Big City Bride

Club in March and I was able to be so present in the days leading up to as well as on our wedding day, knowing we were in such good hands. Jena always responded to our questions quickly, helping with recommendations and guiding us when we needed. She sent over clear schedules and packing lists that made it so easy for us and our families to be where we needed, when we needed. Jena took care of so many details that I never would have thought of, and everything on our wedding day went absolutely perfectly thanks to her. I couldn’t be more thrilled with our decision to work with Jena and BCB!!

nd Jena was amazing. From the very beginning, they made the entire planning process feel effortless, thoughtful, and incredibly personal. We come from two loving (and vocal!) families, and Arin and Jena always made sure that our wishes remained the priority. They guided every decision with patience, care, and expertise, making what could have been overwhelming feel manageable and even fun. But where they made the most unforgettable impact was on the wedding day itself. I was able to be completely present and soak in every moment because Arin, Jena, and the whole Big City Bride team were taking care of every single detail behind the scenes. I’ve heard so many friends say they were stressed, distracted, or running around on their wedding day — but I didn’t have to worry about a thing. It felt like everything just happened effortlessly, and I owe all of that to Arin and Jena.  I’ll always be grateful to Big City Bride for giving us a day that felt so perfectly us and allowing us to truly enjoy it. It was an absolute perfect day that our guests still can’t stop talking about a year later!

them into a breathtaking reality is nothing short of magical. Every detail—from the décor to the timeline—was handled with such care and precision that I felt completely at ease throughout the entire process. Jena’s professionalism and creativity shone through at every stage. She anticipated needs before I even realized them and made the planning experience stress-free and enjoyable. On the wedding day, everything flowed seamlessly, allowing me to be fully present and soak in every moment. It truly felt like an angel was guiding the entire event. If you’re looking for someone who will not only plan your wedding but bring your dreams to life with grace and expertise, Jena is the person you want by your side. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

itive attitude. Arin and her team made our wedding day what we had always dreamed of and we truly would not have survived without BCB!

od out with her warm demeanor, great energy and clear organizational skills. From our first meeting, we knew she was the perfect fit! Jena took all the stress out of wedding planning and did not miss a beat. She made our dream vision come to a reality, and added so much helpful advice and inspiration. One of my favorite things Jena did is come up with a completely custom dance floor pattern! In addition to her amazing creative skills, Jena is an exceptional communicator and beyond organized. Every email and question was answered thoughtfully and promptly, and Jena was always in our corner. The wedding day went off without a hitch, and Jena made the whole thing seamless. I could not recommend Jena & the Big City Bride team enough! 

the way.  I will never forget the organized booklet of potential venues with available dates and requirements; the numerous spreadsheets to keep the guest lists and seating charts coordinated; and the easy to follow budget and vendor payment tracker.  The organization and leg-work Jena's services provide was critical to me due to how much time and effort my job takes.  Her organization and preparation ensured I did not have to spend significant time focusing on the minutia of wedding planning and also ensured that I had easy guides to give to my fiancé and my family members while we were working on making important planning decisions.  I felt consistently heard and supported by Jena and she made each step of the process easy and enjoyable. She also helped us plan a party to celebrate our love that was also (more importantly) a blast for our family and friends. It has been one week since our wedding and we are still hearing rave reviews.  Our friends and family also noticed how Jena and her team went above and beyond to make sure they all had a good time and felt cared for.      I would recommend Jena and Big City Bride to any recently engaged couples or couples mid-way through the process looking for direction and help with execution of their vision. 

had the added challenge of living overseas so Johnna was so accommodating of making sure I could participate in all of the beautiful planning moments with my daughter. When you work with her, she is not a planner, she is family. The day itself was everything we hoped for and more. It was absolutely perfect from beginning to end.

