The Best Wedding Planners in Essex, IL

The Best Wedding Planners in Essex, IL

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166 Wedding Planners in Essex, IL

Quick responder
CM Planning LLC 

5.0

  • Offers 7 services
  • Starts at $25
  • Serves Essex, IL

At CM Planning LLC, we understand that your wedding day is one of the most significant moments of your life, and we are here to ensure it unfolds seamlessly, allowing you to savor every precious moment. Our services cater to diverse budgets and needs. Customized packages accommodate every event, even for untraditional schedules. No need to stress—whether you want full wedding planning or day-of coordination, we’ve got you covered. Can’t find what you need? Contact us to create a personalized package. Explore our a la carte options, including vendor sourcing, timeline creation, wedding set up or tear down, and decor transport/storage.

Was great to work with!!! She was easy and simple and very go with the flow
Danielle J., 8 months ago
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I Do Memorable Occasions 

5.0

  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $75
  • Serves Essex, IL

I Do Memorable Occasions is a wedding planning and coordination company based in Lockport, IL. We welcome the opportunity to be part of events in Chicago and Illinois suburbs. Offered packages include comprehensive, customizable planning and day-of coordination for all your wedding needs from your bridal shower and bachelor and bachelorette parties to the big day and the day-after brunch. Whether you only recently got engaged and you're not quite sure where to begin, or you have a crystal-clear vision in mind and just need an extra set of eyes and hands to bring it all together, I Do Memorable Occasions has you covered.

So so so thankful that we hired Lauren! She went above and beyond our expectations and most of all, she kept us on track. She was easy to communicate with and very responsive for the whole year we worked with her. We were able to have a worry free wedding day experience thanks to her. She also did an extremely great job at setting up all our decor and making our ceremony and reception look STUNNING. Would definitely recommend her to anyone who wants to have a stress free and amazing wedding process. 11/10 on her services.
Brandon R., 8 months ago
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Sholeh Events 

5.0

  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Essex, IL

I have been a wedding planner for over 20 years. I am here to support your ideas and help you find ways to make your wedding day the experience you imagine. I also specialize in planning weddings in a very short amount of time. Its a wonderful challenge and you’ll receive no judgement from me about your timelines! There are no geographic limitations. I’m comfortable working remotely for the planning process and have traveled extensively domestically and abroad. I have supported people from all backgrounds in their journey towards a lifetime of love together. I network extensively with other vendors & have a passion for collaboration.

Awarded Best of Zola
Sholeh was a blessing when it came to planning our wedding. Her planning documents were detailed and accurate. They served as the perfect “plan of action” guides…we knew what to do and when. She had recommendations and contact for all vendor needs. There were a few instances when my chosen vendors did not respond timely and she jumped right in to get the answers and confirmations I needed. She was a lifesaver the day of the wedding. She coordinated the setup at the chapel and reception site…I did not have to worry about a thing. Her “emergency kit” came in handy when we had tuxedo button and bustle issues. She was such a pleasure to work with and extremely professional yet personable and reliable. She helped make the planning less stressful and more exciting. Thank you so much Sholeh!
Amber, a day ago
GemHidden gem
Liza Loret Events 

5.0

  • Offers 2 services
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Essex, IL

I am a mother, wife, and business owner. I created Liza Loret Events in 2015, when I wanted to make a difference in the Wedding Industry. My first couple of years, I began to get momentum in how I wanted my business to be structured.

From the moment we started planning our wedding, Liza Loret Events was by our side every step of the way. Her monthly check-ins helped keep us on track and her attention to detail ensured our day went off without a hitch. Liz is an absolute professional, keeping the day running smoothly and handling any issues that arose behind the scenes so we could fully enjoy our celebration. My whole family and bridal party felt so taken care of and loved by her as well. Her hard work and expertise was worth every penny - we honestly couldn't have done it without her. Best vendor decision we made for our wedding was booking with Liza Loret Events. Liz is truly the best in the business, and we are so grateful for the incredible wedding she helped us create. If she is available for your wedding date, BOOK HER NOW!
Amy, a year ago
GemHidden gem
Diamonds and Lace Eventscaping LLC 

