Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Greetings, Midwest folks! Here is my take on the whole ordeal. I actually tied the knot over two years ago now—but, well, I suppose there is no harm in sharing this for the sake of those planning ahead. We both hail from a suburb outside of Chicago, and we held our wedding at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. We had to book the ballroom a full year in advance. If I recall correctly, the space isn't meant for massive crowds; I think they told us a maximum of 200 guests. We ended up with about 150, which—honestly—was just about perfect. They offer a few different layout options for the tables, so the couple gets to decide, and you can even opt for round tables if you prefer. The service was top-notch, and the food? Delicious. They handed us a list of maybe 15 to 20 different menu packages, each with its own per-person price. In the end, we actually cut a few things out of the menu—I can't even remember specifically what it was—but we worked it out. We agreed that instead of one specific meat dish (I forget which one, really), we would bring our own roasted pork. We also arranged to bring our own drinks.
As for the cakes and desserts, we ordered them from a bakery called Figaro in a nearby suburb. We had used them before, so there wasn't any guesswork involved. We brought them photos of the exact cake we wanted, and they whipped it up perfectly without any issues. On the day of the wedding, they delivered all the sweets directly to the hotel, and then later, they even delivered more to our house.
We ordered the flowers from Freesia, also in that same area. The owner handled everything for us personally. We provided her with pictures of the arrangements we were looking for—you know, boutonnieres for the groom, plus corsages for the godparents, parents, and brothers. My bouquet turned out exactly like the photo I showed her. We couldn't have been happier. And get this—the massive centerpiece for our head table actually stayed fresh for two weeks after the wedding, even though it was incredibly hot out.
Regarding photography and video, we went with Sunce Photo. They have studios in Chicago, but I believe they have locations in other parts of the state too. We coordinated everything with them—what kind of DVD we wanted, the song selection, the specific locations for the post-ceremony portraits, and which moments they should focus on. I have nothing but praise for them; the photos were ready quite quickly, too.
I think that covers it. As for the dress, I don't have much to say because I actually bought it a year before the wedding while traveling in America—it was Maggie Sottero - Martina, and I paid $760. The price was fantastic, the fit was custom to my measurements, and Maggie Sottero even sent a certificate proving it was an original piece and not some knockoff.
Sorry for rambling on like this, but I hope this helps someone out there.

I completely forgot to mention—we had the Dreamer band from Nustar play our wedding. Honestly, I can't recommend them enough; you can pretty much work out any detail regarding the sets with them. They played the entire night—they actually didn't even want to stop playing during dinner! Eventually, my dad had to practically beg them to sit down for a bite to eat. Personally, I thought they were fantastic and they created such a wonderful atmosphere. They even played for us earlier during the procession. They hung out by the groom first, then came over to my side, and once we started heading toward the chapel, they headed off to the hotel to change and get ready for the next part.

Just a quick heads-up for anyone thinking about booking a venue like the Hilton in Chicago for a wedding—they seem to be hiking up their prices constantly! I’d really suggest hunting down every single email they send you and printing out all those quotes with the specific dates included. If you have that paper trail, they can't really wiggle out of what was promised. It’s super important to know exactly what price was on the table when you first sat down to talk, paid the deposit, or grabbed any info.

The one who learns from her own mistakes 😢

Brundica said:Hey there, I'm pretty new to this forum. It seems really interesting so far, and after reading through everything, I thought maybe I might join in and potentially help some of you out... so if there's anything you need to know, just ask! Best wishes!

Well, since you offered... 😉
Do you know any good hair stylists or makeup artists in the Midwest? Or maybe a reliable florist who actually shows up on time to handle the church and venue decor, sets up the table arrangements, and does the car decorations too? (I’m asking because, honestly, I don't think everyone realizes that kind of service isn't always a given).

Do you have someone you can recommend, or maybe a go-to person?

placidowl20 said:Just a quick heads-up for anyone thinking about booking a venue like the Hilton in Chicago for a wedding—they seem to be hiking up their prices constantly! I’d really suggest hunting down every single email they send you and printing out all those quotes with the specific dates included. If you have that paper trail, they can't really wiggle out of what was promised. It’s super important to know exactly what price was on the table when you first sat down to talk, paid the deposit, or grabbed any info.

