Valuable Insight from a Top Chicago Wedding Planner
A few months after our own wedding, the high is still there along with some valuable takeaways. One MAJOR takeaway was the importance of setting aside a budget for a wedding planner or at least for a day-of coordinator.
Let’s be real, there are a bunch of moving parts that come with planning a wedding. A planner is the person you want in your corner. They will become your pillar during the entire planning process to help alleviate some of the load. Trust us, you’ll be glad you invested in this gem so that you can focus on the fun part like trying on dresses/suits, searching for the perfect accessories, writing your vows, and all that good stuff.
So, to help shed some insight, we interviewed one of the best planners in Chicago right now. Alison Grossman at Designed and Detailed has been in the industry for almost ten years. We teamed up with her for a recent wedding at Green House Loft and we gotta say… WOW! Not only was she super responsive and detailed from the very beginning, but on the wedding day, it was seamless!
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO WEDDING PLANNING?
I have always been interested in hospitality. I was an event manager for student activities in my college. At first, I thought I was going to be a restaurant manager, but then I interned for a planner and that was it. I fell in love with planning weddings and ran with it. My first job as a planner was in Rhode Island where I planned elite weddings and I instantly knew weddings were my calling.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD A COUPLE BOOK WITH YOU?
I like for couples to book us at least 6 months out. One year is ideal, but six months would be the bare minimum. After a couple celebrates their engagement, there’s a “what now” moment that follows. We find that we can best get in to help our couples when there is more time to plan and design how we can provide that support.
WHAT SHOULD A COUPLE DO FIRST?
Budget. We do not help book vendors until we have a budget meeting with our couples. We want to know how much our couples want to spend before we start planning so we can set them up for success.
WHAT WEDDING TREND DO YOU LOVE?
Ahh so many. Neon signs for sure. I sometimes think about pretending like I’m getting married again to get one for our living room! Tapered candles are also a very classy element.
WHAT’S ONE THING A COUPLE SHOULD LEAVE ROOM FOR?
Gratuities for sure. People don’t think about it, but catering alone comes to a wedding with an entire team to make it all happen.
WHAT IS IT LIKE HAVING YOU AS A PLANNER?
(happy laugh). I’d say I approach my couples like a friend. I want to be friends with you. I want to get to know you. I want you to trust that I have your back. I will execute your day not just from a logistical standpoint, but from an emotional one.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT A WEDDING?
I have such a cheesy answer, but I really do love looking at each of the couple’s faces as one walks down the aisle towards the other. It’s so special.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR FUTURE WEDDING COUPLES?
Plan a budget and take it one step at a time. Give yourself enough time to plan around your life. Balance is key. It’s important to give yourself time to plan and show up for everything else you have going on outside of wedding stuff.
Want to learn more about Alison? Follow her Instagram
Venue: Greenhouse Loft
Florist: Flowerchild Chicago
