In short
A Chicago wedding for about 100 guests is typically quoted between $27,000 and $80,000, with most couples landing near $45,000.
- Typical total (USD)
- $45,000
- Simpler day from (USD)
- $27,000
- Premium reaches (USD)
- $80,000
- Categories priced
- 5
- Widest range
- Venue hire
- Figures reviewed
- July 2026
USD for around 100 guests, before sales tax and the 20-25% service charge caterers add
Where the money goes
| Category | Share of the biggest line | Low (USD) | High (USD) | What moves the number | Vendors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue hire | $9,000 | $26,000 | Industrial West Loop spaces and museum venues sit mid-range; downtown hotel ballrooms run higher and often quote a food-and-beverage minimum. | Browse venue hire in Chicago | |
| Catering and bar | $11,000 | $24,000 | Roughly $110-240 a head. Add a 20-24% service charge and Illinois sales tax on top before you compare it with another quote. | Browse catering and bar in Chicago | |
| Photography | $3,500 | $8,000 | Eight hours of coverage is the common package. Winter dates often carry meaningful discounts here. | Browse photography in Chicago | |
| Flowers and styling | $2,500 | $8,000 | A bouquet-and-buttonhole package starts low; arches and tall centrepieces move it quickly. | Browse flowers and styling in Chicago | |
| Officiant | $300 | $900 | Includes a rehearsal and a personalised ceremony. Cook County marriage licence fees are separate and modest. | Browse officiant in Chicago |
Chicago sits near the top of the US market without quite reaching New York.
Already have a quote? Check it against these Chicago ranges — free, in your browser.
Turn the ranges into your budget
- 01
Set a working budget
Agree the total you're comfortable spending before you fall in love with anything. Wedyesday's budget tracker splits it across categories for you.
- 02
Pick your top three priorities
Choose the two or three things that matter most — venue, photography, food — and let them take a bigger share. Trim what you won't remember in five years.
- 03
Get real quotes from vendors
Published starting prices beat guesswork. Shortlist vendors, request pricing with your date and guest count, and compare like for like.
- 04
Track deposits and payments as you book
Log every quote, deposit, and due date as it happens so the running total never surprises you.
See what Chicago vendors quote for your date.
Your cost questions, answered
How much does a wedding cost in Chicago?
Most Chicago weddings land between $27,000 and $80,000 all-in, with a typical 100-guest celebration around $45,000 before tax and service charges.
Does a winter date actually save money in Chicago?
Yes, more than in most US cities. January and February dates frequently come with venue discounts and far better vendor availability, because demand collapses in the cold.
What is the biggest hidden cost?
The service charge on catering. A 20-24% charge on a $16,000 food and bar contract is close to $3,500 that never appears in the headline per-head price.
Ranges are directional market figures — your quotes will vary with date, guest count and season. The surest numbers come from vendors with published pricing.