I hired Alexis Kolpak at Imagine Events as a day-of coordinator for my July 2011 wedding and…read morecouldn't be happier with the service I received. From the moment I first met Alexis until the day of my wedding she always conducted herself and her business with an impeccable level of professionalism and grace. She was extremely organized, insightful, creative, and an all around go-getter when it came to tackling problems and working with my vendors. Although she was only contracted as a day-of coordinator, Alexis went above and beyond and offered me valuable advice throughout my entire wedding planning journey. In fact, of all of the vendors I used for my wedding, the ones recommended by Alexis turned out to be the most reliable, the easiest to work with, and the ones that produced the best product overall. Looking back and reflecting on all of the added value Alexis brought to the table--including her strong work ethic and her positive relationships with vendors--I should've hired her services full time! I found Imagine Events through a recommendation and would recommend their services to anyone else in a heartbeat. I truly could not have pulled off my amazing wedding day without Alexis Kolpak!

I recently worked with Alexis on a promotional bridal event and it was a true pleasure. She is so…read moreeasy going, yet professional and very organized. I felt like we were in very good hands throughout the entire process. Alexis also suggested several talented vendors that executed the event flawlessly. I would highly recommend Imagine Events to others. Thanks, Alexis!

This is our 2nd year working with Artists & Events to hire the Champagne Girl for our Gala. It was…read moresuch a big last year we had a special request from our executive leadership to invite her back. Mary worked with us in advance of the event on costume ideas to ensure we got a look we wanted. The team showed up on site the day of the event, paid attention to every detail and provided top notch service. The guests were wowed once again. I would highly recommend Artists & Events and the talent they bring forward for any event.

We hired a strolling performer, Champagne Dress, who was absolutely wonderful. She was…read moreprofessional, theatrical (which really added to the moment) and made such a statement for the guests (which was our goal). When we first reached out to Mary Rothe from the company and suggested our theme, she went as far as to send suggestions of costumes the artist could wear and lumped it into our contract. Mary was wonderful to work with and provided great customer service along the way. My only wish was that we would have been able to hire more entertainers through her for our event. I've hesitantly hired other entertainers in past and they've showed up with a cheesy presence, unprofessional, outdated, and sometimes just not polished. Everything was top notch with this experience and I would work with Mary Rothe and her team again in a heartbeat.

Wow! Is what every person who attended our event said as they walked into the venue. Stacey and her…read moreteam were amazing to work with. She is so talented, she asked about things I would have never thought to consider and boy did it make such a difference! The guests were blown away by the attention to detail, the beautiful décor and how smooth the night went. This was our first time using Stacey for our event and we have already requested LEAD events to come back next year. Once you work with someone like Stacey, you can see what a big difference a true professional can make to your event. Great job!

My partner and I hired Savoury Chic for planning our wedding. The service included day-of…read morecoordination. As a project manager, it was necessary to me to find someone who would take on the responsibility of planning our wedding such that I could enjoy being part of the process; it wouldn't be a second job for me. Savoury Chic has allowed me to enjoy the planning process and live in the moment as all of the pieces come together! Our very first call was an offloading on my part. Char patiently listened to all of the "up-to-now" statuses I could provide. I still called around, and other planners seemed preoccupied and even blase in our initial discussions. Out of all the planners I had looked at, Savoury Chic was the only one that I felt I could share with my partner. Until he met Char, he was apprehensive about even paying for a planner. Our first meeting was positive for us, and genuinely reinvigorating for me as we began charting more concrete steps. I have the utmost confidence that our August wedding is going to be greater than I have imagined because of her team's attention to detail, creativity, and genuine care. Here are some highlights from our experience thus far: 1. Advocacy: When it came to rentals, Char took on the task of finding vendors that worked for the budget. She presented what we thought we wanted as well as what we needed. She also helped us think through how best to navigate complex family relationships. 2. Accessibility: Be it in person, on call or via text, Char was always accessible when we needed her. How she does it, I will never know. 3. Organization, Planning, and Management. No matter who--my partner and I or a vendor--Char always followed up, so our planning remained on track. I also loved their online planning hub because it centralized all of our files, seating arrangements, schedules, budget--you name it! I can't recommend Char Jackson and Savoury Chic enough.

