Are you planning a Vancouver wedding? If so, then just like the weather in Vancouver, you know that things can be unpredictable. What’s the best way to combat unpredictability and ease anxiety? A well-thought out wedding day timeline! Every time our couples see the flow of their wedding day on paper, their stress melts away! It’s one of our favourite points in the wedding planning process.

If you book our Final Stage or Full Service wedding planning service, we’ll have your minute-to-minute detailed timeline taken care of for you! But if you’re more the DIY type, or want to get a head start, here are 5 Tips for Planning your Wedding Day (from your trusted Spotlight Vancouver Wedding Planner 😊

Tip #1 – Consider Your Wedding Venue’s Access Times

We always recommend starting with the times that are already set. Your venue will have defined access times for vendors and guests. Typically you’re going to need about three hours minimum before guests arrive for vendors to load-in, set-up, and make sure everything is perfectly ready to go for their arrival. If you have two separate venues for your ceremony and reception, this can make things logistically more complicated (remember: your vendors can’t be in two places at once!).

Tip #2 – Decide on a First Look for your Wedding

In addition to the beautiful wedding photos and intimate experience, the first look craze serves a logistical purpose for a wedding day too. By seeing each other before the ceremony, you’ll also take all your formal portraits with your photographer then too (as a couple and with your wedding party). This part of the day usually takes about 1-2 hours, so by deciding on a first look, you’re also deciding how much time you need between your ceremony and reception for photos.

Pro Tip: Include your photographer in this conversation, they’ll likely have recommendations based on lighting, locations, and timing.

Tip #3 – Work off Your Wedding Ceremony Time

Your ceremony time works as an anchor in your wedding day timeline. This is the time that will go on your wedding invitations so guests know when to arrive. Use it to work backwards and see what time you need to start getting ready (consider how much time is needed for hair and makeup or barber appointments), and to work forwards to determine what time your reception will begin and dinner will be served. Remember that 1-2 hours for photos.

Tip #4 – Add Buffer Time in your Wedding Day Timeline

Leave some space to breathe in your timeline. Things often take longer than expected, and on such an emotional day, you’ll thank yourself for having a few extra minutes to rest, snack, or reflect on the moment.

Tip #5 – Ask Wedding Vendors for Input

No two vendors are alike. Different companies will have different policies and requirements for timing and logistics. Make sure you include each vendor in the discussion to avoid issues down the line. Remember your vendors are the pros, so lean on them for help. You also want to create ideal conditions for them to ensure you’re not stretching their limits too far, and you get their best service delivery out of them.

Need some help organizing your wedding timeline? Spotlight Events is Vancouver’s most trusted wedding planner and events firm, named the top three best wedding planners in BC. Contact Spotlight Events today for a complimentary consultation.