5.0

  • Offers 7 services
  • Starts at $900
  • Serves Essex, IL

Diamonds and Lace Events reputation reached new heights featured in popular wedding outlets and print/media magazines, Munaluchi Bride, Citizen paper, and Pearl by David’s Bridal, and on Daytime Chicago. which is a testament to our dedicated work and professionalism. We were also requested to create a custom-made jumping broom for Channel 7 TV personality Val Warner and husband Jobba Maxey. Speaking of memorable moments, our team was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with the legendary David Tutera who took the time to come say hello and pose for a picture with us and also Randy Fenoli of “Say Yes to the Dress”.

Diamonds and Lace Eventscaping LLC were an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the very beginning, they were very responsive, timely, and detailed in their communication, which put us at ease throughout the entire planning process. Their team went above and beyond to create the exact vision we had in mind for our special day, while also incorporating their own expertise to deliver a wonderfully finished product. One example of their attention to detail was the ceremonial broom they crafted for our ceremony - it was absolutely beautiful and captured the vision we were looking for perfectly. We are so grateful to Diamonds and Lace Eventscaping for helping make our wedding day truly unforgettable.
Ferrari D., a year ago
Quick responder
El'Event Weddings 

5.0

  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Essex, IL

At El'Event Weddings, we believe in providing services to make your wedding day stunning and unforgettable. For us, affordable prices are what really matter! Having a wedding means a lot of investment, and we want to help you somehow, and not worrying you more. We help busy couples make their dream wedding to come true without feeling overwhelmed. Wedding planning, developing and coordinating are our main priorities. Whether it's a large or small/private event, we would love to be part of it. Every wedding is Unique and amazing results are our best reward!

Working with her was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding day. She puts so much heart, detail, and genuine care into everything she does. From the very beginning, she made us feel supported, understood, and completely taken care of. You can tell she loves what she does every moment, every detail, every interaction is handled with professionalism and kindness. She goes above and beyond to make sure your day is smooth, beautiful, and stress‑free. It’s rare to find someone who treats your wedding day with the same love and attention as if it were her own, but she absolutely does. If you want someone who truly cares, listens, and delivers unforgettable service, Elements Weddings is the one. We are so grateful for her and highly recommend her to any couple looking for a flawless, heartfelt wedding experience.
Ricardo and M., 2 months ago
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Cylee Catherine Events 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $1,500
  • Serves Essex, IL

At Cylee Catherine Events, we believe in planning and coordinating events so that the hosts are able to enjoy the moments that will one day be their favorite memories to look back on. Throughout the planning process, I do my best to listen to your ideas and help bring forward the vision for your special day that you are trying to achieve with a flawless execution.

Awarded Best of Zola
Cylee Catherine Events exceeded our expectations as our wedding planner. Cylee was proactive, positive, and professional in all of her communication. She provided invaluable support that was integral to our perfect wedding day. Some highlights of her contributions included: creating a detailed timeline that kept everything on track, handling setup and takedown of all decor, and gracefully fielding guest questions. She was like a best friend throughout the planning process - incredibly supportive, handling vendor contracts/issues, and helping us tackle problems before they even came up. Her level of organization and attention to detail is unbelievable. We cannot recommend Cylee highly enough for any couple looking for stress-free wedding planning with someone who truly cares.
Molly, a year ago
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Happily Ever After by Amy 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $4,500
  • Serves Essex, IL

I moved to the Aurora / Naperville area in 2016 from Los Angeles, California. While living in L.A. for 17 years, I organized and managed events for countless affairs on behalf of the biggest names in the industry. I made the move back to the Midwest to get closer to my roots, be near loved ones and to start my own business doing what I truly love and excel in – making a bride’s dream a reality.