Savory Chic did the planning and day-of coordination for my wedding this summer. I've been behind…read morethe scenes at many weddings, and I can honestly say that Savory Chic--and Char, in particular--is something special. I literally cannot imagine someone who is better at this than Char: she's extremely organized and competent, forthright with advice but not pushy when it comes to decision-making, very savvy and sensitive when it comes to interpersonal dynamics--and, on top of all that, she's a friendly, warm person who helps you feel at ease and confident that everything will come together. Throughout the planning process, Char was extremely helpful. I honestly didn't think we needed a planner when we began the process of putting together our wedding--but, looking back now, hiring Savory Chic was the best decision we made in the entire process. Char is really good at feeling you out and figuring out your dynamic, your style, your values. She is a great listener. I never felt like I was being pushed or herded in any specific direction. At the same time, Char was really good at tactfully and respectfully giving us advice about the potential risks, costs and advantages of particular sorts of decisions--e.g. doing a buffet versus having table service for the dinner. This is exactly the balance you want in a planner: you want someone who won't be overbearing and pushy, but you also want someone who knows their stuff and is forthcoming with honest feedback about what works and what doesn't. Savory Chic will save you thousands of dollars. The wedding industry can be very intimidating and there are tons of people out there looking to charge you more than they should. You need someone in your corner who can negotiate with vendors and draw on knowledge of going rates to make sure you get competitive prices. Char is very good at doing that. Char is also extremely generous with her time. She responds very quickly to texts and emails and calls. When she says she's going to do something, she does it when she says she'll do it. As the wedding day approaches, she does regular phone check-ins which have the function both of making sure everything is coming along and, perhaps most importantly, making sure that you and your partner are feeling comfortable and confident that the big day is going to come together nicely. The day-of execution was also really excellent. The folks on Char's team are friendly and interpersonally savvy--and this is not to be taken for granted. They're also extremely organized, competent and good at what they do. I was very impressed with their work and everything they did behind the scenes. Because of their effectiveness and efficiency, I was able to sit back, relax and be fully present the day of my wedding. That is something I'll always cherish.

Choosing Shannon Gale and their wedding planning team was one of the best decisions we made for our…read moreLabor Day weekend Indian-Western wedding. A friend had recommended them with the promise that I would feel completely at ease--and that proved true from the very beginning. Shannon paired us with Cecelia McIntosh, who turned out to be the most exceptional project manager I've ever worked with, not just in the wedding world but across all of my professional experiences. Cecelia's attention to detail was extraordinary. She cataloged every element of our multi-day Indian-Western celebration, managed vendor relationships with grace, secured us excellent deals where she had negotiating power, and offered thoughtful recommendations--like the perfect florals for our mehendi ceremony. She understood the cultural nuances of our events, from the importance of removing shoes at the mandap to the way certain rituals needed to be set up. She took ownership of everything: carrying and setting up décor, assembling seating charts, ensuring plate service was flawless, and keeping the entire wedding running with a level of timing and precision that every single guest commented on. There were moments where Cecelia truly went above and beyond--most memorably when she calmly and safely helped transport a ceremonial fire to an unexpected location, taking control of a situation that could have easily become chaotic. She handled every last-minute request without hesitation, kept our planning calls on schedule, and brought a sense of structure, warmth, and professionalism that made her an absolute dream to work with. As someone who is naturally a very thorough planner, I stepped into my wedding days feeling completely calm, knowing Cecelia had everything handled. Because of her, I was able to be fully present and simply enjoy our celebration. I cannot recommend Shannon Gale and Cecelia more highly--they are truly among the best planners you could ever hire.

