The Best Wedding Planners in Lake Forest, IL

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208 Wedding Planners in Lake Forest, IL

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Events by Starlight 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

Events by Starlight is a modern event planning and design company led by Alexandra Barlow, a live events and sports television producer with over 14 years of experience. Alex’s work has been featured in Modern Luxury Magazine, and she has designed celebrations for professional athletes and television talent. Based in California and serving clients worldwide, Events by Starlight creates immersive, design-forward celebrations.

Alex is the best at what she does! She is incredibly professional, creative, and able to make your dream event happen within any budget. She is so organized and kept me on schedule with all of the important decisions that were overwhelming on my own. She has done my bachelorette, wedding, baby shower, child’s birthday party and more. Guests are still raving about the wedding she did for me years later. I highly highly recommend her to anyone looking for a planner who will make your life 100x easier with her experience, knowledge, and unique ideas!
Jenna G., 17 days ago
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With Love LLC 
Rating: 4.9 (14 reviews)
  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $100
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

We believe every couple deserves the gift of support, which is why having a wedding coordinator by your side should be an option for all. At With Love, we’re here to honor that story by turning your wedding day into a heartfelt reflection of the two of you. With thoughtful details, seamless planning, and a touch of magic, we create an experience that feels effortless yet unforgettable. From the quiet, tender moments to the grand celebrations, our passion is making sure your day unfolds exactly as you dreamed—filled with love, joy, and memories to last a lifetime. We are a proud member of the CWP Society and Certified Wedding Associate.

Awarded Best of Zola
We absolutely loved working with Myah and Paul at With Love LLC!! Their day-of coordination made every detail flow so smoothly and took all the stress off our shoulders to enjoy our day and celebrate with our loved ones. They set up our venue, taking on our place settings, favors, and other details to transform the space into a beautiful magical room. They kept the itinerary on track and communicated with us while also letting us enjoy the party. Paul even kept our glasses full so we never had to stand in line at the bar! We can’t recommend them enough and they deserve all the praise!
The S., 16 days ago
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Weddings by Jennifer Fox 
Rating: 5.0 (27 reviews)
  • Offers 6 services
  • Starts at $440
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

Congratulations —you’re getting married!! We want you to feel like your wedding is being handled by an old friend with a lot of experience! Marriage officiant, day of coordination and wedding planning for your wedding. What makes us unique?? We offer unique personalized ceremonies with our Officiating Services for your wedding- we will work together to ensure your ceremony is perfect for you and your partner! We also ensure your day is stress free and all about you! We come to you and travel anywhere! We love love!

Awarded Best of Zola
We are beyond grateful to our incredible wedding planner for helping bring our Garden Summer Wedding to life on June 14, 2025. From start to finish, the planning process was smooth, collaborative, and truly enjoyable. Every detail reflected our personalities and vision—from the romantic florals of eucalyptus, hydrangeas, and roses with soft touches of purple, to the perfectly arranged tent and décor that made our backyard feel magical. Our planner worked seamlessly with us and our vendors to make the day unforgettable. From accommodating fun and unexpected elements like a white bounce house castle and a vintage plum crazy 1970 Dodge Challenger, to helping coordinate Andrew and his son’s surprise dirt bike entrance—nothing was ever too big or too small. Their professionalism and calm presence allowed us to relax and fully enjoy every moment. Thank you for turning our ideas into something even more beautiful than we imagined. You gave us a day full of joy, laughter, and cherished memories—we couldn’t have done it without you! With heartfelt thanks, Yulia & Andrew
Yulia B., a year ago
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Yes to I Do 
Rating: 5.0 (16 reviews)
  • Offers 2 services
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

I am a certified wedding planner with a passion for learning. It all started over 10 years ago when I worked as a birthday party host at a park district, eventually expanding to fundraising events, showers, and weddings. My passion for weddings and events grew, and I began helping friends and family with their weddings. Now, I run my own business! There is nothing I love more than seeing an idea come to life! When I'm not planning weddings, you'll find me cuddling with my baby, enjoying the show Friends under a cozy blanket, or sharing a meal with a glass (or two) of wine with my husband. I'd love to chat and learn more about you!

