Chicago reception ideas!

Re: Chicago reception ideas!

• manateehugger member

  

  July 2013

  Hi there! Look to the right of the screen where you see a drop down menu that says "Wedding Boards." Choose the drop down menu option for local boards and then scroll down the list until you find the Chicago board.

  These main boards are international so we wont be as much help.

  I will say though - we didn't want a hotel/banquet hall reception either. So we looked around at museums, a glass factory, old historic homes, and a couple other galleries.

  

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• thisismynickname2 member

  

  July 2013

  OP, I went to a wedding a few years ago at the art gallery on the University of Chicago campus. It was a small wedding (the place itself is small) but it is affordable, unique, and has a nice outdoor area.

  
  

  Other than that, I checked out Hotel 71 (now Wyndham Grand) and they are remodeling their penthouse to have outdoor space on the terrace for cocktails. The view is phenomenal. However, you are looking at $16k-$20k minimum food/beverage spend (I don't know what your definition of "broke" is, but we wouldn't meet the minimum with our small guest list so had to rule it out).  

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• loca4pook member

  

  July 2013 edited July 2013

  Where in chicago?

   

  I got married at a golf course in NW suburbs and they let me have cocktail outside...Though..and I say this from MY experience, make sure a) they WILL allow guests inside if guest does not want to stay outside..I thought my guests could go in or out and then later found out they were forced to stay outside and I didn't have enough seats and the weather was slightly chilly for someone. I felt horrible. b) You should ALWAYS have enough seats for guests....I made an etiquette faux pas bbut only because I didn't think my guests were going to be forced to stay out there....I thought it was "assumed" and I was wrong. Make sure to ASK

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• kellymiron member

  

  July 2013

  Astoria Banquets in Buffalo Grove. It is by far the most affordable. The outside looks bland and boring, but inside is nice, service is good, and food is good- not spectacular, but tasty and good portions. I've been to two weddings there.

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• jessyk1065 member

  

  July 2013

  Lots of area colleges and universities, such as NIU Naperville, Loyola University Chicago, etc host weddings regularly. I am biased because I went to Loyola, but it is right on the lake and so beautiful! They also own the Cuneo mansion in the suburbs. Many park districts, local museums, etc. also host weddings and are fairly affordable

  

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• Davindane89 member

  

  July 2013

  We had a very small reception at Garfield Park Conservatory. It was nice. I don't know if they can accomodate your crowd and some would consider the area ify, but boy was it nice to be in and around all of those plants.

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