The Best Wedding Vendors in River Forest, IL

The Best Wedding Vendors in River Forest, IL

How do we sort results, including Sponsored Ads and personalized results?


1000+ Wedding Vendors in River Forest, IL

Quick responder
Eivan's Photo & Video 

4.9

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,149
  • Serves River Forest, IL

We offer a personalized experience backed up by more than 33+ years in business delivering high quality, creative photography and video on time and within your wedding budget. We are experts in photojournalism, offering couples an unmatched level of value for their wedding photography and video services.

Awarded Best of Zola
Hiring Eivan’s for our wedding was a great decision! Our photographer Gregory I was professional and FUN! He kept us smiling throughout the day with his quirky personality! My fiancé does not care for photos so I’m happy we had someone working with us who could make him comfortable. He made sure to get multiple images even if it was just “one more”, it was never one more! We had actually hired a different photographer and we replaced him with this company. Worth the stress and money! If I had any tips for the company, it would be to have your photographers give a 30 minute warning before their contracted time is up. Weddings are so busy for the bride and groom, it is very easy to lose track of time. I think clients would appreciate a little heads up just so they can try and capture any photos they may have missed. Other than that, I have ZERO complaints. Such an amazing experience! 10/10 highly recommend :)
Melanie T., a year ago
Quick responder
Eivan's Photo & Video 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Cinematic style
  • Starts at $1,200
  • Serves River Forest, IL

We offer a personalized experience backed up by more than 33+ years in business delivering high quality, creative photography and video on time and within your wedding budget. We are experts in photojournalism, offering couples an unmatched level of value for their wedding photography and video services.

Awarded Best of Zola
We used Eivan's for both engagement photos and our wedding and couldn't be happier. They are wonderful about asking for your input and making sure you are truly happy with what you are getting. The photographers and videographers are the perfect mixture of professional and casual/friendly so that you are comfortable. We loved Rachael H for engagement photos, and Heather G (photo) and Dmytro L (video) for our wedding. They also actually care about you and the event itself, starting with asking you about your story. We got both a photographer, videographer, and engagement photos for a great bundle price, which was so helpful. Customer service is also fantastic about answering questions thoroughly and quickly. After booking and after the events, they send you information about what to expect, etc. I did quite a but of research into photography companies, and I would highly highly recommend Eivan's!
Grace T., 2 months ago
Quick responder
George Street Photo and Video 

4.9

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,295
  • Serves River Forest, IL
  • Offer

George Street Photo and Video has one story to tell: Yours. With over twenty years of experience, our award-winning team has been lucky to capture thousands of weddings for our couples across the United States. Specializing in both wedding photography and videography, we offer affordable and customizable packages starting at $1295 that are designed to suit your unique vision and budget. We even offer a fun style test to help us match you with a photographer that aligns with the vibe of your day.

Awarded Best of Zola
George Street Photo and Video were a pleasure to work with for our wedding day. From the start, they were punctual, professional, and friendly in all of our communications. On the day of the wedding, they were well-organized and on time, which helped make our day stress-free and enjoyable. The quality of their work was simply beautiful, classy, and genuine - they truly captured the special moments and emotions of our wedding in a way that feels authentic and timeless. We highly recommend George Street Photo and Video, and have shared our wonderful experience with everyone we know.
David and L., a year ago
Quick responder
Hairs 2 the Bride, LTD 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Team of 21
  • Starts at $100
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Hairs 2 the Bride, LTD, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, will bring the salon to you on your wedding day. They create beautiful hair and makeup styling, offer facials, and do manicures and pedicures for a complete experience. With multiple licensed stylists available, Hairs 2 the Bride will work with groups of up to 50+ people.

