Top 5 Wedding Planners in Illinois
-
Editor & Publisher -
Client Services Leader
- May 18, 2026
- 18 min read
- Events
Source: Peerspace
Across Illinois, Chicago’s iconic skyline provides a dramatic backdrop for rooftop ceremonies, charming suburban estates sit nestled among rolling farmland, and lakefront venues practically sparkle at golden hour. The state offers an event landscape unlike anywhere else. Whether you’re dreaming of a glamorous ballroom affair on the Magnificent Mile or an intimate garden gathering in Rockford, Illinois delivers the kind of variety that makes wedding planning genuinely exciting.
That competitive landscape is great news for couples. With so many talented professionals vying to earn your trust, you benefit from planners who go above and beyond—bringing deep local knowledge, creative vision, and the kind of vendor relationships that only come from years of working in this market. The best Illinois wedding planners know how to navigate everything from Chicago’s complex permitting requirements to the unpredictable Midwest weather that can shift plans in an instant.
We’ve carefully vetted the five wedding planners below based on client reviews, industry recognition, and portfolio quality. These professionals consistently deliver exceptional experiences for couples throughout Illinois and beyond.
How we curate our list
Finding the right wedding planner is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during the planning process. That’s why we take our selection criteria seriously, evaluating each planner through a rigorous process before they earn a spot on this list.
Our selection criteria include:
- Client reviews across multiple platforms: We analyze feedback from couples on The Knot, WeddingWire, Google, and social media to ensure consistent satisfaction.
- Industry recognition and awards: We look for planners with accolades from respected organizations and wedding publications.
- Professional credentials and associations: Active membership in industry groups, ongoing education, and verified business operations are often held by our planners.
Beyond these core criteria, we also evaluate portfolio quality for range and creativity, and we assess each planner’s online presence for active engagement with their community.
Best wedding planners in Illinois
1. Save The Date
Company name and founder/lead planner: Save The Date / Johnna Kulesza
Johnna Kulesza is a Rockford, Illinois-based wedding planner who spent over five years coordinating at some of the area’s top venues before launching her own company. She describes herself as “your wedding planning bestie,” and that warmth comes through in every client interaction. Her background in venue operations gives her an insider’s understanding of how events actually run behind the scenes—knowledge that proves invaluable when the unexpected happens.
Specialty/niche: Save The Date offers full planning, partial planning, day-of coordination, and a DIY planning toolkit—making their services accessible to couples at every stage and budget. Johnna’s approach blends meticulous organization with genuine personal care, and she’s especially beloved by out-of-state couples who need a trusted local partner on the ground in Illinois.
Notable projects or signature style: Johnna’s signature is her ability to handle the unexpected with grace. When one couple’s photographer arrived an hour late, she adjusted the entire timeline without the couple feeling any stress. She’s known for thoughtful touches—one bride shared that Johnna had a heart-shaped straw in her emergency kit so the bride could drink water without ruining her makeup. Those details reveal a planner who thinks three steps ahead.
Pricing: Save The Date offers tiered packages including full planning, partial planning, a planning toolkit for DIY couples, and day-of coordination. Reach out to the company directly through their website to request a custom quote.
Why we love them: Save The Date guarantees email responses within 12 hours and offers flexible appointment scheduling outside standard office hours—a huge plus for busy couples. Johnna’s communication style is consistently praised as kind, efficient, and thoughtful, and her team approach means you’ll always have experienced professionals in your corner. Clients consistently praise their exceptional product and service quality, noting that outcomes often exceed expectations. Testimonials highlight their flawless execution and seamless coordination of multiple event elements, ensuring a smooth, well-supported experience from inquiry through delivery.
Connect with them: Follow @savethedate_weddingplanning on Instagram for a peek into their creative process and recent events.
2. Renny Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Renny Events / Renny Pedersen
Renny Pedersen has been running her Chicago studio since 2000, bringing more than 25 years of experience to every celebration she touches. Inspired early on by her mother—an interior designer who taught her the power of storytelling through space—Renny began her career in culinary school before transitioning into full-service event planning and concept design.
Specialty/niche: Formerly known as Bliss Events, Renny Events is a high-touch planning and concept design studio specializing in intentional, full-service wedding planning for couples in Chicago and destinations worldwide. The team has in-house design, styling, floral, and event production capabilities, meaning a more cohesive client experience and more responsible management of your budget.
