Affordable Wedding Venues in Chicago

Chi-Town bells are ringing, and we’re here to help you find an elegant, yet affordable wedding venue that won’t break the budget.

Shannon Capri // Writer & Editor

We earn a commission through carefully selected links on this site, however, this never influences our evaluations or writing.

Chicago Wedding Venues On A Budget

Sometimes one of the hardest parts of planning a dream wedding is trying to find an affordable wedding venue that fits not only your budget, but your theme and wedding dates as well.

If you have been considering getting married in Chicago, the first thing that you’re going to be looking for are the best affordable wedding venues in Chicago. We have compiled a list of the most affordable wedding venues in Chicago to help you plan your special day.

Best Time To Find Affordable Wedding Venues in Chicago

With the beautiful summer heat, blue skies and sunshine, browns and golds of autumn and then the traditional crisp coolness of winter in the windy city, there is a time for anyone to get married in Chicago.

The Summer and Winter seasons are most popular to get married in, so if you want to have a more affordable wedding ceremony in Chicago, try looking for Spring or Fall dates.

Types Of Affordable Chicago Wedding Venues

If you’re planning to get married in Chicago, then you’re lucky because there are some fantastic locations, parks, and buildings spread throughout this fabulous city.

Choosing the best affordable wedding venues in Chicago is one way that you’ll be able to take advantage of everything Chicago has to offer without blowing your entire wedding budget.

You’ll be able to choose from a great party night with friends and family, an intimate celebration of your wedding vows or even a high-society downtown event that people will be talking about for years to come.

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Things To Consider Before Booking A Cheap Wedding Venue in Chicago

Chicago is well-known in the United States as a city which offers some of the best affordable wedding venues. You have a lot to focus on when it comes to planning that special event in your life. Before you start thinking about which of the best affordable wedding venues in Chicago you’re going to choose, think about how much money you have to spend.

Planning a wedding is stressful, but it can be a lot easier to choose your wedding venue if you know how much money you have available.

You need to consider the catering, venue hire, photos, dresses and suits, drinks, transport, décor, the honeymoon, and accommodation. If you stick within your budget, you’re going to spend a lot less time stressing about how much you’ve spent and focused on enjoying your special day.

 

Inexpensive Chicago Wedding Venue Tips

01. Think Of The Season

There are two peak wedding seasons in Chicago: summer and winter. For many people, the lure of a white Christmas wedding is one that they just can’t let go of.

One of the biggest challenges with a Christmas wedding in Chicago is the competition for venues. You’re going to be paying a peak price to get that white wedding that you always dreamed of.

Another peak season in Chicago in summer. For many people that want an outdoor ceremony or reception, the warm summer days and evenings in Chicago are very sought after.

02. Be Open To New Settings

Chicago offers a very diverse range of settings for any wedding.

Within a matter of minutes, you can travel from an amazing modern building to one of Chicago’s oldest classic buildings. 

This allows you to have a variety of different choices when it comes to choosing an affordable wedding venue that won’t break your budget.

03. View & Book ASAP

Chicago may offer some fantastic seasons to get married in, but due to its dense population, you’re going to need to get in early when it comes to choosing a venue.

Start planning early and pick multiple dates that work for you, your vision for your wedding and remember to take into account any guests that will need to travel.

Also keep special dates like holidays and sporting events in mind, which could impact your wedding day attendance.

Most Affordable Chicago Wedding Venues

To make things a little easier when you’re deciding on the best affordable wedding venues in Chicago, we have come up with a list of some of the most affordable and popular wedding locations throughout Chicago and what makes them appealing.

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Source: The Carleton

01

The Carleton of Oak Park Hotel

1110 Pleasant Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302

About The Carleton

The Carleton Hotel is located in the middle of the historic downtown area of Oak Park, just a quick stroll away from the Chicago Loop. Their focus at the Carleton Hotel is on timeless elegance and class through the work of their excellent staff, taking care of all the details for you.

Venue Information

Four Distinct Venues:

Barclay Room: 625 sq ft. / 30 people

Columbian Room: 900 sq ft. / 70 people

Foxboro Room: 1,200 sq ft. / 100 people

Grand Ballroom: 2,500 sq ft. / 200 people

Estimated Costs

They offer five separate rooms across the four venues, and prices start at just $150 per hour with a $500 deposit. The seating capacity of the Carleton Hotel depends on which room you choose, and they include food and drinks in their packages.

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Source: Space 1858

02

Space 1858

1858 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

About Space 1858

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s the perfect combination of classic and modern. Space 1858 is great for small weddings of up to 85 guests and also includes a 1,000 square foot loft for food and drinks preparation.

Venue Information

Square Feet: 1,000 sq ft.

Seated Capacity: 50-60

Standing Capacity: 85-100

Prep Space: 250 sq ft.

Restrooms: 1

Parking: Free

Estimated Costs

Weekday rates start at $500 and the weekend rates are $750. You can even choose to purchase additional hours if you’re planning a big day or night.

