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Weddings

About

Couples in Chicago, Illinois can utilize the wedding planning services of Emerald Events By Sonam. Inspired by the emerald, which symbolizes truth and love, founder Sonam Khatau aims to create personalized experiences that authentically tell each couple’s story.

Services Offered

With a background as an art director for Bollywood films, Sonam brings a unique perspective to every wedding. Her vast knowledge of storytelling and visual aesthetics, along with her meticulous attention to detail, allow her to bring your vision to life in a way that leaves a lasting impression.

South Asian couples, don’t hesitate to reach out for exquisite planning and advice.

Choose from a range of services, from day-of coordination to full-service wedding planning, while a la carte options ensure you can select only the services that best suit your needs. When working with Emerald Events By Sonam, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the celebrations knowing everything is being beautifully taken care of.

  • Asian-owned
  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

Do you offer an hourly rate?

No

What wedding events do you provide services for?

Ceremony
Reception
Rehearsal Dinner

What wedding planning services do you offer?

Day-of Coordination
Full Planning
Partial Planning

What weddings do you have experience planning?

Civil
Cultural
Destination
Eco-Friendly
Non-Religious
Religious

Reviews of Emerald Events By Sonam

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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Emerald Events, led by Sonam, receives glowing reviews for their exceptional event planning services, particularly for weddings. Sonam is praised for her meticulous planning, efficiency, and connection within the industry, resulting in seamless and stress-free events. Her ability to understand couples' visions, manage complex details, and provide emotional support make her standout as a top-notch wedding planner. Clients highlight her professionalism, creativity, and dedication, recommending her highly for any wedding or event planning needs in the Chicago area.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Emerald Events, led by Sonam, receives glowing reviews for their exceptional event planning services, particularly for weddings. Sonam is praised for her meticulous planning, efficiency, and connection within the industry, resulting in seamless and stress-free events. Her ability to understand couples' visions, manage complex details, and provide emotional support make her standout as a top-notch wedding planner. Clients highlight her professionalism, creativity, and dedication, recommending her highly for any wedding or event planning needs in the Chicago area.

M
Mona Sent on 11/26/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent service

Sonam is truely professional and expert in her field with very pleasant personality. Excellent service provided by Sonam! Awesome planning with great precision. Everything went smooth and on time , very well coordinated and executed by Sonam and team. And was topped with the calming and beautiful smile by Sonam. Would definitely recommend Sonam. Best of luck for your future too!! Keep up the good work!
Lots of love ,
Mona Kapoor, Mother of the bride.
Ashvin
Ashvin Sent on 10/28/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The best Wedding planner in Chicago. Hands down.

I have been in Chicago for over 23 years and as a matter of routine, work with restaurants, wedding venues and a host of Wedding planners and Event management folks every weekend. When my daughter decided on getting married, it was a personal decision and I didn’t have to think very long to choose Emerald events and Sonam and her team. For over very simple reason - I wanted the most meticulous, drama-free, conscientious and efficient planner in the region. Sonam and her team are just that. Sonam made my daughter’s wedding event something that our family could truly enjoy. We didn’t need to follow-up, stress, make lists or even think! Sonam is VERY good at what she does. From contract reviews and negotiations, food tastings, appropriate suggestions and her immense experience, you literally have some one that is reasonably priced and efficiently organized to make your event utterly pain-free. Kudos, Sonam and team! You rock!
Jalpa
Jalpa Sent on 10/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Above and beyond professional, flexible, reliable wedding planning by Emerald Events

Working with Emerald Events by Sonam was one of the very best decisions we made for our wedding. From the very beginning, she made us feel comfortable, supported, and prioritized. She always had time for us, responded quickly to every question (big or small), and made us feel like we were her only clients. She really took the time to understand what we each individually and as a couple wanted (and did not want) out of our wedding. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, but she made it approachable. She respected our budget while creating something beautiful and realistic, never overpromising or underdelivering. She is deeply connected in the Chicago wedding world, with trusted vendors at every price point, and she used her strong relationships to get us the best deals, contract terms, and flexibility. She carefully reviewed every detail and guided us through the entire process with ease. We had some unexpected changes during planning that forced us to pivot on major aspects of the wedding — budget, guest count, even the number of events — and through it all, she remained flexible, optimistic, and reassuring. Even in moments when we doubted if the wedding could still happen, she gave us the strength and positivity to keep going. Every time we spoke with her, we felt lighter and more confident. She is also incredibly organized and dependable. She created detailed timelines, managed vendor meetings around our schedules, and sent us gentle reminders to keep everything on track. On the day itself, her team worked seamlessly behind the scenes to ensure everything went smoothly. We heard from so many guests how effortless and stress-free the day felt, which we know is a true testament to her hard work. Most importantly, she genuinely cares. You can tell she puts her whole heart into every couple she works with, and it shows in the results. We are endlessly grateful for her and recommend her wholeheartedly to any couple looking for a wedding planner — she is simply the best.
Alina
Alina Sent on 02/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