Awarded Best of Zola
I cannot thank my hairstylist enough for the incredible job she did on my hair for my wedding. It was a last-minute decision to change my hairstyle on the big day, and I was filled with anxiety about how it would turn out. However, she listened to my vision and transformed my hair into exactly what I had dreamed of. The attention to detail and her skill were evident as she crafted a stunning look that perfectly complemented my dress. I felt beautiful and confident, and it was all thanks to her talent and expertise!
Caroline D., a year ago
Quick responder
Heirloom Event Company 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 2 services
  • Starts at $2,995
  • Serves River Forest, IL
  • Offer

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

Awarded Best of Zola
I've never seen such a beautiful curated timeline until Haylie sent one over! It had everything I needed as vendor. EVERY DETAIL. Would absolutely love working with her again!
Rose Gold F., a year ago
Quick responder
Windy City Glam - Best Bridal Hair & Makeup Team 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Team of 17
  • Starts at $700
  • Serves River Forest, IL

We are a team of mobile professional hairstylists and makeup artists who help brides feeling and looking their best self! Weddings, engagement shoots, bridal showers, bachelorette parties. Soft glam makeup with glowing skin and chic hairdos are what we're best known for!

Awarded Best of Zola
Windy City Glam was incredible!!! During the whole process, they were immediately responsive and thoughtful in addressing all my needs. On the day of the wedding, the team was so kind, relaxing, and attentive as they transformed my look as well as the rest of my party. I requested so many changes from our trial, but Jean was amazing, remaining flexible and accommodating every request. Their professionalism and talent truly made me feel so beautiful and relaxed. I really loved how they made the rest of my party feel as well. My bridesmaids and both moms looked so beautiful, and I’m so happy to have had this glam moment with my favorite women!
Junee Y., a month ago
Quick responder
The Simply Elegant Group 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 7 services
  • Starts at $1,975
  • Serves River 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
Working with Hanh from the Simply Elegant Group was simply the best decision we could have made for planning our son's wedding.  When my son asked me to help he and his partner plan their wedding, I started researching and was immediately overwhelmed.  From the first call with Simply Elegant Group to the last dance at the wedding, Hanh helped us find the very best vendors, saved us money and took all of the stress of planning and organizing off of our shoulders.  Hanh was professional, experienced, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.  Hanh's work and attention to detail made it "the best wedding ever" according to all of our guests.  I would absolutely recommend the Simply Elegant Group if you want to get the best value, the best ideas, the best vendors and enjoy your wedding.
Jennifer A., 6 days ago
Quick responder
Albany Capture Film & Photography Studios 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Serves River Forest, IL

You're not just hiring a photographer—you're gaining a creative partner who’s with you from “yes” to “I do.” I’m Pedro, Creative Director of Albany Capture, and for over 12 years I’ve been documenting love stories through a style that blends photojournalism with fine art. Weddings are more than just events—they're a celebration of connection, and I’m passionate about preserving the real, fleeting moments that make your day unforgettable. To ensure we provide dedicated time and personalized recommendations for your wedding photography and videography needs, we now offer in-depth consultations for a nominal fee of $50.

Awarded Best of Zola
Pedro and his team did a FANTASTIC job with our wedding photos and they were an absolute joy to work with!! This started while planning for the wedding as Pedro was very flexible in setting up meetings where we discussed logistics and specific pictures we wanted captured the day of. He also recommended the Fragrance Garden at the Morton Arboretum for wedding photos, which turned out beautifully. On the day of the wedding, Pedro and his team were very thorough and captured all of the special moments of the day! They were positive, professional, and efficient in capturing photos for our large bridal party and family. Going with Albany Capture for our wedding photos was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions we made for the wedding. We also want to give a shout-out to Josh who actually captured our engagement photos and was one of the photographers on the wedding day too! He's an incredible photographer and it was quite special to have capture the entire journey!
Stephen O., 22 days ago
Quick responder
Nicky Avalo Studios 

5.0

  • DJ
  • Starts at $1,400
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Nicky Avalo Studios (N.A.S.) is known for elevating the expectation and experience at every wedding, corporate, and private event all across the Midwest & the U.S. We have branches in cities such as; Omaha, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Chicago, and more. We offer services such as; DJ’s, Photo Booths, Videography, Photography, and Live Musicians (consisting of string quartet, harpist, violinist, cellist, and pianist) for every type of event. Our mission is to provide a unique and memorable experience to every client and every event we do.

