Budget $3000 , Less than 5 months to plan, Chicago Suburbs

Are you open to doing a lot of DIY projects? They can save you a bundle and aren't really as difficult or intimidating as they seem. You can make a lot of decorations yourself, as well as favors and invitations. You can also make simple changes such as choosing to use a playlist rather than hire a DJ.

If I were you, I would start with the venue and wouldn't book anything else until you have it. This is extremely late, so I think the venue will be the hardest. Maybe try the park system? I know the Chicago parks system has great venues, but Im not sure about the burbs. Uncle Bub's catering is reallly god bbq/picknicky food at a great price. Or maybe a restaurant where you can do all in one? There are some nice restaurants that might have space in naperville.

Holly - I believe I can do a lot if I know what to do. Invitations will take no more than 2-3 hours to make. For the decorations , mhm I don't know... I am not sure I can do something like that, but I can try . I think the biggest issue I have is to find a place...

Blondie123 , I was looking at most of the Park Districts and etc. , Elk Grove Village for example, has a wonderful packages and rooms with nice view, but they have a min ppl requirement of 60 or 100 depends of the day. Some other the rooms were kind of expensive, because nothing was included, just the rooms were like $600...

Oh and I found that there are so many hidden fees...

With 40 you might be able to get away with a restaurant for the reception. For the ceremony (I'm not familiar with the area so I'm just throwing things out there) you might try any libraries, museums, or community buildings. My wedding is going to be in the backyard of a bed and breakfast (that's not common in my area, but it might be in yours so I don't know). If there are any historical homes in the area that could be an idea.

$600 is quite inexpensive for that area, in my experience. I have also found that you don't want anything included or required-it can make the prices go very high (catering in that area can be murder on the pocketbook). Could you try looking farther out? Maybe barns or such in the country?

Oh, and are you looking for weeknights? That will make it much cheaper.

Brittany, thanks for the advice!

Blondie123 , yes I am OK with looking farther out North , let say up to 2 hours drive maybe. I will look. $600 for a room in a park district with an old furniture and carpet and etc , without including anything else in this price... to me this is expensive. I know that we are on extremely tight budget but some places are really not worth the money.

One option I am considering is to do the ceremony and the dinner/lunch in some restaurant , at least everything will be at one place and this will cut some cost, but for a place like that I am thinking maybe to have like a nice garden, or patio/deck something like that and then the food to be served inside...

This place is reeeeally nice, and if you are willing to do the house without the atrium, which I think would be fine for you, you can do a weeknight for $500 plus deposit. But they are super booked in general, but they might have some weeknights open.

http://www.danadahouse.com/rates.html

Afternoon tea reception? Punch and cake?

http://offbeatbride.com/2012/11/afternoon-tea-menu

http://offbeatbride.com/2013/01/cake-and-punch

Thank you! It is very beautiful. I will give them a call tomorrow to see what they can offer.

The morton arboretum has the chestnut room, which has capacity for 40 available fri evenings for $550

http://www.mortonarb.org/visit-explore/plan-event/event-venues-and-rates

Does anyone have a big house they wouldn't mind hosting? Also, instead of a DJ use an iPod. For the cake, you can get one from a grocery store that's all white and then add some fresh flowers to decorate it. They also can do custom orders.

What honey said...but, make sure your fresh flowers are SAFE for consumption. Even if they are not being eaten, some are toxic. Great website for differentiating is:

http://www.cakesbygeorge.com/Tips/Fresh%20Flowers.htm

I would personally go for a package at a hotel like Holiday Inn, where they have the banquet rooms, ceremony site, and ALL needed decor, for one price...no surprises! I would think with only 40, it could be done on your budget!

Hi Rosie.... can I ask where you reside. I also live in the Northwestern Suburbs of Chicago.

How about community halls? I know some around my area you can rent for like $200 for a whole evening or afternoon. They usually come with basic tables and chairs and a kitchen.

The Oak Park park district has the Cheney mansion - very elegant, inexpensive and perfect for 40 people. If we were having a smaller wedding I'd be all over that one...

ZOoBz I live in Mt Prospect, IL and most of our guests too, that's why I am looking for something in the area. The people who don't live in the area are comming out of state , so for them really it doesn't matter where it will be.

Kat, for the cake I don't have problems , I have a friend who is a great baker, she will do it for us a fondant type of cake.