Citywide

Amy is probably best described as a stylist rather than a planner, as her services go far beyond booking vendors (though her rolodex is packed with cool creatives). Her true talents lie in perfecting the thoughtful little details that make events awesome—be it party favors, place settings, floral crowns, or craft stations for kids. Amy co-owns Apartment Number Nine in Chicago with her sister, and they do event work there as well.

Great Life founders Colby Beserra and Brian Schwab are seriously plugged into the Chicago music scene, so they can really tweak the entertainment to your specific taste. You can turn to them for everything from a string quartet to a seven-piece band, and they also represent some excellent organists and pianists. Colby and Brian are amazing performers and songwriters in their own right: if your event can handle a large ensemble, make sure to book their personal band, The Party Faithful.

For the kind of event where your guests leave with hoarse voices from belting it out all night, bring in the Gold Coast All Stars. An insanely energetic 12-piece band that covers all of the classics, they are the ultimate big party band. Expect their singers to be down on the floor dancing with the crowd.

DJ Jem is extremely sought-after on the Chicago nightclub circuit (this is the guy that opened for Calvin Harris when he was in Chicago), but despite all of his success, you can trust him to adapt his set to your event.

It's no surprise that we're excited about DJ Megan Taylor, who's quickly making a name for herself as one of Chicago's best DJ's in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated space. Ask for her Backstreet Boys and N’SYNC remixes (seriously, trust us on this one). Photograph by James Gustin

With a large team of talented photographers in their quiver, Gerber Scarpelli are seasoned pros. Their photographers all have a lot of experience, which means they know how to capture an event without getting in the way—you'll also be grateful for the reliably fast turnaround times.

Brett and Kiri are an adorable married couple with a great eye, and they can do pretty much anything; a quick review of their weddings shows urban shots for an art-obsessed couple and black-and-white portraits for an elegant city wedding. We should also note that these two are especially talented at photographing pets.

Nimble Well's vast collection of rentals includes everything from antique champagne coupes to colored glass goblets to a huge collection of vintage bottles. This means that founder Kelly Connolly can give you great tablescapes without having to spend any hours at the flea market.

Becky Hill is really good at taking photos of camera-shy people. If you’re the kind of person who might cock your head in the most unflattering direction right when the shutter starts, she’ll kindly and gently steer you in the right direction.

With four full-time planners on staff, LK offers some serious resources to put behind large-scale events like galas and corporate shindigs. They’ve been working in Chicago for ages, meaning that you can reap the benefits of their long-term relationships with all of the best vendors in town.