How much does it cost to plan an event in Chicago?

Most Chicago celebrations land between $110 and $200 per guest once venue, catering, bar and entertainment are included. A 100-guest wedding in the city typically runs $32,000 to $55,000, while the suburbs come in noticeably lower. A corporate holiday party generally runs $85 to $160 per head. EventTodo builds your budget by category and shows real local quotes before you book.

How do I find event vendors near me in Chicago?

Browse the Chicago vendor directory on EventTodo — DJs, photographers, caterers, florists, decorators, bartenders and planners serving the Loop, West Loop, Lincoln Park, Evanston, Oak Park, Naperville and the wider suburbs. Message them directly or request quotes and compare responses side by side, with no booking fee or commission.

What are popular event venues in Chicago?

Chicago hosts range from Fulton Market industrial lofts and River North rooftops to lakefront hotel ballrooms, museum spaces, historic theaters and suburban country clubs. Filter the EventTodo venue directory by capacity, price and style to see what's open for your date.

When should I start planning a Chicago event?

Book 12 to 18 months ahead for a summer or early-fall Saturday wedding — Chicago's peak season books out further than most markets. Corporate holiday parties should be locked by late summer, and birthdays or showers are usually fine at 6 to 8 weeks. Evie builds a dated checklist backed into your event day so nothing slips.

Is EventTodo free for Chicago hosts and vendors?

Yes. Planning, AI recommendations, vendor messaging, quotes, guest lists and RSVPs are free for hosts, and we never take commission on a booking. Chicago vendors and venues list free and receive leads at no cost, with optional plans for featured placement.

Chicago, Illinois

Event planning in Chicago

Plan a wedding, birthday, graduation or corporate party anywhere in Chicagoland — free. Tell Evie what you're celebrating and get a budget, checklist, timeline and matched local vendors in about two minutes. Zero commission on every booking.

Plan my Chicago event free Browse Chicago vendors

Events we help you plan in Chicago

Every plan comes with a budget, a dated checklist, a day-of timeline and matched local pros — free.

Weddings in Chicago

Ceremony, reception and rehearsal planning for Chicago couples.

Birthdays in Chicago

Milestone parties, kids' parties and surprise celebrations.

Corporate events in Chicago

Holiday parties, launches, offsites and client appreciation nights.

Graduations in Chicago

Open houses and grad parties from spring through summer.

Showers & anniversaries in Chicago

Baby showers, bridal showers and milestone anniversaries.

Community & nonprofit in Chicago

Galas, fundraisers and neighborhood block events.

Chicago event vendors by category

Real local businesses serving Chicago and the surrounding area. Compare profiles and request quotes without paying a booking fee.

DJs in Chicago

Weddings, birthdays and corporate nights across Chicago.

Photographers in Chicago

Candid, editorial and traditional coverage.

Caterers in Chicago

Buffet, family style and plated fine dining.

Florists in Chicago

Seasonal arrangements, ceremony and reception design.

Event planners in Chicago

Full-service and day-of coordinators who know Chicago venues.

Photo booths in Chicago

360 booths, open-air setups and instant prints.

Bartenders in Chicago

Licensed mobile bars for private and corporate events.

Decorators in Chicago

Draping, balloon installs and full room transformations.

Featured Chicago pros

Founding Partners and premium listings serving Chicago. Book any of them directly — EventTodo never takes a commission.

See all Chicago pros

Chicago pros on EventTodo

13 local businesses are listed and taking requests in Chicago right now.

See all Chicago pros

Alliance Bakery

Baker / Wedding Cake · Chicago, IL

Hall's Rental Service

Event Rentals · Chicago, IL

Catering by Michaels

Catering · Chicago, IL

Cocktails & Dreams, Inc.

Bartending Service · Chicago, IL

Toast & Jam DJs

DJ Services · Chicago, IL

Intellicoat

Lighting & AV · Chicago, IL

Rotating through 13 Chicago listings — hover to pause.

Get 3 quotes from Chicago pros in 24 hours

Tell us what you're planning. We send it to the three best matching local businesses — free, no commission, no obligation.

Chicago event venues

Fulton Market lofts, River North rooftops, lakefront ballrooms, historic theaters and suburban country clubs — filtered by capacity, price and style.

Browse Chicago venues

Areas we cover

The Loop
River North
West Loop
Fulton Market
Wicker Park
Lincoln Park
Logan Square
Hyde Park
Pilsen
Evanston
Oak Park
Naperville
Schaumburg
Skokie

Chicago event planning questions

Start your Chicago event plan

Free for hosts, free for vendors, and no commission on bookings. Chicago pros can claim a listing and start receiving local leads today.

Plan my event free List my Chicago business

Event planning in Chicago

Plan my Chicago event free Browse Chicago vendors

Events we help you plan in Chicago

Every plan comes with a budget, a dated checklist, a day-of timeline and matched local pros — free.

Weddings in Chicago

Ceremony, reception and rehearsal planning for Chicago couples.

Birthdays in Chicago

Milestone parties, kids' parties and surprise celebrations.

Corporate events in Chicago

Holiday parties, launches, offsites and client appreciation nights.

Graduations in Chicago

Open houses and grad parties from spring through summer.

Showers & anniversaries in Chicago

Baby showers, bridal showers and milestone anniversaries.

Community & nonprofit in Chicago

Galas, fundraisers and neighborhood block events.

Chicago event vendors by category

Real local businesses serving Chicago and the surrounding area. Compare profiles and request quotes without paying a booking fee.

DJs in Chicago

Weddings, birthdays and corporate nights across Chicago.

Photographers in Chicago

Candid, editorial and traditional coverage.

Caterers in Chicago

Buffet, family style and plated fine dining.

Florists in Chicago

Seasonal arrangements, ceremony and reception design.

Event planners in Chicago

Full-service and day-of coordinators who know Chicago venues.

Photo booths in Chicago

360 booths, open-air setups and instant prints.

Bartenders in Chicago

Licensed mobile bars for private and corporate events.

Decorators in Chicago

Draping, balloon installs and full room transformations.

Featured Chicago pros

Founding Partners and premium listings serving Chicago. Book any of them directly — EventTodo never takes a commission.

See all Chicago pros

Chicago pros on EventTodo

13 local businesses are listed and taking requests in Chicago right now.

See all Chicago pros

Alliance Bakery

Baker / Wedding Cake · Chicago, IL

Hall's Rental Service

Event Rentals · Chicago, IL

Catering by Michaels

Catering · Chicago, IL

Cocktails & Dreams, Inc.

Bartending Service · Chicago, IL

Toast & Jam DJs

DJ Services · Chicago, IL

Intellicoat

Lighting & AV · Chicago, IL

Rotating through 13 Chicago listings — hover to pause.

Get 3 quotes from Chicago pros in 24 hours

Tell us what you're planning. We send it to the three best matching local businesses — free, no commission, no obligation.

Chicago event venues

Fulton Market lofts, River North rooftops, lakefront ballrooms, historic theaters and suburban country clubs — filtered by capacity, price and style.

Browse Chicago venues

Areas we cover

The Loop
River North
West Loop
Fulton Market
Wicker Park
Lincoln Park
Logan Square
Hyde Park
Pilsen
Evanston
Oak Park
Naperville
Schaumburg
Skokie

Chicago event planning questions

Start your Chicago event plan

Free for hosts, free for vendors, and no commission on bookings. Chicago pros can claim a listing and start receiving local leads today.

Plan my event free List my Chicago business