From the start, the team at Yes to I Do was quick to respond to all of our questions and requests. They were incredibly organized and detail-oriented, ensuring that every aspect of our ceremony and reception was carefully planned out. Rebecca in particular went above and beyond, helping us coordinate with all our vendors months in advance and providing helpful templates and suggestions to keep us organized. On the day of and during the rehearsal, the Yes to I Do team thought of every little detail, directing each person on how the ceremony would flow and regularly checking on my husband and I to make sure we had everything we needed - they even kept our goblets full! We were truly able to relax and enjoy our special day thanks to their attentive and considerate service. We highly recommend Yes to I Do for any couple planning their wedding in the Chicago area.
Sam G., 10 months ago
Quick responder
Spruced Up Designs 
Rating: 5.0 (12 reviews)
  • Offers 1 service
  • Starts at $1,100
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

Spruced Up Designs is a woman-owned, family operated company ! Our close bonds make this company organized, creative, and relatable. We specialize in on-site wedding coordination, ensuring every detail is managed seamlessly so couples can truly enjoy their day.

Awarded Best of Zola
Working with Spruced Up Designs was an absolute must for our wedding day. From our first conversation, Leela was prompt, detailed, and incredibly organized in her communication. Her attention to every aspect of the wedding planning process was evident in the high-quality, personalized service they provided. When I didn't have menus ready, they quickly stepped in, designed, ordered, and picked them up - all before I even knew there was an issue. Leela and Brenda's kindness, efficiency, and eye for detail made them invaluable partners in creating our dream wedding day. I don't know what I would have done without them by my side, and I highly recommend Spruced Up Designs to any couple planning their special day. Also the handmade arbor was such a great touch to our ceremony!
Kimberly C., 6 months ago
Peony Event Planning 
Rating: 5.0 (7 reviews)
  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $2,200
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

Hi! I’m Amber, Owner and Lead Planner of Peony Event Planning. I built this company from the ground up, gaining hands-on experience through real weddings and collaborations with talented industry professionals. Each event has shaped me as both a planner and a business owner dedicated to creating seamless, meaningful experiences. While weddings are our specialty, we love being part of your story from beginning to end—engagements, showers, celebrations, and everything in between.

Amber is the best choice you can make for your day. We hired her as a day of coordinator. What we got was so much more. There was so many elements we had no idea about that amber held our hand through and just handled. We thought the florals were the decor. How wrong we were thank goodness we had Amber and her collection of candles to complete our room and make it perfect. In addition she went half with us on the chuppah and built it and kept it for her future brides to rent. Literally, any way amber could make our lives easier or better she did. She took on all the communications with our vendors at the 6 month mark. If something went wrong on our wedding day my husband and I couldn’t tell you. Amber made the day flow so seamlessly. She went so far above to the point where she literally took care of over 50 butterflies that my mom sent to her the week before our wedding for a release. She told me she was ensuring they stayed alive and got them there in their envelops the day of. While also keeping it a secret from everyone. I also told her multiple times when it comes time for my future children’s bar/bat mitzvahs and any other large parties she will have to branch out from weddings because I will trust no one else with those big days but her. Amber is a calming presence and becomes a friend by the time your big day comes along. I could go on forever. I could not recommend her enough. She makes all your crazy wants and desires happen.
The f., 3 months ago
Quick responder
EventScape, Inc. Luxury Weddings & Rentals 
Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

EventScape, Inc.®Luxury Weddings Division provides premier wedding planning services for your special day. As featured in an episode of WE TV’s Platinum Weddings, our team of creative professionals will make your once-in-a-lifetime event a true celebration of your personal style and provide you with a lifetime of memories. Our experts at EventScape, Inc's Rental Division can coordinate all of your rental needs including: tables, chairs, chargers, specialty linens, LED dance floors and bars, uplighting, custom gobos, lounge furniture, tenting, staging, generators and executive restrooms.

Awarded Best of Zola
EventsScape ensured every detail is precisely snd flawlessly executed! Enjoy your moment … EventScape will get it done!
Deneen, 3 years ago
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B.l.Allen Wedding & Events 
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)
  • Offers 2 services
  • Starts at $1,500
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL
  • Offer

A passionate and detail-oriented wedding planner with years of experience in creating unforgettable weddings. Known for our impeccable organizational skills and creative vision, we specialize in curating personalized, stress-free events that reflect each couple’s unique style and love story. From intimate gatherings to extravagant celebrations, we expertly handle every aspect of the wedding planning process, from vendor coordination to day-of execution. With a dedication to providing exceptional service and ensuring every detail is flawlessly executed, we strive to make each couple’s dream wedding a reality.