Notable projects or signature style: Renny and her team are celebrated for their calm command of complex events and their ability to transform any setting—ballrooms, museums, lakeside lawns, and private estates—into deeply personal environments. Their work has been recognized by Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Style Me Pretty, Modern Luxury, Real Simple, and the Chicago Tribune, among many others.
Pricing: Renny Events creates custom packages for each client. Reach out to the company directly via their website to request a tailored quote.
Why we love them: Renny Events only takes a small handful of full-service weddings each year to ensure each couple receives the attention they deserve. The company has been named one of the best planners in the country and a Top 50 event planning firm in the United States. That level of selectivity and recognition speaks volumes about the caliber of work they deliver. Clients consistently praise Renny for creating a calm and reassuring planning experience, with many noting they felt “completely at ease” from the very first meeting. Testimonials highlight the team’s comprehensive, end-to-end support and their remarkable ability to translate complex visions into reality while flawlessly managing multiple logistical elements simultaneously.
Connect with them: Follow @renny.events on Instagram and explore their press page for more of their featured work.
3. Elegante Weddings and Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Elegante Weddings and Events / Lisa Jaroscak Chin
Lisa Jaroscak Chin has created more than 150 bespoke weddings and party experiences for clients around the world. Her background includes work in the music and outdoor festival industry with clients such as the NFL and Forbes 500 brand sponsors, giving her a unique perspective on large-scale event production that translates beautifully into wedding planning.
Specialty/niche: Elegante Weddings and Events is known for their concierge-level service that ensures a frictionless experience for clients. Lisa lived abroad in Italy and spent time building a network of local collaborators there—she speaks the language and creates not just beautiful wedding days but complete travel experiences for all guests. If you’re planning a destination wedding, especially in Italy, Lisa’s international expertise is a rare and valuable asset.
Notable projects or signature style: One couple shared that Lisa worked alongside them for over a year on a destination wedding in Malibu. When their initial venue cancelled one month out due to a construction delay, Lisa found a new venue in just two days. She’s been highlighted as one of the Dynamic Women of Chicago and featured on the Charlotte Today Show—check her press page for all her media appearances.
Pricing: Elegante Weddings and Events creates custom packages for each client, so contact them through their website to request detailed pricing.
Why we love them: Lisa receives glowing reviews for exceptional organization, attention to detail, and flawless execution. Clients describe her as calm, organized, and professional, with strong vendor connections that result in beautiful, stress-free experiences. Clients frequently call the team “absolutely amazing” and cite their hiring as the best decision made for their wedding. Testimonials highlight their exceptional ability to deliver seamless multi-day and destination weddings, leveraging a strong vendor network to ensure a completely stress-free planning experience that consistently exceeds expectations.
Connect with them: Follow @_eleganteweddingsandevents on Instagram to see her latest work and destination celebrations.
4. You Name It Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: You Name It Events / Leanne Valdes
Leanne Valdes has been providing wedding design, planning, and coordination services in the Chicago area and worldwide for over 15 years, with more than 500 events under her belt. Based in the western suburbs, she serves couples throughout the city, suburbs, and destination locations including Canada, Mexico, and several U.S. states.
Specialty/niche: You Name It Events offers full planning, partial planning, day-of coordination, and custom packages tailored to each couple’s needs and budget. Leanne’s philosophy centers on the idea that both the big picture and the details matter equally—she tells clients their goal is to help plan a wedding that wouldn’t work for any other couple, because the unique details they create wouldn’t fit anyone else.
Notable projects or signature style: One couple shared that Leanne calmed their nerves about family drama in the week before the wedding and handled drunk groomsmen, rude guests, and vendor issues on the day—all without the couple knowing. That behind-the-scenes problem-solving is exactly what sets a great planner apart. Her ability to shield couples from stress while keeping the celebration running smoothly is a consistent theme in her client reviews.
Pricing: Coordination packages start at $6,000 ($5,000 for early booking). Planning starts at $24,000 ($20,000 for early booking). Contact them through their website for full pricing details.
Why we love them: One vendor who works regularly with Leanne shared that a mutual client called her “the best money we spent on the entire wedding.” Her willingness to create custom packages that fit different budgets makes her accessible to a wide range of couples, and reviews consistently praise her calm, collected professionalism. Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with clients emphasizing the team’s exceptional ability to capture and execute their vision with precision. Testimonials highlight a strong trust factor—one reviewer even called Leanne the “Olivia Pope of wedding planners”—noting that the team’s flawless coordination and attention to detail allowed couples to feel completely relaxed and at ease on their big day.
