Planning an Event in Highland Park, IL: Rentals for Every Occasion

Highland Park sits on the lakefront in Lake County, with wooded ravines, a walkable downtown and a lot of people who entertain at home. It is also home to Ravinia, the outdoor music venue that draws picnickers every summer, and it is near the Chicago Botanic Garden in neighboring Glencoe. That mix of settings creates a wide range of events, from small garden parties to large family celebrations. This guide helps you size and style the seating for each.

Ravinia-style picnic seating at home

Ravinia lists its own rules for picnic seating and rentals on its website, so check there if your plan involves the venue itself. At home, the same idea works well for a summer party: long tables, casual chairs and a relaxed menu. An 8-foot banquet table seats 8 on the long sides and 10 if you add the ends, so three tables serve 24 to 30 guests.

Leave 4 to 5 feet between the backs of chairs on facing tables so servers and guests can pass. See our guide to banquet table sizes for dimensions, and farm tables for weddings if you prefer a wood look.

Celebrations that need special planning

Highland Park hosts many life-cycle events. Each has a seating pattern worth planning for.

• Bar and bat mitzvah receptions. Expect a mix of adults and teens, a dance floor, a candle-lighting or speech moment and a head table or family table near the floor. Rounds of 10 are common. Plan a kids' table area, and count a DJ table and gift table.
• Weddings. Add a ceremony set of chairs, a sweetheart or head table and a cocktail area. See our sweetheart table ideas.
• Graduation and milestone parties. Casual seating, lots of cocktail tables and a buffet. A garden folding chair at about $5 to $7 keeps costs in check.
• Memorials and community gatherings. Comfortable chairs with arms or cushions for older guests, and a ramp-friendly path.

For any celebration, ask the family or the venue about customs that affect furniture, such as a chuppah, a head table for family or a space for a ceremony. Have that conversation before you finalize the floor plan.

A guest-count table for Highland Park hosts

For open-house events, you do not need a chair for every guest at the same time. A rule of thumb is to seat 60 to 70 percent of the guest list. Use cocktail tables for the rest. Our chair count guide shows how to calculate it.

Choosing a chair style

The ghost chair (about $10 to $14) suits a modern venue with bold decor. The cross-back (about $8 to $11) suits warm, natural setups. The garden folding chair (about $5 to $7) is the practical choice for large crowds. If you want a head table that stands out, the velvet dining chair (about $18 to $25) is a fun color accent.

Weather, ravines and ground

Highland Park has wooded lots and sloping ground. Before you place a table, check the grade. A table that wobbles on a slope needs shims, and chairs can tip on soft soil. Rain can leave low spots wet for days. If your yard slopes, level an area for tables or use a platform. Chicago-area weather brings sudden storms, so keep a covered plan ready.

Rules to confirm locally

Public places such as parks and beaches have their own rules. If you plan to use a city park or beach, check with the City of Highland Park or the Park District of Highland Park for permits and restrictions. Tents may need a permit, and alcohol, music and food service often have separate rules. Do not rely on a general guideline; ask the office that manages the site.

Plan your Highland Park rental list

Tell us your guest count and date. Book a free 15-minute seating call to plan the whole list, or request a quote.