The Crystal Gardens At Navy Pier

s and they decided to give us a call back after we already made a deposit on another venue. I was not comfortable giving them my money after practically begging them. Super disappointed.. we love Navy Pier! We were very let down.

our guests couldn't stop talking about how awesome everything looked. We loved that we didn't really need to spend money on up-lighting or other decor because the space itself is so cool on it's own. Michelle was great to work with and always answered all of our many questions - she took care of the details on the day of so we felt like we didn't need to worry about it. You can tell that she likes what she's doing. We also appreciated that she was very straightforward. The cost of the reception was exactly what we expected based on our first meeting, and honestly cheaper than some of the other places we looked in Chicago - which is shocking because it's such an incredible space. The appetizers and bar service were fantastic (seriously, the apps were the highlight for us, and our guests never had to wait in a long line at the bar for drinks). The dinner was ok - definitely far from the worst wedding food we've had, but not the absolute best. The service itself was great. They were really accommodating to our guests (finding space to let them charge cameras and phones that would be tucked away, bringing out coffee ahead of dinner when people asked). Overall, it really ended up being the perfect day, and if we could do it all over again, we'd absolutely choose to do it at the Crystal Garden's.

Pier attractions, view of the Chicago skyline and the new ferris wheel made for a truly memorable evening (not to mention the fireworks display)!

very good and we had many compliments from our families and loved ones. We would highly recommend this venue for you're wedding or next event!

nk you, Kaylan! As for the location, when we first walked in, we knew this was the venue to beat: the trickling fountains, the green flora, the singing birdies, the gorgeous light fixtures, the outdoor feel with indoor comfort, the quirky fairgrounds, the lake... What made our choice a no-brainer was the surprisingly reasonable price for the partial space, which includes Kaylan's hard work, amazingly tasty catering of drinks and foods by Phil Stefani, and a nice selection of linens. The entire experience was absolutely magical. Two tips: Tip No 1: The partial space is perfect! Don't worry about feeling exposed or too public - the wooden shutters block out people and the security guards do a spectacular job keeping crashers out. And sound travels so poorly that outside noise never makes it into your space... which brings me to Tip No 2: Sound travels really poorly in the gardens, so MAKE SURE you have a good sound system, usually provided by your DJ or band. Crystal Gardens FTW!!!

he Crystal Gardens made planning very easy. I really loved working with Kaylan and am so thankful for all that she did to make our day run so smoothly. I HIGHLY recommend having your ceremony and reception here!

e staff the day of was great. Everyone was so willing to do what they can to make sure everything was perfect. The fireworks during the reception was a huge hit. I highly recommend this venue, definitely worth the money!

ess.

eel as a backdrop. However, what made our experience wholesome was the service provided by the staff including our coordinator Michelle. She was patient and accommodating even as our guest count kept growing and all the complications that came with that. Our guests loved every bit of it, the food, the presentation, the service and so did we. We would confidently recommend The Crystal Gardens to any one!

ent smoothly and as planned. (What more could a bride ask for?!) the food was amazing and everything turned out beautiful. We are still getting complements on both almost 4 months later! The venues beauty speaks for itself. We had both the wedding ceremony and reception here and it was like two completely different venues. Gorgeous in the daylight and once it got dark it was like a whole new place. It accommodated our 250 guests easily and there was more than enough room for everyone. We were able to take pictures on the carousel which was so fun and turned out great! I cannot recommend this venue enough. I couldn't have asked for a better place to have my wedding and would have it there all over again! It made you feel like you were outdoors during the day without the worries of Chicago weather (a definite unneeded stressor on the wedding day). All the guests were comfortable so the heat was not a problem either (as the wedding was in July). Thank you Michelle and crystal gardens for helping to make the wedding of our dreams a reality! This day will never be forgotten! Cannot cleat thank you enough!!

penny extra. A month or so before the wedding we wanted to make a change that reduced the cost a bit (we got rid of a dessert) and they had no problem letting us do so. But most importantly they were GREAT to work with. The Chef was kind and accommodating, the staff that evening were spot on, and the venue was gorgeous. And oh, by the way, they don't charge for use of the room! As long as you use Phil Stefani as the caterer - the room is free! Try finding that somewhere else downtown. Everything was pretty much perfect - we can't think of even one hiccup when it come to the Crystal Gardens. They even did a smaller second tasting for us when we wanted to change some of out own ideas around! All in all, they were gracious, flexible, kind, generous, and delightful to work with. We couldn't recommend them more.

