In the world of weddings, experts are saying that September and October are the new June. And that means we are entering the very beginning of wedding season in Kankakee County! Cue the brides and grooms making those last-minute adjustments to the guest list, submitting final head counts to their caterers, and finding those “day of” gifts for groom/bride, moms, dads, grandparents, and the wedding party. Luckily everything needed for that special day can be found right here in Kankakee County!
For those couples getting a head start for next year’s wedding season or even the following year, Kankakee County is your one stop shop for all things wedding. From the venue to the food, the photographer to flowers, Kankakee County businesses and entrepreneurs will have you covered.
One of the first things couples think about after getting engaged (or in my case before) is where. Where will we get married? What venue will be able to accommodate our guest list? What venue will have the vibe that we like? Kankakee County has a multitude of venues to choose from to please so many different types of couples. If you’re looking for a venue rich in history, check out the B. Harley Bradley House overlooking the Kankakee River, the Kankakee County Museum, the Charlton Room, The Bennett-Curtis House, The Kankakee Depot or The Majestic. If you’re a more traditional couple check out Chalfant Hall, Gathering Point, Kankakee Civic Auditorium or Knights of Columbus. If you’re wanting to catch the outdoor breeze and colors try Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, Willowhaven Park & Nature Center, area golf courses or the unique Locavore Farm. Locavore offers a beautiful farm venue with animals roaming the pasture and a few stray goats. Your guests will be seated at a 110-foot table for a literal farm to table dining experience. If the great outdoors isn’t for you, we also have venues such as Adventure Commons and the Kankakee County Fairgrounds that offer a more casual feel. And for couples wanting a one stop shop, we have two hotels that can help with almost all facets of the special day: Best Western Plus Bourbonnais Hotel & Suites and Quality Inn & Suites.
Now that the perfect venue is chosen, and the date is set its time to talk about something equally as important as location: photography and videography. Like your venue, photographers and videographers can only be in one wedding per day so booking quickly is key. It’s important to do some research on the styles of photography and videography. Whether you’re looking for a dark and moody vibe or something lighter and brighter, Kankakee County is home to some amazing photographers and videographers that can help capture your day perfectly. If you’re from the area or planning from outside of the county, having a reliable photographer from Kankakee County can be extremely helpful. Not only will they have the best location suggestions for engagement photos, and in most cases, they will either know or have worked with the owner of the venue which in turn will make your special day run very smoothly.
Once the stress of finding the perfect venue and perfect photographer/videographer is taken care of, then the fun part starts! I’m talking about tastings. It’s important that you and your guests enjoy the food and dessert at your reception. There is a plethora of catering options to choose from. From traditional catering options like The Country Table, Jimmy Jo’s BBQ, and The Bennett-Curtis House to more health-conscious options such as Stella Bear Foods who offers gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options, Kankakee County culinary connoisseurs have you covered. We’ve even got a great selection of food trucks for late night snacks or the nontraditional couple that wants options for their main meal! And when its time for the dessert course, our local bakeries specialize in many different dessert categories such as traditional cakes and cupcakes or trendy donuts and macarons. Regardless of who you choose, your courses are sure to impress.
Next up on the list is flowers! From bouquets, to center pieces, to decorative floral arrangements, you want someone you can count on. Kankakee County is home to many trustworthy florists. From the wonderful owners of the many floral shops in the county to the young entrepreneurs specializing in full-service wedding and event florals, you’re sure to have the most beautiful and elegant florals for you special day.
Finally, what will you wear? Its time to find the perfect dress, bridesmaid dresses, mothers dresses, flower girl dresses and suits. Bliss Bridal has every style of dress a bride could dream of as well as package deals to help you cut down costs. They can also help with finding the perfect jewelry, shoes, and other accessories to help complete your look and will also recommend gifts for the mothers, fathers, groomsmen, and bridesmaids.
After all the big things are out of the way, all that’s left to do is make sure your guests are taken care of. That’s where the Visit Kankakee County team comes into play. Hand over the responsibilities of hotel blocks to us. We work closely with the hotels in the area and will work hard to get you the best rates for all your guests. With the team of Kankakee County on your side, your wedding day is sure to be everything you’ve ever dreamed!
