chicago reception sites

hi everyone,

does anyone have any recommendations for affordable reception sites in the downtown chicago area?  or even a recommended website to go?  i'm trying to help the fiancee out a little bit with the stress.  i know there are other websites like theknot.com, which have a chicago board, but combing through it, most of it was in the burbs...  plus it's less organized than PS.  and since i got great advice and recommendations on the ER, i thought i'd try again.  ha...  i've even got a couple of the acronyms down.  :-P  (btw, is there a FAQ for acronyms here?  (FI, MIL, MF, ABC, DEF).  we've hit a couple of the hotels downtown and they're a little out of our price range...  we've also looked at navy pier...  just wanted to see if there were some more ideas...  anyways, any help would be appreciated.

thanks again for being such an awesome community.

-bopit

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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."

Another option if you like one of the expensive place is to get married on any day except Saturday.  That usually helps too.  Also, what sort of reception do you want?  Many of my cousins got married in Chicago with h'orderves & full sit down meal with dancing & open bar.  The receptions were well over $50K--10+ years ago.  I 2nd the restaurant idea.  Greek town would be good and less expensive.  If your group is not huge you might try R'osals in little Italy.  They do a BIG NIGHT dinner that can be done for receptions.  I think it is $50 per person.

http://www.rosals.com/

Here's the basic menu.  They do these monthly for the public, but you can customize for a big group

In Love & Life, One Big Night can Change Everything!

IN KEEPING WITH OUR FINE TRADITION OF FAMILY STYLE DINING, WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT AN EXCITING EVENING THAT WAS

Featured on ABC with James Ward
RoSal’s
BIG
NIGHT

Feast
 

Antipasti

RoSal’s special Antipasti salad & special Frezzelle

La Zuppa

Broth with pasta, carrots & meatballs

I primi

Tri color risotto
Stuffed Artichoke

Ii primi

RoSal’s awesome Timpano
I secondi

Baked chicken, Salmon & Artichoke, Ravioli & Italian vegetables

Dolci

Assorted sweets & cookies

Italy’s finest wines served with dinner
 August 30th at 7:00
$59.00 per person
Reservations Required
Credit card reservations only
WWW.ROSALS.COM
(312) 243-2357
1154 W. Taylor Street
**A minimum of 15 guaranteed guests required**
No promotional gift certificates accepted - tax and gratuity not included

Well, what per person constitutes affordable?? If you have a price range that might make it easier to weed places out.

Have you looked at any spaces in Evanston or Wilmette stuff like that which is close but not too far? I think there are the Womens Clubs in those areas that are popular for wedding rentals.  Suburban doesnt necissarily mean cheap either, ie: botanic gardens.

I think I heard the Holiday Inn ballroom downtown Chicago was nice & affordable. Have you looked into any of the museum spaces? I'm not sure what you want to spend PP, but there is typically a rental fee around $5000, depending on the site and time of year and day,  and then you can pretty much customize your wedding meal through who ever the caterers are, some are more flexible than others. The Adler has my favorite space that looks out over the ocean & skyline.

http://www.galleriamarchetti.com/ they can accomodate very large parties (like 800 i think!), their food is supposed to be yummy too, not much infon on their sites. A New Leaf is on wells, like Old town/Gold Coast and people have weddings there too. I dont know details for there though. Anyway, that was sort of off the top of my head, if I think of anything later, I'll post it.