Awarded Best of Zola
Happily Ever After by Amy was the perfect wedding planning partner for our special day. From the beginning, Amy was efficient, timely, and clear, leaving nothing to question so we had confidence through the entire process. Her work was truly top-notch - She was incredibly knowledgeable about the local vendors, connected us with the best options to fit our vision and budget, and left no detail overlooked. My partner and I live in Minnesota but we had our wedding in Chicago, so it was really important to have someone who knew the local industry very well. We visited Chicago just twice for planning and Amy handled everything else, including the tasting! She seamlessly managed all the vendors, coordination, and onsite management so that our wedding day went off without a hitch. We are so grateful for Amy's expertise and professionalism, making our dream wedding a reality.
Margaret Graham K., a year ago
Wildflower Weddings & Events 

5.0

  • Offers 4 services
  • Serves Essex, IL

Owner Malia is known for her big heart, style, and attention to detail. Since completing her certification and founding Wildflower Weddings & Events, she has worked with very diverse clients bringing their vision to life. She understands that each wedding is entirely different and will collaborate with you on each element to ensure it tells the unique story of your love. From rehearsal dinners and bachelor and bachelorette parties to romantic ceremonies and receptions, Malia's experience knows no bounds.

Hiring Wildflower aka Malia as our day-of coordinator was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding! She is an absolute rockstar and we knew we could rely on her 100%! Her passion for weddings and making her clients’ day perfect really showed and we are so appreciative of the attention to detail and personal connection we made with her. Thank you for making our day truly amazing and perfect!!
Nicole C., a year ago
Every Little Thing 

5.0

  • Offers 1 service
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Essex, IL

In 2019, I had no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go after high school. Then, I planned my sister's bridal shower and made DIY crafts for her wedding. That is how my path of becoming a wedding and event planner started . I was in love with creating, organizing, and giving ideas.

Ashley (owner) was absolutely AMAZING to work with! She was so responsive, was available at many times throughout the day/night, and was always willing to answer all my questions! She helped me bring my vision to life and gave me so many tips along the way. She thought of every little detail and helped me create the most perfect centerpieces, decor and so much more! She was on top of everything throughout the day, even when I forgot stuff. She made sure everything went smooth & as planned! I HIGHLY recommend hiring Ashley to help you with your wedding. She was a lifesaver and I could not have had the amazing day I did without her help!
Caitlin C., a year ago
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Hartz Wedding & Event Planner 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $1,000
  • Serves Essex, IL

At HARTZ, we believe every love story deserves a beautifully curated celebration. My passion for planning began in childhood, when I organized events in school, as well as large charity events. The true spark came when I planned my own destination wedding in California while living in Chicago—managing every detail from afar. That experience showed me this is what I’m meant to do. With strong organization, creativity, and an eye for detail, I bring heart and harmony to every event, so you can truly enjoy the journey to “I do.”

Hanna was incredible from start to finish. She made the whole planning process so much easier and took care of every little detail. The day itself was absolutely perfect – everything ran smoothly, looked beautiful, and felt totally stress-free for us. We couldn’t have asked for a better planner. Highly recommend her!
Karolina, 6 months ago
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Destify | destination wedding specialists 

4.9

  • Offers 2 services
  • Starts at $150
  • Serves Essex, IL

Destify simplifies destination weddings for couples and guests alike. We make planning feel exciting, not overwhelming, with curated resorts, transparent pricing, and a dedicated expert guiding you every step of the way. From understanding costs and timelines to handling logistics and guest travel, you’ll always know what to expect. With 24/7 support and a personal, thoughtful approach, we treat your wedding as more than a transaction, helping you create a seamless, joyful celebration and a meaningful start to your next chapter.

Awarded Best of Zola
Destify - Destination Wedding Planners were great to work with from start to finish. They had excellent communication throughout the planning process and always made sure to follow up and stay on top of any concerns we had. Destify made the planning process very easy with their user-friendly website, guest list management, and helpful tips for traveling to our destination wedding. We felt confident that every detail was taken care of, allowing us to fully enjoy our special day.
Amanda P., a month ago
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Heirloom Event Company 

5.0

  • Offers 2 services
  • Starts at $2,995
  • Serves Essex, IL
  • Offer

At Heirloom Event Company, we lead with transparency, clear communication, and genuine care. Serving couples in Chicago, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Northwest Arkansas, we’re committed to helping you create a beautiful wedding without breaking your budget or sacrificing what matters most. We offer honest guidance, organized processes, and creative solutions that help you stay grounded, feel supported, and enjoy your planning journey with confidence and ease.