Hiring Marie from Shannon Gail Events was hands-down the best decision we made for our wedding…read more From start to finish, Marie was an absolute dream to work with--calm, organized, joyful, and endlessly professional. Her attention to detail, reassuring presence, and ability to handle every situation with grace made the entire planning process not only stress-free, but genuinely enjoyable. Marie took care of everything--from recommending absolutely incredible vendors, to assisting with design choices that brought our vision to life, to managing the many complicated logistics that come with having a wedding in a tent (think: flooring, electricity, bathroom access--you name it, she handled it). She consistently went above and beyond to make sure every element of our wedding weekend was perfect, and she did it all with a warm smile and steady confidence that kept us grounded and excited throughout. Marie brought our vision to life with such care and expertise--it honestly felt like we had a close friend guiding us every step of the way. She even took the time to thoughtfully put together all the welcome bags for our guests and, throughout the entire wedding weekend, handled every single detail so that we didn't have to worry about a thing. We were able to be fully present and enjoy every moment, knowing Marie had it all under control. If you're planning a wedding and want someone who is not only deeply experienced and connected in the wedding world, but also kind, attentive, and truly invested in your day, Marie is it. We love Marie so much that we wish we had another event to plan just so that we could continue to work with her! We are beyond grateful for her and cannot recommend her highly enough!

Where to even begin?! From the FIRST meeting with Arin, I knew this was going to be a special…read moreexperience- she had pre-reserved our dream venue (The Field Museum!) just in case we wanted to get married in November... which we did! Arin is so full of ideas, kindness, and energy- she took my vision of color and RAN WITH IT... leading all of our vendors to create the absolute night of my dreams. Arin is incredibly responsive (nights, weekends, ALWAYS), organized, and creative. She wished me luck and sent me coffee before my dress shopping, asked for updates during my bachelorette, and even texted mere DAYS after giving birth to wish me well on wedding day. Arin shines so bright - and is a safe space in what can be a crazy/confusing industry. I am so thankful to Arin for the happiest night of my life- looking back, there isn't ONE THING I would change. It was perfect.

If I could give BCB 10 stars, I would. They are amazing!…read more We recently worked with BCB to plan and execute my son's Bar Mitzvah (they do more than just weddings!). We had the privilege of working with Susan and Johnna. Susan is a visionary who can help you dream big and tap into your imagination, and Johnna makes all your dreams realities. Our event was held at 1970 N Lincoln (formerly Stanleys), which has been closed for almost a decade. Susan and Johnna were magicians and made the venue come to life, ensuring we had the epic dance party we envisioned. No detail was left unattended, from the creative catering to the security to the coat check to the lighting, the DJ, the party's flow, and then some. After the event, there was an issue with our bus company in which one bus never arrived. BCB was able to get a last-minute bus to come, all without letting me know, so that I could enjoy the party and not stress. I cannot recommend them enough. I only wish I had another party to throw so I could work with them again. If you're looking for an incredibly creative, thoughtful, detail-oriented, fun-loving, caring team to throw your next big event, look no further than Big City Bride. They are THE BEST!

