Ideas & guides

Plan a better event in Chicago

Costs, quantities, layouts, venue rules and styling ideas for weddings, parties and corporate events, written by people who plan them.

640 guides across 20 topics

3D render of a winter-ready frame tent with cathedral-window sidewalls, patio heaters and a forced-air tent heater for cold-weather Chicago events

Latest

20x40 Tent Seating Capacity and Layout: How Many Fit?

How many guests fit in a 20x40 tent for dinner, cocktails or theater seating, with a floor plan, table counts and tips for a small Chicago-area backyard party.

November 2, 2026 · 5 min read

Latest guides

3D render of a backyard birthday party with a pop-up canopy over a kids' table, a castle bounce house and a popcorn machine

Parties

21st Birthday Party Planning: Ideas, Budget and Timeline

Plan a 21st birthday party with a clear budget split, timeline, guest list rules, alcohol basics for Illinois and layout tips for a home, bar or rented space.

7 min read

3D render of a white 30 by 60 foot frame tent on a lawn for weddings of about 180 guests, no center poles

Layouts & Floor Plans

30x60 Tent Seating Capacity and Layout: Floor Plan Guide

How many guests fit in a 30x60 tent for dinner, dancing, cocktails or theater seating, with a floor plan, tables and bar placement for a Chicago-area wedding.

5 min read

Overhead 3D render of a reception floor plan: five 60-inch round tables with gold Chiavari chairs around a 16 by 16 foot dance floor

Layouts & Floor Plans

40x80 Tent Seating Capacity and Layout: 150 to 200 Guests

How many guests fit in a 40x80 tent for a seated dinner, dancing or cocktail party, with a floor plan, bar and stage placement and Chicago permit notes.

5 min read

3D render of party rentals: a red popcorn machine, a pink cotton candy cart, a neon sign and giant tumble tower blocks

Parties

50th Birthday Party Planning: Ideas, Timeline and Budget

Plan a 50th birthday party with themes, guest list advice, seating for mixed ages, a timeline and a budget split, including Chicago-area venue and rental tips.

6 min read

Parties

80th and 90th Birthday Party Planning: A Comfort-First Guide

Plan an 80th or 90th birthday party with comfortable seating, a shorter timeline, accessible layouts, memory displays and a multigenerational guest list.

6 min read

3D render of a wheelchair-accessible ADA portable restroom with a wide blue door, ground-level entry and accessibility sign

Layouts & Floor Plans

ADA Accessible Event Seating and Pathways: Planning Guide

How to plan wheelchair spaces, 36-inch paths, turning room and table seating so every guest can attend your Chicago-area event comfortably.

5 min read

Another angle: 3D render of a wheelchair-accessible ADA portable restroom with a wide blue door, ground-level entry and accessibility sign

Lounge & Specialty

ADA Restroom Considerations for Events: Accessible Planning

What makes a portable or temporary restroom accessible, how many accessible units to rent, route and surface needs, and how to plan inclusive events.

4 min read

Parties

Adult Birthday Party Ideas in Chicago for Any Budget

Adult birthday party ideas in Chicago, from backyard cookouts and rooftop cocktail hours to dinner parties, with headcounts, costs to ask about and setup tips.

7 min read

3D render of a candlelit Chicago ballroom wedding reception with ivory floor-length linens, gold Chiavari chairs, gold chargers and blush rose centerpieces

Cultural Celebrations

African Wedding Reception Planning in Chicago: A Guide

Plan an African wedding reception in Chicago with guidance on traditional and white ceremonies, large guest counts, aso ebi, food, seating and dancing.

6 min read

3D render of a black 120-inch round tablecloth draped floor-length over a 60-inch round table

Dance Floors & Decor

Aisle Runner Length: How Long and What Material?

How long should a wedding aisle runner be? Measure your aisle, add 3 to 5 feet, then choose fabric, width and anchoring for grass, carpet or stone floors.

4 min read

3D render of a gold and ivory throne chair pair in front of a blush and ivory rose flower wall for quinceaneras, sweet sixteens and showers

Parties

Anniversary Party Planning for 25th and 50th Celebrations

Plan a 25th or 50th anniversary party with guest list, timeline, budget, toasts, seating and a photo display, plus tips for Chicago-area venues and rentals.