Awarded Best of Zola
Heirloom Event Company was an absolute dream to work with for our wedding. From the very first interaction, Haylie and her team demonstrated clear, responsive, and quick communication that put us at ease throughout the entire planning process. Their work was of the highest quality - they were incredibly thorough and paid close attention to every detail, going above and beyond at every turn. Haylie felt more like a close friend than a vendor, making the whole experience fun and stress-free. We will be enthusiastically recommending Heirloom Event Company to all of our friends and family.
Juana L., 8 months ago
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The Simply Elegant Group 

5.0

  • Offers 7 services
  • Starts at $1,975
  • Serves Essex, IL

Lindsay has been in the events industry for years and has overseen hundreds of successful events. Her attention to detail and ability to handle any situation that arises with grace and ease allows her couples to relax and enjoy their wedding day. Lindsay not only plans weddings for our Simply Elegant couples but also trains our entire team of planners to ensure that every Simply Elegant wedding is flawless and our client's vision is fulfilled.

Awarded Best of Zola
Simply Elegant Group was by far my favorite vendor! Every single person we talked to from Lindsay Mackey, their amazing manger and our first contact to the hotel-block assistant was a joy to work with, communicative and helpful. The workbook, spreadsheets, and connections with other coordinators and vendors made the whole wedding planning process more enjoyable and streamlined. We chose the Day of Coordination and are very grateful to have had Hanh as our wedding coordinator! Hanh is worth her weight in gold! With Day of Coordination we received not only ten hours of custom coordination from the wonderfully efficient and empathic Hanh, we also had the help of her assistant. This was perfect because someone was by my and my husband’s throughout the day. I loved that with SEG we had a whole team of magnifically organized, thorough and compassionate individuals to support us in executing our dream wedding. Once we had submitted our information Lindsay contacted us to go over all of the things included in wedding planning. She created a rough draft of our day of timeline and gave us access to our Wedding Workbook. They have templates for everything you will need for organizing your wedding and making sure you do not miss out on important, but often overlooked details. Two months before our wedding date we were connected with Hanh. From our first meeting throughout the whole time before the wedding and for the duration of our wedding itself Hanh was both our wedding angel and ninja rolled all into one. I had done a lot of the initial setting up vendors, but as soon as she could she took over as my contact person. This meant the vendors had to email/reach out to Hanh and left me feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. From this point on I started to enjoy wedding planning.I love that she reached out to not only myself, but included my now husband and daughter in on a meeting. If there were any hiccups leading up to the wedding I did not know until they were already handled. On our wedding day, everything went smoothly for my husband and I and our family.Again if there were any mishaps my husband and I were oblivious of them and we had the best wedding ever! Hanh was ready for anything, made sure we were treated like royalty and also took some amazing pictures! Thank you to Hanh and Simply Elegant Group for making our dream wedding come true! All of the things, Mr. and Mrs. Haynie
Melissa H., a year ago
Quick responder
BW Studio + Events 

5.0

  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $3,800
  • Serves Essex, IL

BW Studio+Events is a Chicago-based event coordination and planning group serving Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs. The Studio focuses on intimate weddings with unique flair and lots of personal touches. Blair founded BW Studio after hosting a number of non-profit events and finding herself completely immersed in the process. Once she realized her knack for event organization and planning, the studio was quickly born.

