"Every wedding is a living story—a collection of moments that reflect a couple’s love, their journey, and the future they’re building together.”

As a wedding planner, I don’t just see a timeline or a checklist; I see the heartbeat of your celebration. It’s in the quiet, emotional exchanges before the ceremony, the joyous energy of your loved ones, and the personal touches that make your day unmistakably yours.

This section is dedicated to sharing a few of the beautiful stories I’ve been honored to be part of — because every wedding deserves to be celebrated, remembered, and cherished.

Bride in a white wedding dress with lace sleeves smiling next to a woman in black attire with a name tag inside a warmly lit room with large windows.


Katherine & Oscar

05.18.24 | Ovation | Chicago, IL

A smiling bride and groom are standing close together outdoors, with the bride holding a bouquet of red and white flowers, during their wedding celebration at sunset.
Favorite Wedding Day Moment:   


A joyful wedding reception scene with a woman in a white wedding dress and black sunglasses dancing and an older man in a sequined jacket and sunglasses dancing. In the background, guests are clapping and smiling in a dimly lit brick-walled venue decorated with string lights and a disco ball.

When Katherine and her father did their dance to “Gangnam Style” and surprised everyone with an epic dance and costume change.

What I enjoyed most about the planning process:  


The venue, Ovation, is a one-stop shop and made our planning so easy - they have really thought about how to work with vendors and couples and know the industry.

Reception: Ovation Chicago | Caterer: Cocina Fusion Catering | Photography: The Adamkovi |  Florist: Flowerchild | Hair & Makeup: Elle Artistry | Balloon Display: WE Events Chicago | Cake: Bittersweet Pastry Shop | Mariachi: Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago


Elena & Jakub

09.23.23 | City Hall Events | Chicago, IL

Bride and groom exiting a church, holding hands, with wedding guests throwing flower petals.

When everyone started doing the Kalamatianos, a traditional Greek dance, and circled around all of City Hall Events, weaving between tables and everyone laughing. Even guests who didn’t know the dance were pulled in. 

Favorite Wedding Day Moment:   


What I enjoyed most about the planning process:  


People dancing at a wedding reception, including a bride in a white dress and a groom in a black tuxedo, with guests in formal attire in the background.

The couple had wonderful support from their family and I got to know so many of their people while working with them, as well as a great vendor team that worked seamlessly together. 

Reception: City Hall Chicago Events | Photography: Megan Saul Photography | Caterer: Big Delicious Planet | Transportation: VIP Limousine | Cake: Oak Mill Bakery | Videography: Our Wedding Movie | Florist: Pinky Swear Studio Co | Hair & Makeup: Appease2you | Band: David Rothstein Music | Bride's Attire: Jenny Yoo NYC | Invitations: Empress Stationery



Shayna &
Michael

12.18.21 | Marriott Marquis |
Chicago, IL

A wedding ceremony with a bride and groom holding hands, facing each other, with an officiant reading from a book, in front of large windows overlooking a city skyline.
Favorite Wedding Day Moment:   


When they saw each other during the ceremony with the backdrop of Chicago behind them. They had been through so much to get to their wedding day and I was definitely emotional!

A newlywed couple, woman in a white dress and veil, man in a gray suit, smiling and embracing in an urban setting at dusk with city skyscrapers and a dark cloudy sky in the background.

The couple really leaned into their values, working to ensure a safe celebration during a Covid surge, and brought in as many Black and/or woman owned small business vendors as possible. 

Venue: Marriott Marquis Chicago | Cake: Molly’s Weddings | Photography: Lauren Ashley Studios | Live Streaming: Wedfuly | Florist: Steve's Flower Market | Hair: Hair by Nykia | Makeup: Enriched Beauty | Makeup: Henri Mitchelle Cosmetics | Hair: Extensions by Asia | DJ: Mattrix Music & Entertainment | Photo Booth: Markybooth | Coffee Favors: Chicago French Press | Groom's Attire: Agriculture | Bride's Attire: Evas Bridals, Fashion Nova | Alcohol: Love Cork Screw

What I enjoyed most about the planning process:  



Dawna
& James

06.02.23 | Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL

Decorated table outdoors with floral arrangements, candles, and strawberries for a celebration or event.

