64 Top Wedding Planners

A smart way to stay stress-free when planning your wedding? Turn to a professional! By that we mean, hire a great wedding planner. There are so many reasons why it's so worth it to bring one of these pros onto your team, but the main one is that they've done this all before. Sure, you love pouring over the details of your big day, but do you really understand the difference between the types of linens you're considering, know how to set up a day-of timeline, and feel ready to negotiate with each and every vendor? There's so much that goes into bringing your wedding vision to life, and a planner, who has years (and maybe even decades) of experience, will ensure the entire process goes smoothly. 

If you're thinking about tapping a wedding planner to help you make your dream wedding a reality, we're here to help. To make your search easy, we've compiled a list our favorite wedding planners by region. Don't fret if you've fallen in love with one who isn't based in your hometown—you'll find that many of these pros will travel. 

Here, find out why we love each of them, get some of their best wedding-planning advice (for free!), and see photos of events they have planned.

Region: In the West

Where: San Francisco, California

The Details: Multiple office locations; provides design services; 30 percent of the jobs are destination weddings

Sweet Stat: Alison Hotchkiss Rinderknecht has planned some 300 events, including her own

To Book: Visit alisonevents.com

Region: In the West

Where: St. Helena, California

The Details: Provides design services; 30 percent of jobs are destination weddings

Top Tip: "Don't get overwhelmed by the big picture," says Lam, who gives couples a month-by-month schedule to make the process more manageable.

To Book: Visit jennalamevents.com

Region: In the West

Where: San Francisco, California

The Details: Provides design services

What We Love: Good planners listen to clients. But great ones, like Arons (who's been at it since 1994), know how to guide them if an idea isn't workable.

To Book: Visit lauriearons.com

Region: In the West

Where: Mill Valley, California

The Details: Provides design services

What We Love: Rosemary Hattenbach focuses on every detail of a wedding: not just the setting and the sights but also the smells, sounds, and tastes.

To Book: Visit rosemaryevents.com

Region: In the West

Where: San Francisco, California

The Details: Provides design services; 30 percent of the jobs are destination weddings

Top Tip: "Using buzzwords like laid-back or formal can help dictate the mood you want to set and answer most planning questions," Leahy says.

To Book: Visit shannonleahy.com

Region: In the West

Where: San Francisco, California

The Details: Offers design services; 30 percent of the jobs are destination weddings; has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings

What We Love: This company specializes in outdoor events at far-flung locales (and provides pop-up lodging via its luxe canvas tents).

To Book: Visit shelter-co.com

Region: In the West

Where: Los Angeles, California

The Details: Provides design services; 30 percent of jobs are destination weddings

What We Love: Creative directors Paige Appel and Kelly Harris offer full-service planning, designing, and production for anything they dream up, anywhere.

To Book: Visit bashplease.com

Region: In the West

Where: L.A.

The Details: Offers design services; 30 percent of the jobs are destination weddings

Bio Bit: Santa Barbara, CA, Aspen, CO, and Maui, HI, are Helmstetter's top booked locales.

To Book: Visit bethhelmstetter.com

Region: In the West

Where: L.A. 

The Details: Provides design services

Sweet Stat: Debbie Geller's boutique firm has spent more than two years planning some weddings but taken others from beginning to end in less than two months

To Book: Visit gellerevents.com

Region: In the West

Where: Santa Barbara, California [and Maui, HI]

The Details: Has multiple office locations; provides design services

What We Love: In addition to the big day and its surrounding events, Jill La Fleur's team assists with honeymoon planning.

To Book: Visit lafleurweddings.com

Region: In the West

Where: Beverly Hills, California

The Details: Provides design services

Bio Bit: Best known for working with high-profile brides like Jessica Simpson, Weiss and her team plan up to 60 weddings each year.

To Book: Visit mindyweiss.com

Region: In the West

Where: San Diego, California [and Sayulita, Mexico]

The Details: Multiple office locations; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings; provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Their Style: Destination weddings are owner Tori Hendrix's favorite. She likes the magic of having loved ones together for a weekend in a place other than their own.

To Book: Visit sittinginatreedesign.com

Region: In the West

Where: Aspen, Colorado

The Details: Provides design services

Their Style: "We emphasize that planning is about the bride and groom, not what we want," says founder Virginia Edelson. "Our role is to be their best advocate."

To Book: Visit bluebirdaspen.com

Region: In the West

Where: Aspen, Colorado [and Palm Beach Gardens, FL]

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting; has multiple office locations

What We Love: This company always finds ways to showcase the couple's hobbies and passions at the wedding.

