Getting married in Chicago starts with a lengthy wedding planning process—one that it is a lot easier if you use these Chicago wedding planning tips. We’ve been part of thousands of Chicago wedding days, and here are some of the top Chicago wedding planning tips we’re passing on to you.
Don’t procrastinate.
Fortunately, Chicago is full of top-quality wedding venues and vendors. Unfortunately, many of those venues and vendors are in demand and their calendars fill up quickly. If you want the best Chicago entertainers, venues, caterers, and photographers, it’s best to start planning your wedding as soon as possible.
Professional tip: Set your wedding date first, then start contacting your must-have wedding vendors.
Talk with your fiancé before you start wedding planning.
Chicago wedding planning is a blank slate full of possibilities. If you want to narrow down those possibilities, sit down with your fiancé and discuss your wedding style, estimated guest count, budget, and any other items that are important to you.
Professional tip: Use these wedding planning tips to get an estimated guest count that you can use as you interview wedding vendors.
Choose the perfect Chicago wedding venue.
The perfect Chicago wedding venue creates a powerful first impression for guests and sets the stage for every other wedding detail. The Windy City is full of beautiful Chicago wedding venues that fit with every couple’s style: elegant, traditional, rustic, natural, and historic. When planning your wedding, choose the right wedding venue that fits your style, budget, and needs.
Professional tip: A wedding venue checklist and this list of wedding venue questions can help you narrow down your options.
Get organized.
Wedding planning comes with a long list of tasks, all of which comes with some research, follow-up, and deadlines. That’s why it’s important to choose your preferred method of wedding planning (paper or electronic) and figure out the best way to organize your research and receipts.
Professional tip: Set reminder alarms in your phone for key deadlines to stay on track with planning your Chicago wedding.
Set a wedding budget.
Discussing—and setting a wedding budget—is one of the most part of planning a wedding in Chicago. It’s important to discuss how you are going to pay for it and the total amount. From there, the total wedding planning budget should be broken down into categories, either in a wedding app or on paper. Always allocate the majority of your budget for items that play the biggest part in making your night magical (i.e. venue, food, entertainment).
Professional tip: For easier wedding planning, look for wedding vendors that offer package services (i.e. lighting and entertainment, equipment and food, etc.)
Research your vendors.
Hiring the best wedding vendors is key to a successful night. High-quality vendors not only deliver the best service, but they make the whole wedding planning process easier. To get the best vendors, ask your friends and family for recommendations and research vendors online (such as on social media and wedding websites like the Knot and Wedding Wire).
Professional tip: Watch out for amateurs that don’t have a business address or set business phone.
Don’t limit your wedding entertainment.
It’s natural to want to check off items on your long wedding planning checklist, but it’s important to make sure you have all your bases covered. This detail-oriented approach especially applies to wedding entertainment, where it’s important to have on- and off-dance floor entertainment and children’s activities.
Professional tip: Make sure you let your Chicago wedding DJ know about all your entertainment (and surprises) so they can make announcements.
Take a break from wedding planning.
Surprisingly, one of the most important wedding planning tips is to take breaks! Wedding planning can be extremely stressful, and an occasional get-away or break can be the perfect way to recharge your batteries and get you ready for tackling the next wedding planning takes on your wedding planning checklist.