Wedding Restaurants for Rent in Chicago, IL

Your Guide to Renting Wedding Restaurants in Chicago, IL

How to find the ideal wedding restaurant in Chicago?

When it comes to finding an ideal restaurant to organize your wedding, you’re in for a treat! The city has a world-class dining scene, so finding the restaurant with the perfect ambiance and palate-spoiling foods is only a matter of time! But if you feel a little bit lost on how to find the ideal restaurant, or would like to check whether your first-choice option is the right match, take a look at our list of tips on how to find the wedding restaurant of your dreams. 

Set your budget - Determining how much you can afford for a wedding reception is the key element that will help you during your hunt for the ideal restaurant. Sit down with your partner and discuss how much you can allocate on the restaurant rental, vendors, and other attractions you would like to be present on your special day. Write your calculations down and always check whether all your costs match your initial budget assumptions. Tracking your budget will help you stay in control of your spendings, so we highly recommend doing it! 

Save the date! - Have you picked the perfect date for your wedding? If not, then you’d better hurry! Picking the date as soon as possible will give you a chance to discover and secure the best restaurant that will cater to your needs and budget. So make sure you do it as early as possible, especially if you’re hoping to get married during peak season (from May to October), or on any Saturday. 

Make a guest list - Make an initial list of people you would like to be there on this truly meaningful day. This will help you filter out restaurants whose space is not enough to accommodate everyone, as well as the ones too spacious that could make your wedding reception feel empty. So why not check out our smart filters? You will be shown a list of restaurants exactly at your guest number to make them feel as comfortable as possible. And the stress of potentially renting a venue that won’t be able to accommodate everyone at once will be long gone!   

Plan out size and space - Once you have your guest list prepared, consider how you would like everyone to be seated. Some restaurants are flexible in the matter of seating arrangements and layout while others are not, so make sure you have it established before you secure your first-choice restaurant. Keep in mind that it has to be comfortable for your guests to fully enjoy the experience, so ask the venue manager which works best with their venue. Also, don’t forget about the dancing space! If you want to take your party to the dance floor after dinner, making room for a dance floor, or hiring one, also needs to be discussed with the manager. 

Pick your ideal decor - One of the biggest advantages of having a wedding in a restaurant is saving time on creating decor from scratch! All Chicago restaurants have distinctive and unique interiors, so you can pick one according to your style and save some dollars for your honeymoon. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add some personal touches on the space. Consult with the manager whether it’s possible to add some centerpieces, bouquets of your favorite flowers, hanging lights, etc. that will give everyone the sense that it’s your wedding. 

Decide on location - Whether you would like to cross the city, or pick a location closer to your residence is completely up to you. However, make sure to check out the venue’s parking options, as well as access to public transportation. Generally, the venue’s location has an extreme influence on attendance, so if your dream venue is out of town, be sure to mark it on the invitation for everyone to be able to plan out their transportation. 

Determine your wedding menu - Now the most exciting part: the food! You have a wide selection of choices when it comes to picking your wedding menu. So why not get a little bit creative? If the restaurant serves cuisine from all over the world, then you can guide your guests through an unforgettable dining experience by having a French main course, and Mediterranean appetizers followed by Italian desserts! Or if you’ve eaten a flaming saganaki on your first date, serve it as the first course and then go with the restaurant's specialties. Discuss the package options and your expectations with the venue manager. If you’ve never been to the restaurant, you can also schedule tasting-sessions to be one hundred percent sure of the food quality. 

Make a deal with desserts and drinks - When it comes to deciding on desserts, we highly recommend discussing with the venue manager the matter of bringing your own custom gourmet cake and dessert table from another baker. Here’s the deal: if the restaurant has its own in-house pastry chef, you may not be able to bring your own desserts for your reception (or it will cost you a fortune). So make sure you discuss this matter early and see whether it’s possible that they could make the cake and other types of desserts upon your request. The same goes with serving any signature drinks. If you are planning to hire an outside mixologist, make sure it agrees with the venue’s policy.

FAQs about Wedding Restaurants in Chicago, IL

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

It will depend on what option you choose. If you’re considering a full restaurant buyout, then expect the prices to range between $3000 up to $10000+. But restaurants also have private dining rooms, as well as function rooms, which can charge per person. The prices for per-person packages start from $50. (All data from Tagvenue.com.)

How far in advance should I secure a restaurant for my wedding in Chicago?

We recommend you start your search at least one year before your wedding takes place. This will give you all the time you need to reach venue managers, appoint venue sightings and compare prices without worrying that your dream venue won’t be available on your preferred wedding date.

What is the average cost of organizing a wedding in Chicago?

According to theknot.com, the average cost ranges around $30000 (including the price of the engagement ring). However don’t let this number discourage you from organizing a wedding, as it is possible to have a fantastic wedding reception on a budget! And here on Tagvenue, we will be more than happy to show you venues exactly in your price range.

What season is the best to organize a wedding in a restaurant?

It all depends on whether you would like an outdoor wedding or an indoor one. As we all know, winters in Chicago are harsh, so if you’re opting for a wedding in an adjoining restaurant patio, or garden, then late spring and summer will be the best fit. However, keep in mind that such a time frame is peak season, hence you should secure the venue as soon as possible.