Hi -

I'm planning my wedding for April of 2011 and I am trying to stay on a 7,000 budget for the venue/catering/decorations. I am going to have 60-80 guests and I'd rather not have the wedding in any sort of banquet hall.

Does anyone have any suggestions of affordable venues within the city limits of Chicago? I don't want to have a wedding in the suburbs if I can avoid it. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Check out Pazzo's at 311.  It is not a banquet hall. I have pics in my bio. 

Hi humanity -- we're getting married next month and our reception is at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro.  We get the whole upstairs for the whole day and since it's a restaurant it's catered!  ;)  I've seen people have both their ceremony and reception there, too, but since we haven't had our big night yet, I can't really say much.  Not sure if this helps, but thought I'd let you know! 

Good luck!!!  :)

Check out Astoria Banquest in Buffalo Grove.  I know right now they are offering some "Recession Specials"

And some of their packages go as low at $19.99 a person.  Without taxes and gratuities that only $1600 for 80 people.

This is an all inclusive venue - so you can get your linens, centerpieces, cake, etc. all for that price.

Look in to Fox and Obel. They have a really cute area that I fell in love with when we went to dinner there. It is really nice, overlooks the river, is not a part of the grocery or diner area but a nice restraunt that is simply a part of it. I started asking questions because I literally started replanning my wedding (in my head) to have it there. I fell in looove with it. It is $3000 to reserve the space and has a $3500 food/beverage minimum but you wouldn't need to decorate it much because it is soo perfect! Good luck!

Otherwise I would look in to downtown condos/apartments that might rent out their pool decks/ sun decks/ or roof tops.

Check out Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst.  For only 60-80 guests, you can have a really beautiful wedding there for your price range.  =)  They have 5 preferred caterers and all would be in your budget!

oops, sorry, didn't realize you said within the city limits.  well, it's worth checking out if you can't find anything in chicago!