Awarded Best of Zola
Brooke was fantastic throughout the entire process of hiring her as our Day of Coordinator for our wedding. Ensuring our vendors were sticking to our agreed upon plans, supporting us in our budgetary constraints, and overall being an amazing presence at our wedding. Could not have done it without Brooke's help, and we are forever grateful to have had her with us on our special day.
Lucien L., 2 years ago
RDC Collective LLC 
Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
  • Offers 6 services
  • Starts at $100
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

At RDC Collective LLC, we specialize in bringing your unique event vision to life in a way that is both fun and deeply creative. We understand that your special day is one of the most important milestones of your life, and we are dedicated to ensuring every detail matches your specific vibe. Whether you are just beginning to brainstorm your dream wedding or are already in the middle of the planning process and need a professional hand, we are here to help wherever you need us most.

Valerie helped bring our vision to reality. She was very professional, responsive, and organized. From the planning stages to Day of coordination, she was attentive, proactive and made the whole process stress free. Not only did she take on our requests diligently, she provided touches of her own to make the day even more special. Would highly recommend RDC Collective LLC for all your event needs.
Maru, 9 months ago
Quick responder
Belíssima Events 
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $2,495
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL
  • Offer

Belissima Events is a wedding and event planning studio dedicated to crafting timeless, elegant celebrations infused with heart. Based in Woodstock, IL, we specialize in blending rustic charm, modern sophistication, and refined details. From full-service planning to wedding day management, we offer personalized care, multilingual support, and seamless execution — so you can be fully present in every cherished moment.

I am proud to share my experience with Bijou and her excellent work. She did an amazing job for us, and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to organize their event. From the decorations to the overall planning, everything was beautifully executed. Trust her to make your celebration unforgettable!
Flory E., 2 years ago
Chicago Weddings And Events, LLC 
Rating: 5.0 (1 review)
  • Offers 7 services
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

Now that you met your person of your dreams, let us help you plan the wedding of your dreams! If you can dream it, we can make it happen! We also specialize in great parties - girls nights, birthdays, anniversaries, showers and vow renewals.

Julie was recommended to us by a friend who booked her for their wedding and had rave reviews. She lived up to the expectation and more - I'm honestly so sad the wedding is over and we don't get to work with her any more! We booked the higher package, and quite honestly Julie was there every step of the way and made our planning process and day so smooth.
Ashley B., 10 months ago
GemHidden gem
Destify | Destination Wedding Specialists 
Rating: 4.9 (394 reviews)
  • Offers 2 services
  • Starts at $150
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
Working with Destify - Destination Wedding Planners was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Their communication style is attentive, as they always got back to me promptly and were down-to-earth and understanding throughout the process. The quality of their work and value they provided was exceptional - they are truly passionate about what they do, patient with all my questions, great listeners, and skilled problem-solvers. For example, Sandra made sure a guest who had to cancel last-minute got their money back seamlessly, and she even stepped in to contact the venue when I felt overwhelmed, helping to smooth things out. I cannot recommend Destify highly enough - they played a big role in making our special day so wonderful and stress-free.
Mykala W., 7 months ago
Quick responder
Mostest 
Rating: 4.8 (158 reviews)
  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $195
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL
  • Offer

At Mostest, we believe every couple deserves a wedding that feels completely, authentically theirs. We use a modern approach with using our own AI event planning platform with our team of planning experts! With over 2,000 weddings planned & coordinated across New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and all across the US - we've seen it all, planned it all, and perfected the art of making your day run seamlessly. We specialize in luxury weddings, micro and intimate ceremonies, multicultural and cultural celebrations, and budget-forward planning — because beautiful weddings aren't one-size-fits-all, and neither are we.

