4.9
Verified reviews from real couples
HBIC makes planning as much fun as the wedding!
Chicago, Chicagoland, Milwaukee WI & the Tri-State Area
Service area
As mother of the bride, it was a comfort and a HUGE relief not to have to worry about anything except enjoying one of the most important days of my daughter's life. HBIC had it ALL covered. Everything was planned and executed perfectly. Not the first hitch! I would certainly hire them again. 5 stars from me!
Leslie Ferris Y.
5.0
Very strongly recommend planning your celebration with HBIC! We worked with Diane for several months preceding our wedding. She guided us through vendors, contract filling, and every fine detail that we would have overlooked if we were on our own. Their excellence was truly showcased day-of: Diane and her staff compiled an hour-to-hour (sometimes minute to minute) itinerary for our wedding day, directed the cast of characters smoothly and gracefully; nothing fell behind schedule and they had every little detail in mind. They weren’t pushy either - they kept everything to schedule without being commandeering, and had a subtle hand. J and Allen were both stellar throughout the night, like dutiful spriteful seamsters stitching up any small snag along the way without the tear ever being noticed (J immediately noticed when Aiden’s bustle came undone on the dance floor, beckoned Aiden to a side room, and refastened in less than a minute). They were there from before the beginning to the end, our amazing night would have been all the lesser without their help! Go with HBIC!!
Kevin C.
5.0
Diane Brisk, HB of HBIC
OWNER
AWARD WINNER (5X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
If you like our name, you'll LOVE working with us! With your Head B*tch In Charge, you'll be beyond happy not only at your wedding but while planning it too!
Couples will be amazed as they can plan at their own pace and avoid feeling overwhelmed with the tech-savvy ability to keep everything organized in one place thanks to our cloud-based planning platform + the total bonus of having fun with a planner.
Our services are created to answer the call that so many engaged couples have; our approach is different. For the newly engaged, we offer Kickstart Services" that help you in specific areas of where you are at the very beginning including:
VENUE SOURCING will get you appointments for private venue tours faster than a blink of an eye to your top pick and a few that might not be on your radar. Before you know it, you have a wedding date set.
BUDGET ROADMAP with an experienced pro by your side, you'll be able to have a clear & realistic picture of wedding costs from the start. This financial assessment is based on YOUR priorities and our experience.
POWER PLANNING SESSION - 2 hours of no holding back; ask anything you want about wedding planning and logistics. By the end, you'll have answers, offered up planners perspective & a handful of key planning documents.
Everything that HBIC Weddings does is designed based on your priorities and budgets. From timelines, ceremony scripts, even down to the checklists you'll receive - they're custom monthly bite-size attainable goals, so you'll get sh*t done as long as you have access to your phone or tablet.
You'll enjoy the entire process, from throwing around your wildest ideas with our insanely creative software early in planning (it's like Next-Level Pinterest) to the week before the wedding walkthrough to the last dance at your reception.
You won't find pre-set "package proposals" of seemingly endless bullet points, but rather thanks to an understanding of your highest priorities, a proposal of smart options tailored to your priorities, budget, and the right amount of help.
You'll love having a planner with 25+ years in the Chicago events industry who knows how to keep you laughing while staying on track and managing your wedding day flow from when you wake up to the last dance of the night. The process is personalized but streamlined because it is centered around what's important to you. Everything you think you need, plus everything you don't even know you need, will be delivered to you.
Obviously, we're here every step of the way, guiding the entire wedding party, and family throughout your wedding day. A dedicated "Day-of" team to be your point people for any & all questions from anybody all day long, so sit back and take in the entire day!
And if anything pops up, from a wild groomsman...to you name it, HBIC Weddings will swoop in & address the situation before it goes sideways on you. You'll have a wonderful wedding day because we've got you and your guests covered.
Woman-owned Business
Details
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Planning
Planning
Budgeting
Day-Of Coordination
Destination Wedding Planning
Full Service Wedding Planning
RSVP Tracking
Wedding Design
Wedding Website
Wedding Activities
Getting Engaged
Engagement Party
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Bridal Luncheon
Bridal Shower
Couples Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner
Welcome Party
Wedding
After Party
Ceremony
Cocktail Hour
Day After Brunch
Reception
Rehearsal
Rehearsal Dinner
Awards and Affiliations
5-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2025.2024.+2 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Diane Brisk
Founder
I’ve been designing, planning, and producing events. I’ve worked for over 10 years for the top event and floral design companies in Chicago, so my knowledge is “in-depth,” to say very the least. I know events from the loading docks to adjusting the lighting in ballrooms, and everything in between – events are part of my DNA.
On a wedding day, I know how much time things should take and keep the pace of the day on schedule. Understanding how to work with hotel and venue managers to make their day better will undoubtedly make your wedding day fantastic. It's amazing how a kind word, positive vibe, and clear expectations can keep your wedding day plans on track.
We've earned awards and accolades including BizBash Event of the Year and Couples Choice Award winner with 5-Star ratings on The Knot and Wedding Wire.
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.079 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
HBIC Weddings is praised for expert organization, helpful planning tools, and strong vendor connections that let couples relax and enjoy their day. Their team manages timelines and logistics flawlessly, adapts to tight schedules, and fixes issues discreetly. Highly recommended for stress-free, beautifully executed full planning or day-of coordination.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 5
Danielle D
Highlighted review.
5.0
5/22/2025
We would give Diane 11 out of 10 stars if we could. With both of us working long hours in high-pressure jobs, the idea of planning a wedding felt completely overwhelming—until Dian...
e came along.
We first connected with her for a venue consultation, and right from the start, we were impressed by her eye for detail and deep expertise in creating beautiful weddings. It quickly became clear that any vendor Diane recommended would be top-notch. She introduced us to professionals we wouldn’t have found on our own and thought of countless details that never would have crossed our minds.
As the big day approached, friends and family kept asking, “Are you stressed?” And every time, our answer was the same: “Not at all—Diane’s got it.”
Leslie Ferris Y
5.0
8/02/2026
As mother of the bride, it was a comfort and a HUGE relief not to have to worry about anything except enjoying one of the most important days of my daughter's life. HBIC had it ALL...
covered. Everything was planned and executed perfectly. Not the first hitch! I would certainly hire them again. 5 stars from me!
