Unique Chicago BUDGET venues

Hmmmm the only hitch is allowing you to bring your food. When i was planning mine, initially i really wanted that but I was not finding ones I liked and the few i found had too many extra costs that racked up my budgets, so I dint go with that option. But I would say look for community centers, or stand alone community halls in a city/county/state park--places like that will almost always allow independent caterers. I would see if I can remember the few I found though...is it an indor or outdoor ceremony? And whats the budget?

Welcome to WW, Kelley! I assume you aren't a WW vendor as well as a bride, correct? Either way, Kris was married in Chicago at the Aeree Loft (http://www.room1520.com/aeree-loft.shtml) and I believe she was able to bring in her own food/liquor. Not sure about the cost and stuff, though, so you might have to contact them. You can also add Chicago to your title post to catch the eye of any Chicago brides.

Also, I hope you'll update your avatar (the rings) to a unique picture so we can remember you and help you more in the future! This post tells you how to do that and more about the forums: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/new-to-the-weddingwire-forums-please-read-before-you-post/b433c40c1a62b96a.html

I second the above questions! What's your budget? Do you have a theme in mind? How far into the suburbs are you willing to travel? Are you having an open bar? Will you want to BYOB as well as food?

Most of that stuff im pretty flexible on cuz I know how hard it can be to get this idea in your head and then have no way to follow through with it. I do want an open bar, but don't care if its brought by us or provided by the venue. My biggest thing is that I don't want boring banquet style food. Im ok w/ a venue catering as long as they have some unique options and are willing to be flexible. We're hoping to stay under 10 grand if possible (I know, not likely in Chicago but im up for the challenge!) Most decor and such is DIY (gotta love Pinterest!), and im just looking for a place that will be different than a typical banquet hall or hotel ballroom. No set theme, just more casual and fun, nothing too formal or over the top. I don't care how far from the city, as long as its still Chicago land area (i looked at some places in Schaumburg as options..)

Ps I only use this site from my phone and the mobile ap does not make it easy to update pics and info but I'm workin on it!

My fiance has a HUGE family, and I am totally ok w/ putting my foot down and maxing out at 100 if it means a better venue. Our list is at 106 right now, I've just been saying 150 to leave wiggle room.

Agreed about the Cook County thing -- the tax is like 11%, so everything will end up being way more.

We're getting married at the Kane County FOP Lodge in Sugar Grove. Our budget is ~$8k and we'll be inviting 130ish people and planning on ~100-115 (lots of out of town guests). Sugar Grove itself is in the middle of nowhere, but it's close to Geneva and St. Charles which both have Metra stations that go downtown. We're planning on having our hotel in St. Charles/Geneva so it really opens up options for rehearsal dinner spots and fun stuff for guests, but will only be ~20 minutes from the wedding venue.

The FOP Lodge website really sucks, but here's a link to pictures of an awesome wedding there:

http://www.chicagoillinoisweddingphotography.com/2010/06/17/illinois-chicago-outdoor-wedding-photographer/

I sent you a PM on places.

Oh! Forgot to mention that everything is BYO. We're bringing in our own alcohol, our own caterer, our own linens, etc. They give you tables and padded metal folding chairs.

So, 10K just for ceremony, venue, dinner, drinks.... right?

or did you plan to have the ceremony at a 2nd location?

Congrats and welcome to WW

What about navy pier? Buckingham fountian. of course these would be ceremony places.

Http://www.navypier.com/events/weddings.html

I want the ceremony in the same venue as reception. I'm ok w/ outdoor, weather permitting, but it doesn't have to be. We aren't religious so ceremony will be short and sweet. I want to stay under 10 grand for EVERYTHING, but I have several "frienders" volunteering their services, such as Dj, photos, desserts, flowers, etc. I really just need a venue that is flexible enough to work with us. I'm ok w/ somewhere that isn't traditionally used for weddings. I've seen a few art galleries that are willing to rent their space, which I LOVE the idea of, but the problem w/ those is they charge by the hour, including set up and tear down, which I think would cause me to have a panic attack since we're doing everything ourselves.

Actually, my venue (suburbs of Chicago right by O'hare), will let you bring in your own food, but if you decided not to and use their catering, they're very reasonable. My wedding of about 139 guests, dress, dj, everything... Under 7k. PM if you want more info. Oh, and we had the ceremony outside at the gazebo!

Wow... 10K for the whole wedding....You might want to cut the guest list down to 100 if that is the case.

Jump on the budget tool here on WW - under "my wedding" if you are on the computer.

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I had created that budget for someone else that already had her photographer signed at 2K. And her cake was included with the venue.

If you get a photographer for 1K, you could add another 1K to Venue for the drinks.

So, you are trying to find a venue/food/drinks for 150 for $5.5K = $36 per plate

(don't forget tax and tip will add 1K or more - so look for a venue with $30 per plate)

and with the invites budget, you will need to remember to include stamps.

Ive done the research, I already have my gown, found it for 100, have friends donating most services, really just looking for a reasonable venue. As I previously stated, 100 guests isn't out of the question, I'm simply looking for recommendations on places to rent. This is a super budget DIY wedding, we are not fancy people. Lol

Then I would definitely take advantage of the budge tool on here.

If you already know how much is going towards other parts of the wedding, it will give you a better idea of what you should shoot for when it comes to the venue costs.

Might I suggest http://www.millroserestaurant.com/

it is an old barn... check out the site when you can get on and see the pictures.

My friend got married at Millrose in South Barrington 847.382.7673 www.millroserestaurant.com/ She had 100 guests and her dinner bill with tax, tip and drinks was $4914.

Kelley O. we are having our wedding in a south west suburb of Chicago in Channahon, IL. It is called Four Rivers Environmental Center

The place is not a typical banquet hall and is beautiful!

They have a list of preferred vendors which offer several types of food options as for the bar you can either have the same food vendor serve and you buy all the alcohol. Which is what we are doing.

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/four-rivers-environmental-education-center-channahon/01f0cc2c80b09fa0.html

This place looks beautiful... I'm just not sure on the budget....

When I priced this out for my friend 2 years ago, it was 8K for venue/dinner/ceremony/drinks for 100 guests.

It would take a lot of connections for your other wedding stuff and a smaller guest list.

http://www.riversidereceptions.com/gallery/