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@ohmybears48: Congrats on your big day! Perhaps Catalyst Ranch might be flexible, at the very least it's worth discussing with them. Another venue you might want to consider if you haven't already is Architectural Artifacts. It's certainly unique, but affordable and has minimal restrictions. http://architecturalartifacts.com/atriumevents/
@EllieInChicago: Oh, that place is gorgeous. We're making a huge spreadsheet right now, so hopefully the guy rates it high enough for us to go see it.
@ohmybears48: Oh fun! I loved that part! Not sure if you've looked at Loft on Lake or Venue One as options - they're raw spaces, but that leaves so many possibilities.
@EllieInChicago: Guy liked it so it's on our "maybe" see list. We originally looked at Loft on the Lake but it was over our price range once we researched their cateer options. We loved Catalyst because the rentals would be low and the cateers were more flexible in prices. We're hoping to find a place with a rental fee under 7k. It's getting harder with all of these "natural" spaces!
@ohmybears48: Oh wow, had no clue they were over 7k! I know you commented on Ravenswood Event Center in a previous thread, but have you seen their industrial ballroom space? It's way under the 7k mark and would definitely fit your guests. They have been absolutely amazing to work with, I adore Aly and Andy.
I would check with Lauren at the Catalyst about the flexibility of the kid number. We are having our wedding there in October and, granted we're only expecting 5-6 kids, we weren't aware of a kid policy. They seem extremely flexible though.
Best of luck!
I have been looking at venues at least online for a few weeks before I got engaged, and I can't think of colorful venues off the top of my head. What might be a good idea is to pick whatever layout and location that fits your budget and order those colored lights. I have seen them in a lot of pictures and it looks like it really adds to the overall theme of the night.
If anyone wants to see a spreadsheet of over 30 Chicago and Joliet venues in the moderate price range, contact me! I'd be happy to share our research.
@ohmybears48: I would love to see your list! I'm just wading into the planning process and quickly getting sad because everything is so expensive.
Thanks!
Just an update on this... we visited Catalyst last night. And while we LOVED this place, we decided that the lack of ceremony space for a larger group (over 90 people) wouldn't work for us. We just didn't want to get married the same place we would eat dinner!
Also, the security fees, potential parking prices, and some other little fees thrown in there made it about the same price as our other top pick, Salvage One. So, we cut it of our list and are now going to go the Salvage One route.
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Hi Chicago Buzzers!
We are looking at the Catalyst Ranch for our 125-140 person wedding in the summer/fall of 2013. We dig the bright colors, spunky attire, and overall uniqueness to this venue. I read somewhere online that the place only allowed teens and adults (i.e. no kids). Later, I read that they allowed up to 10 kids per ceremony. Does anyone have any insight in on this? We will probably have around 15 kids at our reception, so I dont want to even consider a place until we know we can have the little ones there.
If we cant do Catalyst, we are looking for other fun and unique spaces to hold our reception. I've looked at Carnivale and Salvage One (which is lovely, but a bit subdued for my taste). Anyone else know of a place in the city or in the west or south suburbs that has the same kind of energy or vibe?
thanks!