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Weddings

About

Welcome to The Urban Union, a wedding officiant service based in Chicago, Illinois.

We help couples like you create meaningful and inclusive ceremonies that celebrate your unique love story. We believe every kind of love deserves to be honored and remembered, so we ensure that your special day is not just a ceremony but a cherished memory. In addition to wedding planning and officiating ceremonies, we also provide guidance and support for individuals officiating for loved ones for the first time.

Planning a wedding that truly reflects your love story can be overwhelming. You might be feeling the pressure to make everything perfect, struggling to find an officiant who understands your vision, or simply unsure how to make your ceremony inclusive and heartfelt. If you're officiating for the first time, you might be feeling nervous about delivering a meaningful and engaging ceremony for the union that you're marrying. Additionally, coordinating the myriad details of a wedding day can add to the stress and uncertainty. These challenges can leave you feeling overwhelmed about how to create the day you've always dreamed of.

At The Urban Union, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our expertise in crafting personalized and inclusive ceremonies ensures that your special day will be everything you've envisioned and more. We also offer comprehensive resources and coaching for those stepping into the role of officiant for the first time, ensuring they feel confident and prepared. Our wedding coordination services take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your special day. Let us take the stress off your shoulders and ensure this process is enjoyable for you.

  • LGBTQ+-owned
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

What is the starting price for day-of wedding coordination?

$1,500

What is the starting price for partial wedding planning?

$4,997

What is the starting price for full wedding planning?

$6,997

Do you offer an hourly rate?

Yes

What is the hourly rate?

$75

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
Elopement
Non-Religious
Religious

Reviews of The Urban Union

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

Review summary

Powered by AI

The Urban Union, particularly JB, received overwhelmingly positive feedback as a wedding coordinator and officiant. Reviewers praised JB for his exceptional attention to detail, personalization, and ability to create seamless and stress-free wedding experiences. His talent in coordinating every aspect flawlessly, from the ceremony to the reception, and incorporating personalized touches like custom napkins, was highly appreciated. Commenters highlighted his inclusivity, professionalism, and ability to make weddings both elegant and deeply meaningful. JB's dedication, creativity, and ability to plan unforgettable weddings in a short time frame were particularly commended, making him a highly recommended choice for couples seeking a passionate and attentive wedding planner.

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.

The Urban Union, particularly JB, received overwhelmingly positive feedback as a wedding coordinator and officiant. Reviewers praised JB for his exceptional attention to detail, personalization, and ability to create seamless and stress-free wedding experiences. His talent in coordinating every aspect flawlessly, from the ceremony to the reception, and incorporating personalized touches like custom napkins, was highly appreciated. Commenters highlighted his inclusivity, professionalism, and ability to make weddings both elegant and deeply meaningful. JB's dedication, creativity, and ability to plan unforgettable weddings in a short time frame were particularly commended, making him a highly recommended choice for couples seeking a passionate and attentive wedding planner.

Samantha
Samantha Sent on 07/16/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Tying the Knot with The Urban Union

Working with JB Herron of The Urban Union was the best part of our wedding planning experience. Not only was JB our officiant, he also brought our ideas to life during the entire planning process. During each meeting and conversation, JB reinforced our trust in him to make our day perfect. At the rehearsal, JB took the reigns and guided us and our family through the process even going above and beyond to assist in decorating the space. The day of the wedding, he worked effortlessly with the other vendors to ensure a smooth execution. He delivered a beautiful ceremony and helped us (literally) tie the knot. We loved working with JB Herron at The Urban Union.
Ariel
Ariel Sent on 09/03/2025
5 out of 5 rating

JB from The Urban Union is AMAZING

JB was nothing short of extraordinary to work with! If you are considering a coordinator and/or officiant you will not be disappointed. From the moment I met JB, I knew instantly he was our guy! JB was so thorough throughout every stage of the planning and officiating process. He got to know each of us, and our family and friends, which allowed him to personalize the most beautiful wedding ceremony. I still get guests complimenting how beautiful his words were for officiating our ceremony - it was truly magical. In regards to the planning process, JB never missed a beat. He read through every contract and communicated with all of my vendors effortlessly. A true star and we could not have imagined our day without him!!
IVY
Ivy Sent on 04/15/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible Experience

Working with JB/Joe was truly one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. He was absolutely amazing from start to finish! Not only did he work within our budget, but he went above and beyond to create a wedding that felt elegant, personalized, and completely stress-free for us.

On the day of the wedding, he coordinated everything flawlessly — from the ceremony to the reception — ensuring that everything ran smoothly and on time. The venue looked absolutely stunning, the music was perfectly timed, and the food was incredible. He thought of every little detail, including surprising us with custom napkins with our names and wedding date — such a thoughtful and personal touch that made the day even more special!

