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

Tiffany - Anything specific in mind?

LivelyBride - the rates for that place are Full Day (9am-5pm) $750 Half Day (4hrs max) $400. It looks really nice, I will call them for more info.

For the dress, consider something different, like cocktail style. He can wear a suit he owns, or find one, instead of renting. Your biggest expenses along with dress and rings are often photographer and food. 40 people can have a lovely time at a restaurant's private room, or a modest banquet room. A restaurant or specialized place won't need decorations. Feeding 40 people could easily take $1000 no problem, without drinks, depending on location.

For photography, you'll have to DIY or craigslist. Maybe a picture of you two, your family, then everyone. Maybe a good photographer might give you a break if you only need them for an hour total, and it's nearby.

That is a really tight budget for Chicago. We live in Chicago, but are going to get married in IN as it's near our families and is cheaper. We originally wanted a budget of $5000 but now are up to about $8000 with a lot of DIY stuff as well. Our venue, photographer, and DJ are the most expensive things.

Hi Rosie you can also conside doing a breakfast or lunch ceremony and reception you can save a ton that way as well.

Http://www.punchbowl.com/vendors/il-illinois/mount-prospect/c-venues?page=2

http://www.punchbowl.com/vendors/il-illinois/chicago/6607029/free-range-chicago

Start searching here for private event spaces or party rooms.

Restaurants, YMCA, Church Fellowship halls, golf clubs, park districts.

http://www.rtpd.org/Rentals_Banquets/

http://www.mppd.org/programs/rentals

Try a restaurant! They will have the food, linens, tableware and all of the other details you will need already. They might even have some nice decor or candles that they use to decorate their tables with. I'd suggest saving the rest of your money for a DJ and photographer, those will be the next most important things. Purchase some flowers in bulk online and practice making your own bouquet. Use the extras for small arrangements on your tables. Hope this helps!

Check out inkandwaterdesigns.etsy.com for custom address stamps, they even have an affordable startup custom invitation blog: inkandwaterdesigns.blogspot.com

Okay. Let's see.

Skip the DJ. Instead, buy a good iPod speaker thing or a good pair of speakers for a laptop. Music, done.

Decorations depend on how fancy you want to go. Raid dollar stores for things like candles and vases.

Photography - you're in the NW burbs? Head over to Schaumburg - Illinois Institute of Art is there. I know when I was a student there, there were lots of photography students who would do events for very cheap. It's definitely worth looking into.

Invitations and other paper goods like that can be easily hand-made; just make sure you have a decent paper cutter if you'll be trimming anything. There was a really good and extremely well-priced online paper supplier I used when making invites for a friend (paper source and the like are price-gougers) that I will try and find the link for. They're Indiana-based, too, so you'd be able to get anything you ordered very fast.

Good luck!

Edit: found them! http://www.desktopsupplies.com I highly recommend, if you make your own invites/programs/etc. that you order from there. You could probably order paper for 40 invites, RSVP cards, and envelopes for both for under $30.

Look into the Chateau Ritz in Niles, IL. I am having my wedding there. It's an all inclusive venue and its only 14 minutes from O'hare. Its a beautiful place and the staff is even more wonderful.

Thank you all very much for your help. I called so many places and checked the rates. Bottom line: with this budget it is a mission impossible. Many of the places I called (including the ones suggested by all of you) have a minimum requirement for a guests # or a minimum $ for a bar or a dinner. As soon as I say the word 'wedding' everything is double and they start telling me about all kinds of taxes and fees that they charge besides the dinner...

With all that said , unfortunately my "wedding" will be in the courthouse with 2-4 witnesses and a simple dinner somewhere... I just can't believe how expensive and how commercial is everything about the weddings.