Justin Sent on 12/19/2025

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Team To Work With As A Vendor

This team was such a pleasure to work with! As a photographer I’m able to almost go on autopilot when working with Shannon Gail because I know they are on top of every small detail! From the flatlay, to the dress, the fine details of the timeline, etc. This might be an overstatement, but it also seems that they has a huge following from word of mouth and not from a bunch of mindless advertising. That tells me one thing that is most important for any planner to have with couples…Trust! Every couple knows undoubtedly that their day is in great hands with the Shannon Gail team! If I had money on the line I would put my money on them any day of the weekend!

Morgan Sent on 02/24/2024

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best money spent!

Collaborating with SHANNON GAIL proved to be the most valuable investment in our wedding planning journey. Kelly O’Bryan, in particular, orchestrated our day flawlessly. Prior to the wedding, Kelly met with my mom and me weekly, diligently ensuring we stayed on track with both time and budget. Her creative insights allowed us to achieve our desired look and feel for our special day, while staying within budget. Kelly's established rapport with our vendors facilitated a smooth process from start to finish. Even when our cake fell through a week before the wedding, she swiftly provided a backup solution. Not to mention, Kelly even brought a faux fur dog bed on the wedding day so our dog, Honey, could be comfortable. Kelly went above and beyond, and we are forever grateful for her exceptional care and attention to every detail, making our special day truly unforgettable.

Kelly Sent on 11/20/2023

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Kelly is a dream

I cannot express how amazing the Shannon Gail wedding experience is. We worked with Kelly O'Bryan as a day-of coordinator, and we began working with her a few months before the wedding. Our weekly check-ins were the perfect way to gear up for the big day, and unwind from the stress of planning.
On the day-of, I honestly could not have been more grateful for Kelly, Joanna, and our other Shannon Gail assistants. This team is incredible, and are worth every penny. I felt like a queen all day due to the exceptional planning, coordination and efforts provided by Kelly and her team.

Reid Sent on 10/09/2023

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon Gail for the win!

Where to begin? From day one working with Shannon Gail, our planner, Haven, had our minds at ease. We had over 200 people at our wedding and her quarterbacking every single detail into existence was truly a work of art. She kept us calm and on-track the whole way. We can't recommend working with her and Shannon Gail enough!

Tara Sent on 07/02/2023

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The best wedding planner

Working with Shannon Gail was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. Kelly O'Bryan was our coordinator and truly amazing. From the beginning of planning, she offered so much advice and expertise that we really relied on in choosing our vendors. During the 6o days leading up to our wedding, she was instrumental in keeping us calm and excited, not stressed. She handled so many emails for us and we felt at ease knowing she had things handled. We received so many compliments from our parents and bridal party at how wonderful she was. We are so thankful for Kelly, our wedding wouldn't have been the same without her!

Courtney Sent on 05/25/2023

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The Best Money We Spent

Flowers for Dreams was a dream, quite literally. From their extremely easy inquiry form that lets you pick and choose what you want within your budget was exactly what I was looking for, it was great to not be left guessing what florals in my price range could look like. Our florist Rachel was so easy to work with throughout the process and our venue looked exactly how we wanted. We didn't have the biggest floral budget so I was worried our tables might look bare, but everything was even better than how we had envisioned it.

Anne Sent on 09/20/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Beyond Amazing!!!

This was the #1 best choice of all the choices we made when hiring vendors for our daughter's wedding. There are so many moving parts happening on the wedding day, and so many things that can go wrong, from transportation issues to wardrobe fails, but Kelly was there and saved the day over and over again. I can't even begin to tell you how grateful we are for Kelly and her team. She was so delightful to work with leading up to the big day, and heroic beyond our wildest expectations on the wedding day itself. Could not be happier or more thankful that we hired Shannon Gail and Kelly!

Audrey Sent on 08/20/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The best planning team to make sure you enjoy your day to the fullest!

There are many details you’ll forget about your wedding weekend once it passes, but how you felt during your wedding is something you’ll never forget. Thanks to all of Emma’s help from the Shannon Gail team, my whole family, my husband and I were completely calm through the whole weekend and did not have to worry about any details while we were celebrating.

Before we hired Emma, my parents were very hesitant about hiring a day-of planner. They thought we would be able to handle everything and that we didn’t need one…once we started working with Emma and especially during our wedding weekend, my parents both said it was the best decision we made hiring her! It truly allowed them to enjoy the wedding as hosts and enjoy their guests without worrying about anything other than enjoying themselves.

Emma was so organized and made sure everything was taken care of. I’m sure there is so much she handled that I still don’t even know about! Emma was so professional from the moment I met her and throughout our wedding weekend. She listened to all of our requests and made suggestions at the appropriate times. She knew when to step in to a conversation or a decision. I was so amazed by Emma and her team’s composure during our wedding weekend! I had the best experience working with Emma and am even luckier to call her a friend now!

Nikki Sent on 02/15/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience!

Kelly was an absolute rockstar for my wedding! Every step along the way she was right by my side assuring me that everything is running smoothly. Specifically, I got an email the night before my wedding that the makeup artist I hired was sick and she was sending a backup at the wedding. Kelly called me immediately letting me know that we would have a code word on the wedding day if I didn't like it, she would let the artist know and we would restart until I liked it (I'm terrible with confrontation, and Kelly was willing to be the bad guy). I really didn't want my mom dealing with last minute questions on the day, and Kelly made it so my mom was able to relax and enjoy, and Kelly took care of all the last minute details. Couldn't recommend Shannon Gail more!!

Emma Sent on 01/28/2022

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The absolute best in the game!

I had received a few referrals for Shannon Gail and I am beyond happy with the choice to use Shannon and her team. Seriously, look no further if you are looking for a planner or coordinator. The initial call with Shannon was wonderful - she explained all of the services they offer, their very specific timelines and processes, and how she would make sure that our planner was the right fit for us. This was right at the beginning of Covid when no one knew what would happen and Shannon made us feel very secure that they would 100% work with us in the event that we would need to change plans. We did the day of coordinator package and were paired with Kelly. From our first conversation, I knew Kelly was going to be amazing and there is no way I could have survived the last 8 weeks before the wedding without her! There are so many little details you don’t think of and Kelly was there each week with a detailed list of to-do items to keep us on track and ensure that the wedding day would be as easy for us as possible. Not only that, but Kelly was basically my therapist during that time, lol, and was always available if I just needed to vent, needed advice, or had a question. I always looked forward to our weekly calls – Kelly is such a fun, positive person and I enjoyed our chats so much! I felt so prepared going into our wedding day and having Kelly there allowed us to fully enjoy the day without thinking of where we needed to be or what had to happen next. Kelly and her assistant Melissa were so on point through the day getting vendors in and set up, keeping us and our bridal party on schedule, and being present and available whenever I needed anything. Despite getting married in the middle of Covid, everything was so spectacular and seamless thanks to Kelly and Melissa. Not only are they extremely detailed, professional planners, but they are also wonderful people, which made the whole experience that much better. I cannot thank Shannon Gail, Kelly, and Melissa enough!

Jessica Sent on 11/19/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best Wedding Coordinator

As a type-A, proactive, and organized person myself, I knew I needed someone who would understand my personality and be able to perfectly compliment my wedding coordination needs. Samantha fit the bill PERFECTLY. She is so knowledgeable about weddings and the chicago wedding ecosystem. As someone who has not yet attended many weddings, she was so patient and responsive with all the questions I asked. Wedding planning can be stressful but she made the whole process much smoother, especially when it came to making key wedding decisions. Having Samantha as my wedding coordinator helped me truly relax and enjoy my wedding day. I cannot thank Samantha enough. THANK YOU!

