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Small Reception Venue Help Needed!

jkkestnejkkestne
in Illinois-Chicago
My sister wants to have a very small wedding/reception (50-60ppl); however, we are running into problems with finding a reception venue.  A lot of places have large guest minimums (even Friday nights have 100ppl mins).  Can anyone suggest somewhere where there are no guest minimums or where minimums are at the most 50-75?  She is not opposed to renting out a room in a restaurant but she is worried that without a dance floor her guests may get bored.  Any advice or recommendations would be much appreciated.  TIA!
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Re: Small Reception Venue Help Needed!

  • Golfer09Golfer09 member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Are you looking in the city?  If so, you can try Ivy Studios, a New Leaf, West Loop Studios, West Grand Studios, Prairie Production, Loft on Lake. 

    I had my wedding at Prairie Production and they did not have a minimum and no preferred vendors.  I could bring in any caterer I wanted and also could also provide my own liquor which helped cut costs.  We had 105 guests and it was the ideal number for that space so having less than that would also work.

    Good luck to your sister and IMHO having a venue that will allow you to use any caterer and bring in your own liquor will help cut costs dramatically! 

    Our wedding SDE: https://player.vimeo.com/video/8491081 Our wedding Feature: PW=demo
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  • Manditchka24Manditchka24
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Va Pensiero is a restaurant in Evanston doing the catering for our wedding. They also rent out space in their restaurant. I don't remember sizes exactly, but I'm pretty sure 50-60 would fit. The food at our tasting was fabulous and the service we have had with them has been really exceptional so far.
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  • njohnson0330njohnson0330
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I was at a friend's wedding last year and they got married at the Grove in Glenview.  I loved it! There is a small house there and the max number of guests in I think around 100,  and it's surrounded by beautiful grounds, I think a lot people go there for photos. 
    I would have loved this intimate setting, just not possible with our families!
    Wedding Countdown Ticker 260 Invited image
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    RSVP Date- June 30
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  • sgyllingsgylling
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Maggiano's  or Wildfire have smaller private rooms as well and I know they can add a dance floor. We looked at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and Adobo Grill as well
    Steph & Brandon 4.17.10
    Planning Bio
    Married Bio - Updated 7.2
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  • ErinC85ErinC85 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We also looked into The Grove for our event, but we ended up with too many people. Its really beautiful and simple.
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  • alexilysealexilyse
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    ditto the poster who suggested Prairie Productions and New Leaf. 
    We are having our ceremony and reception at Prairie Productions and we are having 65-70 guests.

    In addition to their large tent, Galleria Marchetti has an indoor (with dance floor) and outdoor space for smaller weddings.  They have reasonable prices too!
    Married!!
    image
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  • alexilysealexilyse
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The Rafaello Hotel downtown also has a fantastic rooftop garden where they hold weddings.  They also have indoor rooms.  I'm sure you could put a dance floor in.  Of course, this would depend on the time of year...
    Married!!
    image
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  • ewennerewenner
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are having our reception at Wildfire - they have a private area that can seat as many as 125, or be divided up into smaller sections, and they can put down a dance floor.  The pricing is very reasonable, and so far they have been great to work with.  Good luck!
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  • JennaJimJennaJim
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Try Public Landing in Lockport (if that is not too far south for you).  It is a beautiful historic restruant that looks great in any season.  They have small parties there, including weddings that would work for 50-60 people.  They are also affordable and have great food. Hope that helps!
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  • jenniferandstephenjenniferandstephen
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If she's ok with suburbs, check out our venue in Geneva-Riverside Receptions. Low minimums and a good space for a small group.
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  • chosen175chosen175 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We looked at Brookfield Zoo and their minimum was $5k in food & beverage.  Their prices started at $87pp for the cheapest menu option, but it included alcohol, cake, cocktails in one of the exhibits, a tram ride through the zoo, and dinner.  Kathy Seybold was a real sweetheart to work with, but we ended up deciding on a DW.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Fultons on the River has great space for a reception!
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  • jburkie1jburkie1
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Logan Square Kitchen is beautiful. It has gorgeous wood floors and a very warm, intimate feeling. It would be perfect for this size of a guest list.

    Our guest list was just a little too big for the space, but the owner is wonderful to work with and it was our favorite space!
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