6 min read

Parties

Anniversary Party Rentals and Layout: 25th, 50th and Vow Renewals

What to rent and how to lay out an anniversary party, from a 25th dinner to a 50th with family, with a head table plan and counts for 40 to 120 guests.

4 min read

3D render of an outdoor cocktail hour with white spandex highboy tables, an ivory velvet lounge sofa and bistro string lights at dusk

Dinnerware

Appetizer Plates for Cocktail Hour: How Many and What Size

How many appetizer plates to order for a wedding cocktail hour or cocktail party, what size works for standing guests, and how to keep them from running out.

4 min read

3D render of a 13-inch gold beaded charger plate for wedding place settings

Dinnerware

Are Charger Plates Worth It? What They Do and When to Skip Them

Are charger plates worth renting for your Chicago wedding or party? What chargers do, how they change the look, extra cost drivers and when to skip them.

5 min read

3D render of an outdoor wedding ceremony with rows of white folding chairs, an ivory aisle runner with rose petals and a floral hexagon arch at golden hour

Corporate & Nonprofit

Awards Ceremony Planning Guide: Program, Stage and Seating

An awards ceremony planning guide covering program length, stage and seating layout, presenters, scripts, recognition details and rentals for a smooth evening.

5 min read

3D render of a baby shower setup with blush linens, clear ghost chairs, a rose flower wall, a cake table and an ivory armchair

Parties

Baby Shower Games and Timeline: A Simple Two-Hour Plan

Plan baby shower games and a two-hour timeline that keeps guests comfortable, including game ideas, prizes, gift-opening flow and tips for any group size.

6 min read

3D render of a corporate event setup with rows of black padded chairs facing a skirted stage, ivory pipe and drape and cocktail highboys

Parties

Baby Shower Rentals and Seating: Tables, Chairs and the Gift Corner

Plan baby shower seating with the right number of chairs, tables, a mom-to-be chair, a gift corner and a games layout, for 20 to 60 guests in Chicago.

4 min read

Weddings

Bachelor Party Planning in Chicago: Budget, Dates and Ideas

How to plan a bachelor party in Chicago, with a simple timeline, a fair cost split, activity ideas for different budgets and tips for sports weekends.

6 min read

Weddings

Bachelorette Party Planning in Chicago: Timeline and Budget

How to plan a bachelorette party in Chicago, from guest list and dates to budget splits, lodging, dinner reservations and a weekend schedule that works.

6 min read

Catering Equipment

Backyard BBQ for 100 Guests: The Complete Equipment List

Everything to rent or bring for a backyard barbecue for 100 guests: grills, tables, tent, chairs, cooling, serving gear, trash and a layout.

4 min read

3D render of a forced-air tent heater with flexible silver ducting for warming tents at cold-weather Chicago events

Seasons & Venues

Is Your Backyard Big Enough for an Event? Chicago Size Guide

Find out how many guests fit in a Chicago-area backyard, with square footage per guest, tent sizes, table counts and layout examples.

4 min read

3D render of an 8-foot tripod projection screen with a black border for slideshows, ceremonies and corporate events

Parties

Backyard Movie Night Seating: Screen Distance, Chairs and Blankets

Set up backyard movie night seating with the right screen distance, tiered chairs, a snack table and a plan for darkness in Chicago. Counts for 10 to 60.

4 min read

3D render of an event bar setup: a 6-foot portable bar with gold Chiavari bar stools, a champagne wall and spandex cocktail tables

Layouts & Floor Plans

Backyard Party Layout Plan: Tables, Bar, Food and Games

A backyard party layout with a tent, dining tables, bar, buffet, grill, games and kids zone, plus spacing, flow and a Chicago-area weather plan.

4 min read

3D render of a two-tier gold and crystal chandelier with candle bulbs for tent and ballroom ceilings

Lighting & Power

Backyard Party Lighting Ideas: A Chicago Planner's Guide

Practical backyard party lighting ideas by zone, with a lighting plan for paths, dining, bar and dance areas plus safety and power tips for Chicago yards.

5 min read

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