• Ceremony Site - 100 People Max

• Gathering Space - 60 People Max

• Infants under 1 years old do not count in the headcount.

At The Blue Thistle, we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all. Our venue is not affiliated with any religious organization, and we proudly support the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you're planning a wedding, celebration, or any special gathering, we provide a safe and affirming environment for all couples and guests.

We’re available to host weddings and gatherings any day of the week! Whether you’re planning a weekday elopement or a weekend celebration, we’d love to be part of your special day.

We require 40% of the initial package and signed contract to book your wedding. The rest of the bill will be due in monthly or 2 remaining payments. We will confirm headcount 1 month before your event and the total must be paid in full 1 month before your wedding date.

Example:

40 Person Wedding

40% Deposit - $2,200.00

2nd Payment - $3,570.00

3rd Payment -$3,570.00

Forms of Accepted Payments:

• HoneyBooks Online Processor: You may pay conveniently online through your invoice portal. Please note that we charge 3.5% to process all credit/debit cards online. 

• Zelle: You may pay via Zelle to Blue Thistle Farm & Wedding Chapel at 847-740-1234 to avoid processing fees. 

• Cash/Check: You may arrange a time with us to drop off cash or checks. If you would like to mail a check, you may write the check out to "Blue Thistle Farm LLC" and send it to 37510 N Fairfield Road, Lake Villa IL 60046. Please notify us if you plan to do so. 

We require a $500.00 refundable deposit and signed contract to secure your date. The remaining balance will be due 1 month before the event date.

Forms of Accepted Payments:

• HoneyBooks Online Processor: You may pay conveniently online through your invoice portal. Please note that we charge 3.5% to process all credit/debit cards online. 

• Zelle: You may pay via Zelle to Blue Thistle Farm & Wedding Chapel at 847-740-1234 to avoid processing fees. 

• Cash/Check: You may arrange a time with us to drop off cash or checks. If you would like to mail a check, you may write the check out to "Blue Thistle Farm LLC" and send it to 37510 N Fairfield Road, Lake Villa IL 60046. Please notify us if you plan to do so. 

If you're getting married at The Blue Thistle, you'll need to pick up your marriage license from the Lake County Clerk’s office before the big day!

Address:
18 N County Street
Room 101
Waukegan, IL 60085

Phone: 847-377-2411

At The Blue Thistle, we specialize in thoughtfully curated event packages designed to simplify your planning while still offering room for personal touches. While we do not offer à la carte options, we provide a variety of add-ons that allow you to customize your experience within our existing packages. This approach helps ensure a smooth, seamless event while maintaining the quality and service we're known for.

At The Blue Thistle, we believe in giving you the freedom to create your day your way. You are welcome to bring in any licensed and insured vendors of your choice — there is no requirement to use our recommended vendors, and we do not charge any additional fees for outside vendors.

Please note that it is the client’s responsibility to thoroughly research, communicate with, and contract their chosen vendors. The Blue Thistle is not liable for any agreements or services provided by outside vendors, including those we may recommend. All vendor relationships and responsibilities rest solely between the client and the vendor.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, The Blue Thistle requires that all alcohol be served by a licensed and insured bartender or bartending company. Clients are responsible for providing all alcohol and mixers, while the bartender will supply their own tools and equipment. Self-serve alcohol or guest-poured drinks are not permitted. This policy helps us maintain compliance with local regulations and prioritize guest safety.

To ensure food safety and a smooth event experience, The Blue Thistle requires that all food be provided by a licensed caterer, restaurant, or grocery store. Homemade and pot-luck food is not allowed.

Example Allowed:

• Special accommodations for allergies (We will never discriminate)

• Chain Resturant, Grocery Store or Private Catering

• Store bought packaged goods

• Desserts - Bakery/Store/Cottage Law

• Goodie Bags

We love when our clients bring their unique style to life! Whether you’re booking a wedding package or renting the venue only, you are welcome to bring personalized décor to make your event truly yours. The same flexibility applies to gatherings — feel free to add your own decorative touches to enhance the experience.

All client-provided décor must be set up and removed within your rental timeframe. You and your team are fully responsible for setup and cleanup of any personal items. For safety and security reasons, vendors are not allowed to leave any décor, equipment, or rentals on-site overnight.

We love when furry friends are part of your special day! The Blue Thistle is a pet-friendly venue and welcomes well-behaved animals for ceremonies and photos. For the comfort and safety of all guests, a dedicated pet handler is required to be present and responsible for your pet at all times during the event.

Need a professional wedding pet-attendant? Check out our friends at Wags of Love

Yes! Our parking lot is equipped to hold 80 cars. If you’re hosting a larger crowd, we recommend assigning a parking attendant.

Weddings -

Deposit:

• The deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE to secure the date and services. This deposit holds the date and covers initial planning and administrative costs.

• Partial Payments: Refunded on a sliding scale based on how far in advance the cancellation occurs:

  • 6+ months before the event: 50% refund on additional payments.

  • 3-6 months before the event: 25% refund on additional payments.

  • 1-3 months before the event: 10% refund on additional payments.

  • Less than 1 month: No refund on additional payments.

  Rescheduling: 

  • Subject to Availability: Please note that all rescheduling is subject to available dates, and we cannot guarantee the availability of specific days. To maximize the chance of securing your preferred date, we encourage you to select and confirm your rescheduled date as soon as possible. Rescheduling requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment. 

  • You must reschedule your event within 1 year of your original event date. 

  • We charge a $350.00 rescheduling fee. 

Security Deposit: $500.00 

• The Security Deposit is REFUNDABLE. This deposit secures your event date and provides coverage for any potential property damages, loss or damage of items, and overtime use of the rental space. The security deposit reserves your event date and serves as coverage for any property damage, loss or damage to items, and any overtime use of the rental space.

• The Security Deposit will be returned 1-7 business days post your event date. 

•  The Security Deposit is only NON-REFUNDABLE if your event is canceled within 30 days of the scheduled date.

Partial Payments: Refunded on a sliding scale based on how far in advance the cancellation occurs:

• 6+ months before the event: 50% refund on additional payments.

• 3-6 months before the event: 25% refund on additional payments.

• 1-3 months before the event: 10% refund on additional payments.

• Less than 1 month: No refund on additional payments.

Rescheduling: 

• Subject to Availability: Please note that all rescheduling is subject to available dates, and we cannot guarantee the availability of specific days. To maximize the chance of securing your preferred date, we encourage you to select and confirm your rescheduled date as soon as possible. Rescheduling requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment. 

• You must reschedule your event within 1 year of your original event date. 

• We charge a $350.00 rescheduling fee.