ONE WHO ATTENDED RAVED ABOUT THE FOOD!!! **Not to mention the fireworks ;) Kaylan (the sales manager) is at the top of her game! Accommodated us with whatever we needed. COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WE CHOSE THE CRYSTAL GARDENS!!! RECOMMENDED TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE TO HAVE THEIR EVENT THERE!!!

first inquiry with a coordinator to picking up your decorations after the wedding, they will give you what they promise WITHOUT EXCEPTION! The venue is unlike any other "cookie cutter" banquet hall, our guests used adjectives such as enchanting, magical, flawless, perfect and seamless! The atrium itself, with its' palm trees, white lighting, jumping waters and natural stone flooring is phenomenal! But an amazing venue does not a success story make! The staff works together like a finely tuned machine! Everyone from your coordinator, to the servers, kitchen staff, waiters, bartenders, coat check, security right down to the washroom attendants work seamlessly as a unit to ensure that your event runs smoothly from start to finish! Kaylan Ramella was our coordinator! New to the Gardens and replacing Sharon, our original contact, we were a little concerned how she would fill the large shoes of her predecessor! Well, she impressed the heck out of us!!! Her communication with our daughter, even about the smallest of details, was quick, efficient and pleasant! The night of the wedding, she and her staff had all in place to even the tiniest detail, so that we were able to just walk in and enjoy! She was in constant contact with either myself or the bride further ensuring that things were going smoothly all through the night! The set-up of the ceremony and breakdown of same went unnoticed even to our guests. I cannot say enough about how invaluable her input, suggestions, expertise and overall genuine kindness added to the amazing outcome of the reception! The food.....Fernando, the catering manager, who introduced himself to us at the tasting, takes so much pride in what he does, it was no surprise that the food, from the first appetizer to the very last pastry cornet, was delicious and served with impeccable style just as we had seen at the tasting! If you are looking for a venue for a wedding or any other event, the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier will give you EXACTLY what they promise, without exception!

ening with white twinkling lights suspended from the ceiling, illuminated palm trees, the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel and carousel (which a few of our guests actually went for a ride) all with the Chicago skyline in the background. The bar area is great, large service area so our guest lines were virtually non-existent with a large partially covered balcony and beautiful view. The food, Phil Stefani Catering was very good, and their selections are wide ranging to accommodate anyone’s preference. They are also very flexible and willing to accommodate special requests, like dry ice in drinks, bar upgrades, signature drinks, etc. The wait and bar tending staff was excellent, very friendly and receptive our every need. Of course, Sharon Powers, CG coordinator, was our first contact and the one responsible for getting the ball rolling. She was truly wonderful to work with and the heart & soul of everything we did. Her infectious personality is what sold us on CG. It started with her, and just blossomed with all her recommendations. Not everything is perfect at any venue, so a few things to consider. If your budget allows, book the whole room. I do not recommend the half room, takes away from the magic and is open to the public. The entrance way to the bar area (restaurant) is not very appealing and needs to be considered in your budget to cover up depending on your taste. We went elegant, so wanted it covered. CG did work with us to offset the cost The floor is a stamped concrete with a rough surface, difficult for women to walk on so offer flip flops Overall, a unique magical venue that is true Chicago that you and your guests will never forget. One of a kind!

onderland with the ferris wheel and skyline in the background. Sharon Powers was wonderful to work with a very accommodating. She was always there to answer e-mails and questions SUPER quickly and went above and beyond for us. She made sure that everything was taken care of and made us feel special. She even came over at the beginning of dinner with a special plate of the appetizers for us to try, which was super nice because we didn't get to try any of them because we were so busy talking to people during the cocktail hour :) The food was also great (we received many compliments from our guests about how wonderful the food was). The pasta was the biggest hit, and the filet was a close 2nd.