Awarded Best of Zola
Nicky Avalo Studios is AMAZING. DJ Redd kept the dance floor filled all night long. I was one of the crazy brides who had a veryyyyy long must play list and he did a great job at playing the songs that kept people singing & dancing. From the very start, it was such an easy process!! Nicky was so so helpful. I filled out the document and everything I asked for was done. Before the wedding, I had actual nightmares about who would DJ my wedding (no idea why… just mustve been what I was most nervous for?! LOL) and WOW those nightmares were all wrong. DJ Redd is the best & even joined us on the dance floor! Seriously I cant say enough good things. I told Nicky about the nightmares I had & he went above & beyond & showed up to our wedding to say hey which just made it even more special. THANK YOU Nicky Avalo Studios for being everything we asked for & more. Attached pics of me & then DJ Redd doing the splits LOL
Emily H., 2 months ago
Quick responder
Bluewater Kings Band 

5.0

  • Band or Ensemble
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves River Forest, IL

We're live music experts, wedding enthusiasts, and party starters, infusing every event with energy and full dance floors. We're here to make your wedding the greatest party of your life! The Bluewater Kings are a premium, customizable 3 to 14 piece band specializing in high-energy music–at a sensible price. Our talented and professional musicians have performed regularly with touring and recording artists including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Cher, Miranda Lambert, Ray LaMontagne, Prince, Shakira, Chicago and Tony Bennett, as well as working and touring with numerous Broadway shows.

Awarded Best of Zola
The Bluewater Kings Band was an absolute joy to work with for our wedding. From the very first interaction, Kevin and the entire band were organized, professional, and incredibly responsive as we planned the music for our big day. They took the time to understand our preferences and created a personalized setlist that kept our dance floor packed all night long, even learning multiple songs so our first dances could be live! Phil, the lead singer, was particularly amazing!He was so talented and attentive, even offering us drinks during his band breaks! The whole band truly helped make our wedding day so special and fun, and we couldn't recommend them more highly. Everyone loved them!!
Sydney W., 5 months ago
Quick responder
Chicago Winery 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 225 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $20,000

Chicago Winery offers a vibrant setting in the heart of the city, perfect for couples seeking a unique and memorable wedding. The venue combines urban chic with winery charm, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere. Guests enjoy the in-house wine selection and customizable menus, ensuring a personalized culinary experience. The attentive staff and flexible event spaces cater to various wedding styles, making it easy to create a bespoke celebration. Chicago Winery is ideal for those looking to blend city sophistication with the intimate feel of a winery.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Allows pets
  • Flexible event spaces
  • Provides event staff

Venue considerations

  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • No on-premises lodging options
  • On-site parking not available
Awarded Best of Zola
Our wedding day & the planning leading up to it was absolutely perfect and we can't thank the Chicago Winery staff (especially our event manager Hulda!) enough for making our wedding come to life exactly as we dreamed it. The venue is gorgeous, our guests raved about the food/appetizers/cocktails/etc. and it is truly a night we will never forget. Being able to go outside to the cocktail hour terrace was also a huge plus to get people moving around and seeing new parts of the venue while the Chicago Winery staff transformed the whole space from ceremony to reception. We worked with Amy right after booking the space and she was so helpful in being a resource for us to bounce questions off of as we began planning. We utilized a lot of the preferred vendors (florist, DJ, etc.) that Chicago Winery recommended and they did not disappoint. Our event manager, Hulda, was soooooo helpful throughout the last 6 months of preparations and as our day-of manager - we could not have done it without her. She made sure the whole day was perfect and everything timeline-wise lined up exactly as we envisioned it. Can't recommend Chicago Winery enough! 1000000/10
Jack H., a year ago
Quick responder
Luniks Entertainment Inc 

5.0

  • DJ
  • Starts at $2,400
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Luniks Entertainment specializes in tailoring music to align with your individual style and musical preferences, ensuring that our DJs adeptly gauge the atmosphere to encourage your guests to engage and enjoy. Our comprehensive Wedding DJ packages encompass up to 5 hours of music within the same room/space, featuring an extensive library of songs. Prior to your significant day, we engage in thorough consultations to align with your vision, discussing the timeline and curating a playlist for key moments. Leveraging various planning forms, we strive to orchestrate a seamless and memorable experience for your special day.

