REAL WEDDINGS, REAL TALK

Real Wedding Carolyn Johnson Real Wedding Carolyn Johnson

AELO Alumni | Courtney + Donnie, 3/21/26

Stylish and artistic wedding at a south side Chicago artist loft, coordinated by the experienced coordinators and planners at An Event Less Ordinary (AELO), a Chicago wedding and event planning company for 17 years. Photos by MW Collective

VENUE: LACUNA ARTIST LOFTS | PHOTOGRAPHY: MW COLLECTIVE | CATERING: LM CATERING | DJ: OKYNE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP | FLOWERS: FOR YOU, MY FRIEND FLORALS

What a way to kick off wedding season than with these two sweethearts! Courtney and Donnie's March wedding was dripping with style and artistic vibes. From Courtney's brother officiating the wedding to friends showing their artistic talents with decor and florals, the love and support of these two was evident. We wish these two gorgeous humans many years love, laughter and and style.

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Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson

We are here for you.

Are you looking for a badass team to help you plan your wedding without all the stress of The Industry? Do you need a stage manager to coordinate your day?

Are you looking for a badass team to help you plan your wedding without all the stress of The Industry? Do you need a stage manager to coordinate your day?

We don’t push you into trends or tell you that have to spend a million dollars. We customize your planning experience to match your pace and your needs. There’s a package for everyone!

If you want a capable, fun-loving team full of theatre kids on your side, we’re booking now for 2026 and 2027!

🎤 80s announcer voice 🎤 Get in touch today!

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Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson

PLEASE be cringe on your wedding day.

What do you mean you don’t want to be open and earnest and deeply in love and goofy on your wedding day!?

What do you mean you don’t want to be open and earnest and deeply in love and goofy on your wedding day!?

Please please please shelve all feelings of “I must be cynical and over it and too good for it” all the time, but especially on your wedding day.

Smile big, laugh out loud, and most of all, be so in love everyone in the room can feel it.

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Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson

Don’t get married during your busy season!

Don’t get married when things are super busy for you!

When you’re deciding on a wedding date, make sure it’s not a super busy time for you!

Are you an accountant? Don’t get married during tax season!

An actor? Keep an eye on upcoming shows in your company’s season.

A doctor? I don’t honestly know what to tell you about that but thank you for your knowledge and help.

Just know when things are busier than usual for you and don’t get married around that time. All of the tiny decisions at the end of the planning process will make you crazy.

Trust us!

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Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson Advice & Insight Carolyn Johnson

What is the difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator?

An Event Coordinator (that’s us) is NOT the same as a venue coordinator! And we LOVE our venue coordinators. But they don’t do what we do. If you want your event to run smoothly without running around yourself, we independent Event Coordinators are what you need. What do we do?

An Event Coordinator (that’s us) is NOT the same as a venue coordinator! And we LOVE our venue coordinators. But they don’t do what we do.

If you want your event to run smoothly without running around yourself, we independent Event Coordinators are what you need.

What’s the difference?


Venue coordinators are in charge of the building—making sure it’s open, making sure everything from the venue is correct. That can include chairs and tables, but not always, lighting, temperature, bathrooms, etc.

What about us? We:


🩷 Lead the vendor team, including the venue coordinator! It’s a collaborative effort.

🩷 Create the full wedding day timeline, from styling to the end of the night

🩷 Contact all of your vendors and are the POC for them, so we’re all on the same page

🩷 Make sure all of your deliveries come correct and fix them if they don’t

🩷 Are a one stop shop for you—ask us anything and we’ll get the answer! You don’t have to wonder who to ask.

🩷 Manage the flow of the day, fix logistical issues, and handle the rare emergency

🩷 Make sure you EAT.

🩷 Make sure that everyone is ready for every event from the ceremony to the family dances to a surprise flash mob

🩷 Set up your personal items and pack them up at the end of the night.

But mostly, we protect your peace, making sure you have little moments to be alone and you stay worry-free and can enjoy the day you’ve been planning for so long

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