Crystal Grand Banquets Review
Heirloom Event Company does not receive a commission for positive reviews or venue referrals for Crystal Grand Banquets.
When you think of stuffy banquet halls, Crystal Grand Banquets should not come to mind. This family-owned venue is a breath of fresh air in the banquet world—offering an affordable wedding experience with multiple layers of customization, all in a setting that’s surprisingly warm and welcoming.
Located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Crystal Grand offers a classic ballroom layout with a team that knows how to make your day feel personal. From the room draping and chandelier lighting to the ease of having in-house catering and bar services, this is a venue built for couples who want the full experience without starting from scratch. The team here has hospitality in their bones—and it shows.
Price
Crystal Grand Banquets is one of those rare venues where you truly get a lot of value for your investment. For a recent wedding, the couple paid $73 per person for 150 guests, which included:
Champagne or wine for toasts
Family-style dinner service
Open bar from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Standard centerpieces
Table linens and napkins
A deposit of $1,500 secured their date, with another $1,500 covering setup costs outside of the per-person spend, bringing the total investment for the venue and catering to approximately $13,450. For a Chicago-area wedding, this level of full-service affordability is remarkable.
Rating: 9/10
Planning Process
Straightforward, stress-free planning is every couple’s dream, and Crystal Grand Banquets delivers. Diana, our venue contact, showed genuine care and attention from start to finish. She was responsive, clear on pricing, and proactive in addressing logistics, which made the entire process seamless for both our couple and our team.
While the venue covers room rental and catering, we layered in several outside vendors to bring the couple’s vision to life, including:
A videographer ($2,250)
Two photographers ($3,500)
DJ services ($1,850)
Transportation ($3,200)
Floral design ($4,842)
A custom wedding cake
Diana made collaborating with outside vendors easy, tackling questions about lighting, AV, parking, and insurance with ease. That level of partnership ensured every detail flowed perfectly.
Rating: 3/10
Day-Of Execution
The venue offers two banquet halls, and for this couple, we shared day with a quinceañera. However, the venue’s thoughtful planning ensured privacy and seamless coordination for both celebrations. There was no interference beyond the shared restrooms. Each celebration felt fully separate and private.
The ceremony took place off-site at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, but the couple enjoyed an intimate first look in the venue’s charming outdoor green space beforehand. It’s an ideal nook for capturing intimate moments without needing to travel far.
Diana remained a reliable point of contact throughout the day, helping keep everything on track and ensuring vendors had what they needed. In a pinch, we both hopped in to decorate the wedding cake with delivered florals when the florist couldn’t stay for the cake drop.
The flexibility and team mentality made all the difference in delivering a polished final look.
Rating: 9/10
Is This the Venue for You?
For a guest count of 150, this wedding was impressively cost-effective, with the entire day coming in under $35,000—including a full vendor team, transportation, layered florals, and upgraded lighting. That kind of all-in pricing is rare in the Chicago area and makes Crystal Grand Banquets a standout choice for couples who value both experience and budget. With great food, smooth logistics, and a focus on hospitality, your guests are sure to leave happy.
That said, if you're envisioning an outdoor ceremony, a sleek modern design, or exclusive venue access this might not be the fit for you. But none of those elements took away from the couple’s vision or guest experience.
Crystal Grand Banquets is the ideal fit for couples who value budget-friendly elegance, exceptional hospitality, and a celebration that feels personal. If that sounds like your dream day, Crystal Grand might just be your perfect match.