Courthouse Wedding Reception Rentals: Restaurant or Home

Many Chicago couples marry at a courthouse or a civil ceremony office and then celebrate the same day. The ceremony takes minutes, so the reception carries the day. That calls for a rental list that is short, flexible and easy on the budget. This guide covers both common options: a restaurant and a home.

Plan the day around the ceremony

Ask the county clerk or courthouse about ceremony hours, how many guests can attend and what you must bring. Rules, hours and fees differ by county and building, so confirm directly with the Cook County Clerk or the clerk for the county where you marry rather than relying on a blog. Then pick a reception time with a buffer, such as 2 to 3 hours after the ceremony, for photos and travel.

Option 1: a restaurant private room

The restaurant provides tables, chairs, plates, glassware and servers. What you might add:

• A different chair for the couple's seat or a long table. See sweetheart table ideas.
• Linens, if the restaurant uses bare tables and allows overlays or runners.
• A welcome sign, easels and a guest book table.
• A photo spot with a backdrop.

Ask the restaurant what they provide, whether they allow outside decor, the cake or dessert policy and their final headcount date. Many restaurants set minimum spends for private rooms. This option often needs no rental truck at all.

Option 2: at home or a rented space

Here you need the full list for a small dinner. For 20 guests:

See our guides on place setting spacing and dinnerware for dinner parties at home. If the home has limited space, small-space tables can help.

Choose a chair that works for photos

Because the ceremony was brief, the reception photos carry the memory. A wood cross-back chair, clear ghost chair or velvet dining chair all photograph well at a long table. For a home dinner, keep the chairs consistent across the table and avoid mixing in kitchen chairs.

Layouts

For 10 to 14 guests, a single long table. For 20 to 30, two long tables or three rounds. For 40, five rounds. Leave a 36 to 42 inch gap behind each chair so people can pass. See micro wedding rentals for layouts.

A realistic budget

A reception after a courthouse wedding costs less than a full wedding because the guest list and rental list are smaller. The largest costs are usually the dinner itself and the room. For rentals, the minimums and delivery fees matter more than the per-piece price, so ask about both. See our wedding rental budget breakdown for how to compare quotes.

Chicago notes

Downtown courthouses and nearby restaurants make a short trip, but traffic and parking can stretch the travel time. If you are renting a home or a hall, check parking, building rules and delivery windows. Winter courthouse weddings need coat racks at the reception and a warm entry. Confirm the venue's rules on decor and candles.

Plan your celebration

Book a free 15-minute seating call and we will size your reception, or request a quote with your guest count and Chicago-area location.