Awarded Best of Zola
What can I say!!! The whole experience was amazing! From start to finish! Daniel! Was the best! With helping us organize everything with the music! The flow of things! The music was excellent! DJ Alex read the room very well! The dance floor was never empty! Our guest were saying how well he balanced English and Spanish music and also mentioned that our wedding is one for the books because of how good the music was! Our guest danced there butts off! We are over all happy with everything! We are definitely!! Giving them a call! For our next event!! Thank you Daniel and Alex!! You guys are the best!! -Nick & Nathali
Nick & N., 3 months ago
Quick responder
Flowers For Dreams 

4.9

  • Florist
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Flowers for Dreams is a mission-driven, local flower design company. Using beautiful & natural wedding bouquets to advance causes of justice and charity in your community. There are no silly upsells, no unnecessary add-ons, and always honest pricing. Our designers work with you from the first meeting to your wedding day.

Awarded Best of Zola
Flowers for Dreams created some of the coolest florals we've ever seen — truly unlike anything else out there. We got so many compliments on the arrangements, and they brought such a modern, artful energy to our ceremony and reception. The aisle decor in particular completely exceeded our expectations — it felt like stepping into a dream. We didn’t know exactly which flowers would be used, but we trusted the process, and they absolutely delivered. The team brought our vision to life in a way that felt effortless, intentional, and totally “us.” Everything was delivered perfectly on time and exactly where it needed to be — no stress, just beauty. Casey was wonderful to work with — dedicated, responsive, and persistent in the best way possible. She made sure every detail was sorted and that nothing slipped through the cracks. And beyond all of that, we love that Flowers for Dreams partners with local charities. It felt good knowing that something so beautiful also had purpose behind it. We couldn’t recommend them more!
Alexandria C., 5 months ago
Quick responder
Nova Photos 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $895
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Nova Photos is a wedding photography, videography, and photo booth studio in Chicago, IL. We're a multicultural, multilingual, LGBTQ-friendly, photographer/employee-owned studio dedicated to documenting the most memorable moments of your wedding day! Collectively, we have captured over 10,000 weddings. At Nova Photos, we work with our clients every step of the way. The team provides comprehensive support with planning locations, setting up permits, and creating a timeline that works for them and their other vendors. Every couple deserves more than just memories; they deserve a timeless keepsake that captures the essence of their love story!

Awarded Best of Zola
Nova Photos absolutely understood the assignment when capturing my maternity shoot. Super creative, friendly, and fun! I’ll definitely be using them again!
Jamie L., a year ago
Quick responder
Beauty By Ann Krause 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Team of 16
  • Starts at $1,540
  • Serves River Forest, IL

The Premier Chicago Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Team for Refined and Approachable Wedding Day Beauty. Beauty by Ann Krause is a wedding hair and makeup team based in Chicago, IL. Our artists will help you to narrow down your inspiration photos and create the Bridal look you have always dreamed of. Ann prides herself in taking away the stress of wedding morning preparations with beauty services brought to your location and following a timeline customized to meet your needs. Please note that there is a six person hair and makeup minimum (or equal service dollar amount) requirement per booking on Friday- Sunday in April through December.

Awarded Best of Zola
I can’t say enough amazing things about Ann! From the start, her communication had all the details I needed and she followed up with me when needed to schedule my trial and get any necessary details for the day of. And I believe her prices are very fair and reasonable! I only used hair styling services since for my wedding. I showed Ann a few inspiration pictures, and at the trial she absolutely exceeded my expectations!! I couldn’t stop looking at the pictures leading up to my wedding. The day of, Ann showed up on time, set up quickly, and was clear about any other items she needed. She stuck to our timeline and gave ever girl the look they asked for flawlessly. With a couple of tweaks like adding in my hair clips, Ann once again exceeded my vision and created a definite conversation piece for the night! It was exactly the look I was picturing and more, I got so many compliments and my flower girls thought I was a Disney Princess. Which I call a win! Ann was an absolute delight to work with and I really hope I get to see her again!
Shelby M., a year ago
Quick responder
BW Studio + Events 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 5 services
  • Starts at $3,800
  • Serves River 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
Working with Blair was probably the best decision we made during the process of planning our wedding. My husband and I both work 9-5 corporate jobs, and we knew that we needed to bring someone onto our “wedding team” that would help keep us on track with all of the milestones during the wedding planning process. From the get-go, over our 15-month planning period, Blair was always transparent about timing and was a master of following up regarding timelines, without ever badgering us or coming across as controlling. She spent over an hour discussing budgets with us and our families early on, to make sure that everything we planned stayed in the budget range that we’d all agreed upon. This was especially helpful during our venue and vendor selection process. She helped us find that blew our socks off, and also found us the most wonderful florist (@thelocalpetaler) who was able to provide us way more bang for our buck than any florist we’d be able to find on our own - a huge advantage. While we had our venue already picked out, Blair was able to recommend a food and beverage package with an available catering company that fell delivered us fantastic food and a premium beverage package that fit our budget. 

