The caterers were amazing. Best event food. Choices were chicken, pasta or cauliflower steak. Each one was amazingly delicious. We were able to customize each dish and our choices were great. Relish caterers was extraordinarily accommodating. Colleen was a professional throughout. We did our own baking for the sweet table and that was a great decision. The bride made her cake pops and they were quickly inhaled. So good.   
Dress:  Davida’s dresses in Skokie. Always professional and totally accommodating. The description my daughter gave them wasn’t perfect, but they were able to get her the dress after she told them what she disliked on the ones she tried on. Tailoring pricey but research showed it was pretty universal. Dress home with us 2 weeks before event.   
Florist:  Joy Wingren. Not well known but transformed the venue into a garden. She would be open to more business so if interested, I can get you her info. The bouquet is a sample of her work.   
Makeup and hair:  Rachel and Katie did an amazing job. They were under $1,000 for 3 bridesmaids, the mob and bride, including brides trial. They are doing more and more weddings but don’t have a website yet. I was the last one they worked on and she was told I was a touch up when I was really a full makeup and hair. They did a fantastic job in 20 minutes maybe less. I was complimented all day on the results.   
Photographer :  even though our timing was off ( bride error), she did what was needed to keep us on track and stayed later for portraits. Also very reasonable price.   
DJ:  amazing. Even though we were running late, he was able to get through the playlist and everyone was moving and grooving. He came with the photographer and we were very pleased.   
Videographer:  how did we get so lucky. He was amazing. I hired him for the ceremony only and he ended up being early enough and happy to add first looks, ketubah signing, ceremony and first dance. He brought three assistants. He showed us what he had at the end as the bride and groom left and it was great. And I’m embarrassed at how little he charged me. I gave him a substantial tip and he texted that it was too much.   
Chuppah:  we were shocked at the price to rent one so my husband made ours. Then the florist dressed it up and it was gorgeous. For rent if anyone is interested.   
Highlights:  
Bride and groom wrote notes for each family that included their table assignments. Everyone was touched and mine was so special I felt so appreciated and loved.   
Bride and groom didn’t tell anyone they hired a choreographer for their first dance. He does not dance but this dance was incredibly special. Lots of tears by family at their performance. It couldn’t have been better  
My sister is a retired wedding planner. She planned this wedding but expected the bride to step up. And the bride absolutely did. So organized and on top of everything.   
We did not want a father daughter dance or a mother groom. It was not missed. They did not want a bouquet toss. Instead my daughter gave it to me. I am in process of getting it preserved.   
We asked my brother in law to officiate. He was so outstanding. We were in awe of the time and effort he put into it. It was perfect. 

I still need to figure out total cost but I have extra and I only owe for bar minimum vs actual. 

Vendor shoutouts for independence grove, Libertyville afternoon wedding 6-28-26