His taste and style are impeccable, and what really stood out to us was how hands-on and dedicated he was throughout the whole process. He truly wore many hats that day — organizing, photographing, serving, coordinating — doing whatever it took to make sure every detail was perfect.

What impressed us the most was his ability to pull together such a beautiful and unforgettable wedding in just three weeks! That alone speaks volumes about his talent, work ethic, and passion for what he does.

If you’re looking for a wedding planner who will take the stress off your shoulders, has incredible style, and will treat your wedding like it’s his own — look no further. He is a miracle worker, a creative visionary, and an absolute joy to work with. We cannot recommend him enough!

Thank you, JB, for making our wedding day more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.
C
Cole Sent on 01/02/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Recommend!

I recently helped a friend plan their wedding, and they used The Urban Union for both planning and officiating. I can’t say enough good things about their service! They were incredibly detail-oriented, ensuring nothing was overlooked, and even helped with contract negotiations, securing better pricing on key aspects of the day. What stood out most was their ability to create a stunning, queer-affirming, and deeply loving space for both the ceremony and reception. Every detail reflected the couple’s unique story and values. If you want a wedding that’s seamless, beautiful, and meaningful, The Urban Union is the way to go!
B
Ben G. Sent on 12/31/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Great wedding officiating!!

The Urban Union is phenomenal when it comes to wedding officiating! Their inclusive and heartfelt approach ensures every couple feels celebrated and respected. Whether you’re looking for a traditional ceremony or something more unique, they bring warmth, professionalism, and personalization to every moment. If you want an officiant who truly honors your love story, The Urban Union is the perfect choice. Highly recommend!
Candice
Candice Sent on 12/31/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Quite Literally the Best!

We cannot recommend The Urban Union enough! From the moment we first connected with them, we felt heard, valued, and truly celebrated as a couple. Their inclusive and welcoming approach made the entire process feel personal and stress-free.

Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but The Urban Union took the time to understand our vision, offering creative suggestions while respecting our ideas. They made every detail feel intentional and reflective of who we are. On the day of, everything flowed seamlessly – from the setup to the ceremony. Our officiant, who was part of their incredible team, delivered a ceremony that was heartfelt, meaningful, and perfectly “us.”

What stood out most was their commitment to creating a safe, affirming space for all couples. No matter your background, identity, or love story, The Urban Union makes you feel like family. If you’re looking for a vendor who will celebrate you wholeheartedly, this is the one.

Thank you, Urban Union, for making our day unforgettable!
J
Jessica Sent on 12/31/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Amazing Amazing. The best officiant for a wedding!!

I saw JB officiate my fiance's cousin's wedding and I literally went up to him at the reception and asked him to officiate mine--it was that good. He strikes the perfect balance of sentimental/heartfelt with fun and hilarious. You can definietly tell he has a lot of experience public speaking. He makes everyone feel so at ease. For my own wedding, he did all of these amazing interview sessions with me and my fiancee and all of my family members and incorporated all of it into our ceremony--it was so freaking special!!! Our entire wedding was crying. It was so good. I would 15/10 recommend!
J
John Sent on 12/30/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Our Urban Union Experience

I had the pleasure of working with The Urban Union for my wedding, and I can't recommend them enough. From the very first meeting, Joe, the owner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and passionate about creating a wedding that reflected our unique style. He took the time to listen to our ideas and vision, then translated them into a cohesive plan that exceeded all of our expectations. What really stood out about The Urban Union was their ability to personalize our wedding in such a meaningful way. It wasn’t just a standard event; they truly understood our personalities as a couple and incorporated that into the design, atmosphere, and flow of the day. The result was a wedding that felt deeply personal and perfectly us. On the big day, Joe and his team were there every step of the way, handling everything behind the scenes with grace and efficiency. Thanks to their hard work, our day went off without a hitch, and we were able to relax and enjoy the celebration with our loved ones. Our guests are still talking about how beautiful and well-organized everything was! If you're looking for a wedding planning company that offers not only professionalism but also creativity and a personal touch, The Urban Union is the way to go. Joe’s dedication to making your day perfect is unmatched, and we’re so grateful to have had them by our side on such a special occasion. Highly recommended!
M
Maura Sent on 12/30/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Best wedding planner around

If you need a wedding planner look no further! Not only were they professional, easy to work with and had excellent communication, they made my dream wedding become a reality! Hands down the best of the best.
Gracie
Gracie Sent on 12/30/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Professional and Kind!

Joe was extremely easy to work with and an amazing human! He was helpful in keeping/getting me organized during the wedding planning process! Would highly recommend, even for a type A bride! :)
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Awards

13
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner

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