Stephanie Sent on 10/22/2021

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Marissa is the best!

Marissa S. made our Vow Renewal Ceremony & Reception WAY less stressful than it would have been without her! Her attention to detail, timeline execution, hands-on approach, speedy responses, and advice were worth every penny. Not only did I have a Wedding Planner but I now have a Friend at the very end of it!!

Adrienne Sent on 10/20/2020

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Couldn't have done it without them!

Shannon Gail and specifically my planner Kelly are amazing. We couldn't have pulled off a wedding, let alone a covid wedding without them. From the start we knew they were professional and buttoned up. They were so transparent about what they could provide and upfront on costs, even calling out what they didn't think we needed based on where we were in the process (saving us money!). Very different than other wedding planners we spoke to who tried to scare or intimidate us into using them. They also were able to create custom add-ons as things came up that we needed help with (for example, someone to pick up and transport all of our wedding pies!). We felt so comfortable with Kelly, like a friend we talked to about the wedding, who always put our mind at ease, helping us navigate any situation. No question or request was too small or big - she was always there for us in the most timely of manners.

I can't describe in words how much having SG helped ease the stress and pressure or putting on a wedding. And knowing we are all navigating these 2020 uncertain times - speaks volumes on their responsiveness and willingness to help even outside of the contracted agreements. Kelly reached out at the beginning of 'shelter in place' even though we were not contracted to have her work with us until July - a few months before our wedding.... she couldn't have been more willing to help/keep us sane. It was so reassuring to know they had our back and were going to help get us to our wedding no matter what or how we needed to shift, etc. It's not an ended relationship even after the wedding - Kelly is still reaching out to be sure we got our refund for the alcohol, checking in on us, connecting on photos, etc.

All I can say is don't hesitate - hire SG if you're getting married! You will not regret it. Worth every penny to have this help - I promise! And if you get the chance to work with Kelly - you're in luck! What a wonderful team.

Shan Sent on 10/21/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The Best Team Ever!

We worked with Samantha as our day of coordinator for my April 2019 wedding and I do not know what I would have done without her. Being a recommendation of my venue, I knew they would do a stellar job, but I cannot tell you how stress-free my day was because of her assistance. Her expertise, professionalism, and bubbly personality helped made our wedding day perfect. I have had so many people tell me that I was so calm on my wedding day and it was because I knew Samantha would handle anything that was thrown her way.

I have referred them to every bride-to-be as well as to colleagues who are planning non-wedding related events.

Samantha - thank you again for everything!!!

Abby Sent on 09/16/2019

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best decision of wedding planning!

Hiring Samantha with Shannon Gail to be our month-of coordinator was one of the very best decisions we made for our wedding day. Her expertise was evident in every detail and she kept us on track with detailed, but straightforward to-do lists in the weeks leading up to the wedding, handled all vendor communication once she stepped in two months out, and was such a useful resource for questions as we finalized all the final details for the day. On the day of the wedding, I had no doubt that Samantha was going to keep us on track, and I was able to really let go of the timeline and just enjoy the day. I was so happy that our families, who were highly involved in the wedding as ceremony musicians, officiant, and bridal party, were also able to lean on Samantha as a resource that day. Samantha and our venue coordinator (Abby Carson at the Ivy Room) were an amazing team in the weeks before the wedding, and helped pull off an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour in high humidity shortly after a passing summer storm, and I am so thankful for their patience and detailed weather checks throughout the day as we made the decision to be outside. I have no idea if anything may have gone wrong behind the scenes, but I know that Samantha handled whatever occurred all with grace, professionalism and aplomb. It was truly a magical day and we couldn't have done it without Samantha and her assistant Ashley.

Joanna Sent on 11/20/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We love The Shannon Gail team!

The Shannon Gail team is amazing! They are personable, organized, excited, patient, knowledgeable, well dressed, they listen and they execute all your wants and needs to the fullest! Shannon & Sami were excellent to work with. I couldn’t have imagined my day without their help! They have the most creative minds and keep you on track. Their lists are everything! The day of the wedding they make sure you are taken care of, and allow you to enjoy your day! I can’t say enough great things! You need a Shannon Gail team for your wedding! You won’t be disapponted, we promise! Best decision ever!

Dave Sent on 10/09/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

There is no finer wedding planner in Chicago than Shannon Gail. She saw to it that our daughter's wedding day was absolutely flawless -- right down to the very finest details. She is highly regarded among her clients and across the industry. She is a true professional, incredibly talented, honest, dependable and a delight to work with in every aspect.

Lauren Sent on 10/08/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

My husband and I are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Amanda at Shannon Gail Weddings and Events. Amanda was extremely professional and provided quality support and guidance throughout the entire wedding process. She made the wedding planning process stress free and smooth sailing! She was always prompt with her responses and provided us with a calming demeanor, which was greatly appreciated especially as we neared the big day. We can't thank Amanda enough for making our day truly amazing. She went far beyond our expectations and provided excellent professionalism. We would highly recommend Amanda and Shannon Gail Weddings and Events to anyone considering a wedding planner!!

Rebecca Sent on 07/25/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Being an out-of-state couple getting married in Chicago, it was extremely important for us to have the right wedding planning company and ultimately the right wedding planner that fit our needs. Shannon Gail Weddings and Bridget Rogers were just that...a perfect fit. Their method to planning a wedding was structured, systematic, professional, organized and personal. Bridget was our wedding planner and it honestly could have not been more of a perfect fit. She was accessible, understanding, accommodating, knowledgeable, organized, and just plain sensational. From picking up my husband and I in her personal car to allowing my mom and I to ship stuff to her house she was incredible. My husband and I were with Bridget for almost a year and a half planning our wedding that in that time she started to feel like family. She instantly 'got us' and always steered us in the right direction. She never felt like my questions or requests were demanding or inconvenient, her response was always 'absolutely I'll get working on that right away'. I am forever indebted to Bridget and Shannon Gail Weddings for creating the most wonderful, beautiful, perfect and magical day of my life. Bridget has a true talent/gift for planning weddings and you can clearly see how this is her calling. On my wedding day I told Bridget that she could use me as a referral anytime because honestly that's the least I could do for her. My husband and I were so sad after the wedding because that meant our relationship with Bridget came to an end. There are not enough words to express how grateful we are to Bridget. Our expectations for our wedding were completely blown out of the water, it wasn't a home-run...it was a Grand Slam with fireworks. I honestly wish there was another event I could use Shannon Gail or Bridget for because they are incredible.

User3418058 Sent on 02/24/2018

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We cannot say enough about how phenomenal it was to work with Samantha! She worked with us for over a year, and we couldn't have gotten through it without her. Samantha was there for us every step of the way answering all of our numerous emails, and contacting all of our vendors. On our wedding day, Samantha and Shannon made sure everything was flawless, and took care of any issues that arose. They are truly amazing women to work with, we would highly recommend working with Shannon Gail Weddings and Events for your planning needs.

Danielle Sent on 07/24/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Really loved working with Breanna for day-of planning. The timeline that she created was absolutely incredible, and she was great with details. I didn't have to worry about anything day of, and would highly recommend her!

