What does "à la carte" event planning mean?

It means you hire individual planning services instead of a package: vendor recommendations, a timeline, rentals coordination, décor styling, or last-minute coordination. Each is scoped and quoted on its own.

How fast can you step in for last-minute coordination?

Call us and we’ll tell you honestly, same conversation. We’ve stepped into events with weeks to go, and we’ve rescued events planned in under three months at bring-in-everything venues. The sooner you call, the more we can do.

Do I have to book the vendors you recommend?

No. Our recommendations are matched to your style, budget, and date, and the decision is always yours. Book them directly, ask us to coordinate them, or take the list and think it over; there’s no obligation either way.

Can I combine à la carte services?

Absolutely. Many clients start with one service and add another. If you find yourself wanting three or more, tell us; at that point partial planning is usually the better value, and we’ll say so.

Do you also provide event staff?

Yes. Servers, bartenders, chefs, and captains through our staffing division, the same team, with over 25 years of experience. Staffing is quoted separately from planning services.

Do you offer à la carte services outside the North Shore?

Our home is the North Shore: Northbrook, Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Glenview, and Northfield, and we work across the greater Chicagoland area. For timeline creation and vendor recommendations, distance barely matters; ask us.

What does "à la carte" event planning mean?

It means you hire individual planning services instead of a package: vendor recommendations, a timeline, rentals coordination, décor styling, or last-minute coordination. Each is scoped and quoted on its own.

How fast can you step in for last-minute coordination?

Call us and we’ll tell you honestly, same conversation. We’ve stepped into events with weeks to go, and we’ve rescued events planned in under three months at bring-in-everything venues. The sooner you call, the more we can do.r library and save.

Do I have to book the vendors you recommend?

No. Our recommendations are matched to your style, budget, and date, and the decision is always yours. Book them directly, ask us to coordinate them, or take the list and think it over; there’s no obligation either way.

Can I combine à la carte services?

Absolutely. Many clients start with one service and add another. If you find yourself wanting three or more, tell us; at that point partial planning is usually the better value, and we’ll say so.

Do you also provide event staff?

Yes. Servers, bartenders, chefs, and captains through our staffing division, the same 25-year team. Staffing is quoted separately from planning services.

Do you offer à la carte services outside the North Shore?

Our home is the North Shore: Northbrook, Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Glenview, and Northfield, and we work across the greater Chicagoland area. For timeline creation and vendor recommendations, distance barely matters; ask us.

À la Carte Event Planning Services in Northshore

Not every event needs a full planner. Sometimes you need one expert thing: the right vendor, a real timeline, a styled room, or a professional to step in when the clock is running out. Pick exactly what you need. Skip everything you don’t.

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talk to a specialist

Exactly the Help You Need. Nothing You Don’t.

À la carte is planning support without the package. Each service below stands on its own, is quoted on its own, and draws on the same 25 years of North Shore experience as our full engagements. Start with one; add another only if you want it.

not sure one service is enough?

The Service Menu

Ask about our services

Vendor Recommendations

The right caterer, florist, rental company, photographer, or entertainer for your style, budget, and date, drawn from 25 years of working beside the North Shore’s best. We make the introduction; you book directly, or ask us to coordinate them too.

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Event Timeline Creation

A professional minute-by-minute timeline for your event: vendor arrivals, setup, service, cues, and breakdown, built in a working session with you and distributed to your vendors so everyone runs your day from the same page.

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Rentals Coordination

Tables, chairs, linens, tents, place settings, and equipment: we determine what your event actually needs, source it from proven rental partners, and manage delivery, setup timing, and returns.

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Décor Styling

An experienced eye for your space: layout, flow, tablescapes, lighting placement, and the finishing details that turn a booked room into a designed one. Bring us your inspiration; we make it real in the room you have.

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Last-Minute Coordination

The clock is running and the plan isn’t done, or the person handling it fell through. We step in fast, triage what’s missing, and get your event across the finish line. Weeks out or days out, call before you panic.

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Simple by Design

One service or several, by form or by phone. If you’re not sure what to call it, describe the problem; we’ll name the service.
Each à la carte engagement is custom-scoped and custom-priced around the specific help you need.
Timelines are yours to keep. Vendors are yours to book. Styled rooms are yours to show off.

“I planned a bar mitzvah in less than three months at a venue that required me to bring in everything. I was about to give up when my sister-in-law recommended That Special Event. They saved my party and coordinated everything seamlessly.”

Angie

“Linda helped me plan from months out, and when I needed help with the tent company’s layout, they were at my house within 10 minutes to ensure optimal flow. They helped place the buffet and bar, and the setup was beyond beautiful.”

Darcy

Start with the One Thing You Need

A vendor, a timeline, a styled room, or a save. Tell us which, and consider it handled.

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Frequently asked questions

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