The Average Wedding Cost in Chicago, Based on Data

So you're hoping to get hitched in Chicago—sounds amazing! While nuptials in this Midwest metropolis won't have as high of a price tag as some other locations, it still pays to familiarize yourself with the average wedding cost in Chicago so you can plan accordingly. We've run the numbers from The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study and chatted with some Chi-Town wedding pros to see what differentiates the market, impacts costs and what wedding planning looks like today for couples in the city.

And before we dive into the data, note that these numbers are simply a market average that takes all kinds of 2023 weddings into account to determine the average cost of a wedding in Chicago. Vendors know their unique services best and you can trust that their rates are appropriate for their talents, skill set and the Chicago market.

See insights and advice from Lori Stephenson, owner of the Vogue-recognized LOLA Event Productions, and Kelly Cavanaugh, owner of Clementine Custom Events and a wedding planner with 22 years of experience under her belt, on saying "I do" in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs below.

In this article:

• Average Wedding Cost in Chicago
• Chicago Wedding Cost Allocation
• Chicago Wedding Cost Spreadsheet
• Average Number of Wedding Guests in Chicago
• What Does This Mean for Chicago Weddings in 2024 and Beyond?
  

Average Wedding Cost in Chicago

According to the data from our Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in Chicago proper in 2023 was $56,000 for the ceremony and reception (couples shelled out an additional $4,900 on average for an engagement ring). Based on the numbers we've gathered from other markets, Chicago is one of the most expensive places to get married in America. Yes, that wedding number clocks in at 60% above the national average wedding cost in 2023 ($35,000) and 44% above the 2023 Illinois state average ($39,000), but every penny is worth it.

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"The high quality found in Chicago is hard to duplicate and there's a high price point for that level of quality," says Cavanaugh. "Venues, catering, decor, stationery, music, photography, etc.... all of these components are far above average and having a custom-tailored event will increase the pricing. Having said that, the client is paying for top notch quality and it's not 'over priced' in comparison. It's truly worth the cost for the ultimate experience."

In Chicago's surrounding suburbs, the numbers are a little different: The average cost for a wedding ceremony and reception in 2023 is $35,000, the same as the year's national average. (The average engagement ring spend is the same as in the city at $4,900.) Based on our data, the average household income of Chicago marriers sits at $178,100, while their suburban counterparts make an average of $143,600. There's only a 20% difference between their income levels, but it seems that couples opting for city nuptials splash out a good deal more, with the cost of an average Chicago-suburbs wedding coming in at 60% less.

"I always compare the costs of celebrating in an urban environment to living/renting/buying property in that same city—what a small apartment may cost downtown would likely compare to a lovely house with a yard in the suburbs," says Stephenson. "In general, you can get more for your money in the suburbs, but those more-unique venues like museums and historic spaces may be harder to find." Cavanaugh notes that while most (not all) suburb-based vendors tend to have a lower cost than those in Chicago proper, the vendor themself determines the price, not the location. "Chicago vendors will absolutely work on suburban weddings and their prices will not change if the location happens to be in the suburbs," she says.

Chicago Wedding Cost Allocation

While every couple's wedding budget allocation will look different depending on their priorities, couples across Chicago and its surrounding suburbs have something in common: marriers in both areas spent over their wedding budget. Those who wed around Chicago overspent by 48%, while city pairs went beyond by a whopping 57%. But just because nearly half of couples overspent doesn't mean you need to. Hiring a wedding planner can help you notice hidden costs, maximize your budget, and identify where to splurge and ways to save. Plus, they can also hook you up with the best local vendors that suit your style and your spending limit. (And if you're still figuring out your budget, we've got resources on the average cost of a wedding photographer, average cost of a wedding planner and average cost of a wedding DJ to reference.)

Chicago-proper couples hired an average of 16 wedding pros (14% above the national average), according to our data, while Chicago-suburb couples hired an average of 14 vendors (on par with the national average). And as you're assembling your talented team alongside your wedding planner, they'll be sure to inform you of any cost considerations unique to the Chicago area.

Chicago Wedding Venue Cost

"Many of Chicago's most iconic wedding venues don't live their first life as an event venue—they are world-class museums, historic buildings, libraries, restaurants, planetariums and theaters," says Stephenson. "These venues are such a spectacular place to host a uniquely 'Chicago' event, but they often need added infrastructure to successfully implement an event that may not be an obvious cost when booking."