Connect with them: Follow @younameitevents on Instagram for a look at their latest celebrations.
5. Estera Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Estera Events / Bianca Hall & Erica Vanco
Starting as interns for Estera Events back in 2010, Bianca and Erica worked tirelessly to establish a name for themselves in the wedding industry. The two acquired Estera Events in 2019 and now proudly lead the company as co-owners. Named among the best luxury wedding planners in the world by Vogue and Brides, this Chicago-headquartered duo brings bold, rule-breaking creativity to every celebration they touch.
Specialty/niche: Estera Events is a full-service destination event planning company that pledges to never duplicate something that’s already been done. They build each team of creative partners from the ground up so that every event is delightfully unexpected and personal. Their particular strength lies in honing in on culinary, cultural, and custom moments of impact that make each wedding feel truly one-of-a-kind.
Notable projects or signature style: Their diverse portfolio ranges from intimate seaside gatherings to fashion-forward country club takeovers, each designed to speak to the essence of a couple’s unique preferences. Their work has been featured in Vogue, Brides, Veranda, and on Carats & Cake. Since their industry start in 2010, Bianca and Erica have played a key role in refreshing the wedding industry with their bold creativity and design-forward approach.
Pricing: The experiences seen throughout the Estera Events portfolio are reflective of budgets that begin at $400,000 and range upwards of $1M. Contact them through their website for specific pricing details.
Why we love them: A hallmark of Estera Events is their ability to make the planning process not just manageable—but joyful. With 37K followers on Instagram, Bianca and Erica have built a strong community around their luxury destination wedding work. If you’re looking for a planner who will push creative boundaries while keeping every logistical detail locked down, this duo delivers. Customer reviews strongly reinforce this reputation, consistently earning near-perfect ratings across multiple platforms. Clients praise their distinctive dual-role model—offering both a lead planner and a lead stylist—and describe the team as a “beacon of professionalism” with incredibly high standards, exacting attention to detail, and a highly collaborative approach.
Connect with them: Follow @esteraevents on Instagram and visit their press page to explore their featured work.
Choosing an Illinois wedding planner
With so many talented professionals in the state, choosing the right planner can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to narrow down your options and find the perfect match for your celebration.
1. Test their knowledge of neighborhood logistics
Don’t just ask if they know Illinois—test their knowledge. Ask specific questions like: “What’s the parking situation at venues in the West Loop on a Saturday evening?” or “Which Chicago neighborhoods have noise ordinances that could affect our reception?” A planner with real local experience will answer immediately and offer alternatives. Vague responses like “we’ll figure it out” are red flags. Ask them to walk you through how they’d handle guest transportation between a ceremony in the suburbs and a reception downtown—their answer reveals whether they’ve actually managed events across Illinois.
2. Assess their crisis management for Chicago-specific challenges
Ask about backup plans: “What happens if a snowstorm hits the week of our winter wedding?” or “How do you handle a sudden lakefront wind advisory for an outdoor ceremony?” Experienced Illinois planners have protocols ready—relationships with indoor backup venues, vendor cancellation policies they’ve negotiated, and guest communication templates. Listen for specifics: Did they have heated tent options secured? Climate-controlled spaces on standby? Their answer should include vendor names, timeline decisions, and cost implications. Generic “we’re flexible” responses indicate they haven’t stress-tested their process in Illinois’s real conditions.
3. Evaluate their vendor network depth
Ask: “Which caterers, florists, and rental companies do you work with regularly, and why?” Strong planners will name three to five vendors per category and explain the relationship. Then ask: “What happens if they’re booked?” The depth of their backup list matters. Ask for introduction calls with two or three key vendors. During those calls, gauge the vendor’s enthusiasm—do they light up mentioning this planner? That chemistry translates to better service, priority scheduling, and problem-solving on your wedding day.
4. Verify their permit and regulation expertise
Ask: “What permits would we need for our specific event type in our chosen neighborhood?” A knowledgeable planner will outline requirements without hesitation—noise permits, street closures, alcohol licenses, fire safety inspections. They should know processing times and costs. Chicago in particular has complex permitting requirements that vary by neighborhood and venue type. A planner who can walk you through the exact department to contact, the forms you’ll need, and the timeline proves they’ve navigated the city’s bureaucracy successfully.
