60 W Walton St,
Chicago, IL 60610
312-943-9090
View their website
Average Base Cost: $30,000
Our average base cost for a Newberry Library wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a Saturday night ceremony/reception using a food/beverage cost of $150/pp. Entertainment, flowers, furniture, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax is included.
*Prices subject to change
How it breaks down:
Facility Rental Fee: The fees break down as follows. Note that events typically take place in Ruggles Hall and/or the Lobby.
- Saturdays $7,500
- Fridays and Sundays are $7,000
What’s Included:
- 6 hours for the event and 3 hours for load in/out
- 60″ and 72″ rounds
- 4′, 6′, 8′ rectangles
- High boy and cabaret tables
- Mahogany opera chairs
- Cake table on wheels
- Assorted other fixtures and decor
Food and Beverage: The average event at the Newberry is $90-120 pp, not including alcohol. All of the caterers on the exclusive list allow clients to bring their own alcohol. (Oooh! We like!)
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Extras:
Additional time to the 6 hour event would be an extra cost that would need to be built in to the initial contract. Couples can hold both their ceremony and reception with no additional cost as long as it fits into the contracted window of time.
More Stats:
Space Type: Inside
Size: For a seated dinner, 208. Strolling cocktail events do have a larger capacity of 250-300 using both the Lobby and Ruggles Hall.
Bridal Suite: Yes
Parking: 35 complimentary guest parking spaces are available in the venue lot. They also offer discounted parking at a nearby garage.
How Will Grandma Get There? There are several downtown hotels nearby, including the Sofitel, Waldorf Astoria and The Tremont.
Party On! Midnight, unless additional time is added to the contract.
The Report:
The Newberry was founded in 1887 after Chicago businessman Walter L. Newberry left a sizeable donation for a free, public” library on the north side of the Chicago River. The library moved into its permanent home on West Walton Street in 1893. The Newberry Library is located directly across the street from Washington Square Park, where many couples choose to get married. The rental fee for a 2-hour ceremony in Washington Square Park is $480.
Fun Fact: The main character, Henry, in the book The Time Traveler’s Wife, works at the Newberry.
Woman Getting Married Says:
I’m personally a big fan of library wedding venues. They’re historical and usually laid out well and just have an overall romantic vibe. The Newberry Library is certainly no exception, and the location can’t be beat. I’d highly consider doing a ceremony in Washington Square Park and then bringing the party over to the library. Bonus? You can BYOB to the Newberry Library, which is a HUGE plus.
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