An amazing Chicago wedding reception is the highlight of the day. The dancing, unforgettable photos, and memories all add up to a day your friends’ll be talking about for years!
That’s the good news, but it does come with a disclaimer. Wedding planning can take any numbers of twists and turns—but it’s sure to be a lot less stressful if you use these tips for planning an amazing Chicago wedding reception!
Where to start planning your Chicago wedding reception
ALWAYS start planning with some important questions.
Before you start going wedding dress shopping or setting a dinner menu, sit down with your fiancé and ask some key questions. The answers to these questions can help you as you make decisions on big details, plus your fiancé’s answers might surprise you!
Don’t wait to set a wedding budget.
Planning a wedding is a marathon, not a sprint. A set wedding budget ensures that you set funds aside for aspects that make the biggest impact. Plus, it keeps you on track as you check off items on your wedding planning checklist.
It’s worth it to hire a strong team of wedding vendors.
Wedding planning can be incredibly stressful, but a strong team of wedding vendors make it easier. An experienced caterer, wedding planner, DJ, and photographer can help you solve problems and coordinate wedding details into a smooth and incredible wedding reception.
This list can help you find and hire the best wedding vendors so you have the best on your team. (Don’t wait. The best wedding vendors’ calendars fill up fast!)
Never hire a wedding vendor without asking a few questions and doing some online research.
It’s one of the biggest—and most common—wedding planning mistakes couples make: hiring a vendor without vetting them. It may be tempting to hire a wedding vendor because it’s your friend’s relative or a family member recommends them. You should never hire a vendor without doing your due diligence. Start the process with a few questions that tell you if they are experienced and the right “one” for your big day. Then, head online and look for reviews so you know what other couples have thought of them.
Wedding Reception Tips
Choose the best wedding reception entertainment right away.
Your wedding reception entertainment is the focus of your reception, which is why it’s important of find and hire the best for your big day. This decision should be one of the first steps of planning a wedding reception in Chicago, and starts with answering the question: DJ or band?
Know the typical order of wedding reception events (and feel free to make it your own).
Planning an awesome wedding reception is a step-by-step process, but it starts with taking the typical wedding reception and making it your own. (Ask your wedding DJ for more ideas that put your wedding reception over-the-top.)
Decide what “other” entertainment you want to add.
Don’t feel confined to one form of entertainment. Sometimes guests need a break from dancing, or just want to hang out and enjoy one of these fun wedding games. (Don’t hesitate to ask your wedding DJ for other ideas too!)
Stay organized.
The best wedding planning tip is: stay organized! It’s important, especially when dealing with different wedding vendor deadlines and trying to pull all the details together. Luckily, there are quite a few wedding planning apps and a wedding planning checklist that can help, plus these tips that help stay organized (and less stressed!)
Try to stay one step ahead.
It’s important to stay one step ahead of your deadlines and your vendors as you plan a wedding reception in Chicago, primarily because your vendors need those confirmed details.
Find ways to take your wedding reception to the next level.
Want to make your wedding reception unforgettable? Start brainstorming with these ideas, and then turn them into an idea that feels completely you!