To Book: Visit goldleafevent.com

Region: In the West

Where: Winter Park, Colorado [and Missoula, MT]

The Details: Multiple office locations; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings; provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Their Style: "We are rustic-luxe," says lead planner Kara Delay. "Give us a barn, a meadow, or a ski shack and we can create something magical."

To Book: Visit lovethisdayevents.com

Region: In the West

Where: Sandy, Utah

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Sweet Stat: Although Leo typically plans a wedding in eight to 12 months, she once pulled one off with three weeks' notice

To Book: Visit michelleleoevents.com

Region: In the West

Where: Seattle, Washington


The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

What We Love: This husband-and-wife team is passionate about producing beautiful events; we featured their own wedding three years ago.

To Book: Visit sinclairandmoore.com

Region: In the Southwest

Where: Phoenix, Arizona [and San Diego and Denver]

The Details: Multiple office locations; provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Bio Bit: Most of Jennifer Thye's events take place across the Grand Canyon State, especially in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson.

To Book: Visit imonievents.com

Region: In the Southwest

Where: Austin, Texas [and New York City] 

The Details: Provides design services; multiple office locations

What We Love: Along with planning, they offer event, stationery, and floral design to create a consistent aesthetic.

To Book: Visit thenouveauromantics.com

Region: In the Midwest

Where: Chicago, Illinois

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

Sweet Stat: In the biz since 1992, "chief eventeur" Debi Lilly has planned 200-plus weddings

To Book: Visit aperfectevent.com

Region: In the Midwest

Where: Chicago, Illinois

The Details: Offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting; provides design services

Their Style: Owner Hilary Carpenter describes their motto as "the art of approachable elegance" and ensures each event is "as welcoming as it is gorgeous."

To Book: Visit esteraevents.com

Region: In the Midwest

Where: Traverse City, Michigan

The Details: Provies design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Sweet Stat: Ninety percent of Alicia Caldecott's events are tented, and most are at family homes or summer residences

To Book: Visit adayinmayevents.com

Region: In the Midwest

Where: St. Paul, Minnesota

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Their Style: "We do what we call 'up north destination weddings,'" says owner Gretchen Culver, who often plans events at private homes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

To Book: Visit rocketscienceweddingsandevents.com

Region: In the South

Where: Tampa, Florida

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

Bio Bit: Unlike companies in other parts of the country, this team plans most of its events in November, April, and May.

To Book: Visit annaluciaevents.com

Region: In the South

Where: Johns Creek, Georgia [and Napa Valley, CA]

The Details: Multiple office locations; provides design services

Bio Bit: After an earthquake hit Napa, Jacin Fitzgerald had four days to move 110 guests to another location.

To Book: Visit jacinfitzgerald.com

Region: In the South

Where: Atlanta, Georgia

The Details: Provides design services; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

Top Tip: "The guest list is the hardest part, between deciding whom to invite and dealing with several people's input. It's a necessary evil, but after that, everything gets much easier," says owner Lindsay Pitt.

To Book: Visit toast-events.com

Region: In the South

Where: Louisville, Kentucky

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Her Style: Starks has a business background and a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to clients' budgets. She doesn't believe in "funny money."

To Book: Visit hollisstarks.com

Region: In the South

Where: New Orleans, Louisana

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Her Style: Elyse Skansi specializes in destination weddings for clients traveling to the Big Easy.

To Book: Visit tyingtheknotweddingcoordination.com

Regions: In the South

Where: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Her Style: Lindsay Gibson's worldly, eclectic aesthetic draws clients with similar attitudes.

To Book: Visit gibsonevents.com

Region: In the South

Where: Charleston, South Carolina [and Charlottesville, VA]

The Details: Multiple office locations; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings; provides design services

What We Love: Lynn Easton and her team are very clear about what can be achieved within a certain budget and will help facilitate Plan B if Plan A isn't feasible.

To Book: Visit eastonevents.com

Region: In the South

Where: Charleston, South Carolina [and NYC]

The Details: Multiple office locations, provides design services

Sweet Stat: Her weddings have ranged from 15 people to 1,200 attendees, but on average, she plans for 250

To Book: Visit taraguerardsoiree.com

Region: In the South

Where: Nashville, Tennessee

The Details: Multiple office locations; provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Top Tip: "The biggest mistake is booking vendors or a venue prematurely," says Sloane. "Make sure you're 100 percent happy before signing contracts and paying deposits; many are nonrefundable."

To Book: Visit jessicasloane.com

Region: In the South

Where: Richmond, Virginia

The Details: Provides design services

Her Style: Virginia is for lovers, which may be why most of Courtney Spencer's weddings are planned within state lines.

To Book: Visit merrimentevents.com

Region: In the East

Where: Falmouth, Maine

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Top Tip: "Sit down separately and make a list of three or four things that are most important to you. Talk about those priorities, and create a master list to work from," suggests owner-designer Lindsey Norton.

