Elizabeth F Cheney Mansion — Attraction in Oak Park

I chose this venue because of its historic charm and unique character, and while it is beautiful, the amount of stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights it caused was honestly not worth it.

To start, they are extremely rigid with their list of “preferred vendors,” and despite claiming to have great relationships with them, it quickly became clear those relationships are more about kickbacks than quality coordination. The tent vendor situation was particularly frustrating. I was pushed to use their recommended provider, only to find out — too late — that the venue had no clue about that vendor’s logistical requirements. Despite repeatedly telling them that I was planning an outdoor reception, they gave me a laughably short two-hour setup window, expecting a tent, full décor, catering, and everything else to be ready in that time. Totally unrealistic. They eventually allowed just the tent to be set up earlier.

Worse, the staff seemed to have no shared understanding of the venue’s rules. I have emails where different team members contradict each other — on major things like setup times and allowed equipment. And don’t get me started on the DJ and music restrictions. They stressed everything had to be battery-operated, yet still managed to ban battery-operated sparklers for being a fire hazard? It just didn’t make any sense.

Communication was also a nightmare. I called multiple times about different issues such as renting heaters — no answer. I would try to call during work hours. Emails are the only form of communication they respond to. Then on the day of the wedding, they emailed me saying they turned the heaters away.

During the event, things only got worse. We had a mariachi singer (not a full band) performing at 6 p.m. on Memorial Day weekend, and were repeatedly harassed by staff about noise complaints — even during speeches. Yes, the manager literally came up to me, the bride, mid-speech, to tell me neighbors were threatening to call the police. I kept wondering, is this their first wedding ever? The mic wasn’t even loud.

The venue could be great — but only for small, intimate weddings, maybe under 60 guests. Anything larger becomes way too complicated. The interior lacks a proper dance floor, and their “ideal flow” of food inside/dancing outside doesn’t really work. You’ll spend the whole night shuffling people and plates.

Constructive feedback: Train your staff consistently so they all understand — and communicate — the same rules. Be upfront about what’s feasible for outdoor events. And if you’re going to force couples into using preferred vendors, at least be informed about what those vendors need.

In short: gorgeous place, but unless your wedding is small and you’re okay following their every (often unclear) rule, be prepared for a bumpy ride.

I did love my wedding, but be mindful it costs me way more (outside vendors, additional hours) to put it together. I lost lots of items in their lightning speed clean up...

My experience with Cheney Mansion as our wedding venue was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we chose this picturesque location, it became clear that we had made a perfect choice. Cheney Mansion, along with their wonderful coordinator Susan, went above and beyond to make our special day unforgettable.

One of the standout aspects of Cheney Mansion was the beautiful property. The team's ability to bring our vision to life was truly remarkable. We used the greenhouse for our first look and the pictures were breathtaking. The garden is well tended and gorgeous, the getting ready rooms are spacious and bright, and the patio and solarium are just perfection.

Throughout the day, Susan, our point of contact, played an instrumental role in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Susan's dedication and professionalism were evident from the beginning. She went above and beyond her duties, taking on tasks like fixing broken decor without hesitation and receiving dessert at the door. Her ability to welcome guests and make them feel at ease was truly remarkable. Susan also seamlessly communicated with our other vendors, ensuring that all aspects of our wedding were coordinated flawlessly.

Perhaps one of the most commendable aspects of Susan's work was her ability to help us stick to our timeline. Weddings are known for their tight schedules, and Susan managed it with finesse. She accommodated last-minute changes, like adjusting our plans due to the heat, with grace and efficiency. Her adaptability and problem-solving skills were invaluable in making our day perfect.

In conclusion, Cheney Mansion provided us with a wedding experience that exceeded our wildest dreams. Their kindness, professionalism, and creativity were second to none. Susan, in particular, deserves special recognition for her outstanding efforts in ensuring our day was flawless. If you're searching for a wedding venue that goes the extra mile to create a magical experience, look no further than Cheney Mansion. Thank you to the entire team, and a heartfelt thank you to Susan for her exceptional work and dedication. Our day wouldn't have been the same...

On June 1, 2024, we had a disappointing experience at the Cheney Mansion during my wedding. We had planned for a small wedding with around 30 guests, but due to rain, we had to move everything inside the mansion. Upon arrival, we were met with an unfriendly worker named Santa, who seemed upset about the rain and the extra work. I requested a specific way to set up the wedding, but she did not listen and had the vendors set up according to her preferences, using less space to minimize her work. We were only allocated a part of the mansion, not the entire first floor and I wasn't provided with a dressing room. Santa allowed to stay in the bridal suite but kicked out my children, even though I needed their help to get ready.

Santa announced to our guests and vendors "It's raining and the wedding is canceled," which was disheartening for all of us to find out. Throughout the afternoon, she continued to complain and falsely claimed that she had reached out to both me and the groom.

During the wedding, the same worker scolded us for choosing the smaller wedding package, embarrassing us in front of our guests. She kept informing everyone that we were only entitled to certain things because we purchased the petite package. Additionally, the next day when we picked up our belonging they didn't include our cake and cupcakes. They called when we got back on the road to tell us. We were forced to give it to them to the mansion worker. A week later, I tried to contact her supervisor but didn't receive a response from Cheney Mansion.

I am very disappointed with the way we were treated at the Cheney Mansion simply because we purchased the smaller package. It makes me wonder what package would have been suitable for our 25-person wedding?

Don't get me wrong it's a beautiful place to get married but if it wasn't for the other vendors it would have been a...