From intimate weddings to the city’s top galas, these are the planners, players and other party pros that take the cake according to Better readers.
Best Band
Green Fourteen
A longtime The Knot hall-of fame winner for best wedding band, Green Fourteen will tailor everything from music to costumes for your special event and offers a number of a la carte add-ons from live dancers to a full horn section to take your party to the next level.
Best Bridal Shop (Suburbs)
Bella Bleu Bridal, Winnetka
912 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka
A repeat winner, Bella Bleu Bridal offers exclusive collections modern brides will love — by appointment only for an intimate experience.
Best Bridal Shop (City)
Mira Couture
70 East Walton Street, 2nd Floor
This Gold Coast bridal boutique has provided designer gowns and custom pieces for brides, mothers-of-the-bride and global clientele for over 50 years.
Best Evening Wear (Suburbs)
The Lake Forest Shop
265 Market Square, Lake Forest
Founded in 1922, The Shop will help you find a dreamy dress for your next big gala or a ready-to-wear piece for a spontaneous soiree.
Best Evening Wear (City)
Nordstrom
Various locations
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The luxury department store offers formal wear from designers such as Valentino, Badgley Mischka and Givenchy so you can dazzle at your next event.
Best Event Planner (Suburbs)
elliestyled, Lake Forest
elliestyled is a full service event planning and styling company founded in 2016. Focusing on modern luxe lifestyling for events and spaces, their designs are detailed, personal and mindfully curated. Whether you need tablescape styling, or help with a wedding or shower, their offerings are on trend and approachable. elliestyled also offers event rentals as an alternative to full service planning and styling.
Best Event Planner (City)
Anticipation Events
Anticipation Events is a boutique event planning and styling company that emphasizes atypical and stylish weddings, social occasions, and special events. They make sure every detail is in place down to the last disco ball.
Best Event Venue (Suburbs)
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe
Let Mother Nature take care of your decor and the Chicago Botanic Garden’s event staff will take care of the rest.
Best Event Venue (City)
Theater on the Lake
2401 N. Lake Shore Dr.
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Theater on the Lake gives you four venue options, or you can use the entire building, with stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city’s skyline.
Best Caterer (Suburbs)
Catering by Michael’s, Morton Grove
6203 Park Ave, Morton Grove
Founded in 1980, Catering by Micheal’s has aspired to always deliver truly unique experiences. They believe that catering is more than just food on a plate, it’s about about building relationships with the customer’s personal style.
Best Caterer (City)
Blue Plate
Blue Plate caters at more than 80 unique Chicago area venues and boasts a culinary team that is unmatched in the industry.
Best Photographer (Suburbs)
Nicole Jones Photography, Wilmette
Various Locations
Nicole Jones, a Wilmette photographer, specializes in family, newborn, senior, professional headshots, and business photography. Nicole has been passionate about photography ever since she realized that capturing the milestone moments in your family is important and she wanted to do the same for other families.
Best Photographer (City)
Emilia Jane Photography
Award-winning, Chicago-based editorial photographer Emilia Jane has been photographing for 11 years and finds joy in capturing families’ personalities and “telling their story in a way that is all them.”
Best Stationer (Suburbs)
Fiore Press Letterpress, Lake Bluff
37 sherwood terrace, suite 123, Lake Bluff
Owned and operated by Carmela Heintzelman, Fiore Press specializes in custom letterpress invitations and announcements for all of life’s important celebrations as well as social stationery and business correspondence.
Best Stationer (City)
Lively House & Home
Lively House & Home tells your wedding story through timeless design—custom wedding invitations, calligraphy and day-of details will make your experience one of a kind.
Best Party & Event Rentals
Trend Event Rentals
Trend Event Rentals provides eclectic furnishings that elevate any event style and experience. Their goal is to help share peace, love, and joy by living by inspiration and being community minded.