Any questions?
Gianna J
4.0
12/05/2025
Having Caitlyn as our day of coordinator helped make our wedding day go much smoother. She was thorough with us leading up to the day, making sure to go through each aspect of our ...
wedding so that we felt confident in all the details. Additionally, Caitlyn was so attentive to me as the bride for the whole day. From the early start of my bridal party getting their hair and makeup done, all the way to open dancing, she was there to help me, and also all those in my wedding. Her coordination with our vendors was also beneficial, as it helped take that pressure off of us on the day. Her support and assistance was very much appreciated. I felt that I could lean on her whenever anything got hectic or stressful, which was really what I needed on my wedding day.
Kevin C
5.0
12/04/2025
Very strongly recommend planning your celebration with HBIC! We worked with Diane for several months preceding our wedding. She guided us through vendors, contract filling, and eve...
ry fine detail that we would have overlooked if we were on our own. Their excellence was truly showcased day-of: Diane and her staff compiled an hour-to-hour (sometimes minute to minute) itinerary for our wedding day, directed the cast of characters smoothly and gracefully; nothing fell behind schedule and they had every little detail in mind. They weren’t pushy either - they kept everything to schedule without being commandeering, and had a subtle hand. J and Allen were both stellar throughout the night, like dutiful spriteful seamsters stitching up any small snag along the way without the tear ever being noticed (J immediately noticed when Aiden’s bustle came undone on the dance floor, beckoned Aiden to a side room, and refastened in less than a minute). They were there from before the beginning to the end, our amazing night would have been all the lesser without their help! Go with HBIC!!
Sarah Y
5.0
10/14/2025
Diane is everything you need in a wedding planner. She is highly organized, on top of every detail, well-connected to the Chicago Wedding and vendor scene, plus she is hilarious a...
nd an absolute pistol! We didn't have a single meeting in which we were not laughing! Diane helped me decide what to focus my time and energy on and what was not necessary or important. I should mention, we planned a 200+ person event with all the stops in under 4 months! So we needed Diane to help us major on the majors. As people who are not the most organized and efficient, we absolutely could not have done it without her.
Diane did a fantastic job of seeking to incorporate elements into our wedding that would represent both me and my husband and our different backgrounds. She helped us keep pursuing the details that would really matter and to let go of the ones that would not.
Because we planned a large-scale wedding in a short amount of time, it was invaluable to have Diane's knowledge of reputable vendors. It was incredibly helpful to tell Diane (a month prior to the wedding) "I changed my mind! I think we want a videographer!" and boom! She had amazing vendors for us to choose from within days. She took out all the risk and guesswork of finding the right people to be involved in our day. Instead of sorting through endless listings online, we had hand-picked, vetted professionals who we could trust. The seemingly impossible task of planning a dreamy, gorgeous wedding for 200+ in under 4 months became a reality working with HBIC. There is honestly no way we could have done this without her!
People are still raving about how beautiful our wedding was (almost a year later) and how much fun they had! I find myself daydreaming often about how spectacular our day was, and just wishing we could go back and relive it all! I honestly cannot imagine doing this with any other planner. My husband and I interviewed a few others before deciding on HBIC and I do not think we would have had what we truly wanted had we gone in another direction. HBIC is gold!
Tracey W
5.0
10/12/2025
Caitlyn and Erin were so instrumental in making our day run extremely seamlessly. From managing vendors to keeping the entire timeline on track, we had complete trust in them every...
step of the way. They guided us when we needed direction, and at other times, their presence was so effortless that we hardly noticed, but always knew they were there. Both have such a caring intuition and a good sense of timing, knowing exactly when to step in and when to let moments unfold naturally. We felt so supported by them, and they were always willing to execute any request with ease and enthusiasm.
In the months leading up to our wedding, my husband and I met with Caitlyn every two weeks to organize details and plan the flow of the day. Those meetings were so important to us, not just for mapping out logistics and bringing our vision to life, but also for easing our nerves and calming the stress that came with wedding planning. Caitlyn always reassured us that we were along the right track and offered helpful tips. Their online portal was also so helpful to help us organize all of our planning in one spot. Caitlyn created a very thorough and specific timeline (one that I was super impressed by, and I’m very organized!) that allowed my husband and I to truly be present and enjoy each moment together, without ever feeling rushed.
I can’t recommend having a day-of planner enough, it’s an absolute must! Hiring HBIC made the entire experience, from the planning process to the wedding day feel easy, joyful, and incredibly special. I even loved that our initial call was over Zoom video to make more of a face-to-face connection, whereas other planners only called us over the phone. Hire HBIC!!!! Diane & her entire team are the absolute best!
Tiffany C
5.0
9/19/2025
HBIC Weddings is on a different level!
Diane is truly like no other planner. I met with many other planners who all gave me the same cookie cutter pitch and answers. She is ve...
ry realistic and straightforward when it comes to what you actually will get on your wedding day versus the Pinterest photos you see of super expensive weddings. She is also an expert at knowing what to spend money on and what you can skip for the best guest experience. This is super important if you don’t know the wedding industry. More importantly, I went with HBIC because Diane is authentic, unhinged, hilarious, and honest.
I don’t know the first thing about weddings. I didn’t know what I wanted, who to contact, or what I needed—and I only had 8 months to do it. Enter Diane, my holy grail wedding planner who made it all happen. I showed her some inspiration pictures and she helped me create a more thorough idea of what I wanted for my wedding. Next thing you know, she’s matching me with photographers, DJs, florists, makeup artists—basically everyone I needed— and we’re in non stop “vendorpalooza” as she calls it. Needless to say, we had every single vendor booked and secured in under 2 months.
On my wedding day, I did not use a single brain cell. She had a whole team with her that managed me, my wedding party, my family, and all the guests. Not to mention, she has great relationships with all her vendors so she also made sure they knew where they had to be, when they had to be there, and exactly what to do. One of her team members was always escorting me to where I had to be and keeping track of the time and schedule for me. I was so busy and worried about my family not sticking to the itinerary, but Diane’s team successfully managed everyone in the ceremony including my old Chinese grandparents that don’t speak English.
One thing I really appreciated was she always asked about any preferences we had or any cultural traditions to include for all parts of the wedding. Everything felt very custom to us as a couple and it was so considerate to acknowledge our culture even though it was a western wedding.