Leading up to the wedding, Blair was also a master in helping us coordinate our wedding day planning including family photos, transportation e.g. coordinating our bus between multiple hotels and the venue while making it easy for us to just focus on ourselves. The peace of mind that Blair brought us throughout the planning process, week of, and day of our wedding made having our wedding a cakewalk rather than a headache. Spending the money to hire Blair was the best decision we could’ve made for our wedding!
Kelly B., a year ago
Quick responder
Latek Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Editorial style
  • Starts at $3,700
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Hi! I’m Connie! First of all congrats!🍾 ✨Thank you for visiting my profile and considering me as your photographer! I am so excited for your big day! Here are some things you might wanna know! I’m not typical photog- I don’t just arrive on your day, leave after few hours, and deliver few months later! I’m there for all the moments leading to the big day! You can hit me up any time- we can brainstorm all the ideas, timelines, all the tiniest details! I am a fan of Pinterest vision boards, sending each other tons of messages and be open about EVERYTHING! This is your day! Let’s make it all about YOU!

Awarded Best of Zola
All I can say is Connie is hands down so much more than a photographer. She was so patient, kind, and positive when we had our elopement. We got down pour rain and she was quick to have plans to take us to get beautiful pictures. She was so thoughtful with doing things she didn’t have to do, like helping hold my wet dress, and so much more. Connie is extremely calming presence in a stressful and hectic day. We absolutely loved our pictures and all the special moments she captured without us realizing and was truly so special working with her!
Jackie T., 2 years ago
Quick responder
Gordino Photo and Video 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Cinematic style
  • Starts at $2,300
  • Serves River Forest, IL

I'm Godfred Mensah, CEO of Gordino Photo and Video. I'm a passionate, creative, and aspiring artist. What drives my passion is the endless possibility of creating and documenting memorable moments with people.

Awarded Best of Zola
My husband and I worked with Godfred for our wedding videography and we were quite literally BLOWN AWAY by his talent and the videos received. We have also received so much overwhelming feedback from family and friends who have seen our footage and are in awe of what we have received. From the beginning, working with Godfred was seamless, easy, and the communication was on point. He took the time to gather details about us that I see now were carefully used to capture things that were most important to us on our wedding day. From start to finish, the attention to detail was unmatched. Then, on our wedding day, Godfred was a dream to work with - he captured so many moments that felt like a whirlwind to us on the day-of, but when we got to watch them in the finished product, we got to re-live those moments, and that is truly invaluable. Being on camera can be nerve-wracking for some people, but he truly made us feel so comfortable and at-ease. I have re-watched the wedding trailer Godfred created for us no less than a million times since it's been delivered, and it is truly amazing. If you are on the fence about having videography at your wedding, I recommend doing it 100% so you can have these memories with you forever, and on top of that, work with Godfred at Gordino Photo and Video - you will be blown away.
Molly, 11 hours ago
Quick responder
IG PHOTO VIDEO INC. 