Since we were planning a Chicago wedding without family nearby, we knew a planner was worth the investment — and from our very first call, I knew Johnna was the right fit. My initial notes were “she is so friendly – you can feel her warm personality through the phone,” and I’m over the moon that we landed in her client pool. From the start, Johnna had a clear schedule laid out with exactly what needed to get done and when, which made the entire process feel so much more digestible. She was with us every step of the way — helping us identify venues, vendors, and everything in between. She had so much context on our options and always gave thoughtful pros and cons, along with her honest opinion (which we came to value so much). She was our steady sounding board, available to answer emails, hop on ad hoc calls, or even respond to those “emergency texts” when planning felt overwhelming. Through it all, she made us feel like we weren’t alone in the craziness — we had someone we could rely on. As the wedding week approached, she and her team provided us with a detailed prep document that gave us so much peace of mind. We knew exactly what was going to happen and had space to share all the little details that mattered most to us. And then came the wedding day itself — everything was flawless thanks to Johnna and her team. They coordinated every piece, managed our wild family dynamics, led the charge on photos, and kept everything on schedule. Most importantly, they made it possible for us to truly be present. All we had to do was show up, celebrate our marriage, and enjoy the best day of our lives. Johnna is not only professional, but also kind, patient, and the ultimate voice of reason. She made us feel celebrated throughout the process, and while she was our planner, it never felt like just a “business” relationship — she became such a genuine part of our journey. We truly love her and would recommend her to anyone and everyone under the sun. Thank you, Johnna & BCB! xoxoxo

pertise and her hard work behind the scenes, we could enjoy the planning process and be fully in the moment on our big day. Our wedding was perfect, and we couldn't have done it without her. We can't recommend her wedding planning services highly enough!

na was understanding, mindful of our financial circumstances, empathetic, diligent, professional, and I could go on. She was always on top of everything wedding-related throughout the long process (our engagement was a year and half). I cannot imagine having done this without her. She is masterful in her logistical management, vendor wrangling, communication skills, and organization. Zeke and I were truly able to enjoy our wedding weekend because of Johnna. I have no doubt that everyone at BCB brings the same high quality professionalism as Johnna does, which is why we HIGHLY recommend BCB, and especially Johnna, as a full-service wedding planner. It the best decision we made throughout wedding planning:)

le step of the way - bringing her creativity, organization, and kindness to every decision we made. She introduced us to fantastic vendors who fit with our personality and vision, helped with all of the little details, and honestly went above and beyond what is truly expected of a wedding planner. Throughout the entire process, I was stress free and could truly enjoy the journey of planning such an important event. My Pinterest board became a reality thanks to Jena, and I haven’t stopped receiving compliments about how gorgeous and perfect the day was. After everything, Jena has become a friend and someone we are sad to not be in contact with every day - for that, I can’t give a high enough review. 10/5!!!!!!

ry idea I had and brought my vision to life without ever making me feel pressured or told what to pick. I always felt supported, understood, and excited for each step. On the wedding day, everything came together more beautifully than I could have imagined, it was truly my dream wedding, and I have Johnna to thank for making it happen. Her professionalism, creativity, and kindness made the whole experience unforgettable!!!

—so positive, kind, and genuinely excited for us. Her warm energy made every meeting feel like we were talking to a trusted friend. She recommended the most amazing vendors—each one exceeded our expectations and worked together seamlessly to bring our vision to life. It was clear she had strong relationships in the industry, and we felt completely confident in her guidance every step of the way. Most importantly, she took so much of the stress out of planning. She made us feel seen and heard and worked so well with our families. She anticipated our needs, handled all the little details behind the scenes, and kept everything running smoothly so we could actually enjoy the process (and the big day itself!). Thanks to her, we were able to fully relax and soak in every moment knowing everything was under control. We truly can’t thank her enough. If you’re even thinking about hiring a planner—do yourself a favor and work with Jena. She’s the best, and we’ll be recommending her to everyone we know!

ng a wedding. Jena made the process feel easy and fun! Her attention to detail, relationships with vendors, and commitment to making our day feel like "us" made us feel calm and secure throughout the whole process. Because of all of this, we were really able to enjoy the planning process and the day itself without any worries. I can't imagine what the process might have been like without Jena. She really is the best!