Awarded Best of Zola
My husband and I will never stop recommending BW Studio Events!!!! Blair is an absolute pro! She has a fool-proof strategy for wedding planning, a wealth of wedding knowledge and connections with the highest quality vendors, and a stunning vision and ability to understand the vision of others! The peace of mind Blair's expertise and communication brought to our planning process was PRICELESS. We knew no detail would be missed, and we were confident that Blair could handle any challenge that might come our way, whether it was on the day of or during planning. Our wedding day was truly perfect, and the way the vision in my head came to life in our venue surpassed my expectations! Meanwhile, I had the most chill, beautiful morning getting ready for the wedding, and I have her assistant Elly to thank for it! She was absolutely spectacular. She was present every moment we needed her and blended into the background while sneakily helping, like steaming our dresses and setting up the gifts for my ladies without us even knowing. She was like our secret fairy godmother! And when I was getting ready to walk down the aisle and was feeling anxious, she was the most calm presence. She really helped me keep my composure. So so grateful for all she did for us! She made me feel so special :] Long story short, if you're wondering if hiring a wedding planner is worth it, I'm here to tell you THEY ARE WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY!!!
Brittany D., a year ago
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Afterglow Weddings and Events 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Essex, IL

Hi there, I’m Olivia, the face behind Afterglow Weddings and Events! With over five years of experience in the wedding industry, including catering and venue sales, I've been part of more than 100 love stories. My journey in the Chicago wedding industry has included time as a venue coordinator, catering sales manager and event coordinator. My favorite part about working in the industry is working with couples to help their wedding dreams come to life. At Afterglow Weddings and Events, I'm dedicated to bringing your dreams to life and ensuring every detail reflects your unique love story.

Awarded Best of Zola
From the first call with Camille, I knew we were in the right hands! Despite the super tight timeframe we were working with (1 month), she took the time to really get to know us and our vision, support us along the way, and provide excellent guidance when we were unsure. Other planners we met with were nowhere near as personable, detail oriented, and engaged as Camille. She was so prepared, focused, and never lost sight of both the big picture of the day and how we were doing in the moment. We didn't have a bridal party, but having Camille there felt like having a best friend nearby to help with whatever I needed. She genuinely loves what she does and believes your wedding day should be the best day of your lives and she does everything in her power to make that come true.
Kelly C., 2 months ago
GemHidden gem
Emily Nuzzo Events 

5.0

  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Essex, IL

Hi there! I am Emily and I am so excited you found your way here. I have a passion for curating one-of-a-kind weddings that showcase a couple’s individuality. It is important for me to get to know couple’s personally, what makes them excited about their wedding day and how I can alleviate any planning stress (ew, we don’t want stress). Consider me your right-hand gal, your “planner in your pocket”, your sounding board and the gal that will make sure your wedding day is flawless!

Awarded Best of Zola
The title says it all... Emily is IN-CRED-I-BLE!!! We worked with Emily for well over a year on our wedding and she handled anything and everything that we needed help with. Whether it was finding vendors/venues and contacting them, handling paperwork, setting up calls, tours, etc., Emily put our mind at ease with it and took care of it. She's also incredibly personable and fun to talk to! By the time our wedding came, it was bittersweet because we had looked forward to our weekly calls with her! On the day of our wedding Emily was a superhero..... She helped set things up, make sure everything ran smoothly, helped tear down at the end of the night, and packed our car with decorations and things we had brought for us so we had nothing to worry about. We HIGHLY highly highly (I'll say again) HIGHLY recommend hiring Emily for ANY event, but definitely hire her if you're getting married!! We recommended her to all of our friends—she truly helped make our wedding an incredible experience!!
Marlena E., 2 years ago
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grayterevents 

5.0

  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $650
  • Serves Essex, IL

Working out of Lombard, IL, I am a type A planner from the very center of my heart. I love lists, schedules, budgets, and all things organized. Weddings are my passion because they involve so much coordinated detail in every phase of the day from start to finish. I love to see my client's vision for their special day come together with every check off the to do list. I have been coordinating weddings since early 2018, but have been networking in the industry for several years now. I love working with all of the gorgeous venues we have here in the suburbs of Chicago and can't wait to get started planning your dream wedding.