Stephanie Sent on 07/13/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We used Shannon Gail for our June 2017 wedding and worked with Amanda for a year + leading up to our wedding day. From our initial meeting, we felt confident that Amanda was the one who could help us plan our wedding and she did not disappoint! Amanda provided vendor recommendations which was so helpful. There are so many options for vendors in Chicago and Amanda narrowed down our search to a few within our budget and good to work with from her prior experience. She sent monthly to do lists and made sure we got everything done that we needed to. She responded to my constant emails and questions promptly and always had an answer for us. We had a lot fewer guests than originally anticipated, and Amanda worked with our venue to help us make sure we got to the minimum so we weren’t wasting money. She was super organized, professional and very easy to work with. On the wedding day, everything ran smoothly and we could enjoy the day and not worry about a thing knowing Amanda was on top of it. She even brought back our items from the venue to the hotel room at the end of the night so we could go to the after party without a worry. I could not recommend Amanda and Shannon Gail more to someone who is getting married. The process was so much less stressful and enjoyable due to Amanda and all her help!

Marissa Sent on 07/12/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I cannot begin to say enough good things about Shannon and her team. I remember the day I sat down to conduct interviews with coordination companies. I had 3 back to back calls set up to compare each company's skill and organizational process (if you think you're a crazy organized bride, we'd probably be friends; I made flash cards to finally spell boutonnière correctly). I was so incredibly impressed with Shannon's affable nature and ability to connect with me. She was able to truly understand what I wanted so quickly that I canceled the following call that I had. I KNEW Shannon Gail was a perfect match.

I specifically worked with Samantha, who is so ridiculously amazing that I don't know how else to describe her. On the day of your wedding, you hear of little things that your coordinator helps you with, but it was the amazing kudos' I heard from guests after the fact, that proved how instrumental she really was. From texting a friend from my phone to grab the table numbers from my apartment (that I forgot), to making sure I was using my family heirloom during my ceremony (that I forgot). She even organized 175 custom cookies with each guest's name on them that got delivered in a box with no rhyme or reason (that one was not my fault). She was organized, on top of it, and thought of all the things I didn't think of. She was always available leading up to the wedding and consistently checked in with me to make sure we were staying on schedule for everything. This made me feel SO at ease and I was able to enjoy the day without being stressed at all.

Finally, she felt like a friend throughout the entire process, but especially in the weeks leading up to the big day. My father passed away the Monday of my wedding week, and the things she did to ensure my family's happiness on the day of, is something you can never plan or pay for.

I can't recommend Samantha, Shannon and the rest of their team enough!!!!

Patricia Sent on 03/31/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Unequivocally, Shannon Gail has assembled the BEST team in the industry – and they will deliver flawless execution with a huge smile on their face. Their knowledge, competence, professionalism, positivity and effectiveness is unparalleled, and they will ensure that your event goes off without a hitch.

After months of searching for the right fit, my venue (Adler) finally recommended SG. From the moment I first spoke with Shannon, I knew it wouldn’t get better than SG. We were paired with Breanna, who was an absolute gem… and to say that she was perfect would be an understatement. Not only was she exceedingly responsive, experienced, and hard working – but she was an absolute pleasure to work with. She completely took the stress off of me so that I could sit back and enjoy the process and the big day. My husband and I agree that this was by far the best money we spent on the entire wedding.

In addition to being extremely knowledgeable and having impeccable performance – the best characteristic of the SG Team is that they’re a true advocate. With all of the directions you get pulled in as a bride, and with all of the vendors you’re trying to manage and decisions you need to make – you need a true partner who will represent you and your best interest. You don’t always get that in the wedding industry, but you do with SG. With Breanna, we always knew that she had our best interest at heart, and would act as our voice on our behalf. We knew we could trust her with any decision, and that she genuinely cared about us. She effortlessly managed the tiny details as well as the bigger picture - and made sure that we were feeling comfortable along the way.

I can't speak highly enough about the SG Team. Thank you Breanna and SG team for being phenomenal partners, exceeding our expectations, and making our day perfect. You are truly AMAZING!!!

Jennifer Sent on 02/09/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Best decision I could ever make was to work with the Shannon Gail team. Remember you can't be in two places at once.I went with the day of coordinator as I had most items checked off my list and wanted someone to be the go to person the day of. Best part about it was they are the go to person 2 months prior. And they also provide an additional coordinator if they feel it is needed. So they took care of the groom's side keeping them on schedule as well as everything else.

I had the pleasure of meeting Shannon Gail herself and working with Breanna. The professionalism and organization was wonderful. So easy to work with and I was very happy with how everything turned out. I didn't realize how many things that pop up the last month. It was so nice to have checklists and Breanna keeping me on track. They listened to my vision and took the time to make sure I was happy throughout the process. I had about 100 people at our wedding and everything was in a restaurant. Coordination of the ceremony and flipping the room had to be done in a small amount of time. Everything was flawless and the guests raved about the service.

Without hesitation I would choose Shannon Gail again to keep me in line and my wedding turning out stunning! It provided me to enjoy the day. I was so calm and excited to experience our wedding instead of worrying about conducting it.

Thanks ladies for making our day special!

Gina Sent on 11/08/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Hire Shannon Gail! We hired Amanda from Shannon as the "day of" planner and she was absolutely amazing! She literally held my hand through every step, starting at 2 months before the wedding! My daughter's wedding was everything and more than we dreamed it would be! Thank you Amanda and Shannon Gail...you are the BEST!!

Michelle Sent on 09/11/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We used Shannon Gail for our day-of-coordination and it was the best decision we made!! Amanda took over two months before the wedding and kept me organized and sane. On the day of the wedding, I didn't worry about a THING!! I was able to enjoy every minute of the day knowing that Amanda was making sure it ran smoothly. It truly ended up being the best day ever!! After the wedding, so many vendors complimented Amanda and how great she was through planning and the even itself!

Lily Sent on 08/06/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We worked with Samantha of Shannon Gail for our day-of-coordination for our June 2016 wedding at the Newberry Library, and she was an absolute life saver!! My husband and I knew early on that although we were planning our wedding ourselves, we wanted to hire someone for our wedding coordination and after speaking with Shannon and meeting with Samantha, we knew we would be in great hands with Team SG. Leading up to our wedding, Samantha took care of all the final details, coordinating with all of our vendors, creating the wedding day timeline and most importantly, keeping me as relaxed as possible. The day of the rehearsal and the wedding, Samantha was completely in charge and made sure our whole day went perfectly. We highly recommend working with the team at Shannon Gail for whatever level of wedding planning or coordination fits your wedding!

Kathryn Sent on 06/27/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I worked with Samantha from Shannon Gail Weddings and Events for day-of coordination (although their services really begin two months before your wedding date) and it was one of the smartest decisions I made throughout the wedding planning process. Even though I was an extremely organized and detailed bride, I really needed someone to be my eyes and ears on the big day. Samantha, and her assistant Olivia, made sure everything flowed smoothly and worked hard to ensure every detail was "just so."

I knew the timeline of the day's events were in her capable hands, so I could focus on the important aspects of the day and not have to worry about the logistics. Plus, my mom was so grateful for Samantha's assistance, because she could enjoy the wedding without having to be the "point person" for the bridal party, vendors, etc.

Even if you plan the wedding yourself (like I did), I cannot stress enough the importance of having someone in your corner on the big day. You spend so much time, effort, and money planning the wedding of your dreams, so put your event in capable hands and let the team at Shannon Gail work their magic. You will not be disappointed!

