Naturally Yours Events is an eco-friendly wedding planner in the Chicago, Illinois area. This team of planners, led by owner Carlene Smith, works to plan events that fit couples' personalities and styles with an additional focus on not being wasteful. These creative planners will help couples create an event as unique as they are, while looking out for the environment at the same time.
Experience
Carlene Smith got her start in the wedding industry working for a photographer as a day-of coordinator and de-stressor of couples. After earning a degree in advertising, she took several coordination roles in the hospitality industry that led to her following her passions and becoming a wedding planner. She runs a team of four other women, including three associate event planners and one event assistant.
Services Offered
The planning team at Naturally Yours Events offer a variety of service options for couples working toward their big day. The staff helps plan and design all types of weddings, including civil, cultural, destination, double weddings, eco-friendly, military, non-religious and religious affairs. They help with the ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner, and offer the following services:
Recommended by 100% of couples
1 User photo
Ashley · Married on 12/29/2012
I worked with Carlene & Team for my December 2012 wedding and I honestly could not be more pleased with how amazing Carlene was. Despite only using Carlene for day-of-coordination, she never turned me away or discouraged me from asking her questions leading up to the wedding day. I am pretty organized in general, but when Carlene shared her set of Wedding Day Prep Google Docs, i KNEW i picked the right wedding planner. She provided me with a plethora of resources: budget breakout recommendations, vendor contact worksheets, table assignment example plans, timeline examples, etc.
Sent on 01/19/2013
One of the biggest reasons I chose carlene was because she has great style and her weddings looked like those you see on Pinterest that you oooo and ahhhh over. She knew what looked good together and how to arrange things to make it look awesome. Not only that, but she's part of the Green Wedding Alliance (A group of wedding vendors working to leave less of a carbon footprint), which i thought was really cool. My favorite thing was her reviewing contracts and proposals and letting me know what I did and didn't need and how to save some money.
At the beginning of my wedding planning process, i thought I could do everything on my own. I mean why not? I'm pretty type A, planner like. But, the money that i spent to have Carlene there the day of the wedding was one of the best things I spent my budget on. She was calm, had her stuff together, and ran the day smoothly. I didn't have to worry about anything not arriving or going wrong, because Carlene handled it. That girl even got down on her hands and knees and sewed my dress after it ripped on the dance floor towards the end of the night. If that doesn't seal the deal for you, I don't know what will :) If you need one more reason...ask her about her "oh Sh*t Bag" she has on the day of the wedding.
Thanks a million Carlene. You were an absolute pleasure!
Jynell · Married on 04/06/2019
Do you want to have fun at your wedding?
If you actually want to enjoy your wedding hire them. They allowed me to really enjoy my wedding and not stress about any of the details. Just with the Day-of Coordinating service you got so much support and expertise. I can't speak high enough of what they did.
Sent on 04/09/2019
Mallory Pernai · Married on 02/23/2019
Seriously ah-mazing!
We honestly can't say enough awesome things about Kristen and the whole Naturally Yours team. We'd initially been on the fence about hiring a day-of coordinator and could not be more grateful that we ultimately decided to go with Naturally Yours. Even though we'd only signed on for day-of services, Kristen made herself available to us the moment we signed the contract - months and months ahead of the big day. She helped us with budgeting for booze (we were BYOB'ing), navigating scheduling, vendor contracts, tipping etiquette, seating charts - I could go on and on. She'd worked with nearly all of our vendors before and had great relationships with them, so she could tell us exactly what to expect and when, and how to approach them, if we had any questions or issues. She even went so far as to draft a lengthy email for us when we were battling with a vendor over overtime fees, poring over our contract to make sure nothing was missed - it proved invaluable the day-of. On the actual day, she and her assistant could not have been kinder to our wedding party, families and guests. They were sweet and encouraging before my sisters gave their MOH speeches, and were on hand with every emergency item in the book, even bending down with Shout wipes to spot-check my train before the ceremony started. They weren't intrusive at all during the reception, but kept things running smoothly and fully on-time. We went later than most (ending at 1am), and they stayed until the very end. They went above and beyond for us - if you're considering anyone, this team is warm and sweet and truly dedicated to making your day the best. We'd wholeheartedly recommend them! THANK YOU GUYS!!
Sent on 03/12/2019
5 Endorsements
Carlene is such a joy to work with and has a high standard for her clients and dedication to them through all stages of the wedding planning process. Her attention to detail, work ethic, and patience are invaluable to any couple in hopes of finding the right person to help plan and coordinate one of the most important days of their lives.
Carlene works to make your day memorable. She really understands what it is like to plan an eco-chic wedding.
Carlene is wonderful to work with! She has amazing attention to detail and works hard to ensure that she exceeds her brides expectations!
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