Awarded Best of Zola
Bree and the team at Grayterevents were an absolute dream to work with for our backyard wedding reception. With just under 200 guests, this was no small affair, but Bree's punctual and clear communication put us at ease every step of the way. Her team was incredibly helpful, quickly getting a broken outlet fixed the morning of the wedding so everything ran smoothly. The quality of their work was top-tier, and we could not have had the wedding of our dreams without their trustworthy expertise. Bree and her team went above and beyond to make our special day truly unforgettable. If you are looking for a coordinator, look no further. Grayterevents is the best!
Lilly H., 4 months ago
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Marryment 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $2,495
  • Serves Essex, IL

Welcome Chicago & Chicagoland Couples! We're so glad you're here! From Month-Of Coordination to All-Inclusive Planning and everything in between, Marryment has got you covered. We are on a mission to revolutionize the industry and keep the joy and celebration in wedding planning. With Marryment, you can plan your wedding day with CONFIDENCE knowing we are here for you every step of the way- literally! Our team consists of 6 exceptional planners with wedding experience and industry knowledge. All of our planners are fun, empathetic, friendly, supportive, flexible and keep the couple's best interest at the center of it all.

Awarded Best of Zola
I can’t even imagine what a chaotic mess the day would have been without Claire by my side. She was ten steps ahead at every moment—everything was laid out and ready for me, she sent thoughtful checklist reminders throughout the week, captured amazing B-roll footage my photographer couldn’t get, and handled both setup and teardown flawlessly. Claire is so much more than a “day-of” planner—she truly goes above and beyond.
Crystal S., 2 months ago
The Bailey Experience Wedding and Event Co 

4.3

  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Essex, IL

The Bailey Experience Wedding and Event Co. is a luxury wedding planning firm specializing in refined celebrations on land and at sea. Known for calm oversight and intentional execution, we curate wedding experiences that feel composed, elevated, and thoughtfully delivered. From cruise weddings to sophisticated celebrations throughout Washington, DC, Florida, and beyond, our work is defined by discretion, clarity, and seamless direction, allowing couples to be fully present throughout their celebration.

Awarded Best of Zola
We booked Teyanna in 2022 for our August 2024 wedding and did not regret it one bit. It was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Teyanna was beyond accommodating and informative throughout the entire process. Her precise, creative, and professional "client-first" mentality shone through. From countless Zoom calls to meeting up in person to select flowers, it was more than we could have asked for and were expecting. Her professionalism and creativity showed through when we had to improvise our outdoor ceremony to an indoor one thanks to a horrific tropical storm. She called us on the morning of our wedding to ensure we were doing okay and went over every detail with both my husband and me to make sure she and her team didn't miss anything. We cannot wait to work with Teyanna again in the future.
Stephanie D., a year ago
Quick responder
Thyme & Details 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Essex, IL

Thyme & Details offers wedding planning and design services to sentimental couples looking for good vibes and premium personal touches. We know how important it is to be present in the moment – not worrying about organization, budgeting, managing vendors, etc. Let's make planning zesty so you can focus on your VIPs and enjoying your journey. We are based in Ohio but available for travel. Reach out so we can create something unforgettable!

Awarded Best of Zola
Dana, Tara, and the entire Thyme and Details team are nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, their exceptional management skills, attentive listening, and dedication turned what we thought was impossible into a seamless, unforgettable reality for our September wedding. Their full-service planning is worth every penny—and more. The team handled every detail with precision and care, gracefully adapting to the inevitable twists and turns that come with planning such a major event. They didn’t just meet our expectations; they exceeded them with thoughtful touches and moments of surprise and delight throughout the year-long process. One of the standout aspects was their vendor recommendations. They guided us toward partners who perfectly matched the theme and energy we envisioned for our day, elevating the entire experience. When a major hurdle arose with the delivery timing of some rentals, Dana went above and beyond, advocating fiercely to ensure everything worked out perfectly. Her determination and professionalism made all the difference in what could have been a stressful situation. Thanks to their experience, tools, patience, and boundless endurance, planning became not only manageable but enjoyable. They gifted us a day filled with joy, celebration, and memories we’ll treasure forever. If we could relive the process, we would—and we would choose Thyme and Details every single time. We cannot recommend this incredible team highly enough.
Brittany W., a year ago
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Honorary Bridesmaid 