Nora Sent on 03/26/2016

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We hired Bridget from Shannon Gail as our wedding coordinator for full planning services, and we just can't put into words how grateful we are for her and her team! Because of Bridget, our wedding weekend went absolutely perfectly! Throughout the planning process Bridget was so helpful, not only in providing guidance on ideas and being extremely organized, but also in managing everyone’s stress level. We were never worried that things wouldn't end up coming together, because she clearly has a ton of experience and she knows how to make a good list! As a result, she was on top of every single detail, so there were no bad surprises. On the day, we were always within 10 minutes of the timeline, which gave us the ability to really just enjoy the moment. Literally, the only thing that strayed from the plan was us accidentally cutting the cake too early! Bottom line, we could never thank Bridget enough for making the whole weekend completely stress-free. Investing in a good wedding planner can seem like an unnecessary expense, but oh my goodness, it is SO worth it!!

Katie Sent on 10/30/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I honestly don't know where to begin. For starters, I really wasn't sure if I needed/wanted a wedding planner but everyone said a day of person was 100% necessary. I used to plan huge corporate events for a living and thought I'd have a hard time finding any one or anything worthwhile - fast forward, since our wedding I have said that Shannon Gail Wedding Services (Breanna Manzie) was the BEST money I spent. We purchased the "day of" package which meant that our planner, Breanna kicked in two months prior to the wedding. She came into the picture after most of the " big picture" decisions were made ( the fun part) - and then executed all those big decisions for us (the hard part). The little details and deadlines and communications that feel like work were her job and she made that part of the process fun and easy because I only needed to answer questions, not research them. I honestly can't say enough. So beyond doing an impeccable job in preparing us for the big day --- seeing her the week of the wedding and on the day of felt like an old friend just showed up. There was a comfort in knowing she would be there --- and that she'd be everywhere (and make sure everyone was everywhere) that they needed to be. From Breanna, to the day of "assistant" (we got lucky, Shannon Gail stepped in as assistant) ...I could not have been more pleased. Every personal touch --- from the chocolates in our hotel room when we got back from a perfect reception, to the way all of my vendors later told me Breanna was a dream to work with. I could go on and on --- but from one "expert" planner who didn't think she needed this --- YOU DO! You may find that because of them, you'll feel strangely relaxed and calm on your wedding day (as I did) cause you knew everything was going to be perfect and you could focus on yourself and the one that you'll see later that day as you walk down the aisle.

Erin Sent on 08/10/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amanda H provided day-of coordinating services for my wedding. She was well worth every penny! We met in person multiple times and communicated via email/phone before the big day. Amanda was extremely professional, had every detail covered and helped ensure all the vendors were on the same page. She created a meticulous timeline and was able to help trouble-shoot the day of. It was extremely helpful to have her as the main contact leading up to the event and on the day-of, as I was able to be a stress-free bride able to focus on celebrating the day with friends & family which was priceless. I wish I could hire Amanda to help coordinate my everyday life!

Stephany Sent on 07/09/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I cannot express enough how thankful I am that I used Shannon Gail Wedding Planning for my wedding. I was on the fence because I could not afford a wedding planner. I went on their website and saw that they offer day of planning. This company stuck out to me because most day of planners start a month before the wedding and Shannon Gail starts 2 months before the wedding. I met with and had the pleasure of working with Samantha for my day of planner. Even though she technically did not start until 2 months before my wedding, she was always available by email with vendor recommendations and small to-dos. In the final 2 months before the wedding Samantha and I were in constant communication with questions and to-do lists for both her and myself. She was always available when I had my mild freak outs and always assured she would take care of everything (which she did). She thought of the small details I would have never even thought of for my big day! I enjoyed working with her so much I was actually a little sad when she left after the wedding. I will recommend Shannon Gail to every bride to be and am eternally grateful I got to work with Samantha!!!

Inga Sent on 06/26/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We worked with Amanda to plan my sister's wedding, which was an out-of-town event for us. She was a joy to work with all around. We opted for the full-on package, which included all the planning as well as the day-of coordination. We worked together for about a year to pull off this wedding and we were very pleased with the outcome. My sister and I flew out to Chicago a few months into the planning process and Amanda drove us around to look at our four venue finalists. With the exception of a few long calls early on in the process most of the time we communicated via email, and that worked really well for us. Amanda is personable, very responsive, is a good listener and has a great sense of humor so we hit it off with her right away. She is very detailed oriented, which is key for this kind of work. She was able to juggle not only the timeline, the style guide, the vendors, the deposits and payments, but also managed to keep us on budget, which was really great. The day of the wedding went like clockwork and it was great not to have to worry about all the details since we knew Amanda had them well in hand. I would highly recommend Shannon Gail and especially Amanda!

User1850262 Sent on 10/01/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We used Amanda H. as our day-of wedding coordinator, but she went above and beyond the day of! I knew she was perfect when I met her months ago because she is attentive, easy going, and quick to respond to e-mails. She made recommendations on vendors as the months went on and checked in to make sure I was doing ok! She handled all of my last minute questions promptly! On the day of the wedding, she offered to get the bridesmaids food since we didn't have time to go out and get food ourselves. What was also great was that she had an assistant, Lauren, to also help make sure things went smoothly given our party size of 250. Everything went as smooth as possible, and we could not have asked for anyone better to be in charge of our wedding! Thank you Amanda and Shannon Gail Weddings!

Christopher Sent on 09/27/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon Gail (def.): A miracle worker. A saint. Without equal.

1) Her vendor recommendations are amazing:

From the florist, to the graphic designer who created our stationary, Shannon assembled a really outstanding team. Even the vendors we had already selected, like our photographer and our live music, kept raving about Shannon and what a joy it is to work with her.

2) She's great at keeping us organized and on schedule:

Even though we’re out-of-state, and we’re both complete work-a-holics, she was able to keep us on task in the most friendly, low-stress way possible, and always with such enthusiasm for our big day. She was so easy to work with!

3) She's always going the extra mile:

We ordered this great wooden wagon, so one of the flower girls could pull the other, baby flower girl, down the aisle. Shannon had us ship it to her house and assembled it herself, so we didn’t have to lug it from California.

4) She's always looking out for your budget:

We had a late change to our guest count, and it put us below the minimum for our venue, so we were going to be paying for guests who would not be there. Incredibly, Shannon was able to get a last minute price change from the venue that saved us a SIGNIFICANT amount of money.

5) She makes sure you have what you need, even before you know that you need it:

Right after our ceremony, Shannon whisked us away to a small, private barrel room at our venue, where we could spend a few moments alone with each other. We had a bottle of champagne and a collection of the hors d’oeuvres that were being served during our cocktail hour. It was one of the few moments we spent alone together all day, and it was the perfect opportunity to take in what we had just done. We hadn’t asked for that moment. We hadn’t even thought of it. But Shannon made it happen, and it was one of the best moments at our wedding.

She was an absolute joy to work with!

