Map of Unique Chicago Wedding Venues

Does the Right Venue Make a Difference?

No doubt that the inherent character of any venue contributes to the overall atmosphere. Before you take any steps to personalize it, ask yourself if the existing ambience gives you a head start towards your wedding vision. If the answer is a resounding yes, then you could save yourself a lot of time and money. Working with your wedding planner and/or the staff at the location, you can customize the finishing touches to match your style and personal preferences without having to drop a small fortune.

What If Budget or Proximity Limit Your Options?

Sometimes you find the “perfect venue” but it’s just too damn expensive. Or if money isn’t the main concern, then it happens to be unusually far and isolated, making the logistics too inconvenient for you and your guests. Do you then have to settle? No.

But you do need to get creative and have the time to execute. Creative inspiration normally doesn’t come on-demand. You’ll need time for your ideas to marinate and simmer. Just keep yourself in check. When you have the luxury of time, be careful not to let your expenses balloon along with your ideas.

If pressed for time, don’t fret. You’d be surprised what a huge difference flowers and lighting can make. Leverage the experience of your wedding vendors. They’ve been around the block enough times to share tips they had to learn the hard way.

So Much to Think About. Where Do I Start?

As a wise person once said, “Start with the end in mind.” Easier said than done. It’s tempting to jump right in, but taking the time upfront to think about what exactly you want, can really help streamline how you get there. Taking that a step further, ask yourself why you really want that. Is it only because your friend did something similar, or is there more meaning behind your Why? Having this level of clarity, in the beginning, keeps you focused on the right things despite all the shiny objects that come along to distract you. And no matter how much expertise your wedding vendors have, they can only help you as much as you can articulate your vision to them. Otherwise, you’re following their vision and not yours.

You got this!