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Source: Lacuna Weddings

03

Lacuna Events by LM

2150 S. Canalport, Chicago, IL 60608

About Lacuna Events

The views from the rooftop deck of the Lacuna overlooking the beautiful city skyline of Chicago are to die for! With three distinct areas to choose from, and catering provided by their partner LM, you can have an affordable wedding with amazing photos at this Chicago location.

Venue Information

Lacuna Events offers three amazing wedding venue options:

The Reverie Gallery

This beautiful space is about 15,000 sq ft. and has tall wood-beam ceilings measuring 14′ high. Tons of natural light flows through large, black-framed windows creating an open and welcoming atmosphere.

Perfect for lovers of industrial design, this space features a bar, entryway, and restrooms made of re-purposed shipping containers, and a custom made chandelier.

The Skydeck

For a breathtaking view of the city, make the Skydeck your choice. You can fit up to 150 seated people on the deck, and up to 250 people can attend the Cocktail Reception or Ceremony.

There are electrical outlets for guests to plug-in and re-charge, a bar with cafe lighting, and a cozy lobby and greet & meet area for guests to mingle and enjoy a drink.

The Blank Canvas Gallery

On the second-floor of the building you will find the 4,000 sq ft., beautifully rustic event space called “Blank Canvas”. Here you can turn any dream into a reality with its open feel and hardwood floors.

Seating up to 200 people, and 300 people for the Cocktail Reception, this space is perfect for small to medium sized weddings.

A benefit of the Blank Canvas space is that you can decorate it as you see fit, transforming it to whatever your wedding theme is. There are are large windows for tons of natural lighting, which is great for photos.

Estimated Costs

Rental fees for a daytime rooftop ceremony begin at just $1,250 for up to 150 guests and include one hour of rental space and 75 minutes for set-up and tear-down.

You can even add on a champagne toast for $8 per person! Indoor rental fees range from $1,500 to $6,000 and include six hours of event time and the delicious plated meals also include five hours of open bar.

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Source: Double Tree by Hilton

04

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago – Alsip

5000 West 127th Street, Alsip, Illinois 60803

About The Alsip by DoubleTree

This amazing yet affordable Chicago wedding venue features 15,000 square feet of room to fill with your guests. The Grand Ballroom is the perfect place to host a wedding party without paying extreme fees.

Venue Information

You can fit up to 450 people in this amazing event space that offers many packages & services. Located 20 miles from the Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), and only 45 minutes from the popular Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), this venue is perfect if you have guests traveling from out of town.

If you are expecting to stay in the hotel, or have family staying, you will only be 15 minutes away from downtown for shopping & amazing dining.

This venue also offers wedding planners with years of experience to make the process easy for you. There is also catering available, complimentary parking, and tons of room for friends and family to stay.

Estimated Costs

Expect rental fees to be around $200, and the ceremony fee to cost you around $250. If you opt for a wedding package, you can snag a food and alcohol combo for as low as $55 per person.

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Source: Sweet Chich Events

05

The Keith House

1900 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60616

About The Keith House

The Keith House in Chicago can hold up to 75 people, so it is perfect for a small wedding ceremony. Keeping the head count down helps tremendously with keeping the total cost of the wedding down.

Venue Information

If you decide to get married at The Keith House, prices include the rental space, chairs, and tables. If you need lines, those are available for an additional fee. There is also stereo equipment available to use if you do not have a DJ.

If you are worried about parking, for an additional fee their planners can secure a parking lot nearby for your guests to use and park safely. One last fun and quirky plus to The Keith House is that they do allow pets on-site if you want your fur-baby to be your ring-bearer.

Estimated Costs

Ceremony Fee: $1,250 – $1,750

Reception Fee: $3,000 – $4,000

Ceremony + Reception: $4,500

Reception Capacity: 75

Ceremony Capacity: 50

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Source: Salvatore’s

06

Salvatore’s Chicago

525 W Arlington PL, Chicago, IL 60614

About Salvatore’s

Although Salvatore’s is one of the pricier options on the list, we wanted to include it because their $105 per person cost includes an incredible amount of things.

Venue Information

If that is not enough for you, their premium bar which is included, stocks over 20 different types of beers, wines, and liqueur. Their menu has a variety of items to choose from, and includes premium items such as salmon for a small additional fee.

Their standard wedding package of $105 per person includes a 5-hour open bar with unlimited wine, four butlers, champagne toasts for all guests, coffee and tee, linens, napkins, candles, table numbers, and an on-site event coordinator.

Estimated Costs

Cost: $105 per person

Reception Capacity: 250

Ceremony Capacity: 250

Find A Cheap Chicago Wedding Venue Today

Chicago is one city which is on many people’s lists as one of the top choices for having their dream wedding. The United States has a variety of fantastic wedding destinations that will be sure to set your heart fluttering when it comes to planning your dream wedding, but some of the best affordable wedding venues can be found in Chicago.

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