Theresa Sent on 08/14/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We hired Bridget to be our full time wedding planner because our schedules were hectic and I really don't like planning things especially anything related to weddings. When I first got engaged, the thought of planning a wedding really stressed me out. So my friend recommended Bridget since he worked with her in event planning. Also, she did my girlfriend's wedding last fall for day of. When we met her, we knew we were in good hands. She was so polite, well organized, funny, detail oriented, and professional. She was really easy to get along with and she made our wedding planning so not stressful. She has amazing connections to a lot of the great vendors in the Chicago area. Also, my husband liked her too. We actually looked forward to our meetings with her because they were fun and not so stressful. She constantly was in contact with all of our vendors as well as us. She was our support from the first day until after our wedding. We didn't have to stress about much of the wedding because she literally took care of EVERYTHING which is what I wanted.
Wedding planning can be stressful especially with the details which sneak up on you near the wedding. I can't tell you how many times I've been a bridesmaid and have heard other brides stress and complain about all the details they need to complete before the wedding. I really didn't have that stress because of Bridget.
She listened to all of our needs and requests and made our Star Wars themed wedding a beautiful, classy, and fun wedding that even our guests still talk about to this day.
Hire Bridget if you want low stress, amazing service, and an ally during your wedding planning which can get crazy. We're glad we did and she's worth every penny!

Ashley Sent on 08/06/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon Gail saved our wedding planning. Book her early with confidence. I was feeling completely overwhelmed and out of control making all of our flowers and decorations by hand, making the cupcakes, getting our friend to become an officiant, etc...all long distance in Wisconsin. I told my fiance that we were either eloping or hiring the best wedding coordinator so that we didn't go crazy. She not only helped us stay within our budget, but is some of the best money we spent on the wedding as a whole. The couple of months leading up to the wedding started feeling like a team effort with my fiance and I because she was leading us to finish smaller and manageable to-do lists and keeping timelines and payment schedules organized for us. She prioritized what was most important to us throughout the planning and offered to make our lives easier at every turn. Me: 'Shannon, what do you think about getting portable air conditioners for the barn?' Shannon: 'It sounds like a great investment if it's important to you. Let's call these places to price check and I will email the barn to figure out how we will need to get them set up with the length of hoses and location, etc.'

Shannon not only helped us plan our dream wedding, she also helped us execute. I felt sure that if anything did not go according to plan, she would steer it back the right direction. She organized the actual rehearsal with confident grace (which is not an easy task with 12 bridesmaids and 12 groomsmen on each side). We made things personal and complicated at each and every turn and she always looked at it as a new challenge with potential solutions.

On our wedding day, she came right before I put my dress on and brought me a bouquet of fresh flowers from the farmers market in Madison. She is always thinking about how to make her bride and groom feel happy, just like they should on their wedding day. The wedding day went so smoothly that I'm still pinching myself post honeymoon!

B Sent on 07/16/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Choosing a wedding planner is probably the most important thing you can do when planning a wedding. I talked to numerous wedding planners in the city when making my decision. Choosing Shannon Gail and her team was the best decision. I worked with Bridget and she was fantastic. From the first moment we started working together, I felt my wedding planning was on track. Wedding planning can be so stressful and having someone to handle the big and little details takes a huge load off. From the beginning Bridget was great with recommendations for vendors and then general recommendation on items to make the wedding of my dreams. She was very well coordinated and organized and always responsive to my questions and requests.

Once she took over the wedding planning, I was thrilled from the very beginning. Every single detail was taken care of and I got to be the carefree happy bride on my big day. Even my mom commented on the wedding planner and how smoothly everything went. I just watched my wedding video and was surprised to see Bridget handling everything smoothly as I never really noticed her in the background except when I needed her on my wedding day.
I shudder to think I almost did not get a wedding planner. I am so grateful to Bridget and Shannon and the team and they did a fantastic job from the moment I hired them through and beyond the wedding. I would highly recommend them and would give 10 stars if possible!

Amy Sent on 04/24/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Words can not begin to express my gratitude to Shannon for everything she did in our wedding planning process! I am a very organized person and somewhat of a control freak and I never thought I would need to hire a wedding planner. About 3 months before the big day, I started to consider looking into getting some help after feeling like I was calling and texting my Maid of Honor, Mom and girlfriends way too many times a day with questions and please remind me to do this requests. I called around and spoke with several different planners, but I knew right away when talking with Shannon there was just this connection and she fully understood what our vision was. She is so fabulously amazing!! She was exactly what I needed to help with the last 2 months of planning! I instantly felt like Shannon was not just a planner that I hired, but like she was a trusted friend that I had known forever, and I hope to continue our friendship! She was my go to person for any little random thought, question, idea or even panic attack I was having. She even was my mini therapist with any family drama that was arising! She goes above and beyond for anything that is needed! She thought of so many things that I never would have thought of myself. Her vendor recommendations were also fantastic and helped save money as well. Shannon made the last 2 months leading up to my wedding day so easy and really fun, which is exactly how it should be!! I felt totally comfortable knowing Shannon was in control and I had nothing to worry about, and I do not have an easy time giving away control. She is very quick in responding to e-mails, texts and calls. I was so grateful to have her there by my side on the big day!! It also made life easier on my family and Maid of Honor so that they could enjoy themselves as well. Shannon and her assistant Hilary were there with me for the entire day and I felt such a sense of calm and relief that they were there, I never would have been able to rel

Heather Sent on 04/16/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I had the absolutely privilege of working with Shannon as my wedding coordinator this past weekend and words cannot explain just how far my expectations were exceeded! Not only extremely professional and organized, Shannon is the most personable individual and I am so thrilled to now call her my friend. From Day 1, she ensured that my wedding planning process was seamless, simple and completely streamlined. I wish there were 10 stars to rate her with and if you are looking for a planner, LOOK NO FURTHER! My wedding was perfect in every way and I owe that perfection to Shannon and her team!

Anna Sent on 03/06/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

If you do nothing else for your wedding, let the one thing be hiring a wedding planner... and if you hire the planners with Shannon Gail, it can literally be the only thing you have to do for your wedding.

Bridget Allen was a godsend. I live in San Diego, planning a wedding on a lake in a tiny town in the middle of no where Indiana. When I flew in to town for whirlwind planning trips, Bridget was always willing to work with my schedule. She traveled with me to the venue (2 1/2 hours away by car) to see the venue, meet the caterer, the cake person, the band etc. She helped me pick out the perfect vendors and on a plus side, managed to negotiate the travel costs out of every contract.

She was so organized and so knowledgeable. There were times during the meetings that I was blown away by what she knew. Never in a million years would I have known to ask those questions without her there.

She was always there when I needed someone to talk to. If I was having a wedding freak out or a fight with my mom, Bridget knew exactly how to calm me down. She was also good at taming some of my hairbrained ideas and turning them into wedding ideas... and then had the follow through to get them accomplished.

The day of the wedding was perfect. I'm sure there were goofs here and there, but from my perspective, it went of without a hitch... and I attribute that 100% to Bridget's work.

Amanda Sent on 12/13/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I found Shannon through her website and loved her style right away. After our first conversation I knew she was my girl. Her fast pace and style of working was perfect for me. She got things done! Our wedding was planned out of state in less than 8 months which can be stressful, but Shannon made it so easy on me, leaving me to only make the fun choices, final decisions, and to be able to focus on my family and fiance. When vendors didn't do what they needed to be doing, she was on it quickly and took care of it all. The day of the wedding went perfectly as well. She was kind, direct, and made everyone comfortable with her apparent organization of the entire day. I was able to fully enjoy, see my friends and family, and even eat! It was flawless from beginning to end and I am so thrilled to leave the experience with fond memories and a new friend in Shannon.

