Chicago Wedding Planner & Creative Director
Alyson Thompson
meet
I don't think of weddings as events to be planned.
I think of them as experiences to be architected
It's shaped by a series of connected decisions, each influencing the atmosphere, the pacing, and the experience of the day.
Think of it like a well-designed space. Beauty isn't simply a collection of beautiful things. It's structure, flow, and intention — every element serving the whole.
A wedding works the same way. When the foundation is right, the decisions that follow feel natural, connected, and completely yours.
is rarely the result of a single beautiful idea.
A meaningful wedding
That's where we start. And it's what makes everything else feel like it belongs.
Different couples.
The same foundation
Every couple brings a different story, perspective, and set of priorities.
What remains constant is how I approach the responsibility of bringing their wedding to life.
Care.
To understand what matters to you, advocate for your interests, and approach every decision with your experience in mind.
Creativity.
To see possibilities, find thoughtful solutions, and translate your identity into an experience that feels entirely your own.
Calm.
To bring preparation, sound judgment, and steady leadership to the process, so you can feel confident in the decisions being made.
Designed from the inside out
The Architectural Method is how I bring structure to creativity and intention to every decision. It begins with understanding what matters to you, then uses that foundation to guide the people, priorities, and details that shape your experience.
It's not about following a predetermined formula. It's about knowing which questions to ask, what deserves attention, and how to make every decision serve the bigger picture.
and built entirely around you.
I believe the best planning relationships are built on trust, honest communication, and the confidence that someone is genuinely in your corner. My clients often tell me they felt heard, supported, and advocated for throughout the process. That's intentional.
I'm not here to take over your wedding or impose my preferences. I'm here to understand what you're trying to create, bring perspective to the decisions ahead, and know when to advise, when to advocate, and when to simply handle it.
I founded Birdcage & Blushers after years of experiencing the events industry from nearly every angle. My background spans weddings, hotels, venues, and client experience, giving me a practical understanding of how beautiful ideas become successful experiences — and where they can unravel.
I've been drawn to design since childhood. Drawing, painting, and rearranging spaces taught me to pay attention to composition, atmosphere, and how an environment makes people feel. My experience in hospitality and events taught me how to turn those instincts into something that works in the real world.
Today, I bring both perspectives to every wedding I lead: creative instinct and operational judgment. I understand production, investment, and vendor dynamics, but I also understand the personalities, conversations, and unexpected moments that come with planning something this meaningful. It's that combination that allows me to see both the big picture and the smallest details, without ever losing sight of the people at the center of it all.
What you get when you work with me.
Meet your planner
13 years in events and hospitality. Founder of Birdcage & Blushers since 2019.
Rock N Roll Bride, Chi Thee Wed, peerspace, and "Let Me Ask You This" wedding podcast
Based in Chicago. Planning weddings throughout the city, suburbs, and for destination clients across the U.S. and abroad.
Every bit of it in your corner.
You are welcome here.
Proudly black-owned & woman-owned
They’re foundational.
Celebrating couples from
all identities, color and love stories
Kindness, respect, and inclusivity
aren't marketing language here