Awarded Best of Zola
As a wedding photography/videography team, it is always such a joy to work alongside planners who as are attentive, kind, and professional as Amina was. She made our couple's day absolutely magical. We are so thankful to have captured such a stunning day with such perfect planning! The Sound Originals Photo & Video team would recommend Amina and Mostest to anyone!
Emily, 2 years ago
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Heirloom Event Company 
Rating: 5.0 (96 reviews)
  • Offers 7 services
  • Starts at $1,800
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

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., a year ago
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The Simply Elegant Group 
Rating: 5.0 (86 reviews)
  • Offers 7 services
  • Starts at $1,975
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
From the very first meeting, Valerie from The Simply Elegant Group completely won us over. She met with us in person and spent nearly two full hours diving into every detail of our (okay, mostly my) wedding vision. Right away, it was clear she wasn’t just a planner—she was a listener, a guide, and someone who genuinely cared about making our day unforgettable. What set Valerie apart throughout the planning process was her consistency and calm professionalism. She stayed in regular contact with us—monthly check-ins at first, then weekly as the big day approached, and even daily in that final stretch. She always kept me on track without making things feel overwhelming. She helped with everything from designing signs to crafting our timeline and managing vendor communication. But most of all, she brought this incredible sense of calm that I didn’t know I needed so badly. I’ve seen other planners who are high-energy or frantic, and while they mean well, that kind of energy would have stressed me out. Valerie, on the other hand, had this "I got it" energy that was both reassuring and grounding. No drama, no stress—just total confidence and grace. And then there’s Gabi, her day-of assistant—who was equally amazing. Together, they made sure the day flowed seamlessly. I didn’t have to worry about a single thing. From the ceremony to the reception, every detail was handled with care and professionalism. And I swear—when it looked like it might rain, Valerie must have worked some kind of magic, because we ended up with a stunning 72-degree October day with sunshine. I mean, who else can literally chase the rain away?! Thanks to Valerie (and Gabi!), our wedding day didn’t just meet expectations—it exceeded them. It was everything we dreamed of and more. We are so grateful for their support, calm presence, and true expertise. If you're looking for a planner who brings peace, organization, and genuine care to the biggest day of your life—look no further. Thank you, Valerie, for making our wedding absolutely perfect. We couldn’t be happier!
Erin B., 9 months ago
Quick responder
BW Studio + Events 
Rating: 5.0 (47 reviews)
  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $3,800
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
Blair and her team, Elly and Neva, were lifesavers for our wedding! We met her team during an open house for The Brix, the venue where we had our reception. We found out that my cousin was also working with her for his wedding and he had the most amazing things to say so we knew we were in good hands! Blair is easy to talk to and work with, professional, kind, understanding, and extremely organized! She helped us stick to our budget, coordinate with other vendors, and gave us so many recommendations and options for high quality vendors. Blair is extremely responsive! We loved how quickly she was responding to any questions we had and I also really appreciated the nudges on deadlines! We have extremely busy schedules and we travel often, so the frequent reminders and check-ins were crucial. We were grateful that there were scheduled talks intermittently throughout the planning process. It really helped us manage the timeline and logistics. If you’re a Type-A Bride, you will love the website they put together to help keep things organized (seating chart, vendors etc). On the big day, Blair and her team ensured everything ran smoothly, allowing us to enjoy ourselves. My husband and I highly recommend BW Studio for anyone looking to make their wedding stress-free and memorable!
Rachael, 2 years ago
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Afterglow Weddings and Events 
Rating: 5.0 (36 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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., 7 months ago
Quick responder
grayterevents 
Rating: 5.0 (30 reviews)
  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $650
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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., 8 months ago
GemHidden gem
Emily Nuzzo Events 
Rating: 5.0 (25 reviews)
  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
Emily Nuzzo was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the start, her communication was detailed, and thorough, putting our minds at ease. She was available for us, and patient throughout the entire planning process. Emily took every ounce of worry away and made sure we didn't need to think of anything besides celebrating our day. Additionally, Emily was incredibly flexible and responsive to our wishes as a same-sex couple. She used her industry expertise to steer us when we needed the guidance and took our feedback to heart to make sure the day was ours. We are so grateful to Emily and her team for making our wedding day perfect. It takes a lot of trust to allow someone to take the helm for a day like your wedding. We had all the faith that Emily was going to do right by us and make our day exactly as we hoped. Don't wait, hire her now!
Matthew L., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Marryment 
Rating: 5.0 (24 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $2,495
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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., 6 months ago
Quick responder
Thyme & Details 
Rating: 5.0 (23 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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 and her team were absolutely fantastic to work with throughout the wedding process. We used her day of coordination services and even before the wedding she went above and beyond by recommending vendors as well as reached out to them in advance to introduce herself. Dana and her team were incredible the day of our wedding by moving our ceremony arch inside to make it a photo opportunity. Dana and her team made our special day seamless and where we could enjoy every moment with our family and friends without worrying about the logistics. They were instrumental in making it a perfect day!
Christine F., 5 months ago
GemHidden gem
The Bailey Experience Wedding and Event Co 
Rating: 4.3 (22 reviews)
  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Honorary Bridesmaid 
Rating: 5.0 (21 reviews)
  • Offers 6 services
  • Starts at $1,650
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
I had the pleasure of working with Kim as our day-of wedding coordinator, and I couldn't be more thrilled with her services. From the moment we hired her, she exuded professionalism, organization, and a genuine passion for ensuring our day was perfect. Kim took charge from the get-go, coordinating with vendors, creating timelines, and ensuring every detail was in place. Her proactive approach alleviated so much stress for both myself and my husband, allowing us to fully enjoy our special day without worrying about the logistics. Her attention to detail was impeccable, and it was evident that she knew her responsibilities inside and out. From coordinating the ceremony to ensuring the reception ran smoothly, Kim was always one step ahead, anticipating any potential issues and swiftly resolving them. What truly set Kim apart was her unwavering dedication to making our wedding day unforgettable. She went above and beyond to accommodate our requests, and her calm demeanor and reassuring presence were a true blessing throughout the day. Thanks to Kim, our wedding day was everything we dreamed of and more. I can't recommend her highly enough to any couple in need of a dedicated, organized, and talented day-of wedding coordinator. She truly is a gem in the wedding industry.
Alex H., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Center of Attention 
Rating: 5.0 (20 reviews)
  • Offers 1 service
  • Starts at $600
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