Everything was so seamless, worry free, and well managed with HBIC Weddings. The wedding was more beautiful than anything I could have imagined. All of guests said it was the most extravagant, well planned wedding they had ever been to.
My absolute favorite memory was when my bustle ripped and Diane was sewing me up in the back room while her son fed me bread because I was missing dinner.
Even my parents that complained to me non stop about how expensive a wedding planner is admitted that it was well worth the money and that Diane is the one who made it all happen.
A wedding planner is not a necessity. But, if you actually want efficient, stress free planning, do yourself a favor and splurge on the full wedding planning package with Diane. You will thank yourself later when you’re actually having fun and enjoying your wedding because Diane has every little thing taken care of. I love love loved working with her and her team and they really gave me my dream wedding.
Jeffanie W
5.0
9/03/2025
We loved working with Diane! Our wedding would have been a mess if it had not been for Diane! We both work long hours out of state and Diane singlehandedly planned everything for u...
s so that when we walked into our wedding it was a fairytale for the both of us. She was willing to meet with us at odd hours in the night and she was always available for questions. She thought of things that we needed that we didn't even know we needed. She communicated well with our families and provided clear instructions and timelines for our families and wedding parties. We would recommend Diane to everyone we know and we feel so lucky that we had the best wedding planner who created our absolute dream wedding. Our friends and families could not stop talking about how great HBIC was after our wedding. There was not a moment during wedding planning where we felt stressed because Diane always had it handled. We will be singing her praises from the rooftops forever!
Brad J
5.0
8/27/2025
From day one, I had complete confidence in HBIC. Diane immediately made us feel like our wedding vision actually mattered, and when we were paired with Heidi, everything came toget...
her even better than I imagined. Heidi was a rockstar: detail oriented, calm, and unbelievably efficient. Whenever something popped up, she handled it instantly without us even realizing there had been an issue. Friends and family kept pulling me aside to say how impressed they were with how organized and professional she was.
The planning tools HBIC gave us made life so much easier too, from guest list trackers to layouts to checklists. Instead of stressing, we actually found ourselves enjoying the process. On the big day, my wife and I were able to live in every single moment without worrying about logistics. For me as the groom, that was priceless. HBIC gave us the gift of being fully present, and I’ll recommend them to anyone who wants their wedding handled by true pros.
Lauren S
5.0
8/27/2025
From our very first meeting with Diane, we knew HBIC was the planning service for us. Their focus was on making our wedding feel authentic to who we are while taking every bit of t...
he behind-the-scenes logistics off our plate — exactly what we were looking for.
We were paired with Heidi as our planner, and we truly could not have asked for anyone more perfect. She was attentive, professional, warm, and incredibly efficient. If an issue or change came up, Heidi handled it seamlessly and with complete grace. So many of our family members and bridal party even commented on how organized and on top of things she was — she made the entire day run flawlessly.
Leading up to the big day, HBIC provided us with easy-to-use planning tools that kept everything organized and (dare I say) even fun! From guest list management to designing the room layout to checklists that made sure no to-do was forgotten, everything was simple and stress-free.
Thanks to HBIC, we were able to be fully present on our wedding day — soaking in every moment with each other, our family, and our friends — without worrying about a single detail. We are endlessly grateful and would recommend HBIC to absolutely everyone!
Annie M
5.0
8/02/2025
Deciding to work with HBIC and Diane was, without a doubt, the best decision we made in the wedding planning process. From day one and all the way through the final moments of our ...
big day, Diane made us feel like a top priority. She kept us on track, and focused with decision making and planning. Diane is organized, systematic, pragmatic, creative, conscientious and warm. Most of all she is a complete and total expert at her craft of planning and executing thoughtfully curated and extraordinarily beautiful events. We had many guests comment that our wedding was the best wedding they had ever attended; this is entirely thanks to Diane!
Throughout the planning process, it became very apparent how well-respected Diane is in the industry. She managed every aspect with consideration and thoughtfulness from choosing top-notch vendors, budget considerations and delicate family dynamics. Diane treated me with kindness, humor and guidance when I was about to spiral into a ball of stress. Her responsiveness and consistent communication was reassuring that she had her finger on the pulse at all times. She took the edge off and brought a reassuring perspective to every quandary and worry I had (and there were countless). Diane truly made us feel like ours was the only wedding she was planning because of how attentive and involved she was throughout. In the end, not only did she plan the best wedding I could have ever dreamed of having, but she also has become a friend to me. If you choose to work with Diane (which you absolutely should) just know, you will laugh more than you expect to and you can rest assured that your wedding will be nothing short of fabulous. You will have a talented planner and team on your side and ultimately an absolutely amazing wedding.
Aleks M
5.0
8/02/2025
Working with Diane and the HBIC team was hands-down one of the best decisions we made in the entire wedding process. When we first started planning, we had no idea what we were get...
ting into—and thankfully, we didn’t have to figure it all out alone. Diane swooped in like a wedding fairy godmother (with checklists and great taste) and guided us through every big choice, tiny detail, and inevitable pivot with humor, grace, and total calm.
She brought a sense of fun to the planning process and always helped us keep things in perspective—even when we were spiraling over appetizers or guest list edits. On the big day, we truly don’t know what we would’ve done without her. Her team ran the show behind the scenes so flawlessly that we actually got to relax and enjoy our wedding.
Diane never lost sight of our vision or our budget, and she made magic happen within both. We felt totally taken care of from start to finish, and thanks to her, we had the most beautiful, stress-free, joy-filled day we could’ve hoped for.
We’re honestly sad we can only get married once, because we’d work with HBIC again in a heartbeat. 10 out of 10, five stars!
Hope S
5.0
7/12/2025
We had an excellent experience with HBIC! We were paired up with Heidi as our Day of Coordinator and we are so grateful we had her throughout the process. I am a very Type A bride ...
so had already had our vendors picked and many of the details we wanted for the wedding outlined. But we knew on the day of the wedding we'd want someone to take the reigns and tell us and all of our vendors where to be, when to do what, and problem solve when any last minute issues inevitably pop up, which is why we decided to look into Day of Coordination rather than full planning (which I'd imagine HBIC is also amazing for).