4.9

  • Photographer
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $3,910
  • Serves River Forest, IL

IGphotovideo offers photography packages and videography packages. You can customize individual packages or bundle a photography and videography package to meet all your needs. Our team capture all your special moments, venue, decor, guests, and more. They use quality equipment and are always prepared for anything. Their services include: — Delivery on USB flash drive in Customized Box and Google Drive — Unlimited number of photos taken and color corrected — Photobook 6*6 (20 pages) or 10*10 (30pages) — Post-production video about 60 – 120 minutes with full ceremony, speeches, first dance, cake cutting, etc... — 4 – 12 min highlight video

Awarded Best of Zola
We can not recommend IG PHOTO VIDEO INC enough. We had Tetyana and Egidijus as our photographers and Irad as our videographer. We also were in contact with Ivan. He was extremely communicative throughout the entire process. From introducing us to Tetyana, Egidijus and Irad, How the process would happen from start to finish to getting our photos and videos back. The photos and video blew us out of the water. We are so in awe of the work and quality they put into our day. They were truly the best to work with from start to finish. The only thing is we have so many pictures I can not choose a favorite. (But that's a great problem to have) They truly captured my husband and I in our photos and videos and we are so blessed we came across their page. This company is 100 percent worth the money and we wouldn't have changed a single thing. You guys were amazing in person and in your work! You can definitely tell they love what they do by the work they produce. A huge thank you to Tetyana, Egidijus, Irad, and Ivan for helping make our day extra special and a day we can look back on in 50 plus years!
Melanie H., 5 months ago
Quick responder
Walden Chicago 

5.0

Chicago, IL
  • Venue
  • Up to 275 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor
  • Starts at $35,000
  • Offer

Walden Chicago offers a blend of urban charm and modern elegance in the heart of the city. The venue’s spacious layout with high ceilings and exposed brick walls creates a unique atmosphere for any wedding. Guests appreciate the attentive staff and customizable options that cater to various wedding styles. The outdoor courtyard adds a special touch, perfect for ceremonies and cocktail hours. With its prime location and exceptional service, Walden Chicago is an ideal choice for couples seeking a memorable and stylish celebration.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Accommodates more than 200 guests
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Provides event staff

Venue considerations

  • Does not have a dance floor
  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
Awarded Best of Zola
We could not have been happier with our decision to get married at Walden! From the moment we booked our date, the planning process was made seamless and actually enjoyable thanks to the incredible built-in planning team, Kalila and Ally. Having coordinators included in the cost of the venue was such a valuable bonus, and they truly made all the difference. Kalila and Ally were there with us every step of the way, staying on top of every detail for our 18-month engagement/wedding planning journey. They reached out to vendors, followed up on our behalf when needed, and offered spot-on recommendations that perfectly suited our vision and budget. Their guidance and expertise helped us make the best choices, and their input kept us calm and organized. On top of their professionalism, they were so down-to-earth and fun to work with, bringing energy and laughter to every planning session and making the entire experience even more memorable. One of the highlights was the collaborative online planning tool we had access to as part of booking Walden. It kept everything organized in one place, allowing us to easily stay in touch with our planners, track tasks, and manage finances and contracts. It was loaded with helpful resources, making planning a breeze. Walden provided us with much more than a beautiful venue. They gave us an incredible planning experience and an amazing team that felt like family by the time the wedding arrived. The entire wedding party and all the family members who were there the entire day of the wedding had nothing but amazing things to say too...they were all shocked at how much support we had throughout the entire day to the point where we did not have to lift a finger. And don't even get us started on the food and bar...we've never been complimented more in our lives. We were shocked at how insanely good the food and drinks were at our tasting party months before the wedding, but we were curious if it would live up to the hype on our actual wedding day where we had 216 guests. It might've been even better on our wedding day! Guests were raving about our food and drinks. We were told by nearly every guest that it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding, bar none. We even had sober people come up to us and go on and on about how amazing even the mocktails were. The only thing we regret is being too excited and not having enough of an appetite to truly enjoy dinner as the bride and groom. But even so, our planning team made sure the servers packaged up our entrees so we could take them home a few days later when we came back to the venue to pick up our belongings. Honestly, there are a million other reasons why we'd recommend Walden for your wedding venue, but this is already getting to be too long of a review. Basically, if you’re looking for an all-inclusive venue where you’re genuinely taken care of every step of the way, we cannot recommend Walden highly enough! Thank you, Kalila and Ally, the entire bar/service staff, and truly just everyone at Walden for helping make our wedding day everything we dreamed of and more! P.S. - Make sure you get golden hour photos on the rooftop at Walden...we are soooo delighted with our photos from up there.
Alex D., a year ago
Quick responder
Emma Mullins Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $7,500
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Digital + Film Wedding Photography Hi! I'm Emma, owner and lead photographer of Emma Mullins Photography. Our goal is simple: to capture your vibe, your people, and your love in a way that looks and feels true to life. We just wrapped our 13th Chicago wedding season, and it's been a whirlwind of all things real and fabulous! Emma Mullins Photography embraces diversity and inclusivity. We are a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community and happy to serve humans of every background, gender and identity.