User1365275 Sent on 10/06/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon personally helped me plan and execute my wedding and was amazing through the entire process. From our first meeting, my fiancé and I felt a great connection with Shannon and felt that she really understood the theme and concept that we wanted for our wedding. Using conversations we had, my pinterest page, and random ideas I emailed to her, Shannon put together a Style Proposal that organized the look and feel of our day from start to finish. This Style Proposal became my wedding guide. I took it with me to every vendor appointment to give them a sense of what we wanted and to make sure they could do it. Speaking of vendors, Shannon gave us so many great recommendations!
Shannon answered every question I had, helped calm me down from a few semi-freak outs, and completely coordinated the big day, even bringing an assistant, so it was like she was everywhere at once.
She made the wedding planning process go so much smoother than if I would have tried to do it all on my own. Further, with her there, I had nothing to worry about on the wedding day, but having fun and enjoying being with my new husband and family!
I am so thankful that I found her. I have only the best things to say about Shannon Gail Wedding and Events.

Anne Sent on 09/17/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amanda at Shannon Gail did a wonderful job with the "day of" planning for our wedding. She was very responsive and detail-oriented. She did several walk-throughs before our wedding and helped us to make the best decisions about how we wanted the flow of the day to go. I am event planner myself so I thought it would be hard to trust someone else to run the show - Amanda did not disappoint! We couldn't have enjoyed our wedding day without her there to make it happen!

Jackie Sent on 09/16/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

On Sunday, May 26th, 2013 my husband and I celebrated our dream wedding day. This dream could not have come true without the guidance, hard work, and organization of both Shannon and Carolynn from Shannon Gail Wedding and Events.

I utilized the “Day of Coordinating” package and was surprised to find out how absolutely affordable it was. The venue that we chose was an outside location with indoor options and we booked it for both our ceremony and reception. The flow of the evening was very important to us and Carolynn worked very hard on designing our itinerary and set ups to help us achieve it.

Second to none, the level of service we received including preparation, communication, and problem solving before, during and even after our wedding is invaluable. Both Shannon and Carolynn were quick to respond, personable and absolutely amazing!

Hands down, my most essential piece of advice for any bride-to-be is to include a day of coordinator in your budget. Do not let your special day be anything but by having to answer thousands of questions with your vendors. Let your family members and closest friends enjoy and be fully present in your celebration by alleviating them of the same burden.

Shannon Gail Wedding and Events truly did a phenomenal job. Thank you for making our dream wedding day come true!

Chicago Sent on 09/10/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

When I started planning a little more than a year before our August 2013 wedding. I knew right away that I wanted a planner for our Chicago wedding especially since we were planning from out of state. We spoke with several planners over a few weeks, most of them were large wedding firms or Indian planners (we had an Indian wedding). But none felt right; most were either not flexible enough for our needs, were too pricey, couldn't give us enough personal attention. When we met with Shannon we knew right away that she was the perfect fit for us. Throughout the year Shannon helped us find vendors, negotiate various contracts and helped us with every other detail! What we liked about Shannon the most was that she treated us like close friends and gave us a lot of personal attention; she was always willing to talk me through all of the many wedding details. Shannon will always go above and beyond your expectations and is willing to do anything to make sure you're happy on your big day! If you're considering getting a planner, you will not regret going with Shannon! You'll not only have a fabulous time planning but you'll also gain a new friend!

Shamita Sent on 09/10/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

When I started planning a little more than a year before our August 2013 wedding. I knew right away that I wanted a planner for our Chicago wedding especially since we were planning from out of state. We spoke with several planners over a few weeks, most of them were large wedding firms or Indian planners (we had an Indian wedding). But none felt right; most were either not flexible enough for our needs, were too pricey, couldn't give us enough personal attention. When we met with Shannon we knew right away that she was the perfect fit for us. Throughout the year Shannon helped us find vendors, negotiate various contracts and helped us with every other detail! What we liked about Shannon the most was that she treated us like close friends and gave us a lot of personal attention; she was always willing to talk me through all of the many wedding details. Shannon will always go above and beyond your expectations and is willing to do anything to make sure you're happy on your big day! If you're considering getting a planner, you will not regret going with Shannon! You'll not only have a fabulous time planning but you'll also gain a new friend!

User1179377 Sent on 05/29/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I chose Shannon Gail's team for the day of coordination for my Indian wedding. My coordinator was Bridget and this was the wisest decision I made throughout the wedding planning process! First off, Bridget was not only extremely friendly and nice, but she is extremely detail oriented. We started the process approximately 2 months before the wedding and she planned every minute of my big day. She responded to my 20 emails per day, answered my multiple phone calls and helped me with a few difficult vendors. From that point on, I didn't have to deal with the vendors as she was the main contact. Thus, I was able to focus on other events/details that I wanted to. On the day of the wedding, my bridal bouquet wasn't what I had envisioned it to be and although I panicked for a moment, Bridget came to the rescue and redid the bouquet (it looked even better than the original - who knew she was in the floral business before)! She balanced out all the details and tasks requested by multiple people in my family - my brother would just text her tasks such as having the banquet staff adjust lighting or rearrange various items and it would be done in a matter of seconds! She also dealt very well with our large Indian crowd and was so organized that everything ran perfectly on time (completely unheard of for an Indian wedding). We even received compliments from guests that it was the most organized and well coordinated wedding that they had ever been to. My family and I absolutely loved working with Bridget and we are so happy that we chose the Shannon Gail team to make my dream wedding come true!

User974818 Sent on 10/15/2012

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I discovered Shannon Gail Weddings and Events from a friend who had hired the company for her Chicago wedding. The planning process was very exciting to me as I was the definition of a DIY bride. However, as my friend suggested, on the day of your wedding you want to enjoy all your hard work and leave the details to a professional. I LOVED this idea and contacted the company for an initial meeting. Amanda contacted me within hours of my inquiry to set up a meeting. She was super flexible and accommodating, which was a great start! At our meeting, Amanda impressed me with her ability to give recommendations and style ideas while keeping a balance of focused listening. After a very short time together, I trusted her talents and was excited for her to be a part of our day. And although we hired Amanda for day of services specifically, her assistance throughout the planning process was paramount. She was quick to answer emails and help with vendor referrals all along the way. When our big day had finally arrived, I was greeted with a feeling of ease that morning. I knew that Amanda had everything under control. Armed with the most flawless, detailed timeline, Amanda orchestrated the day beautifully- from hair and makeup to getting our gifts home safely. She put my DIY dream wedding into action- literally! My list of things to put together could have been overwhelming for some people, but Amanda accepted the challenge with enthusiasm! If you are looking for a boutique feel with the professionalism of a large corporation, you may have found your match! Much love and thanks Amanda!! xo

Lisa Sent on 10/11/2012

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Carolynn was amazing! She was so sweet and punctual. We had her do the "day of" coordinating, but she was helping us do soooo much months before the wedding to make sure everything was running smoothly. Everything was timed perfectly and I had no stress at all becuase Carolynn helped me the whole day!

Natalie Sent on 03/15/2012

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon is a dream to work with ~ calm and on the ball! She had contacted all my vendors, lining up contracts, before I could blink. Any request I had (e.g. cancelling a dress appointment, setting up a photo shoot location, etc.), was met with swift action, and boom ~ it was handled. She's so calm and in control that I never had to worry about a thing. It was like I was a guest at my own wedding.

Deanna Sent on 10/05/2011

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon is fantastic and you should have already hired her. She has great vendors that want to work with her and she is a sweetheart! I had some bizare ideas and she told me when too much is too much which I totally appreciated!

She takes the time to get to know you and I'm not sure how she does it! I loved getting to know her and hope we can stay in touch.