To Book: Visit lbrookevents.com

Region: In the East

Where: Boston, Massachusetts [and NYC, Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach, FL]

The Details: Multiple office locations; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings; provides design services

Bio Bit: Bryan Rafanelli planned Chelsea Clinton's nuptials and once built a barge in Boston Harbor for another wedding.

To Book: Visit rafanellievents.com

Region: In the East

Where: Sunapee, New Hampshire

The Details: Provides design services

Their Style: "We approach events as if we're telling the couple's story," says owner Kristin Burgess, whose company is named after author Emily Brontë.

To Book: Visit byemilyb.com

Region: In the East

Where: Brooklyn, New York

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

What We Love: Xochitl Gonzalez and Mayra Castillo mix things up culturally to honor a bride or groom's roots—for example, incorporating a fusion menu or a Chinese lion dance.

To Book: Visit aabcreates.com

Region: In the East

Where: NYC

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Bio Bit: Tzo Ai Ang has lived in four countries located on four continents, allowing her to work well with clients from unique places and with diverse backgrounds.

To Book: Visit angweddingsandevents.com

Region: In the East

Where: NYC

The Details: 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

Their Style: Frequent fliers Ann David and Nicky Reinhard will plan and execute an unforgettable wedding wherever their clients take them.

To Book: Visit davidreinhard.com

Region: In the East

Where: NYC

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Bio Bit: With a background in hospitality, Jennifer Zabinski uses her knowledge of all things service-oriented, from food to staffing, to plan seamless events.

To Book: Visit jzevents.com

Region: In the East

Where: Brooklyn, New York

The Details: Provides design services

Sweet Stat: Eighty percent of Lauren Sozmen's weddings are in the Big Apple; the rest are in France

To Book: Visit lolievents.com

Region: In the East

Where: NYC

The Details: Offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

Bio Bit: Blum literally wrote the book on planning (Wedding Planning for Dummies) and has been in the biz for 29 years—longer than anyone else on this list.

To Book: Visit marcyblum.com

Region: In the East

Where: NYC

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Sweet Stat: Fifty percent of Rago's weddings are local; the other half are destination affairs, with Paris being the top spot

To Book: Visit michelleragoltd.com

Region: In the East

Where: NYC

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

Bio Bit: Claudia Hanlin and her team helped make Tiler and Robbie's day run smoothly.

To Book: Visit theweddinglibrary.com

Region: In the East

Where: NYC

The Details: Provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Bio Bit: Ward planned her own 2010 wedding and started orchestrating others two months later with help from her husband, who still works alongside her.

To Book: Visit tracytaylorward.com

Region: In the East

Where: Philadelphia

The Details: Offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting services

Their Style: Owner Beka Rendell and wedding director Susan Norcross love the reveal when the bride and groom first see each other, since it's a moment that happens only once before the I do's.

To Book: Visit www.thestyledbride.com

Region: In the East

Where: Washington, D.C.

The Details: Provides design services; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

Top Tip: "The first decisions are often hard choices that come after very romantic initial ideas," says Book. "Create your vision of the who, what, when, and where, then match it up with reality."

To Book: Visit annebook.com

Region: In the East

Where: Washington, D.C.

The Details: Provides design services; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings; has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings

Top Tip: Owner and founder Allison Jackson recommends you love your bad-weather Plan B as much as your Plan A. 

To Book: Visit pineapplepro.com

Region: In the East

Where: Washington, D.C. [and Baltimore]

The Details: Multiple office locations; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings; provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Top Tip: Creative director Julie Savage suggests that when setting a budget, couples should plan on spending no more than 50 percent on venue-related costs.

To Book: Visit strawberrymilkevents.com

Region: Bicoastal

Where: L.A. and NYC

The Details: Multiple office locations; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings; provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Sweet Stat: The first wedding of hers we featured was a luxe Lake Como, Italy, fête, but 70 percent of principal planner Annie Lee's events take place two to three hours from the Big Apple

To Book: Visit daughterofdesign.com

Region: Bicoastal

Where: L.A. and NYC

The Details: Multiple office locations; provides design services; offers partial planning, month-of help, or consulting

Top Tip: "Location is key!" says owner Teissia Treynet. "Look at a variety of spaces. It's similar to finding 'your person'; when you know, you know."

To Book: Visit firefly-events.com

Region: Bicoastal

Where: L.A. and NYC

The Details: Multiple office locations; provides design services; 30 percent or more of jobs are destination weddings

What We Love: Although she's distinguished for her celeb clients like Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore, Oren is skilled at making every bride the star of her day.

To Book: Visit yifatoren.com