Wedding Planner and Coordinator based in Chicago, IL

We're getting a little makeover. Our new site is blooming in April, but we're still here, still booking, and still obsessed with making your day unforgettable.

Our Services

Photographer: Olivia Tarkowski

Full-Service or Partial Wedding Planning

Dreaming of a wedding that perfectly reflects your love story, but the logistics feel overwhelming? Our wedding planning package is here to bring your dream day to life with ease and elegance. We believe your wedding should be as unique as your love story, and that's why we're here to ensure every detail tells your tale. We'll work closely with you to understand your vision and preferences, and then meticulously bring it to life. Whether it's selecting the perfect venue, coordinating with vendors, or creating a seamless timeline, our dedicated team will be by your side every step of the way.

With years of experience, we cover every aspect of your big day, from budget management to vendor coordination, design, and more. Let us turn your vision into reality, ensuring that your unique love story shines through every detail.

1. Initial Consultation: Our journey together starts with an in-depth consultation where we get to know your vision, style, and preferences. We'll discuss your dream wedding in detail to ensure we're on the same page.
2. Budget Management: We'll help you create a realistic budget tailored to your financial needs. Our team will assist in allocating resources to various aspects of your wedding, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.
3. Venue Selection: We'll present you with a carefully curated list of venues that match your style and budget. Once chosen, we'll coordinate site visits to secure the perfect location.
4. Vendor Selection and Coordination: From florists to photographers, we'll help you select top-tier vendors for your wedding day. Our team will ensure all vendors work cohesively to bring your vision to life.
5. Guest List and RSVP Management: We'll help you create and manage your guest list, send out invitations, and track RSVPs, making the guest management process seamless.
6. Attendance at Planning Meetings: We'll be your representatives at planning meetings with various vendors, including caterers, floral designers, venue teams, rental companies, transportation providers, entertainment, invitation designers, and other vendors of distinction. We ensure that every aspect aligns seamlessly with the flow of your event, allowing you to focus on the joy of your special day.
7. Customized Timeline: We'll create a detailed timeline that outlines every aspect of your wedding, from the early preparations to the final dance, ensuring all elements run smoothly.
8. Personalized Planning To-Do List: We provide you with a personalized to-do list leading up to your wedding, complete with deadlines to keep you on track.
9. Rehearsal Management: Our team will organize and lead your wedding rehearsal, ensuring that the wedding party understands their roles and responsibilities.
10. Ceremony and Reception Coordination: On your big day, your designated wedding coordinator will be on-site for 12 hour. They will manage and oversee every aspect of your wedding day, from the setup and decor to the ceremony and reception. This allows you, your partner, and your loved ones to relax and enjoy the day without worrying about the logistics.
11. Problem-Solving: Inevitably, issues may arise during a wedding or planning process. Our Planners are well-equipped to handle any unforeseen challenges that may come up. We'll address these issues discreetly and efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to your special day.
12. Access to Emergency Kit: We carry an emergency kit filled with essentials that might come in handy, from sewing kits to stain removers, to address any last-minute emergencies.
13. Access to our Online Planning Portal: You will have access to our online planning portal where we will share planning documents, organize vendors, create seating charts, assign to-do tasks, track your budget, review up coming payments and track guest management.
14. End-of-Day Wrap-Up: After the last dance and farewell, we will ensure all your personal items and gifts are safely collected, coordinate with vendors for clean-up, and handle any post-wedding logistics, allowing you to relax and relish the conclusion of your magical day.
You've embarked on the exciting journey of planning your wedding, but now you're looking for an expert hand to guide you towards perfection. That's where our Partial Wedding Planning service steps in. We join your journey partway, bringing our expertise to enhance and elevate your wedding vision.
Our experienced team will collaborate with you to ensure that every detail of your wedding aligns seamlessly. We'll pick up where you left off, working with your existing plans and vendors to bring your dream wedding to life.
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having a seasoned professional at your side. This package includes all the items from our Full Service Wedding Planning Package, minus the items you've already planned, allowing you to focus on what matters most while we handle the rest.

Inquire to Get Started

Photographer: Olivia Tarkowski

Wedding Management & Coordination

Your dream wedding deserves a flawless execution, and that's where our Day-of Coordination Package comes in. We understand that you've put your heart and soul into planning every detail, and now it's time to relax, enjoy, and savor the moments.