ghts up the entire glass wall on the side of the venue. On top of that, Sharon Powers, our coordinator, went above and beyond making sure that our night was spectacular. The food was incredible and so was the service. Thank you, Sharon, and all of the other staff at The Crystal Gardens, for one of the best nights of my husband's and my life!

his venue. From the gorgeous scenery in the daytime to the magnificence of the lights inside and on the ferris wheel and swings outside, to the fireworks...just unbelievable. Amazing food. Complete perfection. I would also like to say that Sharon Powers was our coordinator there and couldn't have been any better. She went above and beyond in every way possible, was always extremely helpful and kind and cheerful, and was extremely responsive to our needs by responding 100% of the time shortly after we would contact her. My mom and I had many conversations about how amazing she is. Sharon made my wedding a pleasure to plan. I can't rave about her enough. I can't imagine having had my wedding anywhere else!

responded extremely quickly, and always answered any and all questions. Even a year plus out, she made me feel like a priority, and like I mattered and wasn't just another bride. The food here is exquisite. And it's not "wedding food", meaning that it's delicious at the tasting and then comes out completely different at the wedding. I was beyond pleased with the food and drink. The space transforms itself in the span of the evening. When it's light out, it's lush and bright, and then becomes a twinkling wonderland with a ferris wheel and skyscape background. I'm SO excited to see the pictures. There are so many places to choose from when you're having a wedding, and I'm so glad we went with this particular one!!!

ent and Fernando (head chef) was very flexible and creative, honoring our "Irish" and "Chicago" themes... We have been complimented by so many of our guests on the delicious food and drinks... and the impeccable service/everyone was offered even more food! There was never a line at the bar which is impressive at a wedding with 270 guests and Irish roots. :) Sharon was so lovely... and made my life so much easier as an out-of-town bride! She went above and beyond helping with all of our vendors and even storing and re-packing all of our decorations after the big event. We are so happy to have worked with her! All in all... A magical venue that is made even better by the fabulous staff whom work there!

ly is the venue beautifully decorated and kept up, but the service there is just as wonderful. Sharon Powers is an amazing resource for any bride to have when planning a wedding as she was always willing to provide guidance and her opinion on how to make the day extra special. She was always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that my wedding day was exactly what I dreamed about. The food is amazing, and if you want to get a feel for the food, visit a Phil Stefani restaurant, and you will be impressed by the quality of the food. The wait staff did a phenomenal job on my actual wedding day, never skipping a beat, or missing a cue to meet our guests' needs. This is a venue that is one-of-a-kind, and unlike any other banquet hall or ballroom. We received so many compliments on the overall experience of our wedding, and a lot of that was because of the venue and the atmosphere of the gardens. We absolutely loved working with the Crystal Gardens and Navy Pier, and look forward to taking trips back there to reminisce.

in town from Europe and the east and west coasts. This venue gave me a great opportunity to show off the city of Chicago with outstanding skyline views and a really unique, beautiful space. I worked with Sharon through the entire process and she is truly outstanding at what she does. She's super easy to work with and very quick to respond. I appreciated her helping me through the entire process, but do think it's important that you have a day-of coordinator there for load-ins and the event. The food was awesome and our guests really appreciated the signature drink that was thrown in for the ceremony. The only issue I had was that it is a public location, and although we had the partial gardens reserved, particularly prior to our ceremony, there were a LOT of people milling around, trying to get in to our blocked off area and causing a bit of noise during the ceremony. This was quite frustrating, but I suppose comes along with the nature of the venue. Overall, I couldn't have asked for anything better.

about how awesome our reception was and some of our guests even rode the ferris wheel! We couldn't be happier, it was more expensive than we'd planned originally but we decided that there is no better reason than to throw the best party we could to celebrate our marriage with our family and friends. It was a perfect night and we will have great memories because this place is so unique and beautiful.

fani signature events) was delicious. Sharon, the planner at the gardens is amazing to work with and so helpful!

food was fabulous. We did 3 stations of food and no planned seating and the guests raved about it all night and after the wedding.