pains. When it came to the day of, her calming and supportive presence truly allowed us to stay in the moment, knowing that she had everything handled. It was even better than we could've imagined. From my husband, "Everyone warns you that something will go wrong on your wedding day, but everything was absolutely perfect," and there is no way it would've been possible without Jena and BCB!

edge of what would work or not work, she is well seasoned & provides amazing direction & input. She provided us with vendors who out performed our expectations. Chrissy helped us achieve our desired aesthetic - there were so many inspiration photos & we worked together to bring it to life! The day of she was incredible! She is so great at multitasking & took such good care of us! Vendors loved her too! The best compliment is that I would use her again in a heart beat!!

ything. I knew we were in good hands with Chrissy and the entire team at Big City Bride and was able to enjoy the day knowing they had it all taken care of. Chrissy connected us with the best vendors to produce our dream wedding!!

g planning. Working with Jena from Big City Bride exceeded every one of those expectations. Her calm, confident presence and seemingly endless knowledge of vendors, logistics, and timing helped us feel prepared for every step of the process. What stood out most was Jena’s persistence and poise. Through every curveball, she never showed anything but grace and a smile. Our wedding weekend ran with incredible precision thanks to the countless hours of planning, attention to detail, and the full BCB team’s expertise. We also appreciated Jena’s thoughtful aesthetic perspective, which made even the hardest decisions feel easy and aligned with our vision. We’re deeply grateful to have worked with someone so trustworthy, talented, and kind. Big City Bride—and especially Jena—made the entire experience seamless and genuinely enjoyable. We would recommend this team a thousand stars if we could!

he planning process. Chrissy's attention to detail, creative vision, and deep understanding of what we wanted made us feel completely supported from start to finish. Chrissy anticipated needs before we even had to voice them, handled logistics seamlessly, and ensured that everything ran perfectly on our wedding. Thanks to Chrissy, we were able to be fully present, knowing everything was in the best hands. Chrissy and Big City Bride made our dream wedding a reality and we are endlessly grateful.

planners and we have been in the absolute best hands from our first call over a year ago until now, one week after our wedding day! Johnna runs things smoother than a jar of creamy peanut butter and will ensure you don’t lift a finger on your wedding day. From solving the smallest of hiccups until they are nonexistent, to answering every single ridiculous question, to ensuring the best vibes on our wedding weekend and throughout the entire planning process, I could not have done it at all let alone enjoyed myself as much as I did through the entire process if it wasn’t for Johnna. Every call and meeting has been so pleasant, organized and ALWAYS followed up by detailed notes and actions - which were also followed up with invite reminders to ensure things remained on track. Johnna also never made us feel bad about life getting in the way if there were any delays on our end or flexibility we needed - she remains even-keeled and fluid in however we needed her to be. Her artful balance of zen and structure are the exact recipe for an outstanding wedding planner and an unforgettable and seamless wedding weekend. She also never batted an eye or made me feel dumb about anything I brought up even when I felt super extra or nitpicky. She appreciates and values details. As happy as I am to be married to my husband, I’m also sad to lose such a wonderful and memorable part of this planning journey with Johnna. I shudder to imagine this experience without her because it could not exist in the extraordinary capacity that it came to life if it wasn’t for her and BCB. Johnna is a GEM!

oosing to work with them was the easiest decision we made. Susan had already planned my sister’s wedding and several other incredible family events, so I knew we were in the best hands—and I was right. From start to finish, Susan and Madison made the entire experience seamless, thoughtful, and beautifully executed. They handled every detail with such care and professionalism that, going into the weekend, we felt completely at ease. We knew everything had been planned to perfection, and all we had to do was enjoy. Not only are they phenomenal planners, but they are also an absolute delight to work with. They tackled every challenge and offered multiple solutions when needed. Their vendor recommendations were spot-on, and their expert insight and experience gave us so much peace of mind throughout the process. They took our vision and brought it to life—and then somehow made it even better than we imagined. It honestly felt like we were working with two close friends who cared about our wedding just as much as we did. They thought of everything—even the little things we never would have considered. We truly can’t say enough good things about them - already trying to come up with another excuse to plan a party just so we can work together again! If you're lucky enough to have Susan and Madison on your team, you're in for something truly special.

