Creating Extraordinary Experiences...
Holds ceremonies and receptions
Linda Schuemann
SENIOR CATERING SALES MANAGER
Typically responds within 24h
From the walk down the aisle to the final farewell, Elara Convention Center at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake ensures every detail of your wedding reflects your individuality.
Facilities and Capacity
The newly renovated Elara Convention Center is 19,500 square feet with 18 function rooms. The ballroom is over 11,000 square feet and accommodates weddings up to 1,200 guests. The wraparound outdoor deck overlooking our private pond is perfect for a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or pre-reception cocktails. Elara Banquets at The Holiday Inn is just what you're looking for to create extraordinary experiences for your wedding day.
In addition to our state-of-the-art convention center, Elara, the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake features 197 newly renovated guest rooms on 6 floors, including 86 double bed rooms, 95 king rooms, and 16 suites. All guest rooms feature high-speed internet access, on-demand movies, HBO, and Keurig Coffee Makers. Guests will enjoy dining at the award-winning restaurant, gathering at the lobby cocktail lounge, and unwinding in the fitness, or at the area's largest resort-like indoor pool.
Services Offered
When you choose Elara Banquets at The Holiday Inn Crystal Lake for your wedding, your Sales Catering Manager will work with you to create customized menus from our onsite catering and help you determine each detail to make your wedding day memorable. From intimate affairs to grand events, our 19,500 square feet state-of-the-art Elara is the first step in creating extraordinary experiences for your wedding day.
With an unwavering dedication to making this day a priceless memory, Elara Banquets at The Holiday Inn Crystal Lake provides personalized event planning for wedding ceremonies, receptions, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, post wedding brunches and bridal showers. Choose from provided barware, flatware, linens, china, and glassware as well as a variety of audio visual services available to add on to your wedding package. Complimentary parking with shuttle service. Wheelchair accessible.
Location
Just 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Elara Banquets at The Holiday Inn Crystal Lake is situated in a community full of charm and personality. Surrounded by lush acreage overlooking the quaint Lake Acorn The Holiday Inn is McHenry County’s most complete hotel and conference center.
The community of Crystal Lake is an outdoor lover’s paradise! In their free time, your visiting guests can experience swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, kayaking and wakeboarding. Rich in historical charm, they can discover the Dole Mansion, Colonel Palme, or Bettendorf Castle or spend a whole afternoon exploring Downtown Crystal Lake’s shops and dining.
Asian-owned Business
38+ years in business
Speaks Arabic, English, Hindi, Indonesian, Spanish
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
On-Site Accommodations
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Ballroom
Hotel
Restaurant
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Planning
Food & Catering
Planning
Destination Wedding Planning
Wedding Design
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Transportation
Shuttle Service
Any questions?
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 4
- Francisca HeadrickDirector of Sales40 years of Hospitality experience I enjoy working from a place of integrity, warmth, and purpose. Helping each client find the way to their dream event,
- Linda SchuemannSenior Catering Sales ManagerCreative, Caring, Client first approach….With over two decades of experience in hospitality and event sales, Linda Schuemann is a seasoned leader known for her strategic vision, client-first approach, and deep understanding on how to make dreams come true. Whether orchestrating elegant weddings, high-profile corporate functions, or intimate social gatherings, Linda’s dedication to quality, creativity, and client satisfaction makes her an invaluable asset to our team—and a trusted advisor to every client.
- Safitri (Fi) ThortonCatering Sales ManagerFi brings clarity, warmth, and vision to every event. With over two decades of hospitality experience she brings that count on me culture to every conversation. She will help craft every detail of your wedding, so it is a reflection of your individuality.
- Amanda FrederickCatering Sales ManagerAmanda has a long history of designing events that wow our customers and their guests.
Reviews
4.5
out of 5.013 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Shajee H
Highlighted review.
5.0
10/06/2025
My wedding reception was held at Elara in May of 2024 and it went as smooth as planned. We worked with the manager, Linda, who was exceptional in making sure we didn't run into any...
issues leading up to the event. We had guests coming from out of town which made this venue even more attractive and convenient. The location is nice, rooms are clean and service for the guests, including at the event, was beyond great. This was our 2nd wedding in the family held at this location and we already have a 3rd one booked for later in the year here.
I also don't know of another venue that has a helipad for a grand entrance. The guests at my wedding still talk about the wonderful experience they had.
