Why We Love Working at The Crawford Venue in Naperville
Photography Credit: Ethan Walsweer - Sincerely EWM | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
At Sholeh Events, we’re always on the lookout for venues that offer more than just a pretty backdrop—they need to be welcoming, versatile, and truly memorable for our couples and their guests. That’s why The Crawford in Naperville holds a special place in our hearts as one of the most elegant wedding venues in the western suburbs.
As a wedding planner based in Naperville who is on the Crawford’s preferred vendor list, we have had many opportunities to work at The Crawford and wanted to share some of those with you. Please reach out if you have any questions!
What We Love Most
1. A Thoughtfully Designed Space
The interior of The Crawford is just stunning. With its soaring ceilings, industrial-modern finishes, and huge windows that flood the room with natural light, it creates an open, airy atmosphere perfect for weddings of all styles. Whether our couples are going for classic romance or sleek minimalism, The Crawford is flexible so that we can really lean into the look and feel of their wedding and make it their own.
The patio is a flexible outdoor space that can be utilized for a first look, ceremony, cocktail hour, or anything else that you can imagine. There is also a beautiful lawn where you can take photos with your wedding party.
The Chapel and Billiards room all flow together or can be closed off with doors to allow you to plan your various activities, or have one part of the wedding party get ready in one space with privacy.
Photography Credit: Ethan Walsweer - Sincerely EWM | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
2. Location, Location, Location
Located right off of I-88 in north Naperville, this venue makes it easy for guests to enjoy the full wedding weekend experience. There are incredible hotels, restaurants, and photo spots within a short drive—something our couples (and their out-of-town guests!) absolutely love. It’s only 10 minutes from the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville, and surrounded by forest preserves and beautiful parks. It makes logistics seamless and adds so much value to the celebration.
Photography Credit: Ethan Walsweer - Sincerely EWM | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
3. Flexibility for Ceremony + Reception
We especially appreciate how The Crawford is set up to accommodate both ceremony and reception in one fluid space. The flow from one part of the day to the next feels natural and comfortable—something that takes the stress off everyone involved, including our vendors! Multiple spaces (The ballroom, chapel, patio, and billiards room, along with a wedding suite for the couple) allow couples to choose a variety of options.
Photography Credit: Jess Lizette Photography | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
Photography Credit: Ethan Walsweer - Sincerely EWM | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
Photography Credit: Jess Lizette Photography | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
4. Open Vendor Policy
One of the best parts of The Crawford is the fact that you can bring in any vendor you choose as long as they are licensed and insured, and you just need permission from the venue to bring in someone who isn’t on their preferred vendor list. This allows couples to stay within budget and have a unique wedding that suits them.
Photography Credit: Jess Lizette Photography | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
5. The Details Matter
From the lighting to the custom bar setup and even the getting-ready suite, every detail at The Crawford has been thought through. One of my favorite elements are the Edison bulb lights that can be lowered or raised at various points throughout the event to create a dramatic look. I also really appreciate the built-in lounge furniture in the billiards room, which saves money and has a timeline look.
Photography Credit: Ethan Walsweer - Sincerely EWM | https://www.thecrawfordvenue.com/
If you’re dreaming of a wedding in the western suburbs with downtown convenience, incredible design, and a venue team that feels like family, we can’t recommend The Crawford enough. We’ve had the honor of planning weddings here that are as unique as the couples themselves—and we’d love to help bring yours to life too.
Let’s chat about how The Crawford could be the perfect setting for your big day. We’d love to show you what’s possible.
Warmly,
The Sholeh Events Team