d professional, but also genuinely passionate about creating beautiful, meaningful celebrations. Every detail was carefully thought out, every vendor she recommended was incredible, and the entire planning process felt seamless and organized. Everything was absolutely perfect on the wedding day. We were able to be completely present with our family and friends, knowing that Jena had everything under control. Working with her felt like having a close friend in our corner who genuinely cared about making our day special. Our parents were so impressed with everything Jena did to help us. Hiring Jena and Big City Bride was the best decision we made. If you’re lucky enough to have Jena as your planner, you are in the very best hands.

ed, empathetic, and solution-oriented - a combination that made her essential to have by our sides on wedding day. Both Jena and Madison, who assisted during the wedding weekend events, were so poised, calm, and collected through multiple challenges on wedding day (e.g., unexpected pouring rain, an issue with a guest moments before walking down the aisle, etc.). Jena's organizational skills and problem-solving ability paired with her positive yet calming demeanor made her the perfect person to help plan and execute our wedding. I cannot recommend Jena, Madison, and the BCB team enough. My only regret - and my suggestion to even the most organized bride - would be to get more time with Jena and team than you think you will need. As on top of things as I felt through the planning process, it would have been wonderful to bring Jena into the planning process a few weeks earlier and perhaps even have her arrive a couple hours earlier on wedding morning to help calm all the morning-of nerves.

City Bride team's help in making our day so special.

ct vision and that she would help me feel comfortable throughout the whole planning process. Her attention to detail is second to none, and I am beyond grateful that I had her quarterbacking our wedding vendor team from start to finish. One of the saddest parts of my wedding being over is that I will no longer have my regular emails and touch points with Johnna - she truly felt like an extension of our family and a trusted friend throughout the whole process. All wedding day, I joked that she was my real-life wedding fairy - she thought of absolutely everything I would need so that I could focus on having the most incredible night of my life (which I absolutely did). BCB - you have a true gem on your hands! I cannot recommend you all enough. THANK YOU for making our dream wedding into a reality.

n’t have done with without her and would recommend her to anyone getting married!

ear vision of my wedding, and did not know where to start, and she put me right at ease and lead us through the entire experience. Now, a bit over a month after our wedding, I am still gushing about how everything turned out. Everyone says something major always goes awry at your wedding and to just expect that….as of now I can’t think of a single thing that went remotely wrong at our wedding! Everything came together as planned and envisioned, all tied up in a bow. And not for lack of effort! Johnna was so on top of things and knowledgable, and had a great relationship with all of our vendors. Her attention to detail and overall organization were so helpful at keeping us on track. Her recommendations and guidance were always appreciated, and she was incredibly collaborative. And her energy is infectious! Family and guests are still reaching out rehashing what an amazing weekend and beautiful day it was, and how impressed and wowed they were with all of the details. It just all came together even better than I could have envisioned or imagined. Myself, my husbands and my parents cannot stop talking about the day, and are beyond elated and impressed with how everything turned out! Thank you Johnna and Big City Bride!

suggestions, and she did not lead us astray a single time. Every vendor she suggested was phenomenal. She also attended and helped schedule EVERY vendor meeting with us and asked questions that we didn't even know to ask. When we weren't sure what direction we wanted to go with decor or lighting or something else, she was there to help us. I could tell that she really understood the vision that we had for our wedding day. In the days leading up to the wedding, she was right there helping us keep track of all the last minute things that needed to be done. Our wedding day went off without a hitch thanks to her! Would highly recommend Big City Bride to anyone looking for a wedding planner, their involvement and knowledge is simply unmatched.

