About Chicago
As the third most populated city in the United States, Chicago abounds with things to do and offers nonstop fun, style, and culture for anyone who stops by. Chicagoans are known for their impeccable style and timeless elegance. The city is known for its bar culture, making your stay unforgettable. Moreover, the city’s weather – with moderate summers and springs – makes it a pleasant spot for outdoor activities for the majority of the year. The city, ripe with sky-high skyscrapers, museums, and other attractions, is among the most sought-after tourist destinations and wedding venues in the United States. The coastal view of Lake Michigan to the east makes it an ideal retreat from the downtown crowds with cramped spaces.
With diverse offerings and venues, from downtown city high-rises to lakefront venues, Chicago, IL, is ideal for a cocktail reception. It has multiple outdoor spaces with a sophisticated venue facing the Chicago River, country clubs, banquet halls, and many other unique wedding venues. And with its many service offerings, from accommodation to transport to upscale restaurants, catering, and entertainment, it’s hard not to want to.
Chicago wedding venues can host the wedding ceremony, rehearsal dinners, reception with a dance floor, and more for a memorable celebration. The city skyline is the perfect backdrop, and Millennium Park can double as a fairytale venue for your dream Chicago wedding. All these wedding venues can also become ideal event spaces for wedding functions pre and post-the main event.
Reception Options in Chicago
One of the most overwhelming parts of planning a Chicago wedding is working out the details, from food to transportation and everything in between. Fortunately, Chicago, Illinois, has many best-in-class reception and event spaces to help with the wedding venue and ceremony.
- Catering:
Chicago wedding venues offer delicious food that will be the talk of any reception. You can find catering in the city that offers classic dishes like renowned Chicago deep-dish pizza. Many caterers create elegant entrees and stunning appetizers for guests for multiple wedding venues in Chicago. No matter how formal your event is, there is a catering service that can make your food dreams come true. Imagine eating delicious food against the skyline views at a rooftop Chicago wedding.
- Transportation:
The city has many transportation services to help you get your guests to your Chicago wedding venue on time. Whether you opt for a sleek limousine service, ride-share, taxi, or party bus, you'll find that Chicago, IL, has many fast, fun, and friendly transportation options that help you shuttle between multiple event spaces.
- Equipment Rentals:
Do you need dishes, tables, chairs, or decorations for your guests at your wedding venue? Many equipment rental companies can supply weddings or events with everything they need. Many will even let you match supplies to your unique event theme or colors and handle everything from logistics to set up on your big day.
Reception Planners in Chicago
Enlisting the help of a professional event planner can save you countless hours, and make a huge difference. Fortunately, Chicago, Il, has some of the best event planners in the business with the expertise to help make your Chicago reception flawless.
- Bliss Events
This woman-owned event planning company has been in business for over 20 years and has built a strong reputation in the event space. It focuses on creating events that “engage, excite, and delight.” It has tie-ups with hotels, gardens, historic, and courtyard venues. Services include day-of coordination and services, decor rentals, design consulting, and floral design for Chicago wedding venues.
- Lola Event Productions
Lola Event Productions is a team of veteran event planners with over 50+ years of experience. They can help make your wedding reception unique and manage everything from logistics coordination, wedding decor, and design assistance to event production and management of all guests. Additionally, they can create the perfect backdrop to mimic the modern subway tile, making your guests feel like they are part of an authentic Chicago, IL, experience.
- Liven It Up Events
This full-service wedding and event planning and production company has over a decade of experience planning Chicago pop-up spaces and shops. Past clients include Facebook and Miller Lite. Depending on the available space, they can help decorate and organize weddings in the entire building, hotel, or park.
Pros and Cons of Receptions in Chicago
Every state, city, and venue has pros and cons. Why would the wedding venues in Chicago, IL, be any different? When choosing your space, it is important to consider the pros and cons of the city. If you are drawn to some specific styles, weighing the good with the bad is helpful. Always walk through multiple ideas before finalizing a style or space. You might want a bar, a country style walkway, a historic backdrop, and more.
Advantages
- Beautiful Venues
There are going to be a lot of beautiful reception spaces to choose from.
- Moderate Weather
Chicago's spring, summer, and fall temperatures are great for outdoor receptions. Imagine a beautiful courtyard with an intimate nook for photos. What a gorgeous location to get married and start your life together.
- Many Attractions
The location and history always offer an exciting atmosphere for your guests. And the bustling city offers plenty to do.
- Excellent Food
Chicago, IL, offers excellent food and catering options from experienced vendors.
Disadvantages
- Pricey Venues
Event and party services in Chicago can be pricey, especially at historic locations known for intimate weddings.
- Harsh Winter Weather
Chicago’s winter weather is not ideal for an event, especially if you have out-of-town guests. In winter, deciding on an indoor venue instead of a garden is best. While the world does look like an icy fairytale, hosting a wedding in a chilled garden might not be the best for your guests.
- Crime
Some parts of the city are not always safe, so you must be careful where you lodge your guests for their stay.
- Popularity
Weddings are quite popular. If you don’t book your site ahead of time, it will book up quickly.
- High Traffic
The city traffic can make transportation difficult if your ceremony venue differs from your reception venue.
Famous Reception Venues in Chicago
Check out these fantastic Chicago, IL, destinations for pre- and post-reception photos or as a gathering place. You'll be glad you did!
- Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago is a staple of Chicago culture and history. Hosting a wedding venue near this institution will create a fun and elegant atmosphere and allow your guests to explore downtown Chicago.
- Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is another stunning historical price in Chicago, IL. The baseball field is home to the Chicago Cubs and is a fun and nostalgic gathering place. Look for a nearby urban loft in a modern Chicago sky-rise for your venue, and you can take the whole party to a post-reception ballgame.
- South Loop Chicago
South Loop Chicago is an emerging neighborhood near the coast and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Its venues are energetic and offer fun for everyone.
- Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is a fantastic place to get away from the bustle of the city. Having your event near the lake will be a great, cost-effective option, and it will also be great for photos.