Alicia Shonuga

Wedding & Events Planner

Hi there! I’m Alicia, the lead wedding planner here at truejoyweddings. Although I have a bit of a non-traditional background, stick with me for just a second. I graduated in December of 2015 receiving a B.Sc in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo in Canada. I started in the wedding/events scene the following month as an assistant coordinator for Annie Melissa Events in Toronto, Canada. That same year, friends of mine were getting engaged/married, so I offered to help plan their weddings. In 2019, truejoyweddings was officially launched, initially serving the Waterloo and Toronto regions.

In the midst of all this, I met the love of my life and planned my own intimate elopement at Toronto City Hall in July 2018. After finally having my visa interview, I immigrated to Chicago, IL on February 25th, 2020 to reunite with my Chicago-native husband. Naturally, truejoyweddings also migrated and began serving the Chicagoland area at the start of 2021. With years of planning experience, I’ve worked with all types of weddings; from various venues, themes, styles, guest counts, cultures, and budgets.

Furthermore, I believe my Chemistry background really sets me apart! I’ve developed a strong sense of attention to detail because being just slightly off in the lab can mean the difference of a successful experiment or an explosion. These skills I’ve naturally transferred over to wedding planning. Equipped with my meticulous attention to detail and organization, and fueled by my strong passion for all things weddings, I will help turn your wedding dreams into a stress-free, JOY-filled reality!

Deric Shonuga

Wedding & Events Planner

Hey! I’m Deric; the husband, day-of assistant, and second half of truejoyweddings. I jumped on board in 2021, after seeing the passion for weddings exuding in my wife when she would plan and even just talk about her couples. Adding not just an extra set of hands and eyes over the day of the wedding, I play a vital role in ensuring all parties involved are heard, seen, and taken care of. From calming the groom down with a pep talk right before the ceremony to finding grandma a wheelchair at the venue, I not only add an extra bit of assurance to the exceptional service truejoyweddings provides, but I also provide a different perspective, making sure we are covered on all fronts.