The one who learns from her own mistakes 😢

Honestly, it’s not any different anywhere else... a friend of mine had her wedding in Indianapolis back in September 2007 and only paid 1,700 euros, but I put my deposit down just a few months after that and we're looking at 2,000 euros, and now my neighbor is booking for next year and he's being quoted 2,200 euros... and don't even get me started on how much the bands are charging these days!!👎👎👎

Chloe Collins34 said:Honestly, it’s not any different anywhere else... a friend of mine had her wedding in Indianapolis back in September 2007 and only paid 1,700 euros, but I put my deposit down just a few months after that and we're looking at 2,000 euros, and now my neighbor is booking for next year and he's being quoted 2,200 euros... and don't even get me started on how much the bands are charging these days!!👎👎👎

Prices just keep going up constantly!!!
I guess you really should just get married quickly 😁

It’s true. My cousin got married last May. They booked their venue nearly two years in advance for $1,800. We waited until just two months before our date to book this year's venue, and we're paying $2,500 for the exact same place. It's a disaster. This is why you have to keep every single estimate and receipt. As for flowers in Indianapolis, they cost twice as much as they do in Dakota. Everywhere I went, vendors tried to force their own "creative" ideas on me—designs that aren't even physically possible. It was exhausting.

Has anyone had a chance to visit the florist yet? I’m dying to know what they’re quoting you for all the floral decor and everything else! What did you end up adding to your list?

As for me, I’ve finally settled on the details! I’ve booked the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres for the groom, the groomsmen, the parents, my sister, and his brother (I’m planning to DIY the rest myself!). On top of that, I’ve arranged for the head table at the venue to be decorated, the buffet area to be styled, about 40 centerpieces for the guest tables, some daisy heart arrangements for the entrance by the house, the main table back at our place, and even a special arrangement for the car hood. All told, the total is going to come out to roughly $1333. I honestly think I haven't missed a single thing!

I have to admit, you got a real steal

I’ve been scouring everything for wedding trifles. Bouquets, boutonnieres for the groom, the wedding party, parents, and bridesmaids. Most guests will just get rosemary since I have plenty at home. 😁😁 Centerpieces for our table, the cocktail hour, the dessert station, about 30 table arrangements, decorating two cars, and helium balloons around the dance floor. There is more, though I can't recall it all right now. It’s coming out to roughly $1167 total...

I have to say, you both came in way under budget! I spent yesterday calling about five or six different florists in Indianapolis, and every single one of them was quoting me anywhere from 5,000 to $2.75!!!!! ☕
I mean, seriously... Fantasy was asking for 7,000-$2.75, and Mosaic won't even talk to me unless it's at least 5 or 6 million, and Althea isn't any better off either.. 😢
I'm honestly thinking I might just decorate the house and the cars myself (garland is only $12 a meter at Walmart, plus I already have all the bows and flowers!), though I guess I'll still need to hire someone for the hotel..
I heard you aren't even allowed to decorate the cathedral, though a woman over at Chloe keeps trying to convince me otherwise (she claims she has a connection with the priest!?) so I wonder what your experiences have been with that sort of thing?

I can't speak to the specific traditions at the cathedral in Indianapolis, but my priest actually told me something quite similar regarding decorating the church. Another parish priest over in VA mentioned that the Cardinal—or some other high-ranking official, I can't quite recall—had essentially forbidden it. When I pressed him to see if that was actually true, he admitted it was more about the leadership setting boundaries rather than an official ban. He basically argued that it’s just a massive waste of money, blah, blah, blah. In short, you *can* do it, but you're expected to clear everything away immediately after your wedding, which gets incredibly awkward if there's another ceremony scheduled right after yours. We ultimately decided against decorating the whole space; instead, I'm just bringing one floral arrangement. He actually encouraged that (and even suggested it!), since it stays put for the Sunday service the next day, making it feel like a much more practical use of resources.
Oh, and that arrangement is already factored into those $1333.

@ ladies in Indianapolis. Do you really think a florist from VA or VU wouldn't be willing to drive all the way to Indy to deliver your flowers? Mine is actually traveling from VA to CERN, which is about 15-12 miles away, and she hasn't batted an eye at the distance. So, please don't rule out that option! Honestly, even if they charge you a little extra $33 for gas, you'd probably still come out ahead!🤷

I know from experience that plenty of women order flowers from our local shop for their homes, and it doesn't change a thing regarding the price. I visited Indianapolis recently and was frankly stunned by the figures being thrown around. It’s absurd. I find it hard to believe their prices are actually higher than elsewhere, especially after my time at Chloe. I don't care for excess; I prefer minimalism over gaudy displays. For table arrangements, he insisted on $20 when all I wanted was a candle and some ivy. It felt somewhat insulting. Now, I am paying $25 or $35—depending on whether the candles are short or tall—to get exactly what I want instead of what someone else dictates. It is certainly worth traveling to a closer shop just to compare rates.

Hey, hey... just joined the group. So, my partner and I finally pulled the trigger on "that" big step... we're currently in the early stages, looking at venues. One place, Lucy's over in VA, really caught my eye. We haven't actually swung by to see it yet, but we're planning to head out there in the next few days. Does anyone have any experience with this spot? Also, does anyone know what the price looks like for the full package? Like, what's actually included in that menu... are there different tiers to choose from? And honestly, is it worth going all-in with the catering package, or should we just book the hall and handle the food separately? Is the food even worth the extra cost?

