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The Chicago skyline at sunset, looking toward the John Hancock Center and Lake Michigan

Starting in Chicago

Bejoined plans city by city, and Chicago is first because it is home: real costs, real venues, and vendor questions we can check ourselves. More cities join as we grow, on the same playbook.

  • $54,000

    Average Chicago wedding

  • $17,550

    Average Chicago venue

  • $82

    Catering per guest, before bar

Figures from our Chicago cost guide below, 2026 data.

Want your city next? The newsletter hears it first.

Skyline photo: Cameron Casey, via Pexels.

Joined By

The people who make Chicago weddings work, on the record. Three formats, no paid placements, every arrangement disclosed.

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    Ask the Vendor

    One pro, straight answers. What things cost, when to book, and what couples miss, in the vendor's own words with their name on it.

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    The Visit

    One place, in person. We show up, get pricing in writing, and report what a listing will not tell you.

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    The Panel

    Many pros, one question set. Five to eight Chicago vendors answer the same questions, side by side.

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The Wedding Planning Starter Kit

Eleven printable pages that get you moving in one sitting. Free when you join the newsletter.

  • What to do first
  • Vendor booking order
  • Budget categories
  • Venue questions
  • Vendor questions
  • 12-month planning checkpoints
  • Chicago planning notes
  • What to skip for now
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