The pro mentions that there are extra costs associated with adding this necessary infrastructure, ranging from steep insurance requirements for the hosts and vendors, to lines of pipe and drape to close off areas or improve sound quality, to lighting to highlight a space's architecture. Stephenson advises couples to choose a planner that's thrown an event at their prospective venue before booking, as they'll be well aware of the incrementals and factor them in accordingly.

Chicago Wedding Catering Cost

Chicago has no shortage of iconic eats, but unless you're serving up Chicago-style hot dogs (which we wouldn't be mad at, truly), it'll cost you. Stephenson's best advice for Chicago couples that want to save on food: a cocktail-style reception instead of a seated dinner. "Even if the food itself isn't that much cheaper, the rental and staffing line items are often less," she says. "You can host an event with a shorter timeline (and therefore with less staffing), you don't need as many rentals (tables, linens, knives, forks, spoons etc.) and you don't need large centerpieces for each table or as many chairs."

Chicago Wedding Transportation Cost

Chicago is a stunning place to wed, but it can be hard for your guests to appreciate it if they're stuck in city traffic or frantically looking for parking with minutes to spare for your ceremony. If bussing guests from the hotel to your party places and back is out of budget, Stephenson suggests providing out-of-town guests with a ride-share code or gift card. She says: "A $25-$50 gift card per group can easily be cheaper than bussing hundreds of people from point A to point B—and a lot of guests prefer being on their own timetable, anyway."

Chicago Wedding Cost Spreadsheet

Make budgeting and planning a wedding in Chicago easier with these wedding spreadsheets (available in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel). The free download contains a Chicago wedding budget breakdown, Chicago wedding timeline template, guest list manager, Chicago vendor contact list, wedding day schedule, photography shot list, alcohol calculator and registry worksheet.

Average Number of Wedding Guests in Chicago

The more guests, the higher the price. The guest-cost correlation is the same for weddings everywhere, but Chicagoens love a packed party, according to our data, and don't seem to be deterred by the extra spend per head. We found that the average wedding guest count in 2023 for Chicago-proper weddings was 121 (compared to the national average of 115). Interestingly enough, this is the same average guest count as NYC. The suburbs offer room to sprawl, with weddings averaging out at 126 guests. Both urban and suburban couples need a venue that can house all of their loved ones—and both groups have similar taste. In 2023, the majority of both Chicago-proper weddings and Chicago-suburb weddings held the ceremony at a religious institution (22% and 19%, respectively) and the reception at a banquet hall (23% and 26%, respectively). So size does matter for Windy CIty couples who need space for their nearest and dearest.

For couples planning on distributing welcome bags to their guests, Stephenson has a note: "Chicago has a really strong Bellman's Union. If couples are planning to distribute hotel amenities or gift bags for their out of town guests, they need to budget for anywhere from $5-$8 per room for delivery of their gift bags, as most downtown hotels will not distribute those bags on a complimentary basis at check in," she says. The pro suggests that couples hand out the bags at a welcome event instead to skip those extra fees.

What Does This Mean for Chicago Weddings in 2024 and Beyond?

Chicago is a major city full of culture, world-class restaurants and other attractions, so it makes sense that saying "I do" with a view of the skyline or at a revered museum will likely be a splurge for many couples. What's more, there's just more competition for space in desirable areas, and that won't change in 2024 or in the near future. But the staying power of a city like Chicago will endure when it comes to weddings, whether it's because the metropolis offers an exciting guest experience or simply because it's the setting of the soonlyweds' love story. Stephenson adds: "The most common request we get from our couples is to incorporate the views, architecture and cuisine of Chicago into their wedding weekend."

For couples in the Chicago area, Cavanaugh encourages them to save early, plan early and "be realistic about what things will cost." She advises 2025 couples to lock down their pros now and 2026 couples to work on securing their venue. And while Cavanaugh does mention that she anticipates the average cost of weddings to increase in the next two years, she's got a simple solution for Chicago couples worried about costs: "The best overall advice is to be open minded and trust your vendors—they'll make your event shine at any budget."