With over 20 years of experience and a genuine love for planning and organization, I am a bilingual (English–Spanish) Day-of Coordinator who helps bring calm and structure to important events. By day, I work as a Medical Program Coordinator, and now I’m excited to be building my own coordination business—doing what I love most: managing details, supporting clients, and making sure everything comes together seamlessly.

Center of Attention was a dream to work with for our wedding. Maggie, our planner, was punctual, direct and to the point in her communication style, which we greatly appreciated during the busy planning process. The attention to detail and composure she and her team brought to our special day was invaluable. They made sure our wedding venue and ceremony were perfect, just as we had envisioned. Maggie stayed true to the timeline and ensured all vendors were in place and ready to go. As this was our first and only wedding, Maggie took the time to get to know us and provided great input that kept us calm under pressure the whole time. We couldn't have asked for a better wedding planning experience.
Ana S., 6 months ago
Shh Events 
Rating: 5.0 (18 reviews)
  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Handled by Hamlin Events 
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $275
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
Monarch Creative Events 
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $3,800
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
Alexa is a true professional with her work and I knew from the moment we spoke to her that she was the one we wanted to work with. We interviewed several planners that did not come close to Alexa’s level of expertise and ability to make you feel calm and in good hands. If I was able to re-do my wedding again, I may change a few vendors, but Alexa is someone we would lock down over and over again! Hands down the best decision we made! Alexa is reliable, professional, friendly, and most importantly organized! We immediately had a guide on where to start and where we should be with our process each month. Alexa was available to us for any questions or doubts we might have, and made the most stressful months leading up to our wedding stress free. She always asked questions we didn’t think to ask. She took the lead with our vendors and ensuring we never missed a step, but most importantly Alexa was always positive, kind, and composed during every meeting we had. She made me feel at ease and relaxed, which says a lot when someone is planning a wedding. The day of our wedding we always knew what was going to happen next and even when something unexpected would come up, Alexa was quick to resolve it. Not only did my husband and I feel thankful for hiring Monarch, but my family was also left impressed and thankful for Alexa. Hiring a wedding planner is the best decision you can make, but if you hire Monarch, they will make it possible for you to be stress free leading up to your wedding and allow you to focus on being present in the moment. Thank you Alexa and Monarch!! You made the impossible possible and allowed us to enjoy our wedding stress free!
Vanessa M., 9 months ago
GemHidden gem
HBIC Weddings 
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $2,495
  • Serves Lake Forest, IL

As your straightforward sounding board, we'll help you narrow down your Pins and hear out your dreams. (Heck, we'll even dream with you.) And we'll help you navigate your feelings, ideas and even your mom! But you should also know that if one of your ideas won’t really work – or there is a better way to approach your idea, we’re going to tell you that too! Because, trust us, you might think a trolley filled with your wedding party is a great idea. But the air conditioning of a bus is better than diesel fumes any day - especially during summer in the city.