Awarded Best of Zola
Emma and her talented team, including Trevor and Amy, delivered an exceptional experience that made our special day feel flawless and intimate. From the moment we met, Emma became an integral part of our family, ensuring that every detail was perfect. After being so impressed with her services for another family member's wedding, we couldn't wait to work with her again. Emma's unique style, especially her incorporation of film photography, truly captured the essence of our celebration, and we were over the moon about it! Her quick responses and willingness to answer all our questions made the planning process seamless and enjoyable. If you're looking for a wonderful company with a personal touch, Emma and her team are the ones to choose!
Sean M., a year ago
Destify - Destination Wedding Planners 

4.5

  • Planner
  • Offers 2 services
  • Starts at $150
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Our services are always 100% free of charge. And with thousands of weddings booked last year alone, you can rest assured you’re in safe hands. Plus, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Over the past five years, we have booked over five thousand destination weddings to Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Costa Rica, and many other destinations.

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 days ago
Quick responder
The Still Life Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,450
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Jay & Nicole Vega decided to pursue a career together in the art of Photography. Met & married in Chicago in 2013, two people set out on a business venture of a lifetime. While Nicole is the main photographer of the company, we have also expanded and hired reliable, talented photographers to work along side with us, while still maintaining a small business feel.

Awarded Best of Zola
As a wedding planner, I have the privilege of working with many talented professionals—but The Still Life stands out as one of the most exceptional photographers I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with. From the first email to the final image delivery, they were an absolute dream. Professional, calm under pressure, and incredibly attuned to the energy of the day, The Still Life brought a quiet confidence and refined artistic vision that made both the couple and the vendor team feel completely at ease. Their background gives their wedding work a distinctive edge—every frame feels intentional, intimate, and beautifully composed. They have an incredible ability to capture not just moments, but mood—the softness of a floral detail, the emotion in a glance, the quiet magic between all the big moments. Our couples & clients are always absolutely thrilled with the results, and the photos were nothing short of stunning. As a planner, I can also say they were a joy to work alongside: punctual, communicative, and incredibly respectful of the timeline and flow of the day. If you're a couple looking for timeless, artful imagery—or a fellow planner seeking a photographer who elevates every event they’re part of—I can’t recommend The Still Life highly enough. Truly one of the best. The Serendipity Collective Nikki M. Rodgers
Nikki R., 8 months ago
Quick responder
Munaco Pictures (Wedding Videography) 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Cinematic style
  • Starts at $1,599
  • Serves River Forest, IL
  • Offer

Munaco Pictures (Wedding Videography) has captured 500+ weddings in over 25 states! We are dedicated to creating timeless, cinematic wedding films that you and your loved ones will cherish for a lifetime. It is our mission to showcase your individuality and capture the essence of your love in a personalized and heartfelt way.

Awarded Best of Zola
I've had the pleasure of working with Tom and his team over at Munaco Pictures (Wedding Videography) on multiple occasions, and I can say with confidence that they are a true asset to any couple's wedding day. Their communication style is prompt, efficient, and clear, making the entire process seamless. The quality of their work is nothing short of timeless, professional, and high-end. As a photographer, I've witnessed firsthand how Munaco's team brings a wonderful personality to their craft, contributing greatly to the success of these special days. I highly recommend Munaco Pictures to any couple seeking a truly memorable wedding videography experience.
Nicole V., a year ago
Quick responder
YJDecorating 

5.0

  • Florist
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves River Forest, IL

YJDecorating is Chicago’s Premiere Wedding and Special Event Decorating Company. We are proud to be the “One Source” for all of your Wedding Floral & Event Decor. We offer a wide range of services including Floral Design, Backdrops, Chuppahs & Drapery, Venue Lighting & Effects, Event Furniture Rentals and more. Our vast experience in the wedding and event industry makes us the top choice for Chicagoland weddings and events. We pride ourselves as a detail oriented company that is extremely passionate about every event we produce.

