Wedding Budget in Chicago
What a typical Chicago wedding for 100 guests costs in 2026, how it breaks down by category, and where the hidden costs hide. Built on Linden's pricing engine.
How a Chicago wedding budget breaks down
The categories below reflect what Linden's engine allocates for a typical 100-guest wedding in Chicago. Venue and catering together usually consume over half the budget; photography, flowers and entertainment make up another meaningful share. All amounts include applicable sales tax and service charges.
| Category | Share | Amount | Line items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catering | 16% | $7,750 | 11 |
| Venue | 12% | $5,700 | 10 |
| Photography | 7% | $3,300 | 4 |
| Miscellaneous & Contingency | 7% | $3,300 | 1 |
| Bar & Beverages | 6% | $2,800 | 6 |
| Music & Entertainment | 6% | $2,800 | 4 |
| Flowers & Florals | 5% | $2,400 | 7 |
| Attire | 5% | $2,400 | 8 |
| Pre-Wedding Events | 5% | $2,400 | 3 |
| Videography | 4% | $1,900 | 5 |
| Décor | 4% | $1,900 | 4 |
| Planning & Coordination | 4% | $1,900 | 3 |
| Beauty & Grooming | 3% | $1,400 | 4 |
| Rings & Jewelry | 2% | $1,200 | 3 |
| Transportation | 2% | $1,200 | 1 |
| Stationery & Paper | 2% | $900 | 6 |
| Cake & Desserts | 2% | $900 | 2 |
| Gifts & Favors | 2% | $900 | 5 |
| Accommodation | 2% | $900 | 2 |
| Ceremony | 1% | $700 | 3 |
| Insurance & Legal | 1% | $700 | 3 |
| Technology | 1% | $500 | 2 |
| Total | 100% | $70,924 |
Calculate your own Chicago budget
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Hidden costs most couples miss
The engine flags 6 hidden costs for a wedding in Chicago:
- Service charge is NOT a gratuity
- Sales tax on everything
- Venue overtime charges
- Vendor tipping budget (5-10%)
- Rehearsal dinner (often forgotten)
- Hotel room block attrition penalty
Get the exact amount and an actionable fix note for every hidden cost, scaled to your specific guest count and vendor mix — free in the Linden app.
Seasonal price swings
Peak-season weddings in Chicago carry a ~56% premium over off-peak pricing. Saturdays in May–September are the most expensive slots; Fridays, Sundays, and winter dates can cut 10–20% off venue and photography costs alone.
Typical vendor costs in Chicago
Deep-dive pricing guides for the biggest wedding categories — built on the same engine that powers the Chicago breakdown above.
Related wedding budgets
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wedding budget in Chicago?
What are the hidden costs of a wedding in Chicago?
When is the cheapest time to get married in Chicago?
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