5.0

  • Offers 6 services
  • Starts at $1,650
  • Serves Essex, IL

Honorary Bridesmaid is a wedding planning company that was created for the couple that needs a helping hand from start to finish, partial planning, day of coordination, or finding the perfect attire. What started as a passion for learning about all things bridal transformed into a planning business that allows a couple to feel relaxed and stress free for their big day. Honorary Bridesmaid takes pride in finding affordable ways of making a vision come to life by using local vendors, DIY'ing if needed, and will be the person to ask for any help.

Awarded Best of Zola
Kimberly was fantastic for our wedding this past fall. I had several conversations with various Wedding Coordinators and Companies but Kimberly stood out right away. From our first phone call, she asked such specific questions and walked me through the process and gave suggestions on how to keep everything organized. Kimberly was super professional, reliable, attentive and when above and beyond the weeks leading up and the day of our wedding. We did a downtown Chicago wedding and my husband is Assyrian, so between the level of detail and cultural elements, there was a lot that I entrusted Kimberly to help me with.. from the wedding timeline, to seating chart last minute changes, to coordinating with the hotel events manager, the photographers, leading the other vendors and table set requests, Kimberly was there to lead it all and ensure everything looked absolutely stunning for our wedding. 10/10 recommend Kimberly for any wedding or special event.
Lauren B., 4 months ago
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Monarch Creative Events 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $3,800
  • Serves Essex, IL

At Monarch Creative Events, we specialize in seamless wedding planning for couples who want a stunning, stress-free celebration. We know you’re busy, so we handle the details while you enjoy the experience. From vendor coordination to flawless execution, we ensure your day runs smoothly. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand event, our expertise turns your vision into reality. With a passion for organization and a focus on memorable guest experiences, we make wedding planning effortless. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

Awarded Best of Zola
I found Alexa on the Knot and booked her for Monarch’s full wedding planning package as my husband & I were planning a wedding outside of Chicago in an unconventional venue, 9 months away, and lived in another state. It was a big challenge but from the initial consultation, we loved Alexa’s energy, organization, commitment and just knew we could trust her with our once in a lifetime event. The planning process was extremely organized, thorough and well-paced. She matched my attention to detail, tackled unplanned challenges with ferocity (which included a limited selection of vendors given the location of our venue) and was as dedicated to bringing my very specific vision to life as I was. She brought great vendor recommendations and connections and did countless hours of research on new vendors. Details were well-documented and thoroughly discussed to ensure all parties were aligned. Even though our venue was farther outside Chicago (Indiana), she ran several venue walkthroughs in-person, attended vendor visits with me, and always accommodated my husband and I’s busy schedule. As Alexa started to step away for her maternity leave (which started right before our wedding date), she did an amazing job ensuring her team was fully prepared to handle last minute preparations and day-of responsibilities. The day-of team of 3 were awesome with completely handling all details A-Z so I didn’t have to worry about anything, even despite some last minute changes due to weather! Due to the complexity of our venue, its location, short timeline, and being from out-of-state, we are SO GLAD we booked Monarch for their full planning package and had the privilege of working with Alexa! It was sincerely our pleasure to have her bring our special day to life, she was a joy to work with and get to know. If I were getting married again, I’d book her services again no question! Thank you Alexa!!
Abby R., a year ago
Quick responder
Anemone Events 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $2,100
  • Serves Essex, IL

At Anemone Events, I have one simple goal: to ensure your day is as extraordinary as it can be! I strive to execute experiences and memories that will last you a lifetime. I care about you and aspire to bring your visions to life, delivering a day that will perfectly reflect YOUR unique story. My hope is to simplify the lead-up to your best moments, allowing you to sit back, relax and be present in every minute of your magical celebration while I handle the day's details, setup, communications, logistics and everything in between.