I guess you might be right about me needing to head out of Washington, D.C., and maybe swing through places like Indianapolis or Columbus to scout out flower shops, but since I’m based here, I really only make it back home to visit family once a month on the weekends, so it just feels a bit more practical to set everything up while I'm already in the Midwest... 🤷
I suspect there are some smaller, local florists in Indianapolis that aren't quite as high-end or pricey as the big names, yet they'd probably be happy to work out the same kind of deals for $1.00

placidowl20 said:I guess you might be right about me needing to head out of Washington, D.C., and maybe swing through places like Indianapolis or Columbus to scout out flower shops, but since I’m based here, I really only make it back home to visit family once a month on the weekends, so it just feels a bit more practical to set everything up while I'm already in the Midwest... 🤷
I suspect there are some smaller, local florists in Indianapolis that aren't quite as high-end or pricey as the big names, yet they'd probably be happy to work out the same kind of deals for $1.00

I know there's a killer shop in Ivankov—she's amazing, does great work, and I've heard her prices are actually pretty decent...

Of course! Honestly, I feel like any florist should be able to handle their business professionally, regardless of whether they’re running a tiny boutique or managing a massive operation. So, if you simply don't have the luxury of time to go wandering around looking for options, you really ought to find someone reliable like that.

Regarding Black Mary, I know that Lucy usually handles the service and the catering side of things near $5667, though it all really depends on how many guests you're expecting. This specific setup would probably suit a crowd of about 300 people, or even fewer. My best advice? Just head over there in person and have a chat with their manager; she’ll walk you through every little detail. There's absolutely no reason to be nervous—just ask every single question that crosses your mind!
A close friend of mine hosted her wedding guests there last summer (and another one is planning hers for next year!), and everything turned out absolutely wonderful. Given how stunning the venue is, the prices aren't nearly as steep as you might think.
Personally, I’m a firm believer that it’s almost always more cost-effective to rent the hall without the catering package—you know, by bringing in your own ingredients and supplies...

Amarillis

Where are you planning on picking up your flowers in Des Moines, and what kind of budget are we talking about?
My in-laws are coming to visit in Mimi on August 7th this year, but I haven't even started looking at floral arrangements yet, and honestly, I don't even know what my full checklist should look like🤷🙈.
We only got engaged three weeks ago, so we rushed ahead and booked the venue and the band,
but everything else is a complete blank; I have no idea what needs to be done next. It's a mess.

Also, can anyone point me in the right direction for getting thank-you notes made?
Do I get those where I pick up the invitations, or is that something through the photographer? I'm totally lost when it comes to the essential details.
And I’m still flying blind regarding the packages in Mimi... they wouldn't even tell us the pricing for the different hall options, even though we already put down a deposit. They just brushed us off and said they'd let us know once we sat down for a formal meeting. But how am I supposed to plan anything if I don't even know the price points or what's actually included in each package?!
Help me out, guys... I'm struggling because I'm expected to organize everything while being completely in the dark, and my fiancé is all the way in Germany...

Chloe Hughes5 said:Amarillis

Where are you planning on picking up your flowers in Des Moines, and what kind of budget are we talking about?
My in-laws are coming to visit in Mimi on August 7th this year, but I haven't even started looking at floral arrangements yet, and honestly, I don't even know what my full checklist should look like🤷🙈.
We only got engaged three weeks ago, so we rushed ahead and booked the venue and the band,
but everything else is a complete blank; I have no idea what needs to be done next. It's a mess.

Also, can anyone point me in the right direction for getting thank-you notes made?
Do I get those where I pick up the invitations, or is that something through the photographer? I'm totally lost when it comes to the essential details.
And I’m still flying blind regarding the packages in Mimi... they wouldn't even tell us the pricing for the different hall options, even though we already put down a deposit. They just brushed us off and said they'd let us know once we sat down for a formal meeting. But how am I supposed to plan anything if I don't even know the price points or what's actually included in each package?!
Help me out, guys... I'm struggling because I'm expected to organize everything while being completely in the dark, and my fiancé is all the way in Germany...

Chloe Hughes5, take a deep breath! First, tell us the date—it can't possibly be that urgent! If it really is, I'm sure we can figure something out together! 👍
I honestly don't quite follow why you would put a deposit down on a venue if you didn't even know what the package entailed. It sounds to me like you bought a huge pig in a poke. Or maybe I've just misunderstood the situation.

cosmicmarlin20 said:I know there's a killer shop in Ivankov—she's amazing, does great work, and I've heard her prices are actually pretty decent...

It’s certainly true that Jaka does a spectacular job and is very budget-friendly! However, just like with any other service provider, you really have to be incredibly specific and firm about your requirements—for instance, clarifying exactly when the flowers need to be set up at the venue or the church. I did hear a little rumor that she sometimes takes on more than she can realistically handle. Mind you, I'm just passing along what I've heard...🙄