Top Wedding Planner Releases New Memoir " Life of the Party Girl"

By Lauren Brocato By Lauren Brocato | November 8, 2024

After more than two decades in the hospitality and event planning industry, NSWE Events founder Megan Estrada is a seasoned pro who knows the tricks of the trade—and has plenty of stories to tell. Naturally, her debut memoir, released on October 11th, is titled Life of the Party Girl. It’s a raw, inspiring reflection on the peaks and pits of her career and personal life. “The stories [in the book] show how I navigated a life of unexpected circumstances—one that was dictated by a twisted series of trauma and celebration,” Estrada shares, adding that she began writing it as a form of therapy. “It illustrates the behind-the-scenes and personal struggles of a leader in the hospitality industry.”

Despite the challenges detailed in the memoir, Estrada has built NSWE Events into one of Chicago and the North Shore’s top wedding and event planning companies. “I was the last person anyone would have thought would be a wedding planner,” she says. “As I became more exposed to weddings, I realized that the rest of the world was just like me. Everyone is beautiful and different, and how they get to their special wedding day is their own journey.” This year, she sees tradition falling by the wayside—in a good way. “Cakes are getting smaller, ‘bridal posses’ or ‘something blue crews’ involve friends without the obligations of a bridal party, and we’re seeing lots of color.”

Trends come and go, but memories last a lifetime, which is why Estrada has found such success with her personalized approach to planning. “Each event is unique, just like the people planning it; therefore, I want every event to feel completely different and individualized to
that client,” she says. “I don’t plan fabulous events—I help my clients plan their fabulous events.”