An absolute exquisite experience

When we think back to our wedding in the fall of 2024 in Lisle, IL, one name stands out as the reason everything felt seamless and stress-free—Sonam. From the moment we hired her to coordinate our multi-day celebration, we knew we were in the best possible hands.
Indian weddings are intricate, vibrant affairs—with numerous ceremonies, specialized vendors, and countless moving parts. Sonam’s expertise in South Asian weddings made all the difference. She effortlessly handled our haldi functions, garba night, wedding ceremony, and reception with precision, warmth, and creativity. Every detail, from the smallest décor element to the grandest logistical challenges, was managed with the grace of someone who truly understands how monumental these events are.
Sonam's connections within the South Asian wedding industry were invaluable. She helped us secure the right vendors who not only understood our vision but also elevated it. Whether it was the perfect floral arrangements, timely baraat setup, or beautifully coordinated entrances, she ensured everything went off without a hitch. Her ability to juggle multiple events while keeping us calm and present in the moment was nothing short of extraordinary.
But what really sets Sonam apart is her dedication to the couple’s experience. She wasn’t just a coordinator; she was our partner in the entire process. When things got hectic, she was our rock. When decisions had to be made, she guided us with wisdom and grace. Her attention to detail, flexibility, and creative problem-solving ensured that we could enjoy every moment of our wedding—without worrying about what was happening behind the scenes.
If you’re planning an Indian wedding, or any wedding or event, and want someone who not only knows the industry inside and out but also brings a personal touch, Sonam is the professional you need. We’ll forever be grateful for how she made our wedding an unforgettable experience.
Thank you, Sonam, for turning our vision into reality! We couldn’t have asked for a better planner.
- Alina & Jay
S
Shikha Sent on 01/19/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Exceptional Event Planning with Sonam: Creativity, Grace, and Excellence!

I cannot recommend Sonam from Emerald Events highly enough! She has coordinated and planned numerous events that I have either organized or attended, and each one has been nothing short of superb. Most recently, she was an integral part of the planning committee for the Women in Medicine Gala at The Drake, and it was absolutely flawless.

Sonam goes above and beyond in every aspect of event planning. She is motivated, creative, and exceptionally detail-oriented, with an incredible ability to work within a budget while still creating luxurious, champagne-worthy events that leave a lasting impression. No challenge is too big for her—she handles every obstacle with grace and professionalism, ensuring that everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

One of the standout events she planned for us was a maternal mental health brunch at The Langham, which was phenomenal in every way. From the ambiance to the seamless execution, Sonam made sure everything exceeded our expectations.

Beyond her impressive skill set, Sonam has an amazing personality and is an absolute joy to work with. She has a remarkable ability to work with all types of people, even in challenging situations, and does so with poise and positivity. I truly love working with her and trust her to bring any vision to life effortlessly.

If you're looking for someone who can manage every detail with precision, creativity, and a smile, Sonam is the perfect choice. I wholeheartedly recommend Emerald Events for any occasion.
Dr. Hansa
Dr. H. Sent on 01/18/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Memorable Event Team!

Sonam was part of my wedding event team. She is professional, creative, hard-working, and efficient. She helped bring my vision to life. She has a calm personality, and in the weeks leading up to my event, she and the rest of my team kept me sane during an otherwise chaotic time. I cannot say enough fantastic things about her. I would hire her for any future event. She helped make everything so memorable.
Hope
Hope Sent on 11/18/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Best Vendor I have ever worked with

Sonam was the best vendor I have ever worked with - she was the one who sold me on having my wedding at The Drake because of her professional, yet compassionate nature made me feel confident every step of the way throughout my planning process. She was easy to reach, always responded in a timely manner, went ABOVE AND BEYOND to accommodate my requests. I credit her for making my wedding planning process such a stress free experience. If I were to leave you with feedback, I would say you should upcharge for someone as excellent as Sonam - she should come with a premium price tag.
R
Robert Sent on 11/12/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The Perfect Wedding Planner!

I have been working with Sonam for over 10 years! She is a one of a kind wedding planner, who treats her couples and vendors with equal respect, which is a rarity in this industry. Her level of commitment translates into breathtaking photos and highlight videos that couples will cherish for the ages.
When planning a wedding with Sonam, its always a home run!
Mayuri
Mayuri Sent on 11/11/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Superb wedding planner!

We had a wonderful experience working with Sonam for our 2022 wedding at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Sonam was extremely communicative during the planning process and expertly facilitated communication with the team at the Drake. She understood the nuances of planning a bicultural wedding and thoughtfully coordinated meaningful Indian and Western events. On the weekend of the wedding, Sonam was fully present and available for any need. She and her team navigated unexpected issues with confidence, and allowed us, family, and friends to focus on spending time together– rather than on any logistics. I would strongly recommend Sonam to future clients!
R
R N Sent on 11/07/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Professional

Awesome and detail oriented planner. Very professional and she is awesome!v
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Awards

15
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner

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