gs getting busy at work for us, we eventually decided to hire a planner for some help. And after going through the wedding preparations with Jena, I came to realize that working with her was one of the best decisions I made during the wedding prep process. She is bright, professional, meticulous, and wise in leading discussions with vendors. As an expert who had planned multiple weddings, she carefully organized everything that needed to be done for us, dividing tasks effectively and ensuring everything progressed smoothly. From working with her, we realized there were far more detailed preparations needed for the wedding than I had anticipated, but because she helped me diligently to check off tasks and make timely decisions, we were able to get through it. Meeting her felt like a true blessing! Whenever we had to negotiate with vendors, she always helped us come to wise conclusions together. She also handled difficult conversations with great sensitivity, guiding everything in a direction everyone desired. Thanks again to meeting Jena and the Big City Bride team! We had a beautiful wedding and if someone were to ask me, I can say with conviction that Jena’s role was essential and I would highly recommend her.

Johnna just understood us. Her attention to detail, follow up, follow through, organization and responsiveness were off the charts. From day one she guided us through the wedding planning process step by step and with ease. I never once felt stressed about the wedding - I just got to have fun and enjoy being the bride. I had time to explore Etsy, order invitations and stationary and tend to those little touches that make an event. I wasn't searching for vendors, doing hours of research or anything like that. And with Johnna was so hands-on not only in the planning but in the actual wedding execution that my bridesmaids were stress free also. So many times friends and family have to jump in to help set up or tend to details. Not with Big City Bride. This meant the time I spent with my bridesmaids was joyous and having fun. They were pampered too and that was so important to me. Johnna guided us through every step, in the correct order and presented top notch vendors for our every need. And she always respected our budget (much to my husband's delight). There was never any pressure. And when something went wrong or something wasn't just right - we just called Johnna. She worked her magic and it was taken care of. Our rehearsal, wedding and post wedding celebration was absolutely everything we had envisioned (and I certainly had a big vision!). It was elegant, beautiful and one heck of a good time. Our guests are still gushing about how wonderful our wedding was and that it was so fun. With both of us working full time with busy travel schedules, there's just no way we could have pulled off such an amazing wedding without Big City Bride and Johnna. Our wedding was absolutely perfect and I can't thank them enough.

ss. She is extremely organized, professional, and kind! Our wedding day turned out beautifully and we are so grateful that we chose Big City Bride to be part of it! THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts, Alex and team!!!

re just a few reasons BCB is the best in the industry. Alex and Johnna went above and beyond to provide us with our dream wedding. Their attention to detail from day one till the wedding day was remarkable. They truly made us feel so confident that everything would go perfectly (and it did!). We cannot recommend this team enough and we will miss working with Alex and Johnna daily. From being their clients to now friends, we could not be more thankful! XOXO, Caitlin & Luke

very proactive on making sure we staying within our buget and always put the client 1st. They were such a pleasure to work with.. Highly recommend. Annette

100% say that I could not have done this without Jena. From her suggestions to making the timeline perfect and figuring all of the small details out that would have stressed me out beyond belief. Jena was such a joy to work with. She helped make my day so flawless and I was able to relax and take in every moment because I knew she had it under control. If anyone is considering a wedding planner for Chicago please please book with big city bride you will not regret it. They are extremely professional but also have the ability to make you feel so comfortable! I am so so happy with how my day turned out and I owe a lot of that to Jena!!

to work with, professional and incredibly kind and calm during our planning process. She made our wedding vision come true (and some). I can't recommend Jena and Big City Bride enough!

sions to us on a platter, and then handling innumerable details behind the scenes. She helped us express our vision (helping us think about aspects that we never would have considered ourselves, until maybe the week before when we’d be very stressed!) and then drew on relationships and experience to make it happen. There are so many event planning tips and tricks that Johnna helped us through. Johnna managed to make it feel like we were her only clients with how she generously made herself available often and at short notice. Then on the day of the wedding, she handled coordination of so many vendors and details, solving last-minute problems as needed and letting us focus on enjoying the day. Johnna’s efforts made the whole day perfect for us, and we are so thankful. We’d wholeheartedly recommend her for any future wedding planners, and BCB as a whole consistently exceeded expectations at every step.