i realize this is an odd request, but i'm running out of ideas. i have a reception site, caterer, photographer and florist all set for a september wedding next year, but no ceremony site.

i was looking for a nice non-denominational place in the burbs, but will basically go anywhere that's available in the afternoon. i might even have to just pick some outdoor location and get an officiant, but maybe somehow somewhere somebody here will have a great recommendation.

so. yeah. thoughts?

Get married by da lake.

I went to a wedding at that church on Michigan Avenue and it was beautiful, if yer looking for a church-y place.

I've also heard good things about Pop's For Champagne.

what's this?

edit. nevermind i googled it.

thanks for the suggestions guys.

It's a real pretty little room -- a wine bar of sorts that serves champagne (obviously). It's on Sheffield, in Lakeview/Lincoln Park.
Not sure if they have full meals or just appeteizers, but if you're having a small wedding (read: 100 or less), I've heard it's beautiful. They also have a location in Highwood.

Also:
I went to a wedding at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and that was a really cool room.

I lived 2 blocks from Pop's. I can't imagine an actual wedding there.

south shore cultural center.
it's around 70th and south shore drive.
beautifully rennovated building but i'm not sure if you can still rent it out.
i went there once for a book publishing reception.

any burbs in particular? what month?

I think independence grove in libertyville is awesome. It's one of the Lake County Forest Preserves, and it's not far from 94.

http://www.lcfpd.org/preserves/index.cf ... 194&type=P

Also, Cuneo Museum in Vernon Hills
http://www.lake-online.com/cuneo/

Chicago Historical Society
http://www.chicagohs.org/

The Odyssey
http://www.odysseycruises.com/chicago/group/index.html

Patrick Haley Mansion in Joliet
http://www.patrickhaleymansion.com/

Chicago Botanic Gardens in HP
http://www.chicago-botanic.org/rental/F ... ental.html

Is this kind of what you're looking for?

hey phil. thanks. i guess i'm just stressing out. its in September and i'm looking for the western burbs. the reception is in Lisle. i'll take a look at some of those places, although i know the botanic gardens are hella expensive.

Jen's wedding was in lisle. It was cute.

Cute? lol

Mine took place at Seven Bridges Golf Club. But it was in late october so it was collld.

But they do outside weddings and the area out there is beautiful.
Otherwise I would recommend Katharine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale. It's purty.

Jamie, try looking for places in either Western Springs, Hinsdale, LaGrange, Oakbrook, Woodridge, Darien. Those at least are some suburbs to check out/look up.

They aren't far off of the expressway. And Hinsdale does have a non denominational church I believe.

Also, check out www.theknot.com. It's a great place to go for ideas for all things wedding related. I used it through my whole wedding planning.

whoops, i just sent you a PM about this but you answered the question already.

Also, the coolest wedding i ever went to was here...

http://www.napersettlement.org/nscmc.htm

Century Memorial Chapel at the naper settlement.

It'll hold small to medium-ish weddings.

Oh yeah, it's in naperville.

phil you are a GENIUS!!!!

She just told me where she's having the reception and it's only about ten fiftenn minutes from Naper Settlement!!

That place would be perfect!!

jamie, look into that right away, they probably book really quick so call them and see.

It's not far from the Arboretum.

Wow, i feel smart and shit.

So jamie, did i hit one outta the park?

its brilliant, unfortunately i just got off the phone with them and their 3-5pm time slot is already taken.

a wedding between 12-2pm would suck if the reception starts at 6, wouldn't it.

better than no wedding at all.

Find out if the reception hall can move you earlier, or if they have any ideas?

you're right. man, now i owe you twice!

what he said

kid, you don't owe me shit. i just want to see the pictures when it's all done.

but let me know if you need some guitar/voice at your wedding, or i can get a string quartet on the cheap.

cool. i don't know what we're doing for musicians - maybe even having a dj- but i'll keep that in mind.

thanks again to everyone who responded!

So what's the plan stan, getting married at 12-2?

well, i'm thinking about it. gotta discuss the options with the man. and see if my mom will freak out about it.

we we're kinda holding out hope that the arboretum would let us have it there, but i just got confirmation today that they won't, so that's why i stressed.

this sounds good though, and i'm definitely going to try to get it.

Navy pier up in the crystal gardens is pretty kick ass! We had our first little ceremony there.

first? you had multiple?