Brookfield zoo reception?

bmetelka

Hi everyone! Is anyone having or had a reception at the Brookfield Zoo? From the research I have done, people seem to have only good things to say. I am going on a tour tomorrow. My only real main concern is that some of the habitats might be a little smelly. haha Anyone have any thoughts/comments?

TeresaS1027

I've never been to a wedding there before, but I have been to events there. The banquet area is gorgeous, with "gazebos" (they are huge, with a lot of wood/simple colored tones). The food was pretty good from what I remember and it's not near any exhibits really, so you won't get a smell leaking into your area (eww that sounded really gross). And I'm sure it would be great for pics!

TEA&Co

I have not, but I think it would be super fun.  If you ever watch "Four Weddings" on TLC, they just (maybe 3ish weeks ago?) did an episode in Chicago and one of the brides held her wedding at Brookfield Zoo.  Very fun!

barbbhoww

No, but if I had the money, we'd have had it done there in a heartbeat....

The whole set up and the ability to have a coctail hour in an exhibit is SO awesome to me.  I just hope to be invited to one there.

motogrl13

If my budget could fit a zoo reception, I totally would have done it!  I'd go for it!

Believeinlove817

Went to a wedding at the Brookfield Zoo last September! It was AMAZING! Ceremony outside by one of the fountains, cocktail hour was in the great bear wilderness inside where you can see the bears underwater. So entertaining!!! The polar bear and the giant brown bear were hilarious! We were transported all over by tram, it was great! No walking in heels! They even gave us a mini tour of the zoo on the tram. Reception was in the restaurant by the south gate...food was good - tomato soup w/puff pastry was incredible...ok I'm rambling on. Overall I was impressed and if you can swing it, it's definitely a memorable thing to do. (And there was nothing smelly about it, except on the tram tour which is to be expected.)

bmetelka

Thanks everyone! I went on a tour today and it looked really great (and non-smelly)! The bears were awesome and the monkeys were cool too. I looked up the episode of "Four Weddings" the zoo was featured on it sold me on the idea even more. We were actually condisering a DW, but now we think we might have the whole wedding there!

junebabymia

How much does a wedding at the zoo go for? That sounds like such a great idea!

bmetelka

The ceremony is 1,000 and 4.00 a chair. Cocktail hour is in one of the exhibts and then dinner is in one of two places and runs $90-$120 a head with cake included.

TEA&Co

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_brookfield-zoo-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:084ae230-96e3-435e-8098-19247ae7a7c1Post:0346d219-d2c0-4056-813e-11b875892494">Re: Brookfield zoo reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks everyone! I went on a tour today and it looked really great (and non-smelly)! The bears were awesome and the monkeys were cool too.<strong> I looked up the episode of "Four Weddings" the zoo was featured on it sold me on the idea even more. We were actually condisering a DW, but now we think we might have the whole wedding there!
</strong>Posted by bmetelka[/QUOTE]

Yay!  Good luck.  I think it would be such a fun, unique venue.

moboffice

I am having my wedding reception at Brookfield Zoo in Aug. 2012.  At our initial meeting, our coordinator said that we could upgrade to colored table linens for no additional cost.  At our meeting this past weekend, she said that it would cost $15-20 per table to upgrade to a colored linen. 

Have any Knotties gotten colored table linens at the Brookfield Zoo for no additional cost before?  Trying to determine if our coordinator was incorrect at our first meeting or if they have just switched policies and are trying to nickel & dime us.

Thanks!

bissea83

Moboffice- i went there to check it out  and they pulled out the linen book when i  asked about a pircure they did say it was not included. i liked it but the cost was too much for us. good luck!

Kaz514

Hi ! I'm looking at the zoo for my reception in October 2013 and Kathy the coordinator told me upfront that it is an extra charge for floored linens. What building will you be using?

Jmpesse

Hi I am going to look at the zoo on jan 5th, can't wait, really hoping for oct 2013!!