Large Wedding Venues for Rent in Chicago, IL

Your Guide to Renting Large Wedding Venues in Chicago, IL

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life.  Remember that in 20, 40 or however many years down the road, whatever you choose for your special day is what you will see in wedding photos. This is why you must carefully select every component of your wedding. A wedding planning journey always begins with the place where all of the magic will take place- your wedding venue. If you are planning a large wedding with a hefty guest list, you need to be looking for a venue that can satisfy all of your requirements. We've compiled a list of a few recommendations to guide you in selecting the large wedding venue of your dreams:

• Book your wedding venue ahead of time- Wedding venues are often already fully booked months in advance. This is why we strongly advise you to begin looking for a venue as soon as possible. You should finalize your booking anywhere between 9 months to a year in advance if you want to secure the wedding venue that you like best, otherwise you may have to make do with an alternative. Even if you wish to marry a year or two after getting engaged, we promise you will not regret it if you book a venue ahead of time. 

• Make a preliminary guest list. Since you will have a large number of guests we recommend sitting down and drawing up at least a preliminary estimate of the number of guests you expect. This will help you determine the size of the venue you need to hire and eventually help you figure out your budget. 

• Checklists are your best friends - For big events, staying organized and on track is essential. You must deal with a large number of guests as well as numerous components of the event, such as décor, catering, and entertainment. When it comes to wedding preparation, checklists are vital. The good news is that you can create a checklist for almost every aspect of your wedding. Keeping track of everything you need to do or bring at your venue can help you stay focused and make the most of the large event area. Large weddings are renowned for being challenging to plan, but Tagvenue is here to assist you in this exciting process. 

• Consider the seating arrangements- Depending on the large wedding venue you choose, you may be able to totally customize the seating arrangements to best suit your vision. Since you'll have a large guest list, it may be a difficult process that you should tackle ahead of time.

• Plan entertainment and catering ahead of time- Because you will be dealing with a significant number of guests and a large wedding venue, you will need to make plans in advance for catering and entertainment. Consult with your venue about your catering options. Most large venues have preferred caterers with whom they work, so keep that in mind. If you want a live band or a DJ at your wedding, you should not only book them ahead of time, but also check with the venue manager about any restrictions, permits, and curfews.

FAQs about Large Wedding Venues in Chicago, IL

How much does it cost to rent a large wedding venue in Chicago?

It goes without saying that if you are going for a rather larger venue, the price will be higher. The cost of different kinds of large wedding venues will vary greatly. The hire fee for a wedding venue in Chicago will differ depending on a variety of factors such as the location, size, as well as possible wedding packages. Most larger wedding venues charge between around $400 and $1000 or more per hour. Hire fees per session range from about $2000 to $9000 or higher. Prices per day start around $4000 and can go up to $6000 or more, with evening rates usually being double that amount. Some venues have a minimum spend requirement, with rates ranging from as little as $1200 upwards to $10,000 or more for exclusive event spaces. (All data from Tagvenue.)

What are some of the best large wedding venues in Chicago?

• Fairlie is a very spectacular venue, with beamed ceilings and a stunning open floor plan. This wonderful event space, located on the Near West Side, has a rather industrial feel while still creating a pleasant and welcoming ambience. It can accommodate up to 250 people.
• Why not go all out with a location like Epiphany Hall if you genuinely want to impress your big guest list? This vast and magnificent location can seat up to 460 guests for a fine dining experience. As a former church, this unique venue will captivate you with its unusual architecture and contemporary design. A truly magical venue where you might actually hear the wedding bells ringing!
• If your love for your partner feels like a personified artwork, why not memorialize it in a physical gallery? The Floating World Gallery is a fantastic venue with a lot to offer. This gorgeous blank-canvas event space in Chicago's Lincoln Park area has a capacity of 150 guests and is totally customizable. Allow your love to take an artistic approach at your wedding by selecting a unique venue like this one.
• Starview Room at Georgios Banquets may be the ideal choice for an elegant and classic large wedding venue. The venue is a cutting-edge event spaceoutfitted with everything you could possibly need, including beautiful lighting, heating, and air conditioning. With stunning crystal chandeliers, this location may be the ideal setting for a fairytale wedding.

How can I ensure that all of my wedding guests have a wonderful time?

With big guest lists, it can be difficult to ensure that everyone at the event is comfortable and having a good time. Here are a few of our top recommendations for making your wedding day run smoothly:

• Make sure the venue you choose has enough space for everyone to interact and dine comfortably.
• Provide some form of entertainment to keep the night entertaining. You can include dancing, games, and fun wedding traditions, as well as designated break times.
• Provide sufficient refreshments and food throughout the whole event. People are generally happy and comfortable when they are well-fed.
• Keep the weather in mind and inform guests ahead of time about the appropriate attire to bring.
• It is not required, but you can include welcome bags or thank you for attending small gifts to distribute amongst your guests.

With that said, we'd want to remind you that the people that matter the most on your wedding day are you and your partner. Make sure to plan the wedding with your own wishes in mind, schedule alone time with your partner to enjoy the wedding day, and make sure to be the ones having the most fun.