The Cheapest Place to Get Married in Chicago
I'm getting married.
Now, my family elopes. All of us... my aunts & uncles, grandparents, parents. And, since we do not have weddings, the policy has been to not attend weddings either, so I don't have any experience with weddings, nor, do I have expectations. But, nor do I know what other people expect.
My boyfriend and I met at work, and started dating in Feb. '09. He was in the process of changing careers, and it's taken until now for him to see some progress. Still, he's got a lot of financial catching up to do, so we're on a shoestring budget here. I, of course, want to elope, but his family would send up a great wail, rend their clothes and gnash their teeth... or so he tells me. One way we can save money is by having what I refer to as a "dinner theater wedding". The reception and ceremony are at the same place, maybe even in the same room, meaning, hey, only ONE rental fee. (Bonus savings: no limos required.)
PROJECT #1: Finding a Venue
I have around 14 couples I could invite, some optional. HE has 73 couples he must invite or be disgraced and live in exile, in a disinherited-like state. In general, most places that can house 125-170 people at a private event in Chicago start at $5,000. Workable, until you find out you must use their "approved" vendors (caterers, florists, bar service, etc.), all of which cost a fortune.
Super-cheap, bargain option: The Garden Club of Evanston can take 50-75 folks, and only costs $200. Clearly, it's for the ceremony only, since they don't allow chairs.
The cheapest place I found that would suit our needs is the Irish American Heritage Center. Though the rental fee is not listed on the site, anecdotes on the web say the price of the Erin Room is $3,500 which seems to include the tables and chairs, bride's room, kitchen, mahogany bar, sound & projection system, and stage. Also, they have free parking that can accommodate all of our guests. One drawback: you do have to purchase your liquor through them.
I was freakin' relieved when I found the IAHC, but my fiance, who hadn't seen all the places that cost $5,000 or more, wigged out about the price. He asked his mother if we could use their huge house and backyard. She said yes. His aunt also volunteered her huge house and backyard. So, no matter which we choose, our venue is FREE.
PROJECT #2: Catering
I thought maybe barbecue would be a cheaper option to steak or chicken visuvio, but the entire decision & menu-making process was taken out of my hands, thankfully, when his mother announced we would use a family friend who owns a restaurant that caters. It will run us $8/person, which matches the best price I could find anyway.
It turns out that wedding planning is a SCENE, so look for future posts where I explore:
Now, my family elopes. All of us... my aunts & uncles, grandparents, parents. And, since we do not have weddings, the policy has been to not attend weddings either, so I don't have any experience with weddings, nor, do I have expectations. But, nor do I know what other people expect.
My boyfriend and I met at work, and started dating in Feb. '09. He was in the process of changing careers, and it's taken until now for him to see some progress. Still, he's got a lot of financial catching up to do, so we're on a shoestring budget here. I, of course, want to elope, but his family would send up a great wail, rend their clothes and gnash their teeth... or so he tells me. One way we can save money is by having what I refer to as a "dinner theater wedding". The reception and ceremony are at the same place, maybe even in the same room, meaning, hey, only ONE rental fee. (Bonus savings: no limos required.)
PROJECT #1: Finding a Venue
I have around 14 couples I could invite, some optional. HE has 73 couples he must invite or be disgraced and live in exile, in a disinherited-like state. In general, most places that can house 125-170 people at a private event in Chicago start at $5,000. Workable, until you find out you must use their "approved" vendors (caterers, florists, bar service, etc.), all of which cost a fortune.
Super-cheap, bargain option: The Garden Club of Evanston can take 50-75 folks, and only costs $200. Clearly, it's for the ceremony only, since they don't allow chairs.
The cheapest place I found that would suit our needs is the Irish American Heritage Center. Though the rental fee is not listed on the site, anecdotes on the web say the price of the Erin Room is $3,500 which seems to include the tables and chairs, bride's room, kitchen, mahogany bar, sound & projection system, and stage. Also, they have free parking that can accommodate all of our guests. One drawback: you do have to purchase your liquor through them.
I was freakin' relieved when I found the IAHC, but my fiance, who hadn't seen all the places that cost $5,000 or more, wigged out about the price. He asked his mother if we could use their huge house and backyard. She said yes. His aunt also volunteered her huge house and backyard. So, no matter which we choose, our venue is FREE.
PROJECT #2: Catering
I thought maybe barbecue would be a cheaper option to steak or chicken visuvio, but the entire decision & menu-making process was taken out of my hands, thankfully, when his mother announced we would use a family friend who owns a restaurant that caters. It will run us $8/person, which matches the best price I could find anyway.
It turns out that wedding planning is a SCENE, so look for future posts where I explore:
- Can't everyone BYOB?
- What's wrong with Evites?
- Wedding Registries: Who needs that much stuff?
- Why must I be hazed to receive presents???
- I already have three perfectly good dresses, but I have to buy another in a color I hate?
- Centerpieces, party favors, bridesmaids and bouquet: or, things that are silly when you're in your 30s.
- Brass tacks: tent, chair and table rentals.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Nice to have a free venue - but I'm sure you know that a free venue also comes with it lots of setup, furniture rental (tables and seats for guests) and clean-up which is normally built into a venue you would rent. So technically not really "free". Just something to think about!
Gust list...we had a similar situation where my parents would have to invite their church of hundreds if we ended up marrying in state. So...we made our wedding a "destination" and got married in a different state - where we met in college. It was only 3 hours away, so all the people that we were close to us made it, and none on the "parents' friends, not ours, but must invite" list made it. So out of probably about 500 or so people that were invited, the actual head count ended up at about 120.
eVites...I have received one wedding eVite so far, and that was for a destination wedding held in Europe. What did I think of it? I didn't mind at all. You can let your guests know in the eVite that you did it on purpose to "go green"!
Wedding registries - if you're going with one, just pick one store that is close to you (physical location wise) and that has a lot of different items, not just household (a department store like Macy's, for example). Just register for stuff whether or not you want/need it. After the wedding, return everything and exchange it for a gift card (usually never expires). You can use the card in the coming years to go buy something when you actually need it (and take advantage of sales).
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Hi Jenny! Thank you for your well wishes.
You make an excellent point about venue fees. Here's out situation: IF we get married at his aunt's home, she has offered to pay for the tent, tables and chairs. I have these priced at around $1,500; still, much better than $3,500. His aunt is well-off, but has four children of her own, so we're trying to talk her out of it without offending her. She should save that money for them, right?
Regarding the guest list... (sigh). I've suggested getting married near my parents, but it's really important to BF to have his family -- his WHOLE family -- at the wedding.
After looking around at lots of evites, I'm really a fan. We might send them to the younger folks, and do paper invitations for the more formal crowd.
Wedding registry... the choices are overwhelming. We haven't decided what we're doing yet, but thank you for the clever and thrifty suggestion!
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