We will be there to ensure every element of your special day falls into place seamlessly. From timeline management to vendor coordination, problem-solving to personal concierge service, we've got it all covered.

Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on the magic. Your story, your love, your perfect day – with us, it's all in expert hands.

1. Initial Consultation: Our Day-of Coordination Package begins with a thorough consultation to discuss your wedding vision, timeline, and specific requirements. We want to get to know you and your unique preferences to make sure your day unfolds exactly as you've envisioned.
2. Email and Telephone Communication: We'll maintain open lines of communication via email and telephone in the ten weeks leading up to your wedding. This ensures that we are readily available to address any questions, concerns, or last-minute adjustments.
3. Vendor Coordination: We'll reach out to all your vendors in advance to confirm their arrival times and delivery details. This ensures that all your selected vendors, from florists to photographers, are on the same page and working together cohesively. We will also run your final walkthrough at your venue with all relevant vendors.
4. Timeline Creation: We will meticulously create a detailed timeline that outlines the flow of your entire wedding day, from the early morning preparations to the late-night festivities. This timeline will be shared with all key stakeholders to ensure everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
5. Personalized Planning To-Do List: We provide you with a personalized to-do list for the final ten weeks leading up to your wedding. This detailed checklist comes with deadlines to keep you on track and ensure no task is overlooked.
6. Rehearsal Management: Your wedding coordinator will organize and lead your wedding rehearsal, ensuring that the wedding party understands their roles and responsibilities. This practice run guarantees that your ceremony and reception run smoothly.
7. Ceremony and Reception Coordination: On your big day, your designated wedding coordinator will be on-site for 12 hour. They will manage and oversee every aspect of your wedding day, from the setup and decor to the ceremony and reception. This allows you, your partner, and your loved ones to relax and enjoy the day without worrying about the logistics.
8. Problem-Solving: Inevitably, issues may arise during a wedding. Our Day-of Coordinator is well-equipped to handle any unforeseen challenges that may come up. We'll address these issues discreetly and efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to your special day.
9. Access to Emergency Kit: We carry an emergency kit filled with essentials that might come in handy, from sewing kits to stain removers, to address any last-minute emergencies.
10. Access to our Online Planning Portal: You will have access to our online planning portal where we will share planning documents, organize vendors, create seating charts and assign to-do tasks! You can also track your budget, review up coming payments and track guest management.
11. End-of-Day Wrap-Up: After the last dance and farewell, we will ensure all your personal items and gifts are safely collected, coordinate with vendors for clean-up, and handle any post-wedding logistics, allowing you to relax and relish the conclusion of your magical day.
12. Peace of Mind: Knowing that every detail of your wedding is in expert hands. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on celebrating your love. Contact us today to book our Day-of Coordination services and turn your dream wedding into a reality

Meet Our Team

Olivia Kurecki

Founder
Hi there, I’m Olivia, the face behind Afterglow Weddings and Events! With over six years of experience in the wedding industry, including catering and venue sales, I've been part of more than 150 love stories.
My journey in the Chicago wedding industry has included time as a venue coordinator, catering sales manager and event coordinator. My favorite part about working in the industry is working with couples to help their wedding dreams come to life.
Camille Carter

Associate Wedding Planner
Jessica Grogan

Associate Wedding Planner
Hannah Rosuck

Wedding Assistant
Kelsey Carey

Wedding Assistant
Abby Bradley

Wedding Assistant

Work With Us

“Afterglow was fantastic to work with for our 3/30 wedding.

Olivia and team are extremely professional, punctual, and organized - exactly what I needed during a very stressful crunch time. Olivia took care of everything I needed help with in the weeks leading up to our wedding and on the wedding day. She executed everything perfectly to our vision and ensured the day was smooth and we stayed on schedule. She even had helpful recommendations for vendors that we ended up hiring for our day. She communicated with our venue on our behalf, helped answer my many questions, and accommodated last minute details and changes.

I trusted her fully and am 1000% glad I hired her. Seriously snag her up if you can, she was a huge help and instrumental in making our day wonderful and easy! I can't recommend Afterglow enough! THANK YOU!.”

— Desi and LeMarc