Kiran A
5.0
11/01/2025
Our wedding at Elara was amazing! The venue was stunning, the staff was incredibly professional and attentive, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. We couldn’t have as...
ked for a better experience!
Any questions?
Laney Q
4.0
11/28/2022
This space was perfect for our reception! There were a few hiccups in terms of scheduling things, but they were fairly minor for the most part. Our coordinator was great and happy...
to answer any questions that we had.
Heather A
5.0
10/12/2022
We had our ceremony and reception here. The Holiday Inn staff was fantastic! Sara V. Was our catering sales manager and she handled everything. She was absolutely wonderful! The da...
y was perfect. Sara was extremely attentive and quick to answer all questions. So glad we had our wedding here.
Shannon O
5.0
10/19/2019
We had our wedding at this hotel and it was so perfect thanks to Barbara Hertel the catering sales manager. She had such a positive attitude and worked so hard to make sure every d...
etail of our big day was wonderful. She helped calm my nerves the day of the wedding. Even the day after she checked on us and made sure we had everything. She communicated with us through every step. All of the staff was very kind. The man at the front desk even upgraded our room the night after the wedding. I highly recommend this venue for weddings.
Hope S
4.0
8/26/2019
We had our wedding reception here. Barbara was our wedding planner, she was fantastic! She gets 5 stars for sure. However, wedding day food was a little less than fantastic. Some o...
f the other hotel workers were rude and not super helpful. The pricing was good, and they worked with our budget. I would recommend having a wedding here for sure, its a lovely hotel, and they just updated their rooms and event center. New Light fixtures, wall paper, and carpeting.
Anna P
5.0
9/15/2018
From top to bottom, the Holiday Inn did an AMAZING job of making my wedding dreams come true. The food was excellent, the cake was GORGEOUS, and the service was impeccable. Lisa Mi...
les, our coordinator at the Holiday Inn went above and beyond to ensure that I had the wedding of my dreams. From providing the awesome bridal suite to get ready in to helping us pick out just the right markers to use on our guest book, I can’t say enough about how amazing Lisa was. She even helped us coordinate our Cocktail Hour and Post-Wedding Brunch. Melanie and Jeff with food and beverage did an outstanding job with making the weekend spectacular as well!
Allie B
5.0
1/15/2017
Perfect!!! We loved the size of the room and the hotel. We had our ceremony and reception in the same room here and it turned out great! Erin was great to work with and answered al...
l my questions and made the process easy for me in planning! Day of went smooth and everything worked out great- wait staff and bartenders were great too. Lobby bar was a nice place to go after the reception.
Stephanie U
3.0
10/27/2015
This review is for Holiday Inn Express Lake Zurich/Barrington. They did not contact us to schedule shuttle until 4 days before wedding even though our contract stated they would c...
ontact us 4 weeks before. Then they told us the shuttle was not available. After several phone calls, etc., they finally booked our shuttle just days before the wedding. On the day of, they did not give all the guests welcome bags we made (what a waste!) and the 24 hour hot tub was broken! This was the only vendor that was truly disappointing!
Maureen F
5.0
8/05/2013
We had our reception at the Holiday Inn and could not have been happier! I always said I did not want a generic hotel reception but the Holiday Inn definitely helped to create my v...
ision. They took care of everything, the food was delicious, and the hotel itself was very comfortable for our guests!
Lisa r
4.0
6/10/2012
everyone had a nice stay and kept them close to the ceremony.
Lisa P
4.0
8/05/2011
We loved the final product of our wedding, but had some problems with the managers to get to that point. They were really great in working within our budget, and the site was beau...
tiful. However, we had problems coordinating our block of rooms for our guests, and had to revise our final contracts several times due to errors on the part of the managers. In the end, we were very pleased with how the room was set up, and we received many compliments on the food. I would definitely recommend them, just make sure you stay on top of everything to avoid mistakes.
Darby B
5.0
9/08/2007
I loved the fact that people could go right from the party up to their rooms. I didn't have to worry about people drinking and driving. I loved that they were very willing to work ...
with us and do anything they could to make my day that more special.;The only bad thing that happen was the gift table was put right by the door. People from the other wedding came in used our bar, took favors, and there were envelopes missing from the gift table.
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Elara Convention Center
Linda Schuemann
|
Senior Catering Sales Manager
Typically responds within 24h
Wedding vendors in Crystal Lake
Elara Convention Center
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