I have already recommended her to many friends.

Vanessa Sent on 09/13/2011

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon was my 8/26/11 wedding day-of coordinator. I can not say enough about Shannon. She was so helpful through out my planning process. Though she was only my day-of coordinator, each time I had a question or needed a good recommendation, she was there for me.

The last month of wedding planning, I expected to be overwhelmed and very stressed. Luckily, Shannon slowly started to weave in, as I started to weave out. The last week of the wedding was perfect, I didn't have to worry about a thing, everything was already taken care of.

Enough can not be said about her performance on the day of the wedding. She was so helpful, kind, and fun to have around and not one detail was left unattended to. My family and friends could not stop gushing over Shannon's professionalism and graciousness.

Shannon Gail was by far the smartest investment I made for our wedding!

Camille Sent on 08/30/2011

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

As an event planner myself I always knew I would need a day of coordinator to ensure that I did not "work" on my own wedding day.

I was referred to her by Amanda, another amazing planner/coordinator who works for Shannon Gail. I met with Shannon and Lindsey (and Amanda!) to go over my wedding and decided immediately that she truly felt like a friend I had known forever. She got me, she got my wedding and she got my needs.

I ended up booking her to coordinate the display portion of my wedding shower on top of my wedding. I had decided to hide the display portion and reveal all of the gifts at the end of the shower. Since I wanted my bridesmaids to enjoy their time, I had Shannon do the dirty work. ;) Her and Lindsey did an over the top job of coordinating the behind the scenes; opening all the gifts, setting up the display and keeping all of the gifts recorded with the gift-givers. The big reveal was the highlight of the shower because of they way they took such care in how it was presented. I wish I could post pictures on these reviews, because words just do not do it justice.

For the day of my wedding, (well I should say week of my wedding) I was amazed at how little was left for me to do. We had been working together to create the day of schedule for quite awhile, and the week before Shannon contacted ALL of my vendors and coordinated with them so I did not have to. She became their go to person and I didn't hear a peep from one of them. And being an event planner, I know the days leading up to a big event are the most important for nailing down the last minute details, so I was fully aware of all the work she was putting in. Meanwhile I was able to enjoy actually getting married and focus on the marriage part and simply enjoy the wedding part.

Added bonus, my hair style fell out almost immediately after the ceremony, Shannon redid my whole hairdo right before our receiving line, who knew she also used to do wedding hair!

Shannon and her team are a jack of all trades. My shower and my wedding went off without a hitch and I know it was due to her hard work, detail and dedication to me and my wedding day.

Katie Sent on 10/20/2010

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I cannot say enough about Shannon. She was hands down one of the best decisions I made during the wedding planning process. I was so at ease in the months leading up to the wedding and in particular, the day of knowing she had everything under control. Turns out the trolley driver had no idea he had to come back and pick all of the girls up (me included) from the hotel and take us to the church for the ceremony! Shannon took care of the mixup behind the scenes, and I showed up on time ready to walk down the aisle without a clue of what had happened. That is just one example of the many things Shannon took care of throughout the day that I would have never wanted to deal with. My mom was thrilled to have her there as well and felt like a guest at the wedding rather than a host which is exactly what we wanted. You will not regret the decision to go with Shannon. Her energetic and extremely sweet personality make for the perfect wedding coordinator. She was an absolute blast to work with, and was so helpful before, during and even after the wedding.

Christina Sent on 06/11/2010

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I could not have asked for a better wedding planner than Shannon. She was my savior and kept my sanity during the planning process. To start, I was planning this wedding from New York, and I had doubts in the beginning on whether I should even hire a planner. I couldn't afford a full-time planner, so I was looking into a day-of coordinator, but even that I was dubious about.

I researched and contacted a bunch of day-of coordinators using Wedding Wire, and Shannon was one of them. She was by far the friendliest and most helpful in the beginning, and when I told her straight up that I wasn't sure whether a day-of coordinator was even necessary, she was just as straight up in her answer, telling me that I could certainly do without an outside day-of coordinator (meaning not the one the venue provides), but A, B, C would be what she could do for me. And am I glad that I decided to go with her, because it made a HUGE difference.

While I only hired her as a day-of coordinator, she and I exchanged so many emails way before her services actually kicked in. She was so enthusiastic and helpful in so many ways. Just knowing she was there to talk to was a huge relief, too. When her services "officially" kicked in, she took care of all the pains: developed a timeline, contacted all the vendors, etc. It was so great! At the rehearsal and at the wedding Shannon was fantastic. (She also brought an assistant for the wedding day.) She asked all the right questions and was so on top of it all. And not for a single second did she lose her enthusiasm. For a wedding planner, that upbeat attitude is so crucial! On the wedding day, I literally worried about NONE of the logistical stuff. I just enjoyed getting ready with my bridesmaids and that was it!

Everything ran so smoothly and I know all of it is thanks to Shannon and Lauren (her assistant). I LOVE Shannon! She is the best wedding planner ever! And all this despite the fact that her wedding was only 2 months away from mine! I recommend Shannon to every Chicago-area bride; you won't regret it—it'll be the best money spent and you'll make a great new friend!

Megan Sent on 09/22/2009

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon was our Day of Coordinator for our wedding on August 29th. Although her role was for the day of, she began helping us a few weeks before our wedding, immediately after I contacted her. She dropped everything to meet my mom and see the reception site with only a day of notice. She went above and beyond her role as Day of Coordinator. Wherever we needed help or support, Shannon was there for us. She even ordered and helped write the wedding programs and menus. Shannon also stepped in and ran our wedding rehearsal when we found out our officiant could not make it. She made sure our day went smoothly and stress-free, as well as the weeks leading up to the big day. I was very lucky to have Shannon as part of my wedding day!! She was professional and organized and we highly recommend her!!

Kate Sent on 09/03/2009

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We used Shannon as our "Day of Coordinator" for our August 8th, 2009 wedding at the Knickerbocker. I really cannot say enough about how fantastic she was and how easy it was to work with her. I say DOC in quotes, because Shannon turly did so much more than just that. I knew that I could ask her to do anything I needed support or help with and she would take care of it in an efficient and professional manner. This support was available for the entire month leading up to our wedding day. She contacted all of our vendors and became our main contact person and fielded all questions and concerns from them before coming to me. This saved my sanity in so many ways. Shannon developed a very detailed timeline and agenda for both the rehearsal and the day of the wedding. All important players knew exactly where they needed to be and exactly what was expected of them a week before the wedding. She came to the rehearsal and made sure everything ran smoothly. I could go on and on about how much help Shannon was. She melded so well with my whole bridal party, the vendors, and my family. Having her there with me on the day of my wedding brought a sense of calm to me that was irreplaceable. I will forever be grateful for the role that Shannon played in my wedding and I absolutely HIGHLY recommend her!!

Misti Sent on 08/07/2009

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I give the highest recommendation for Shannon. I met her in her role as a stylist. From that experience, I can tell you that Shannon does not use a cookie-cutter approach. She has a gift for being able to tailor her skills to an individual's unique preferences. Shannon will encourage you to think outside the box (which I something I sometimes have a hard time doing), which will result in you considering amazing options that you might otherwise have rejected. For instance, I ended up choosing - and loving - a hairstyle that I probably would not have considered if I had simply seen it in a magazine. On your wedding day, Shannon will provide the highest level of customer service. You can tell that she takes great pride in her work and views it as a reflection of herself. She is accommodating and very easy to work with. To an outsider, she could have been another one of my bridesmaids. She is not easily stressed out, and she is not high maintenance or stuffy (like some vendors I've met at other weddings.) Additionally, Shannon's cost structure is very reasonable, especially when compared to others in the city. I simply cannot say enough nice things about Shannon. Put her at the very top of your listand meet with her before shopping around.

