Need some creative ideas!! Fun small wedding in Chicago?

aggiegal2010

Hi Ladies,

My fiance & have just begun serious wedding planning and are totally rethinking everything! We are both orignially from Houston, TX but are living here in Chicago (me since just this past Augut, him for 8 years). We always thought we would have the traditional "large" wedding back home, but we are paying for everything ourselves and have decided we might have different priorities for that amount of money. 

We are considering a "destination" wedding here in Chicago. We would be able to keep it very small this way (I'm picturing max 25) as most all of our family and friends are back home in Texas, and hopefully then save some money! 

Can anyone throw out some ideas for a wedding like this in the city? Fun venue ideas, for ceremony or reception? I'm thinking maybe towards the end of summer. I know exactly how to plan a traditional wedding (let's face it I've been doing that for years!) but I really don't even know where to begin for something like this. Do you do a bridal party with a group that small? Do you have a dj and dancing with a group that small? 

Any ideas would be MUCH appreciated!

Thanks ladies!

akrysl22

I'd start by going on yelp and searching "party room" or "room rental" so you get some unique spaces.  There are lots of restaurants/bars that can accomodate that size of party.  Don't say "wedding" and you'll probably get to book a room for a great price!

If you do end up going traditional, check out Marcello's, Empty Bottle (upstairs room). 

What you do is up to you!  If you'll have mostly out of towners, consider doing "chicago style" reception - think Portillo's and Giordano's but a bit fancier!

No idea what your budget is, but there are lots of options!  Have fun!

hz80408

What's your budget like? and do you want a church ceremony?

In addition to the ideas pp posted, you could also do a restaurant like Carmine's, Osteria de Stato or Quartino's for a reception venue.  It's up to you and FI if you want a DJ, etc; but for 25 people, I don't know if it's worth the money.  Do you want things like a first dance, etc?

It could be fun even to do something like a dinner reception and then a trolley rental around town to your favorite spots or city scenes?  Chicago Trolley Company is about $530 for 3 hrs on a Saturday night in the city and you can BYOB.

I think it'd make sense for you and your FI to each have one person standup in the wedding for you.

As for this summer, you may be out of luck because venues do book rather quick here.

truthhurts

I attended a small wedding a couple years ago.  The ceremony was at Millenium Park (I think it's called the Rose Garden).  Then we all went for lunch at Tru restaurant downtown.  It was great! Since you're having it in the summer, I think an outdoor ceremony and lunch/dinner reservations for your party at a restaurant would be nice.I love the idea of renting a trolley for your guests.  Chicago has so many great outdoor locations & restaurants!  Lakefront, Conservatories, Parks, Lots of places to choose from, depending on what your taste is. Restaurants to consider: Ann Sather, Carnivale, Salvatore's, Maggianos, Topolobambo, Fogo de Chao.  You may even want to consider a boat wedding.  Navy Pier has small boats/yachts that you can rent.  Have your ceremony & reception on the lake...fun!