March or may in Chicago?

March can potentially be a bit chilly whereas May is usually always warm. March is off season so you will have a bigger selection of vendors whereas May is the start of wedding season.

Either way it's going to probably be decently cold or rainy. I would go with March if it's your dream venue. As @JSmith2U said, you will have a larger selection of vendors since it's not a popular wedding month.

Also depends on budget. I know the Shedd does weddings, so does LPZ. But those are probably expensive. What kind of budget are you working with?

Just kidding, I misread your OP lol.

Spring in Chicago is just like the fall, unpredictable. March will be colder but it depends on how late in May you're looking for. But the flowers should be blooming in may!

It still snows in March. Ok, probably not late March but still. Will the wedding be indoors? If so, either venue should work. But as a PP mentioned, you will have more flower options in May.

May is better, while it is the start of peak, it's a tad warmer.

I'd go May. March is hit or miss.

What venues?

Looking out over the frozen tundra of North NJ, I'd say May, if you can afford it.

Even though March is always a 'value season' here, it can and has snowed. I guess part of the decision is how much of this involves the outside and how many people are traveling from elsewhere.. In NYC, it really takes a LOT of snow to cripple the city, but it can.

If you do March? Wedding insurance.

I would go May. If you search a little bit more, you may be able to find another venue in April that still has "winter packages" I am getting married at Seven Bridges Golf Club on April 23 and I was able to get the "winter" rate.

As someone who lives within 2.5 hours of Chicago, I would choose May if budget isn't an issue. March is still crazy cold in MI, and there's a high likelihood of snow. At least in May, it may be cool, but no snow!

@swiggy Meson sabika, bolingbrookgolf club or Marriott

Agreeing with May. Both are really hit or miss with the weather, but May you won't have to risk snow.

Both can be cold but May I think you have better odds. Personally, going into my wedding the #1 thing that could have upset me was bad weather esp cold. So for me I would go with May.

I have been to events at all of those places. Which Mariott? My favorite is Meson Sabika. Let me know if you have any questions.

I don't live in Chicago but I'm planning a wedding for May and when you pick a date keep in mind prom and graduations.....I realized this when I was looking for my hotel room and a lot of places were booking quickly because there are two college graduations on the same day as our wedding

OH dear - stay away from March! We can still get some massive snow storms in March! May is so beautiful around Chicagoland. Usually gorgeous weather.

March will be a great deal cheaper but as others have mentioned the weather will probably be bad. My sister had her wedding last March and it snowed 5 inches on her wedding night and commuting was awful for everyone. I'd go with May if you can afford spending a little extra for the peak season.

I like the idea of March, "supposed" to be spring = new beginnings (granted it can feel like winter lol). Also, you may possibly get some discounts which is always good. I got married in a snow storm the pictures look cool.

I'm getting married April 2nd and I'm well aware of the weather risk in Chicago. It will be hit or miss. I've worn shorts on St. Patrick's Day and shoveled snow the next weekend.