Awarded Best of Zola
Sarah is amazing to work with. We had a large backyard, outdoor wedding .. the day ended up being the rainiest day in June but Sarah executed the day perfectly. From the very beginning, She was so easy to communicate with, very helpful and always thought of things that I would never even thought about. If you are looking for someone to ease your mind, I recommend hiring Sarah for your big day, you won't regret it! Thank You Sarah!!!
Dylan M., 2 years ago
Shh Events 

5.0

  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Essex, IL

Shh Events comes from all of the experiences I have gained- all of the trade secrets- that set my experience as a wedding planner to an elevated level of expertise. Shh Events is a curator for love stories, and it's an honor to be a part of the stories we tell.

For everyone who thinks they don’t need a wedding planner. You do. You do and you specifically need Stephanie. If everyone had a Stephanie, there would be no wedding disasters, no war, and no famine. Stephanie is the best. She helped us look through contracts with vendors, talked us through conversations with catering (which is how we met her), and ran our wedding day seamlessly. Stephanie really knows this business. She helped us manage our budget, she set expectations and timelines, and was super responsive with emails and questions. She also was respectful and inclusive to us with all our identities, as a gay couple and a Jewish/Italian couple. The wedding industry often assumes a lot of things but Stephanie is so kind and goes out of her way to make sure she never does. Beyond that, I think it’s important to highlight what a wedding planner does the day of. She makes sure all the tables are set up so you don’t have to. She makes sure your vendors arrive on time. She made sure our photos and our flowers were set up. I cannot emphasize enough how much you will not want to be doing your own table arrangements when you’re trying to pull off the biggest party you’ve ever thrown. She also came a few days early and picked up ALL of the items for the wedding in her mini-van. Then she packed them up at the end of the night and delivered them a few days after the wedding?? That ALONE is the best. I assumed my wife, our families, and I would be packing things up that night but she gave us a magical day where we didn’t have to worry about anything. She’s also incredibly smart and thorough and NEVER complains. We had books as our centerpieces and realized later that the idea of books was going to be HEAVY. She never told us we were nuts but she actually said she liked it because we did things that were true to us. She has more energy than anyone I’ve ever met and her and her day-of assistant, Caitlin, were the best. Seriously, Stephanie is, as my wife says, a magical human being. Don’t plan a wedding without her.
Andrea T., a year ago
Quick responder
Handled by Hamlin Events 

5.0

  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $275
  • Serves Essex, IL

Hi, my name is Michelle. I am an educator with a love for weddings and events. If I can handle a classroom of 24 second graders imaging what I can do for you on your wedding day. Handled by Hamlin Events is for a couple who is fun, energetic, carefree, and wants to live their best "married" life.

Awarded Best of Zola
As a SECOND time Bride, whom didn't use a planner the first time. HIRE MICHELLE. You won't regret it one bit. As a "seasoned" wedding professional, I didn't use a planner the first time and I regret it. WOW WOW WOW What a difference it makes to have someone advocating for you! There was no need to chat with any vendors and answer questions about anything because I had Michelle. I can't stress enough how much this made my day STRESS-FREE. She's a total professional boss babe, friendly, and fierce. Thank you again Michelle for making our day AMAAAAAAAZING.
Giselle V., 2 years ago
Quick responder
One Fine Day Events 

5.0

  • Offers 6 services
  • Starts at $1,700
  • Serves Essex, IL

You want a wedding with that 'Million Dollar Vibe' that feels like a party without the scary price tag. You want to enjoy your engagement, not spend every weekend stressing over spreadsheets. That’s where One Fine Day Events comes in! Gina and her professional staff have executed more than 1,000 events and have worked in the wedding industry for over 20 years. No matter how much or how little assistance you want, Gina and her team are ready to help. One Fine Day Events has several predesigned packages, from day-of coordination to full-service planning. Gina and her team can also create custom invitations and source distinctive decor.

Awarded Best of Zola
I'm thankful for Gina at One Fine Day Events. She handled all of the events with ease. Very professional, special attention to details, great personality. My husband and I were totally relaxed, knowing Gina had control of our special day. We highly recommend her.
Sandy, 2 years ago