Last weekend was the first time getting to work with Mindy. I"ve always seen her around at industry…read moreevents and thought she was quirky and fun but only knew her for her as starting High Minded Events and not as a wedding planner. I met my clients from last weekend about 15 years ago when they were planning the brides mitzvah and the MOB (mother of the bride) kept my business card and called me ( full disclosure I think this is the most epic plug for designing nice business cards ever) She reached out to me a little over a year ago to plan her daughter's wedding. I normally do not take on planning clients anymore as we are simply too busy with multiple event decor setups every weekend and I knew this weekend we would have at least two if not three weddings so I told her that it wouldn't be in her best interest to hire us for planning so she hired someone I've never heard of (always a risk). Turns out it was kind of a S-Show for them and they had to part ways....several months ago my client told me they hired Mindy and I was so excited to get to work with her because I always see her out and she always has the best energy..... TAKE NOTE OF THIS WHEN YOU HIRE YOUR WEDDING VENDORS.... IT MATTERS!!!! Let me start by saying this.... MINDY IS OLD SCHOOL......So refreshing!!!! not many planners are like her anymore... My words to describe her are STEADY, LEVEL-HEADED, KIND, FUNNY, INCLUSIVE, AUTHENTIC AND EFFICIENT. She maintains the happiest mood while being completely engaged in what she is doing at all times. From the moment we started working together Mindy was F-ing amazing!!! She was so organized, and detail oriented while BEING KIND!!!!! not always the case for wedding planners these days.... She was an absolute dream to work with and I hope we get to do more events together and just get to hang out aside from work.. Hiring her is like hiring your best friend to plan your wedding.. they will move mountains to make sure your day is perfect. We knew from jump that she genuinely cared about every detail of the wedding from start to finish. If you are on the fence about hiring a wedding planner talk to Mindy and you might just decide that you need one... (EVERYONE NEEDS ONE) Derrick Taylor President TAYLOR&CO Events CHICAGO

Frank Andonoplas, of Frank Event Design, is a wedding planner extraordinaire. Two weeks from our…read moredaughter's wedding day, we had to replace our wedding planner who was holy unprofessional and provided us with little assurance that the wedding would be all we had hoped and planned it to be. Frank came highly recommended and the stars were aligned that he was available. He immediately took the reins and began reviewing all of the vendor contracts, reworked the poorly designed day of timeline, coordinating with the venue, meeting with our daughter and future son in law, and making himself available to us via email, text, or phone everyday. He is a dedicated professional who takes pride in giving each couple the day they dreamed of. The wedding day was seamless. Frank was on site handling the reception space, the flower delivery, band/ staging, all while checking on the bridal party throughout the day. The outdoor ceremony started on time and flowed right into the cocktail hour. The room reveal for the reception was a wow. As we partied and were fully immersed in the celebration, Frank was behind the scenes collecting gifts, gathering personal items to place securely in the bridal suite, and handled gratuities so we could stay in the moment. We would enthusiastically recommend Frank for your special day... he will exceed your expectations. Susan and David V. Pomeranz

I just had Frank do my Star Wars themed wedding. It was perfect…read more Anyone who wants to work with the best of the best, should seek Frank out, because I could not imagine my wedding having been anywhere near as fantastic as it was without his help. My then fiancee, now wife, and I were both attending graduate school while planning our wedding. She was finishing up her JD in Baltimore while I was completing a MA in Seattle while planning our wedding at the Morton Arboretum in Northern Illinois. We did all the initial planning with Frank over the phone. He started by setting up a time for us all to talk so that he could get to know us, understand our vision, and provide some initial suggestions to set us on the right path. He made the entire process extremely easy so that we were able to just review our e-mails at the end of the week, choose from the pre-vetted options that he gave us, and then let him take care of the details. I was perhaps more of a "Groom-zilla" than my wife was in terms of being very detail-oriented. The day of the wedding there seemed to be a million small things that could have gone wrong, and Frank was somehow on top of all of them. The people at the venue had originally set up the tables in a mirrored version of how they were supposed to be, and Frank was able to get it all fixed during cocktail hour without our guests being any the wiser. Our cake vendor had also made a mistake, changing the iconic "I love you." "I know." from Star Wars to "I love you and I know you." Which is not the same at all, and sounds... odd. Frank hand-scraped the offending words from the cake and then covered it up artistically with flowers that he had on hand. No one even knew there was a mistake. He also found some one to make me an Ewok groom's cake. The one review on this page who accuses Frank of being a snob certainly does not know what she is talking about. Frank was genuinely one of the most caring, earnest and hardworking people I've ever had the pleasure to work with. He cares a great deal about delivering only the best to his clients, and he is upfront with you about whether or not your style and his will combine. If you are a match, you are in for a real treat working with this man. He and his team are simply the best.