Awarded Best of Zola
Yvonne at YJ Decorating was absolutely amazing to work with! She was very responsive and communication was fantastic! She helped me throughout the process of picking out florals and was very supportive when I changed my vision after our initial consultation. I appreciated the fact that she invited me in to her studio to go thru different design options and was very transparent on cost. What I appreciated most was her level of understanding and empathy and took time to learn more about me while I was going thru the planning process. Highly recommend!
Dina G., 2 months ago
Quick responder
Glow Bridal Co 

4.9

  • Beauty professional
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Get your wedding day glow, with Glow Bridal! Serving the Chicago suburbs, we provide onsite makeup and hair for bridal parties, proms, formals, and any special event. Glow Bridal's main priority is to make you feel your absolute best no matter what the special occasion is. We also provide salon services such as hair color, hair extensions, and eyelash extensions. Tricia and Paula will be sure to exceed your expectations and make you GLOW.

Awarded Best of Zola
Glow Bridal Co. did an amazing job on my bridesmaid’s hair & makeup! They were on time, efficient, and easy to work with! All of my girls loved how their hair & makeup looked. Thank you for making them feel beautiful on my wedding day!
Mikaela C., 2 months ago
Quick responder
Afterglow Weddings and Events 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves River 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
I recently had the pleasure of working with Olivia from Afterglow Events for my client’s wedding, and I cannot express how grateful I am for her incredible talent and dedication to making the day absolutely perfect. From the moment my client met Olivia, it was clear that she was not just a wedding planner but a true artist in the world of event planning. Her attention to detail, creative flair, and passion for her work shone through in every aspect of the planning process. Olivia took the time to understand the vision, and with her expertise, she turned dreams into a reality.
Jennifer, 2 years ago
TrendlineTrending
Toast and Jam DJs 

5.0

  • DJ
  • Starts at $2,850
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Toast & Jam DJs specialize in making people dance by working closely with our clients to create customized playlists that reflect their tastes. We reject line dances, props, and other gimmicks in favor of perfectly planned and well-timed soundtracks that appeal to every partygoer. That means no Hokey Pokey and no Chicken Dance. At Toast & Jam, we believe that a thoughtful mix of pop favorites, hip-hop bootyshakers, Motown classics, and timeless standards are fun and self-respecting alternative to those embarrassing and played-out dancefloor clichés.

Toast and Jam was the best pick for our wedding DJ team! DJ Alli was so fun and easy to work with throughout the whole wedding planning process. She did a fantastic job with our music, and we practically spent the whole night on the dance floor! Thank you for making our wedding feel like such a party!
Andrea G., 2 months ago
Quick responder
Love Ent By Milk Majer 

5.0

  • DJ
  • Starts at $1,995
  • Serves River Forest, IL

Trusted to open for Pauly D, Skrillex, and Ke$ha, and chosen by brands like The CrossFit Games, Shape Magazine, and pro sports teams, Milk Majer is a nationally recognized open-format and EDM DJ artist available to be booked for weddings in Chicago, the Midwest, and nationwide. 🙌🏼

Awarded Best of Zola
I found Mike via thumbtack & although on there it stated he was booked on my wedding date I thought I’d still reach out to him. I’m so happy I did because he put me in touch with our dj, thankyouteddy and he did an awesome job djing for our wedding! Mike was very informative and gave me plenty of information. He also has you do a questionnaire to help narrow down the right dj for you based off your music preferences. Mike will reached out periodically to follow up & also puts you in touch with the dj the week of the wedding to go over details. Teddy arrived on time and kept everyone on our toes throughout the night. The only thing I will say, is if you’re doing bridal party introductions it’s best to rehearse it if possible. Or give an exact time of the song for your dj to play when each couple comes out.
Shannon S., a year ago

River Forest, IL reception venues by style

Outdoor spaces
Outdoor spaces