5. Review their portfolio for Illinois specifically
Don’t just ask for their general portfolio—ask for events specifically in Illinois or neighborhoods relevant to your wedding. Request three to five examples similar to yours in event type, size, budget range, and venue style. During the portfolio review, ask: “What was the biggest challenge in executing this event?” Strong planners will cite Illinois-specific obstacles—weather backup plans, vendor scheduling during peak season, parking logistics—and explain their solutions. Follow up by asking to contact that client directly.
Planning a wedding in Illinois
Wedding planning in Illinois is all about timing. Here’s what you need to know to plan around the state’s unique calendar and conditions.
Weather patterns: Illinois weather is famously unpredictable. Summers (June through August) are warm and humid, making them the most popular—and most competitive—months for weddings. Fall offers gorgeous foliage but can bring early cold snaps. Winter weddings can be magical but require serious contingency planning for snow and ice. Spring is beautiful but rainy. Always have an indoor backup plan, regardless of the season. Check the National Weather Service Chicago office for seasonal forecasts as you narrow down your date.
Peak season and pricing: Wedding season in Illinois runs roughly from May through October, with June and September being the most in-demand months. Booking during these months means higher venue costs and less vendor availability. Consider a Friday or Sunday wedding, or look at the shoulder months of April and November for better pricing. The Choose Chicago seasonal guide is a helpful resource for understanding what each month looks like in terms of crowds and weather.
Major events to avoid: Planning around Chicago’s major events can save you headaches with hotel availability and pricing. Check the Choose Chicago events calendar for up-to-date scheduling on events like:
- Lollapalooza (August)
- Chicago Marathon (October)
- Chicago Auto Show (February)
- Taste of Chicago (July)
- St. Patrick’s Day celebrations (March)
- NFL Draft or major sports events (varies)
Transportation and parking: If your wedding is in Chicago, think carefully about guest transportation. Neighborhoods like the West Loop, River North, and Lincoln Park can have limited parking, especially on weekends. Many planners recommend shuttle services between ceremony and reception venues, or choosing a venue near public transit. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trip planner and Regional Transportation Authority rider guide can help you assess transit accessibility for your chosen venue—especially useful for out-of-town guests navigating the city.
Marriage license requirements: Before getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk’s office. The marriage license fee is $60. Couples must obtain a marriage or civil union license at least one day, but no longer than 60 days, prior to the ceremony. Visit the Cook County Clerk’s official marriage license application page for complete eligibility requirements, office locations, and to begin your application online. If you’re marrying outside Cook County, contact the county clerk’s office where your ceremony will take place, as marriage licenses issued in Cook County are only valid in Cook County, and marriage licenses issued outside of Cook County are not valid within.
Permits: Chicago requires permits for certain types of events, especially those involving outdoor spaces, amplified music, or street closures. Your planner should handle this, but it’s worth asking about early in the process.
FAQs: wedding planning in Illinois
When should I hire an Illinois wedding planner?
Aim to hire your planner at least six to 12 months before your wedding date, especially if you’re planning during peak season (May through October). Popular planners book up quickly, so the earlier you start your search, the more options you’ll have.
How much does a wedding planner cost in Illinois?
Costs vary widely depending on the level of service. Day-of coordination typically starts at a lower price point, while full-service luxury planning can run significantly higher. Most planners charge either a flat fee or a percentage of your overall wedding budget (typically 15-20%). Many Illinois planners offer tiered packages, so you can find an option that fits your budget.
Do I need a planner if my venue has a coordinator?
Yes—a venue coordinator and an independent wedding planner serve very different roles. A venue coordinator focuses on the property itself: setup, catering logistics, and making sure the venue’s policies are followed. An independent planner works for you, managing your entire vendor team, design vision, timeline, and budget across all aspects of your wedding.
Why hire a local Illinois planner versus bringing someone from out of town?
Local planners bring invaluable knowledge of Illinois-specific regulations, established vendor relationships, familiarity with venue quirks, and an understanding of seasonal challenges like Chicago’s unpredictable weather. They know which neighborhoods have parking issues, which vendors are reliable under pressure, and how to navigate the city’s permitting process—details that can make or break your wedding day.
Great weddings start with the right planner and the perfect space
The right wedding planner transforms your vision into reality, handling the countless details so you can be fully present on one of the most important days of your life. Every planner on this list brings something unique to the table—whether it’s decades of luxury experience, a knack for budget-friendly creativity, or deep expertise in destination celebrations. Paired with the perfect Illinois wedding venue, these professionals will help you create a wedding that’s authentically, unforgettably yours.
If you have feedback on our list, our team would love to hear from you. Reach us anytime at [email protected] with suggestions, corrections, or additions.