Merrily Sent on 08/06/2009

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon was a delight to work with from start to finish!

I booked Shannon a year prior to my wedding, during that year she would touch base with me from time to time just to see how the planning was going and to check in, I was immediately comfortable with her and knew she was the right choice. Shannon was extremely flexible for my wedding hair trial and knew exactly what I wanted, she did such a wonderful job it made me all the more excited for my wedding day. On the day of my wedding Shannon arrived early for the on site bridal hair, she did a spectacular job on my 9 bridesmaids, my mother and myself, everyone was finished in time and absolutely loved their hair. I will recommend Shannon to anyone I know that is getting married, she is extremely talented and a complete joy to work with!

Rachel Sent on 08/05/2009

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon was my hairstylist and she was absolutely fantastic! She's incredibly talented and enthusiastic. I was referred to her by Dana Bersie who did my makeup (also amazing!)
I met with Shannon for a trial run where she really took the time to play around with my hair and incorporate my feedback into the different variations. We were both really excited when we arrived at THE style.
Shannon came to my venue, the Eaglewood Resort out in Itasca. She arrived promptly and ready to go, and we created a makeshift salon in the bridal suite.
Shannon also did the hair of one of my bridesmaids. Since I wasn't paying for their hair, I gave them all the option to have it done or DIY. My friend's hair was gorgeous as well, and that was without a trial run.

User896338 Sent on 08/12/2012

4.9 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Carolynn from ShannonGail as our "Day of" wedding planner. She was fantastic! She was fun but kept us on track and saw to all the details. On the day of the wedding, we knew we could count on Carolynn to se that everthing was running smooothly. Both the Bride and the mother of the bride were able to relax and enjoy the day.
Carolynn really cared about making the day really speacial. We will never forget how valuable she was to us in making the wedding a wonderful success!

Heidi Sent on 07/31/2012

4.9 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I laughed at the idea of having a wedding planner. Didn’t need one, I thought. I am the do-it-all type.I designed everything in our wedding, from table settings to the invitations to all the kitschy, intimate little details that I had envisioned for years. But then as those little details added up – and my mother complained about all the things I was storing at her house – I realized how deep I had gotten myself. I knew I would not be able to control it all and execute my dream wedding the way I wanted it. I looked into a day-of planner, and I found Carolyn with Shannon Gail Weddings, and right away I knew she was going to be perfect. She was just as detail-oriented than I was, maybe even more so. When it came to my wedding day, she was way ahead of me on everything – no stone was left unturned. I was able to enjoy the perfect wedding day, and all those little details I had dreamed in my head, Carolyn made sure they were absolutely perfect. She went out of her way to pick up some cookies the day before. She remembered to bring umbrellas just in case it might rain (it didn’t). My in-laws had given us two Tiffany champagne flutes, which we used at the reception, and they accidentally got lost; she found them. Carolyn even brought straws so I could have sips of a drink while they were applying my makeup – little things I never would have thought of. My wedding was perfect, and so was she. I highly would recommend her services to any bride who wants to remove the stress on her most important day. Best money we spent!

Corie Sent on 11/09/2011

4.9 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon Gail is a young wedding genius! She had the absolute best vendor suggestions and our wedding was nothing less then fabulous. I couldn't have done it with out her. Having her there on our wedding day allowed us to truly enjoy our day. If you're looking for a wedding planner, look no further! She started out as my wedding planner and ended up as a great friend. I love her and you will too!

Kathryn Sent on 10/18/2009

4.9 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Truly I only have wonderful things to say about Shannon. Not only is she fabulous and incredibly creative at styling hair, she is extremely personable, reliable, dependable and has great energy. Shannon's did not stop styling until me, my mom and my 5 bridesmaids were thrilled with our hair. She delivered a great product and was such a joy to work with every step of the way. Highly, highly recommended!

Christine Sent on 10/18/2010

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon was great from start to finish. I was an anxious bride and Shannon was very patient, always responding to my emails and answering the millions of questions I threw at her (even the ridiculously small, nitpicky ones). She also accompanied me dress shopping and helped us find many of our vendors (who were wonderful). Every couple of months, Shannon would send me a checklist to make sure we were up to speed on everything that needed to get done and we also spoke on the phone and met fairly often in person. She also did all the work booking our trolley and organizing both of our hotel blocks downtown. After I had paid the trolley in full I ended up reading some terrible reviews and getting super nervous, but Shannon talked me down and was in constant contact with the trolley company the week before the wedding to make absolute sure that the driver would show up on time. The day of the wedding, Shannon showed up and helped me with every little thing that went wrong. This includes running out to CVS to buy white eyeshadow to cover up the stains on my white shoes before pictures (they got dirty when I wore them to dancing lessons to break them in). While we went and took pictures, Shannon went over to the venue and made sure everything was set up correctly. I know there was a lot going on behind the scenes that I didn’t see but I am so happy the entire day ran so smoothly. She also was just so sweet and friendly through the entire process. I felt totally comfortable asking her for little things like helping me get my bustle to lay flat or fix hair that had fallen out of place during cocktail hour. All in all, Shannon was definitely worth her weight in gold!

Joanne Sent on 06/15/2010

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Shannon was great to work with! I felt so comfortable from the very first meeting with her and I could "tell it like it is" and she totally gets it and has a great personality. I felt like she had been one of my close friends for years! The only regret I have is that I should have let her do more for the cost and get involved in the vendor/detail process earlier (I hired her for day of coordination only). I think that would have relieved some stress I was feeling a month or two before but I was so thankful and calm the "day of" because I knew she was there and I trusted her to take care of everything! I would hire Shannon again in a heartbeat!

Kelly Sent on 10/18/2010

4.7 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

Shannon of ShannonGail wedding and events is nothing short of a God-send. The best part about her and how she runs her business would have to be her professionalism and attitude. Everytime I called her in a panic or emailed her, she would respond with a peppy "It's okay!" and that is all a frantic bride needs to hear.

I booked with her the full planning package, as I have never had a wedding before. (Which is a good thing!) I had no idea what to expect or any of the small details that go along with planning a wedding, but Shannon put me right at ease. Her style ideas are amazing but are mostly set for a moderate to large budget wedding. We, however, had minimal funds near the middle to end of the planning process. We took charge and ended up doing a lot of DIY projects for the style elements, but not forgetting Shannon's initial ideas. My only suggestion would be for Shannon to be a little bit better on ideas that include lower budget weddings and DIY projects. However, the day and week of the wedding, she was able to take all of our DIY things and make sure they got to where they needed to be. Without Shannon, our style elements would have never made it to the reception! She set everything up, and made sure everyone was where they needed to be so there was little to no stress on my part! She set up meetings with vendors and was in constant contact with those contributing to our special day.

I can honestly, without a doubt say that Shannon was the best part of our wedding months, week, and day. She went above and beyond to ensure the day of was relaxing for both me and my husband. She even drove me to the church because we had everyone using their own transportation! I would recommend Shannon and her associates to any family member or friend planning a wedding that wants it to be a fun, relaxing experience!

Shannon Gail Weddings and Events Reviews

Reviews

Shannon Gail Weddings and Events