Heidi did an incredible job of listening to our wants and needs, teaching us how to make those things happen, and providing us with ideas of how to modify if we ever a little unrealistic. She was kind and caring and seemed genuinely invested in our vision for the wedding. As nice as she was in all of our meetings over the weeks/months leading up to the big day, on the day of the wedding she really took charge. She made sure every little detail we had asked for came to life and made it look easy. I am not even aware of what "went wrong" that day because she worked her magic and coordinated so well with all of our vendors behind the scenes without giving us a single thing to stress about.
HBIC ensures that you will go into our wedding day feeling prepared because they have a very thorough portal that they guide you through to make sure any potential details you'd want are planned out. The portal outlines things big and small, from contact info for your caterer or payment calendars for all vendors, to a reminder to buy your future spouse a gift (if you want).
From the portal that helped us stay organized, to the advise and truly priceless initiative from Heidi, we are convinced we could not have picked a better planning team. Highly recommend!
Kyle R
5.0
6/13/2025
After getting engaged, my (now) wife and I started a long research process that led us to HBIC. We had no idea where to begin with planning our wedding, but knew we were most excit...
ed to establish the venue, so we first contacted Diane to work with her on establishing the site that best fit what we were looking for. That meeting resulted in a list of curated options, fit into an easy one-day viewing schedule to pick a winner. A process that probably would’ve taken us several months on our own was done in weeks, with no meaningful disruption to our calendar. This experience made working with HBIC for the entire wedding process an incredibly easy decision, and set the tone for everything we encountered with Diane and her team. I cannot recommend them highly enough, particularly if you want the custom/bespoke experience without having the time or personal knowledge to create that on your own.
Alice K
5.0
2/17/2025
I could go on and on about why you need to hire HBIC as your wedding coordinator, but if you're looking for a short answer: DO IT. Seriously, you won’t regret it. It's 100% worth e...
very penny. Now, if you want my full review, buckle up!
I’ll be honest—when I first saw the business name "HBIC Weddings," I laughed out loud. But after my first call with Diane, I had that gut feeling—she was the one. At first, I didn’t quite get why I needed to pay for a website, but wow, was I wrong. It turned out to be totally worth it. Naturally, I did my homework and had calls with other wedding planners, but my heart kept coming back to HBIC.
I had several calls with Diane, but mostly worked with Caitlyn, who was an absolute gem. At first, I was like, “I can totally do this on my own and save a few bucks.” HA. Big mistake. Hiring HBIC Weddings was hands down the smartest and most valuable expense for the wedding. Caitlyn was a total lifesaver leading up to the big day—super responsive, even when I was texting her at weird hours (Sorry Caitlyn, I know I’m that bride 😅).
Another huge perk was the frames for the signs that I wanted to use as part of my wedding decor. HBIC had the perfect ones, and Diane/Caitlyn took care of printing them out for me—one less thing to stress over on the big day! And believe me, there was no shortage of things to worry about! Anytime I needed something or had a random question, Caitlyn was right there to problem-solve, whether it was a last-minute detail or an unexpected hiccup. She handled everything like a total pro.
On the wedding day, everything was set and ready to go, thanks to Caitlyn. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without her. After our last call, I was sad because I had developed a real friendship with Caitlyn. We even made plans to get drinks when we’re back in the city! So not only did I get the best wedding possible, but I gained a friend in the process.
Thank you, HBIC, for making it all happen!
Shantell W
5.0
12/03/2024
1000/10 would recommend the HBIC team. Diane put my mind at ease after our very first conversation with her, and from then on I knew I was able to let go and let HBIC! Diane is a w...
ealth of knowledge in the industry and has many years of experience! It’s been a month since our wedding, and we still have guests talking about how much fun they had - with some even saying it was the best they had ever been to (SUCCESS)! We were able to have fun with the planning process and every step of the way Diane was real with us and had all of our many questions answered. HBIC went above and beyond checking in with how we were feeling along the way. The HBIC planning process ensures no details are missed. We were able to stay on track and not lose sight of anything with the help of the HBIC planning platform. The whole wedding weekend was perfect and everything went the exact way we had planned it to be. When the weather required moving our cocktail hour to our backup indoor location, no guests even knew there was a change of plans, the team carried on, and the flow of the wedding was seamless! We would hire HBIC again in a heartbeat, and my husband and I are so grateful to have found Diane and her excellent team for our wedding!
Alexa M
5.0
11/17/2024
Working with HBIC was a pleasure; we are so glad we made Caitlyn and Diane a part of our wedding. Leading up to the big day, Caitlyn was in constant contact, providing indispensabl...
e support as we collaborated with our vendors to iron out all the finer details we never would have thought of without HBIC. She kept us informed as to which to-dos were outstanding, and ensured that we had a plan for how to move forward. Day-of, it was almost like Caitlyn wasn’t there—in a good way! She seamlessly coordinated our vendors and kept the show running smoothly, so that we could focus on soaking up every moment. Then, she appeared at just the right times to provide calming words and make sure we knew what was next. Our wedding day was perfect, and we know HBIC played a huge role. Highly recommended!
John-Peter G
5.0
11/12/2024
Diane and her team really came through for us and made the whole wedding planning experience one that we'll remember. She really took the time to get to know us and picked out the ...
perfect fit as far as vendors go. HBIC really put my wife at ease during this whole process and I could not thank them enough! Would recommend HBIC to anyone.
Alan G
5.0
10/22/2024
Diane and her team were the best, plain and simple. We are from Chicago but had a destination wedding in Aspen but that did not slow Diane down one bit. She was with us every step ...
of the way for months leading up and we still keep up months later! Diane helped us throw the wedding of our dreams that people are still talking about all the time. Her and her team’s service is personal and thoughtful. We wouldn’t change a thing and are incredibly grateful for Diane’s expertise throughout the entire process.
Johnie G
5.0
10/21/2024
Diane and her team came highly recommended, and we were extremely impressed! Not only did we throw a curve ball for our wedding by doing a destination wedding, it was on the top of...
a mountain that was only accessible by gondola! Every single aspect of the day was attended to with immense detail from the entire team. From the beginning, Diane and her team helped narrow down everything into digestible pieces, came with to multiple trips to Colorado to plan the perfect day, and even braved Aspen in the winter! Diane and her team snuck in some AMAZING surprises on our big day (cold sparkler entrance, live painter, and streamers upon first kiss, just to name a few). We could not have asked for a better, more stress-free and beautiful day! We love love love Diane and her amazing team!
