Getting Engaged In Chicago: The Answers To Your Top Micro Wedding Planning Questions
Planning a micro wedding, especially in a city with endless locations and venues like Chicago, may feel overwhelming at first, which is why we’ve put together this detailed, helpful guide to get you started!
Below you’ll find a list of the questions most frequently asked by our newly engaged couples when planning your micro wedding!
Plus, we are here to support you with your tiny wedding planning in Chicago. Make sure to reach out to Tiny Wedding Collective to start planning your wedding with us!
Where Should I Propose in Chicago?
If you’re looking for a location with the Chicago skyline in the backdrop, we recommend packing a blanket and a bottle of bubbly and proposing at sunset at Milton Lee Oliver Park or South Pond!
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we recommend pivoting to either Union Station or The Art Institute for a beautiful backdrop highlighting Chicago’s gorgeous architecture.
Some other ideas include the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier for gorgeous views of the city, the grassy area surrounding the Adler Planetarium, or under the city lights of the iconic Chicago Theatre. Check out a few of our other favorite Chicago proposal locations!
Okay, We’re Engaged. Now What?
Before diving in, we recommend pausing to “stop and smell the roses,” if you will. Wedding planning, even planning a micro wedding, is a process that involves a lot of decision-making. Take a deep breath and take note of the feelings of joy and excitement you feel, and use those feelings as a guiding light throughout the wedding planning process. Sit down with your partner and decide TOGETHER what is most important to the two of you and don’t lose sight of it. Wedding planning (especially for small, intimate weddings) should be a joint effort where both partners feel seen and heard.
Once you’ve determined your priorities, you’ll want to decide on your guest list. Once you have your guest list squared away, you can decide on a budget. This budget (and your style and vision) will determine which venues are available to you! Need a little extra help with this? Check out our interview with a wedding etiquette expert for tips on choosing a guest list!
How Far in Advance Should We Plan Our Chicago Micro Wedding?
The internet (and your family members) are probably chomping at the bit for you to get started as soon as possible. And while we don’t want you to wait too long for fear of your dream venue being booked, micro weddings typically have much smaller lead times than a traditional wedding. We’ve worked with couples anywhere between 1 and 12 months before their Chicago wedding day.
Some vendors book out farther in advance than others, which is why we recommend booking your venue and planner, and/or coordinator first, and some of the more minor vendors after. Our all-inclusive packages make it easy to book four of your major vendors (coordinator, photographer, florist, and officiant) all in one, so you’ll spend less time going back and forth with vendors about availability and wedding dates.
And all of our couples, no matter which package or add-ons they choose, will receive access to our preferred vendor list, which includes recommended vendors we’ve either worked with in the past or believe would make a great addition to your micro wedding vendor team.
Is it Okay to Elope or have a Chicago Micro Wedding?
Yes! Ever since the pandemic, couples no longer feel like they need permission to opt for a smaller, more intimate wedding, even in the Midwest! And just because you’re having a micro wedding doesn’t mean you have to give up on the things that make it feel special.
I’d argue that having a micro wedding allows you more time (and money!) to execute your vision in a hyper-personalized way. (Think: mini Chicago dogs or beef sandwiches as a late-night snack for your guests to grab on their way home!)
We also know how important it is for some couples to keep their parents or loved ones in the planning process. Even though we make it easier for our couples to plan their micro weddings, there are still decisions to be made and places for your loved ones to be involved in the process!
Top 5 Venues to Host Your Micro Wedding in Chicago
Big Delicious Planet
Rooftop at Celeste
The Charcoal Factory
Chicago’s First Lady
LM Studio
Top 5 Public Spaces in Chicago to Say I Do
Alfred Lily Pond
North Ave Beach
The Old Post Office
Lurie Garden
Ping Tom Memorial Park
*Some of these locations require permits
What Should We Consider Before Hiring Vendors for our Chicago Micro Wedding?
We recommend hiring vendors that we’ve worked with in the past or ones that specialize in micro weddings. We have a preferred list of vendors that all of our clients receive once booked with us. These are vendor teams who are used to working with micro wedding clients and occasionally even offer special rates to our couples!
Here are some of the amazing Chicago Micro Wedding Vendors we work with!
How Much Should We Plan to Spend on Our Chicago Micro Wedding?
Micro wedding budgets depend on three things: your guest count, style, and overall vision. We’ve had couples have a celebration on their apartment rooftop with pizza, couples who host a Michelin star dinner at a restaurant downtown, and everything in between!
Check out our blog about budgeting for your Chicago micro wedding.
What Do Couples Tend to Forget When Planning a Micro Wedding?
The more guests you invite, the bigger your budget will most likely have to be. More guests mean more rentals, florals, table settings, etc., and if you’re a couple that cares a lot about good style and design, you’ll need to allocate a portion of your budget to bringing the vision to life. The fewer guests you have, the more money you’ll have for the vision. And remember, this is your wedding day. Make choices that complement your vision as a couple.
Should We Hire a Day-of Coordinator Even If Our Wedding is Small and Intimate?
Yes, and this is probably our biggest piece of advice. The logistical aspects of a wedding day won’t change much just because you’re having a smaller guests. Hiring a day-of coordinator and booking our all-inclusive packages will help eliminate decision fatigue so you can enjoy the process and your engagement season. Check out more on day-of coordinators for your Chicago micro wedding.
One Last Piece of Advice for Planning Your Chicago Micro Wedding
Keep your priorities as a couple front and center when it comes to planning your wedding. Ignore the trends if they don’t feel true to your personalities or relationship. You do you, and you’ll have the best wedding day ever!
And if you’re looking for someone to not only support you throughout the wedding planning process but also cheer you on along the way, then Tiny Wedding Collective would love to be a part of your day. We can provide you with planning support, day-of support, and everything in between so that even the smallest celebration feels like the grandest of days!
Reach out to us to plan your Chicago micro wedding with Tiny Wedding Collective.
Check out some of our other favorite tips for planning a micro wedding in Chicago:
The Tiny Wedding Collective offers all-inclusive elopement and intimate wedding planning services for Chicago, Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. A Tiny Wedding is for couples who want to celebrate their commitment in a thoughtful, stylish way but don’t want the stress and fanfare of a big, expensive wedding. Not all couples fit inside the same traditional box and it’s time that we make space for inclusivity, diversity, and creativity. To find out more about what it’s like to work with us, please fill out our contact form here.