reception issues

AshleyK2011 · February 2010

I've been struggling with selection a location for our reception. We're probably going to have between 225-250 guests, which has ruled out some smaller venues that I like and others have been ruled out because of the cost of having so many guests there. I've looked at quite a few places and I just haven't felt like I've found the place. It's going to be virtually impossible to cut our guest list down too much more than what it is. My parents are divorced and remarried, so I've got extra family, plus FI's has a huge extended family.

I feel like I'm at the point where something has to give and I'm not quite sure what it's going to be. Either I will have to give up on my "dream" wedding or FI and I will have to make a much more substantial contribution than we were planning on (my parents are giving us a decent amount but we will likely have to supplement what they're offering us). I don't really want to blow through our savings but I don't want to hate my wedding either.

Ugh. I don't know what to do. Maybe I'm being too picky and too whiny about the whole thing. Any advice on how to handle this?

jburkie1 · February 2010

That's a tough decision. What type of place are you looking for? Maybe you can give us some examples of places you've liked and perhaps we can brainstorm similar places. You never know - the girls here might have a suggestion that works and lets you have your dream wedding, at your budget, with your guest list!

AshleyK2011 · February 2010

I basically just don't want a plain hotel ballroom. I'm not entirely ruling out hotels, but if we do a hotel, I'd like something with a view or something else neat about it and not just basic ballroom. I liked Gallery 1028 a lot but I don't think my parents were too thrilled with it. I guess in the end, it's our decision and my parents have said as much, but I don't want to pick a reception venue they don't care for. I like the loft idea but there are quite a few that are too small for the number of people we're looking to have so I'm trying to come up with other places that offer a unique feel to them. We're trying to keep our budget around $40K, which I'm starting to think is just not enough for a wedding in the city. We're having our ceremony down here so I'd like to try to keep the reception in the city as well.

sgylling · February 2010

This is a really hard part of the planning process. I was in your exact position, same guest count and wanted all the same things.

I will tell you a few things, first, I did have to alter the "dream" of my wedding. It was just too expensive! I think sometimes you have to be realistic, but also don't give up all your ideals. I wanted a loft space, they were too expensive with all the rental fees, catering, etc. But I also didn't want a hotel ballroom. We are having ours at Salvatore's which, if you are in the summer would fit your # since they have a patio. It was a nice compromise for me.

Second, we also have to contribute to our wedding through our savings. Even though we are altering our dream, we still have to pay extra. I think it is just the reality of weddings these days in Chicago. It sucks, but it is the truth.

Check out Prairie Productions, Ravenswood Billboard Factory, Salvage One, West Loop Studios, and some more affordable (IMO) options Pazzos, Salvatores, Hotel Allerton, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.

You will figure it out! Just remember you may have to compromise your dream slightly to make it all work.

Good Luck!

jessNlane52804 · February 2010

Maybe you could rethink some of the spaces that were "ok". Look for spaces with lots of potential. Just about any room can be completely transformed. Also, I think that you'll become more excited about the space over time once you start thinking about ways to be creative and transform it.

ladybug7485 · February 2010

I second sglylling's suggestion of Pazzo's. That's where we are having our reception and I love it there! The price per person is very reasonable and it is a large space. I don't think you'll have any trouble with what you said your budget was, we're inviting 225 and expecting 175 and paying well within what you said your budget is. HTH!

morgie44 · February 2010

Have you looked into some of the Chicago Park District Venues? Our budget was 28K for around 200 people (expected to attend) and South Shore Cultural Center was just slightly over our budget...

I know you said you wanted city, but maybe start looking around the very close burbs like Oak Park or Rosemont?

amylulich · February 2010

I agree with the pp. FI and I have been looking at hotels in Oak Brook and Rosemont. There are some beautiful venues that are newer and unique. They are also close enough so you can still have the ceremony, take pictures or have the rehersal dinner in the city if you would like.

jbll326 · February 2010

Have you considered having an off day and/or off season wedding? Part of your dream wedding may be to have a Saturday September wedding, but if you can compromise on day of the week and month, you can save a LOAD of money and may be able to have it in one of your dream venues.

We fell in love with Patrick Haley Mansion, but it was very clear that we couldn't afford a Saturday in season wedding and we kind of gave up on it. After we looked at a few more places and were not at all impressed, we researched ways to make PHM work. We spoke with our family and quickly found that no one cared if it was on a Friday (and actually most people were excited to take a half day off of work). So we decided on a Friday wedding in March (off season) and it's about 50% off what a Saturday in season wedding would be, which has allowed me to have the fairy tale wedding of my dreams. Something to think about!

Sparkette19 · February 2010

Just b/c you might have your reception at a hotel doesn't mean your stuck with a cookie cutter wedding. There are a ton of ways to make your wedding your own and put personal touches on it.

What I would do if I were in your shoes, would be to pick a less expensive location and spend extra money for those unique, personal touches. I would look at it like a blank canvas. You may have to DIY some things,if you want something unique and your budget doesn't allow it.

rajkumari · February 2010

I really love Gallery 1028. If it acomodates the size of your guest list, and you love it, why let someone elses's desires get in the way? You only do this once.

Golfer09 · February 2010

I would recommend reaching out to a wedding coordinator. They can definitely assist with this process and help you make the RIGHT decision.

I understand your frustration. Having 225-250 people definitely takes many of the "gallery/loft" spaces out of contention. Have you considered Stan Mansion? You can definitely make it your own with the lighting and decor. Good luck and hang in there!

mandybear7 · February 2010

I agree with pp. The hotels near O'Hare and in Oak Brook are at least $10-25 pp cheaper than downtown.

u_rica77 · February 2010

To be honest, I never wanted to have a hotel ballroom wedding- but when it came down to it, that was what made the most sense economically and for our guests (about 80% of them are coming from out of town). I was ok with it because the most important thing is making the weekend a fun experience for our guests and having everyone together for a nice evening. I think sometimes you have to sacrifice a little bit of what's less important for what's more important to you. If you are adamant about not cutting the guest list, then you probably will have to bend a little on some other areas. I think it's all about the attitude that you have- any wedding can be your "dream wedding".

AshleyK2011 · February 2010

Thanks for the advice ladies! I will definitely look into your suggestions.

erehn · February 2010

Have you looked at the Newberry library? We're going to have btwn 200-225 people and have the same budget as you. It's more traditional (making parents happy) without being a hotel ballroom. Good luck!

Manditchka24 · February 2010

Have you looked into Spiaggia? We considered there, but decided it made more sense for us to be in the suburbs. I can't remember exactly how large they can accommodate though. It was one of the relatively lesser expensive venues in the city and has a stunning view.

Also, just keep trying!!! Don't give up or settle, it will work out! We had such difficulty finding a location that would be what I wanted (I also hated the idea of a hotel ballroom unless it was one of the fabulous old ballrooms downtown that we couldn't afford) that we could also afford and made logistical sense. I was about to settle on a venue that was fine but not what I loved, when I came across a venue by accident that ended up being the perfect place for our day (The Women's Club of Evanston, probably not large enough for you). In the end we also had to go a little over the budget we hoped to be at. I know how frustrating it can be, but you will find something!

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