Jason F
5.0
10/17/2024
You’re in the situation I was in ten months ago – reading through the reviews of all the top-rated wedding planners, looking to schedule a few initial consultations, and hoping to ...
differentiate between all of them to develop any sort of gut feeling about who will do the best job of helping you and your future spouse bring your wedding vision to life. Stop stressing. Make the best decision you can make. The one that will make every decision from now until your wedding day one that you’ll make more confidently, and will make every step of the way smoother, easier, cheaper, and so much more fun. Call Diane.
She guided us to the perfect vendors for our vision and budget, knew just what to ask in our interviews and calls with them, and knew exactly how and where to negotiate on our behalf. She had sage advice on which of our many, many initial ideas and inspiration we should run with, and how best to execute them beautifully. There were so many memorable, unique details and surprises we were able to include in our ceremony and reception that delighted our guests and had them remarking to us that they’d never seen that before – but even more importantly, all those details were pulled off without a hitch. It’s an awesome feeling to be able to sit back as I write this and know that our entire wedding, from start to finish, was nothing short of perfect. And we owe so much of that to Diane’s vast experience, great advice, our weekly calls, her sense of humor, her intuitive scheduling, budgeting, and planning website, and her ability to keep everything on track and give my wife and me constant peace of mind from day one. I truly can’t imagine this last year of wedding planning without her. I can’t recommend highly enough that you make the same choice.
And then months down the road you, too, will be where I’m at right now – still reflecting on and enjoying the afterglow of an absolutely flawless, incredible, perfectly executed wedding. One that exceeded our every expectation, and has all our family and friends still raving to us weeks later about what a blast they had and what an unforgettable night it was. If you’re looking for a planner who I am positively certain will do the same for you, then look no further, and go with Diane and HBIC Weddings!
Timothy A
5.0
10/16/2024
Diane and her team at HBIC were incredible from start to finish. You could tell right away that Diane has been in the business for years—she was clearly in charge and handled every...
thing with confidence and expertise. Her attention to detail was remarkable, and she didn’t just keep things organized; she helped us make smart decisions, offering honest feedback on vendors and finding ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Most importantly, she made my wife’s stress disappear, allowing us to actually enjoy the lead-up to the wedding. If you want a planner who’s experienced, confident, and can put your mind at ease, Diane and her team at HBIC are the perfect choice.
Danielle P
5.0
10/15/2024
We recently got married on May 25th 2024 at the Radisson Blu Aqua and had the most amazing wedding weekend thanks to Diane and her team. From the moment we met Diane, we knew that ...
she would make all our dreams a reality. We worked with Diane from afar as we live in NJ and she helped coordinate every vendor meeting and provide all the best vendors in Chicago that matched our vision. We enjoyed every zoom session we had with her and even now 5 months later still love to call and just chat :)
From planning the rehearsal dinner, welcome party, wedding day, after party, and farewell brunch, everything was seamless.
The day of the wedding, her team was great! Jen was essentially the bride's personal assistant and she was there for everything and did it with a smile! She made sure the bride was well caffeinated and fed among the craziness of the day! Everyone in the bridal suite truly appreciated having her there!
We would highly recommend HBIC to any future couples that plan to get married in the Chicago area!
Danielle & JP
Mimi C
5.0
10/09/2024
Diane and her team at HBIC are truly exceptional. If you’re looking for someone who will go above and beyond to make your wedding day special, they are the ones. From the start, Di...
ane’s honest and insightful vendor feedback made the decision-making process so much easier. She kept everything organized and stress-free, all while adding warmth and laughter to every interaction. I actually found myself looking forward to our calls, and I’ll genuinely miss planning my wedding with her. Diane and her team didn’t just make sure our wedding ran smoothly—they made the entire planning process an absolute joy. For anyone seeking a planner who combines professionalism with a personal touch, I cannot recommend HBIC enough.
Sara K
5.0
9/26/2024
Where do I begin with Diane and her team? Within a few minutes of our initial consult I knew I was going to be in good hands. After having a few less than stellar initial consults ...
this was such a huge sigh of relief. Throughout the entire planning process she was super responsive, always happy to hop on a call right away and help me solve oopsies that I came across. There wasn’t a detail overlooked. I wish I could comment on how she was with working with our other vendors but she did such a fantastic job of taking those logistics over that I have literally no idea how she does it. On the day of, Diane and her team were extremely professional and were able to 3D print from my head exactly what I envisioned for our day. When we ran into day of hiccups (which were pretty minimal) she took care of it without batting an eyelash. Having her in our corner through the year plus of planning put me at total ease. If you are still looking for a planner just stop now and schedule your initial consult. I cannot recommend HBIC enough!
Taylor D
5.0
8/05/2024
Jennifer with HBIC was an absolute rockstar and a joy to work with. The detail she put into making our timeline, dealing with our vendors and executing our wedding day was unmatche...
d and immaculate. Not only was her work ethic top tier but her interpersonal skills and ability to make me and my fiance feel instantly comfortable and at ease was amazing. I would recommend her services for literally anything in your life that you need help planning- you can't go wrong.
Response from HBIC Weddings on 08/05/2024
Taylor, on behalf of Jennifer and me, thank you for the glowing review.
I'm delighted tha...
t you and Jen had such a great experience together and that the self-guided portal was a great tool for you to plan and then pass off to Jen so seamlessly!
Jen is amazing and she would be fantastic planning ANY-THING!
Jennie T
5.0
7/17/2024
I was a vendor who worked with Diane on a wedding in Aspen! I just have to say how impressed I am by Diane's level of detail and her genuine concern for her vendors. I have never s...
een a planner put the dimensions of the gondola on the timeline, much less every minute of the weekend documented! I can’t wait to work with her again - she's the kind of planner that the best vendors want to work for and do their best!
Steve P
5.0
12/19/2023
Our experience with HBIC was terrific. Diane makes the whole process as simple as possible. I highly recommend Diane and HBIC.