I really enjoyed spending the morning at the bride’s parents home, helping everyone get ready and making sure they were comfortable. Their family and friends were lovely and I was welcomed as part of the family!

Favorite Wedding Day Moment:   


A newlywed couple outdoors, the bride in a white wedding gown with a veil and the groom in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, standing under a wooden structure with greenery in the background.

The couple were excited to incorporate Persian traditions as well as their own personal style and interests. We had a sofreh aghd, a traditional table of symbolic items that the family provided and we had to come up with a creative way to create the low table at the Botanic Garden. 

Venue: Chicago Botanic Garden | Photo & Video: This Is Feeling | Lighting: Frost Chicago | Lounge Furniture: Elements Preserved |  Transportation: Windy City Limousine | Cake: ECBG Studio | Florist: Firefly Events | Hair: Pinmeup Chicago | DJ: DJ Sultan | Live Music: Nite Hawks | Groom's Attire: Balani Custom | Bride's Attire: Belle Bridal Atelier | Custom portraits: Leslie Beck Design

What I enjoyed most about the planning process:  



Alyssa & Nojan

07.01.23 | Community House |
Winnetka, IL

A newly married couple stands under a floral arch, holding hands with their arms raised in victory. The bride is in a white wedding gown, and the groom in a black suit, in a celebration on stage with purple lighting and red curtains in the background.

It was beautiful to see how much they cared about their friends and family. They were intentional about honoring their parents and they were so kind to each other. 

Favorite Wedding Day Moment:   


A newlywed couple standing outdoors in front of the Pisa Tower, with the bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet and the groom in a black suit with a gold tie, smiling at the camera.

We had a shorter time frame to plan their wedding (3 months), and it was so fun to incorporate the Baha’i Faith aspects of the ceremony while also honoring their Persian and Filipino roots for the entire process. They had a great dance party and the best mocktails!

Reception: Community House Winnetka | Photography: Nancy Wong Photography | Ceremony: Bahai Temple North America | Catering: Catered By Design | Cake: The Baking Institute | Video & Live-streaming: Rhys Ladhani Media | Florist: YJ Decorating | Hair & Makeup: Hairs 2 the Bride | DJ: DJ Sultan | Ring: Koorosh Fine Design | Venue search: Chicago Northshore CVB

What I enjoyed most about the planning process:  



Styled Shoot

October 2024 | Naperville Settlement | Naperville, IL

A wedding cake table decorated with peach and lavender flowers, with a two-tiered white cake adorned with lavender-colored roses, and assorted pastries on glass stands.

Sholeh Events organized a styled photoshoot at the historic Naper Settlement, a 13-acre outdoor museum in Naperville, to showcase its new reception space and inspire couples planning their weddings. Featuring two unique couples—a mature pair and a multicultural South Asian and White duo—the shoot celebrated diversity and timeless love.

The Birck Family Innovation Gateway, with floor-to-ceiling windows and seating for 150, was beautifully styled to complement the venue's historic charm. Century Memorial Chapel, with its Gothic Revival architecture and stained glass, added elegance. Local women-owned vendors contributed to this collaboration, highlighting the venue's adaptability for any love story.

Venue: Naper Settlement | Photographer: Kelsey Combe | Hair & Makeup: Refined Beauty Boutique | Floral: Exquisite Events & Floral Design | Table settings, chair rental: Funtime Services | Dessert Table & Cake: Le Chocolat du Bouchard | Bridal Attire: Bri'zan Couture | Groom Attire: Formally Modern | Invitation Suite/Signage: Kelly Reif Stationery Studio | Jewelry: Choudhary Jewels | Linens: Samantha's Event Linens

Styled Shoot | Naperville Settlement |  Oct '24


A bride and groom standing on a brick pathway in front of a wooden church, holding hands, smiling, and the bride holding a bouquet of flowers aloft during a wedding celebration

Here’s what our couples are saying about
Sholeh Events…