Effortless Events is owned and managed by Cindy Shanholtz, a passionate, experienced event planner, as well as a former corporate financial analyst. She is a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), the International Special Events Society (ISES), and the local Chamber of Commerce. Cindy is honored to be the exclusive wedding coordinator to the Morton Arboretum. She has planned over 425 unforgettable weddings, including destination, commitment, civil, cross-cultural and eco-friendly weddings.
As a Chicago-based company, Effortless Events has worked with many wonderful clients, both in the area and out of state. Whether the wedding is small and intimate or large and elaborate, Cindy emphasizes the importance of creating a wedding that uniquely represents the couple. She embraces their vision, and turns the couple’s dream wedding into a reality; all while keeping an eye on the bottom line. Through years of experience, Cindy is able to assemble the perfect team of vendors for each couple. Known for her explicitly detailed itineraries, your wedding day will be flawless.
Relax and put your mind at ease. Enjoy your wedding day, knowing that Effortless Events has taken care of every detail.
I've never written a review before but I just have to praise Cindy Shanholtz of Effortless Events and her able assistants Tiffany and Alex to the rafters.
I wanted a Day of Planner for my son's wedding and asked Stacey Combrzyinski, of Catering by Michael's who I was working with, for a recommendation. Stacey was a dream to collaborate with, and I had the utmost confidence in her advice. She only had one name for me, and it was Cindy. It took one conversation on the phone with Cindy, and one look at her 8 page sample timeline, and I was sold.
Cindy immediately set up a 3 hour meeting with my husband, our son, his fiancée and me, and the wedding was over 8 months away! Though based in Naperville, she and Tiffany came to our home in Glenview for the first meeting. (Even though she is in Naperville, she knows all the North Shore vendors, so don't be put off by that, if you are a north suburbanite). I had no idea that her "Day of Services" would encompass so much more than just being present the day of the wedding. I also did not expect that she would have 3 people present at the wedding to make sure everything was executed flawlessly.
Cindy gave excellent advice and direction on both the big picture and the smallest detail. While I had booked the venue, the caterer and the band before I hired her, I needed a recommendation for the florist/decor company. She gave me one name, and I didn't look elsewhere, because by then, I had complete trust in her recommendation – she was the consummate professional. Atmosphere Events Group did an amazing job with the flowers and lighting. And, it was such a reasonable price, I couldn't believe it. I never would have found them on my own, and would have spent thousands of dollars more, hiring another company.
No detail was too small for Cindy's input; she even advised on the color of the beverages on the bridal party bus – only clear liquids like water and Sprite, because Coca Cola could stain!
Planning the wedding was extremely stressful for me; the kids are an interfaith couple and the ceremony was in a church, which was a foreign concept to me. Additionally, I am the mother of the groom, not the bride. Cindy prepared me for the very strict rules of the church, which was a godsend...no pun intended. She became my confidant, and I valued her straightforward, candid advice and opinions. She constantly asked me what she could do to make everything less stressful, and what she could do to take things off my plate.
I have to acknowledge Tiffany Beales, her right hand woman, who was incredibly organized and very responsive to my numerous questions (she gave excellent advice, too), as well as Alex Contreras, who was Johnny on the Spot, in making sure the grandmothers had their favorite drinks in hand and appetizer plates filled. I am very thankful to both of them also. You can't hire a better team than Effortless-Events for a wedding, Bar Mitzvah or corporate event, and I am so grateful that I did!
Sent on 12/31/2019
Nao O.
· Married on 11/01/2020
5.0
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
5.0
Value:
5.0
Flexibility:
5.0
Professionalism:
5.0
Best Planner
Cindy is the best! Without her and Alex, we had been lost in this pandemic period. Our original venue refused us having wedding in last minute but Cindy found better place just after 2 hours. We will never forget our wedding with effortless events. Highly recommend!!!!
Sent on 11/07/2020
Mandie W.
· Married on 10/19/2019
5.0
Quality of service:
5.0
Responsiveness:
5.0
Value:
5.0
Flexibility:
5.0
Professionalism:
5.0
Absolutely Amazing!
Cindy and Alex are AMAZING! They both were such a pleasure to work with and helped make our wedding an easy, organized and wonderful event! I can't thank them enough for all the perfect suggestions and for making this bride feel like there was absolutely nothing to worry about! Every detail was exactly as we wanted and the wedding went off without a hitch. Thank you both for such a wonderful, beautiful wedding!
Effortless Events has been a valued professional partner of ours for many years. They are one of our favorite teams to work with on any event! We value their expertise, professionalism, and extremely high attention to detail which always yields beautiful, flawless events!
Cindy and Danielle from Effortless Events are amazing planners. Their professionalism is unmatched, and from the times I have had the pleasure of working with them, they have been so easy to work with. Their attention to detail within the schedule of a wedding makes it so easy for other vendors like myself, to focus on providing the best service possible. They really take charge and run an event or wedding in a way that they put each client at ease, so they have absolutely nothing to worry about during their wedding day. I look forward to working many more wedding and events with them!