Kathryn B
5.0
12/17/2023
Choosing to work with Diane and HBIC weddings was one of the best decisions we've made. We liked her instantly and appreciated her sense of humor and experienced guidance. Diane ...
made planning our wedding so easy by providing excellent vendor recommendations, helping us focus on where best to spend our budget, and wrangling the cats so we had a stress free weekend. I highly recommend HBIC weddings!
Pier M
5.0
12/10/2023
Diane is great! She conveys a can do attitude and her eye for detail is impressive. As parents of the groom we didn't expect the wedding planner to ask us throughout the weekend if...
there was anything we needed. She was helpful on all fronts and when there was a glitch she immediately handled it respectfully. I would definitely recommend her.Diane is great! She conveys a can do attitude and her eye for detail is impressive. As parents of the groom we didn't expect the wedding planner to ask us throughout the weekend if there was anything we needed. She was helpful on all fronts and when there was a glitch she immediately handled it respectfully. I would definitely recommend her.Diane is great! She conveys a can do attitude and her eye for detail is impressive. As parents of the groom we didn't expect the wedding planner to ask us throughout the weekend if there was anything we needed. She was helpful on all fronts and when there was a glitch she immediately handled it respectfully. I would definitely recommend her.Diane is great! She conveys a can do attitude and her eye for detail is impressive. As parents of the groom we didn't expect the wedding planner to ask us throughout the weekend if there was anything we needed. She was helpful on all fronts and when there was a glitch she immediately handled it respectfully. I would definitely recommend her.Diane is great! She conveys a can do attitude and her eye for detail is impressive. As parents of the groom we didn't expect the wedding planner to ask us throughout the weekend if there was anything we needed. She was helpful on all fronts and when there was a glitch she immediately handled it respectfully. I would definitely recommend her.
Perry B
5.0
12/08/2023
Best money ever spent! Great oversight allowing us to enjoy our special day.
Carolyn M
5.0
12/08/2023
I could not imagine wedding planning without Diane as my planner. She was helpful every step of the way. Her expertise in the field was extremely helpful when communicating with ve...
ndors. She asked so many questions I would have never thought of. She went above and beyond during the wedding weekend. Diane and her team were so organized and helpful to all of our family and guests. My number one thing I wanted when hiring a wedding planner was not being distracted during the day with all the things that go wrong. There will be something that will go differently than planned and Diane handled everything without me even knowing and allowed my husband, me, and our families to have the best weekend. She and her team is undoubtedly so much of the reason we had an amazing wedding weekend. Everyone hire HBIC! You won’t be disappointed!
Jackie G
5.0
12/06/2023
We had the absolute pleasure of working with Diane (and her team) for our all things related to our wedding. We cannot express how grateful we are for her unmatched, exceptional se...
rvices we've had the luxury of experiencing for the 20 months. Right from our initial call, it was crystal clear that Diane is not just a professional in her craft, but she bring a whole lot of humor, sass, wisdom and experience. She took the time to understand our vision, preferences, and style (even through all of my indecision!!!), and made it all come together so perfectly, better than I could have pictured.
One of the many things that sets Diane apart was her ability to turn challenges into opportunities with laughs and smiles along the way, as well as her responsiveness. She navigated unexpected hiccups with grace, expertise and an immense amount of care for us and our guests, making sure that our day felt effortless for us.
Diane seriously went above and beyond to make the whole weekend uniquely ours. From personalized decor to thoughtful touches (such as a framed picture of us from our first dance in our hotel room when we got back the night of the wedding, are we KIDDING!!!), she captured our vision for our wedding perfectly. Diane is truly the HBIC, and I was also the HBIC (happiest bride in Chicago, as Diane would say!)
If you're looking for a wedding planner who is not only exceptionally talented, absolutely hilarious, but also someone who genuinely cares about making your day special... Diane is your gal. We wholeheartedly recommend her services to any couple in their wedding planning journey. Our families couldn't get enough of Diane...so much so that she was sought out to plan our family holiday gathering!
Diane and team... we cannot thank you enough. You are all true gems in the world of wedding planning! Anyone and everyone who's looking for a wedding planner who also feels like a trusted, hilarious, bright, and creative friend throughout the process of planning a wedding... Diane and her team are the ones for you!
Matt F
5.0
12/03/2023
Diane was fantastic to work with and helped plan the perfect wedding!
Meagan K
5.0
11/30/2023
The wedding of our dreams was made possible by Diane. I could not speak more highly of her. She brought expertise and knowledge that was unmatched. Dreams we did not even know we h...
ad were made possible by working with Diane. We had an extravagant affair that started with our wedding ceremony at Holy Name Cathedral and proceeded to the Aon Grand Ball Room at Navy Pier. The night was absolutely stunning. Diane has so many connections in the industry and was able to deliver us a premier vendor team. She knows the ins and outs of the wedding industry- something that is vital. One does not know the importance of a wedding planner until you are in the thick of it. We were blessed to have Diane. Examples of some of the requests she was able to pull off: ensure our private boat arrival to Navy Pier with docking at the pier (family dream), produce an extravagant wedding on one of the busiest nights of the summer at Navy Pier (On the Piers 107th birthday with drone show AND Saturday night fireworks), arrange top tier Doggie Service for our pups, introduce me to someone who made sure I stayed picture perfect all day, and so much more. Diane even helped us extend the wedding (1+ hour) in the moment due to traffic coming off the Pier to ensure our guests had a seamless time! The vendors Diane recommends and that you will work with are unmatched. Diane accounts for EVERY SINGLE DETAIL - details you did not know even existed. Most importantly, I had a care free day to celebrate my wedding with the love of my life, family, and friends. I knew everything would be taken care of. Diane ensured we were where we had to be when we had to be there. I did not look at a clock or my phone once. Every single person at our wedding said it was the best wedding they had ever been to. Additionally, my husband and I each had a member of her team (our "assistant") with us during the getting ready process. My "assistant" went out to get me and the girls morning coffee, ensured the lunch delivery was set for our room, and even took an uber to get my lunch early before I had to get into my dress. The attention to detail and service was unmatched. Furthermore, Diane is a hoot to work with. She will keep you laughing and help you get through and enjoy the whole process. She has become a friend through the process. We could not recommend Diane and HBIC enough.