HBIC Weddings is on a different level!  Diane is truly like no other planner. I met with many other planners who all gave me the same cookie-cutter pitch and answers. She is very realistic and straightforward when it comes to what you actually will get on your wedding day versus the Pinterest photos you see of super expensive weddings. She is also an expert at knowing what to spend money on and what you can skip for the best guest experience. This is super important if you don’t know the wedding industry. More importantly, I went with HBIC because Diane is authentic, unhinged, hilarious, and honest. I don’t know the first thing about weddings. I didn’t know what I wanted, who to contact, or what I needed—and I only had 8 months to do it. Enter Diane, my holy grail wedding planner who made it all happen. I showed her some inspiration pictures and she helped me create a more thorough idea of what I wanted for my wedding. Next thing you know, she’s matching me with photographers, DJs, florists, makeup artists—basically everyone I needed— and we’re in non stop “vendorpalooza” as she calls it. Needless to say, we had every single vendor booked and secured in under 2 months.  On my wedding day, I did not use a single brain cell. She had a whole team with her that managed me, my wedding party, my family, and all the guests. Not to mention, she has great relationships with all her vendors so she also made sure they knew where they had to be, when they had to be there, and exactly what to do. One of her team members was always escorting me to where I had to be and keeping track of the time and schedule for me. I was so busy and worried about my family not sticking to the itinerary, but Diane’s team successfully managed everyone in the ceremony including my old Chinese grandparents that don’t speak English. Very strongly recommend planning your celebration with HBIC! We worked with Diane for several months preceding our wedding. She guided us through vendors, contract filling, and every fine detail that we would have overlooked if we were on our own. Their excellence was truly showcased day-of: Diane and her staff compiled an hour-to-hour (sometimes minute to minute) itinerary for our wedding day, directed the cast of characters smoothly and gracefully; nothing fell behind schedule and they had every little detail in mind. They weren’t pushy either - they kept everything to schedule without being commandeering, and had a subtle hand. J and Allen were both stellar throughout the night, like dutiful spriteful seamsters stitching up any small snag along the way without the tear ever being noticed (J immediately noticed when Aiden’s bustle came undone on the dance floor, beckoned Aiden to a side room, and refastened in less than a minute). They were there from before the beginning to the end, our amazing night would have been all the lesser without their help! Go with HBIC!!
Tiffany C., 7 months ago
Quick responder
Anemone Events 
Rating: 5.0 (16 reviews)
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $2,100
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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
I cannot recommend Sarah enough! While I initially thought I just needed someone for the “day of,” I quickly realized how much goes into wedding coordination in the weeks and months leading up to the big day—and Sarah was there every step of the way. She went so far above and beyond what I ever expected, and I truly don’t know how I would have gotten through the wedding planning process, or the actual day, without her. From the moment we started working together, Sarah brought a sense of calm, professionalism, and thoughtfulness to everything. She is kind, incredibly organized, detail-oriented, and somehow manages to be both relaxed and hard-working at the same time. Every detail was thought through, every vendor was communicated with, and every little hiccup was handled before I even had time to worry about it. On my wedding day, I was able to be fully present and soak it all in, because I knew Sarah had everything under control. If you’re on the fence about whether you need a day-of coordinator, don’t overthink it—hire Sarah. She is a true gem, and you’ll be so glad to have her in your corner.
Alexa S., a year ago
Quick responder
One Fine Day Events 
Rating: 5.0 (15 reviews)
  • Offers 6 services
  • Starts at $1,900
  • Serves Lake Forest, 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 had an amazing experience with Gina & team. They stepped in one month out from my wedding and created a detailed timeline, confirmed with all my vendors on load in details, set up decor perfectly and were really the hub of the day. Gina was also readily available for me throughout the days/weeks leading up to the big day and on the big day itself! Highly recommend them to make your day seamless and stress free!!
Meredith, 2 years ago