be the specific time you want, as that is in the middle of both morning and evening blocks. Four hours is common for the reception, so I would clarify if it was 4 hours for the whole thing or 4 hours for the reception itself.
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  • B
    VIP July 2017
    Becky ·
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    If you're looking for something other than a hotel, we attended a reception at the Field Museum which was *really* cool. They had the ceremony at a church earlier in the day, then did pictures (they had a Catholic gap), then had the reception at the museum - cocktail hour was upstairs and dining and dancing were down.

    We stayed at an airbnb, because it was less money for the two nights (for more space - we were able to split it with friends) than a hotel, and took Ubers to and from the reception (drove to the ceremony) so there wasn't any drinking and driving.

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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    Hmmmm I would suggest have the ceremony else where like a nice park or something and then use the hotel for the reception and then you have 4 hours. You know your invitees better than me but for an afternoon wedding 4 hours would be enough for me to see the ceremony and then chill. That early in the day I do not think most people would really drink a lot even if the ceremony ends at 6. Also, something to keep in mind is pending the hotel you are getting married at not everyone may want to pay that fee so do not worry about people's drinking and driving habits as that is on them and not you but I think it is nice you were keeping that in mind.

    I am not familiar in regards to Chicago as I have never attended a wedding but honestly I would not consider a hotel if you only have a 4 hour window. Maybe a country club or look for event spacing where you could have it all day. Also, do you and the guests you plan to invite live in Chicago? I ask because you mentioned you wanted people to drink and go to a hotel and something to think about is would they pay for a hotel if they live local? I have only booked a hotel for a wedding if it was out of town but if I can drive within about 1-2 hrs I would rather save the money. I think a 12-6 wedding is a good time but I would not drink that much during the afternoon rather have a few drinks to feel good. Are you against and evening wedding with a brunch theme?

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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    How many guests do you plan on having? Could you look into a bed and breakfast?
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle Online ·
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    Take a look at peerspace.com and Eventective.com for a venue with flexible timing. Usually those are blank slate venues.

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  • R
    Beginner August 2022
    Renée ·
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    100 or less
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  • R
    Beginner August 2022
    Renée ·
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    Thank you so much I’ll definitely ask for clarification
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  • R
    Beginner August 2022
    Renée ·
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    Good tip we should definitely take pictures before ceremony.
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