Sarah W
5.0
10/09/2023
We hired Diane and HBIC to plan our wedding. Diane and HBIC were absolutely able to deliver a smooth and stress free wedding week. We were able to take our feet off the gas and jus...
t enjoy the ride. Diane is a force and controls everything necessary.
As a bonus, I walked up to Diane with one hour left in the wedding at 11 PM. It was the bride's birthday at midnight, and I asked if we could maybe do a simple birthday surprise for her. With NO time to plan, Diane went to work and delivered a simple cake with birthday candles for the bride to blow out the minute the clock struck midnight. The whole wedding sang happy birthday and it really made the night special doing something she absolutely did not have to for us. Thanks Diane and Alan!
Julie B
5.0
8/25/2023
We were so well pleased with Diane’s expertise while planning my daughter’s wedding. She handled everything with care and precision. Diane is well acquainted with the vendors in C...
hicago and when you are planning a wedding, you need someone who is able to navigate this for you. We didn’t have a care in the world the day of the wedding. She had our back throughout the process and it all came together beautifully that day. I am so grateful that we had Diane as our wedding coordinator. She is simply the best.
Jaison T
5.0
4/20/2023
I worked with Diane to plan our wedding and couldn't be happier with the result. She and her team were professional, creative, attentive, and friendly throughout the process. She l...
istened to our vision and made it come true with her expertise and connections! She handled the bulk of things from the very starting stages of wedding planning all the way to the very end of the wedding night. She was extremely helpful with finding the perfect venue, catering, flowers, coordinating the wedding day proceedings with numerous vendors, and ensuring everything went smoothly! I honestly did not have to worry about anything on the wedding day as I was pretty confident that Diane would be on top of it. I highly recommend Diane to anyone looking for a stress-free and memorable wedding. Thank you so much for making my dream wedding a reality Diane! =)
Ellen W
5.0
12/26/2022
We were planning our Chicago wedding remotely from Houston, and we needed someone to keep us on task: Diane was just the person for the job! She can be brisk (pun intended), but sh...
e helps you get the job done and make your vision come to life within budget. Her knowledge of the endless number of vendors throughout the city (and connections with the good ones) saved us innumerable headaches and allowed us to focus our attention elsewhere.
Her team was very helpful day-of, though some were unfamiliar with our venue (Adler Planetarium), which tripped us up a few times. It depends on the level of service you select, so we did find ourselves having to wait to get questions answered sometimes when other events were closer. Overall, it was a great experience and would definitely recommend!
Amanda M
5.0
12/21/2022
Diane was absolutely incredible from start to finish! If you are looking for a full service wedding planner - she is it!! She is honest and will help navigate what elements will an...
d what won't make a big impact on your day, assist with budget planning, put you in touch with contacts with reputable vendors in literally EVERY category, and generally help you design the wedding of your dreams. Of our vendors, the ones Diane pushed for really ended up being our favorites throughout the weekend. She keeps you on schedule so there is not a mad dash at the end and really helps alleviate A LOT of the stress by managing each vendor. I can honestly say our entire wedding weekend ran flawlessly and was more magical than I could have dreamed, and it's all due to the hard work of Diane and her team!
Christopher M
5.0
12/20/2022
Diane and her team at HBIC Weddings were absolutely incredible. We cannot thank them enough for making our wedding absolutely perfect! Diane was critical helping us select multiple...
of our vendors and we undoubtedly would have struggled without her. Beyond simply selecting our vendors, Diane was instrumental in keeping us on track throughout the months leading up to our wedding.
Additionally, we cannot say enough about Diane and her team during our wedding weekend. There was an incredible amount to do and manage to assure our wedding went off without a hitch. There is no doubt that our wedding would not have been nearly as perfect without Diane and her team at HBIC. We cannot say enough about them and are incredibly thankful for them!
Justin K
5.0
12/13/2022
Hiring Diane and HBIC was the best decision we made when planning our wedding, they delivered value far in excess of their cost and I could not recommend them more. I shudder to im...
agine what our wedding (and really the entire process) would have looked like with out such an amazing planner.
To start Diane was instrumental in vendor selection especially for the venue. Diane was able to negotiate a great rate for us at our preferred location and basically covered the majority of her cost right off the bat.
I am not much of a planner generally whereas my wife very much is, so I won't lie I was dreading the wedding planning process as I anticipated it leading to some tension between us. I'm thrilled to say that did not come to fruition, and a big reason for that was that working with Diane GREATLY alleviated the stressful moments. And really, what is more valuable than reducing the stress load on you & your fiancee during what should be an enjoyable process?
It was a pleasure working with Diane and could not recommend her and the entire team more! They provide great value and go out of their way to make your process a collaborative, enjoyable experience.
Trish R
5.0
12/13/2022
Hiring Diane and HBIC to plan and execute our wedding vision was, without fail, the best decision we made through the wedding planning process. I interviewed a number of planners ...
who all had good ratings, but the minute I met Diane I knew it was a match made in planning heaven :)
Everything from shortlists of vendors that ultimately saved hours upfront, to support in vendor contract reviews to flawless execution - Diane does it all. The best part: she's a total riot and you'll have a blast with her!! Her day-of schedule that we all got the night of the rehearsal is still a topic of conversation among our wedding party as one of the best things ever! Her attention to detail and the thoughtfulness she brings to the process really focusing on what is most important to the couple keeps you calm and stress-free.
We had some last-minute family stuff come up that required we stream the wedding for a few international guests, and within two days of telling Diane she had everything lined up for us after a few text messages!
My husband, my parents, and I were stress-free and had a wonderful wedding day. I attribute the majority of that to Diane and her team. I cannot emphasize this enough - you won't regret working with her and I would encourage you to book fast as I intend to recommend her to everyone I know ;)
John M
5.0
12/13/2022
Do not walk, but RUN to use Diane and HBIC weddings as your wedding planner!! The cheesy "I don't usually leave reviews" holds true with me but I felt very compelled to make sure p...
eople don't make the mistake of missing out on this truly life saving experience and woman. I am, self admittedly, not the best planner so I think it was a no-brainer for me and my wife that we were going to need some help...and wow did Diane and her team go above and beyond my expectations. Here are just a few questions to ask yourself that should help enforce why you also could benefit from HBIC. Are you an expert in negotiating vendor deals and know the right people to work with? I didn't either...but Diane certainly does! Do you have a software to help track EVERYTHING leading up to the wedding including seating charts, budget, vendor information, rehearsal dinner plans, etc? Diane sure does! Do you want your wedding day planned out down to the minute but not have to worry about who goes where and at what time? Call Diane. I could go on and on but the moral of the story is that for most, this is their first time getting married. I can promise you that there are more than a handful of things you may be forgetting that will take your wedding from "good" to "perfect" and Diane and her team's years of experience will make sure it's taken care of. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention that as great as HBIC was at their jobs, Diane and the whole staff were extremely thoughtful, nice and amazing to work with.
