Featured Business – Cotten Designs
Cotten Designs Specializes in Stress-Free Client Experiences in Wedding and Event Planning
Planning a wedding, a landmark anniversary, or a retirement party should be all about creating joyful, memorable moments—not stressing over logistics. No one wants to spend their big day tracking down missing tableware, untangling a floral fiasco, or scrambling to fix the seating arrangement at the last second.
That’s where a seasoned event coordinator becomes your secret weapon, handling every detail so you can soak in the celebration.
At Cotten Designs, founder Marissa Cotton lives for this. She doesn’t just plan events—she masters them, tackling any curveballs that come up with a cool head and a knack for solutions.
“I’m one of the few who actually love planning events,” Marissa said. “I thrive on it and can fix every problem—often without the guest of honor ever knowing there was an issue.”
Customized Plans to Fit Your Budget
Cotten Designs often steps in for clients who’ve already locked in their venue, catering, and music but need a pro to tie it all together on the day itself.
Like your wedding day wingman, Marissa and her team take charge, crafting timelines, syncing with vendors, guiding the bridal party through the schedule, and even helping the bride with her dress and veil.
“We’re your wedding day best friend,” Marissa explained.
Whether you’re pinching pennies or splurging without a cap, Cotten Designs has you covered. They offer flexible packages, from budget-friendly day-of coordination to full-service planning for those who want the works.
“We provide affordable day-of coordination plans and other packages for bigger budgets,” Marissa said.
Their services scale up to partial or complete event planning—think venue scouting, dress shopping, and orchestrating every last detail with precision.
“Everyone deserves to have a stress-free wedding,” Marissa emphasized.
Bringing Bold Visions to Life
Cotten Designs doesn’t just execute—they innovate. Marissa and her crew are all about turning your wildest wedding fantasies into reality, no matter how out-there they might seem.
Take the bride who, after bingeing a Netflix special, dreamed of a canopy of butterflies fluttering free at her ceremony’s close. Marissa dove into the logistics, researched it top to bottom, and gently broke it to the bride that live butterflies might not cooperate as hoped—while pitching creative backups to keep the magic alive. It’s that mix of imagination and practicality that sets Cotten Designs apart.
“I warned her the butterflies might not make it, and I suggested other options that might work better. We’re still working on making it happen,” Marissa chuckled.
A Tight-Knit Team with a Warm, Family Feel
Cotten Designs operates with a small, all-female staff, including one content creator, two part-time planners, and three assistants. Marissa says their goal is to bond with clients and treat them “like a best friend.”
“Whether it’s a 2 a.m. text with a Pinterest idea or simply checking in with our brides, we try to connect like family,” she said.
Rooted Locally, Ready to Roam
Marissa has been a part of the Hampshire community for many years. She and her husband, both Hampshire High School graduates, have a classic meet-cute start:
“It’s a funny story—we knew each other because my best friend dated his best friend, but we were never interested in each other in high school,” she laughed. Years later, they reconnected in college, sparking a romance. Today, they share an 8-year-old daughter and remain in the Hampshire area.
While Cotten Designs is rooted in Hampshire and serves the Northwest Suburbs and Schaumburg, the team eagerly travels nationwide for events. They’ve coordinated celebrations in Tennessee, Oregon, and South Dakota, and are now preparing for a wedding in Greece.
About this Business:
Name: Cotten Designs
Owner: Marissa Cotten
Phone: 773-256-7804
Email: mc.cottendesigns@gmail.com
Website: www.CottenDesigns.com