Danielle M
5.0
12/12/2022
If you are thinking about getting a wedding planner for your upcoming wedding you MUST go with Diane from HBIC weddings! We knew from our first introduction call that she was going...
to be a great fit. She brings humor and light to the stress of wedding planning and truly knows the industry. Diane was able to recommend so many amazing vendors so we did not have to spend hours searching. She came with us to our caterer tasting, final venue walkthrough, floral appointments, etc. and always came prepared to take notes and had answers to questions when we didn't. When it came time for our wedding day everything ran on time and smoothly. Diane and her team were there from start to finish and took care of everything so us and our family didn't have to. HBIC Weddings is incredible and we can't recommend or thank them enough.
Ashley W
5.0
12/11/2022
Diane is a truly fabulous wedding planner, and if you work with her you will not be disappointed! My wedding was a dream come true and I owe so much of that to HBIC.
From the mome...
nt I got engaged I knew that I would need a top notch wedding planner to help me execute the vision for my wedding. I have very high expectations and its very hard for me to let go of control over important things, but I also have a very demanding job and knew that planning a wedding would be like a job itself, so I would need someone amazing and trustworthy to do the heavy lifting for the wedding. When I interviewed Diane I immediately felt that she would fit this bill, and she did not disappoint!
Diane's years of experience in the event planning industry are so helpful, especially if event planning is totally outside your wheelhouse as it was for me. She takes time to get to know you as a couple, so she is able to give really thoughtful and tailored advice especially as you move into the "detail phase" of planning - she made suggestions along the way that ended up being some of my absolute favorite aspects of my wedding day. She is also an amazing advocate for her couples. Both pre- and post-wedding, we had a few hiccups with vendors that required some uncomfortable but really important conversations, and Diane took care of everything professionally and with ease, totally relieving me from the stress of having to deal with these issues and achieving even-better-than-expected outcomes each time. On the day-of, her team handled all of the logistics, vendor points of contact, and last minute questions so that my husband and I (and our parents and bridal parties) were able to be in the moment and really enjoy the day, because no one had to worry about anything. I can't even count the number of times during this process that I turned to my husband and said "Wow, I am so glad we hired Diane." Her services were so valuable from Day 1. Even beyond all of this, we had fun while working with her the entire time. I am so glad I hired HBIC, and I would recommend Diane and her team unequivocally to anyone looking for an excellent planner.
Rebecca S
5.0
12/11/2022
Stop your search for a wedding planner and hire Diane and HBIC weddings immediately. It's clear that Diane has been planning events for a long time: she knows what to do and when a...
nd how to do it, and she does it with a refreshing directness. My husband and I had a vision, a budget, and a venue when we signed on with Diane, and she took us from that foundation to a gorgeous, immaculately executed event that had guests raving. Diane's great industry relationships meant that she recommended vendors with proven track records who wouldn't let us down. On our wedding day, HBIC weddings orchestrated an event that went off without a hitch. From Diane's personalized, printed schedules for the wedding party and immediate family, to the online planning portal, to the perfectly timed transportation, we felt so lucky to be in HBIC Weddings' capable hands. Diane never tried to push us into anything we didn't want and she was there to support us every step of the way, including a great pep talk when we had many guests declining and cancelling due to illness, etc. If you want a professional wedding planner who can guide you through contractual jargon and share a funny, relevant anecdote in the same breath, hire HBIC Weddings. I wish we had another event to plan so we could start up our regular calls with Diane again!
Brianna W
5.0
12/07/2022
If you're thinking about hiring a planner - Diane is your girl! She helped our day go off without a hitch (that we saw at least, which is ideal :)). She coordinated with all vendor...
s and had multiple calls with us to make sure we were all set and ready to go! The system she used was incredibly helpful and very easy to use. She has a plethora of documents to use as a guide (from how to tip vendors to choosing hotel blocks, etc.) or to fill out for her to take over (think run of show or music, etc.). I pride myself on being organized, and Diane was the perfect partner. Most importantly, on the day of, I didn't have to think about anything at all - Diane and her team handled everything!! They got everything back to our room safely while we danced the night away. Diane knows what she's doing, and she knows the industry, I'd trust her time and time again!
Stephanie B
5.0
11/30/2022
Diane and team were great to work with! The process was really seamless and, truthfully, stress free. She made the planning enjoyable -- we had a great time leading up to and duri...
ng the wedding.
Rocky M
5.0
11/24/2022
My wife and know nothing about wedding planning. As soon as we started wedding planning we said "let's get a wedding planner as our first order of business." We did some googling a...
nd came across HBIC. From our first meeting, we were so comfortable with Diane. Telling her what we liked and didn't like. She was so accomodating and has a lot of experience in the industry.
She was the one and only wedding planner we met with, and we were very happy with our decision. There are so many details to wedding planning that the average person would have no idea to consider. Diane, helped us find a gorgeous wedding venue that we never would have found on our own. She was always responsive to ideas and always made sure we were on time and met all of our due dates during the whole wedding process.
If we ever ran into issues with our vendors Diane was the one who took care of things. As a busy couple we couldn't be more appreciative of that.
We couldn't have been happier with how our wedding day turned out. We hardly had to do anything, and felt no stress thanks to Diane managing all of the vendors.
You will not be disappointed if you decide to go with HBIC!
Contact
Curious to learn more?
Start the convo
*=Required
Use this secure form to reach out and share your wedding vision.
HBIC Weddings
Diane Brisk, HB of HBIC
|
Owner
Wedding vendors in Chicago
Why use The Knot to message vendors?
Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure. Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place. Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go. For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.