tips from a wedding planner in vancouver for a stress free wedding - wedding planner vancouver - event planner vancouver - susanna stewart events

Are you one of the lucky ladies or gentlemen who has a summer wedding planned for this year? Congratulations! As a wedding planner in Vancouver, summer weddings are some of my favourites. While it’s an exciting time for brides, grooms, friends and families, a wedding may very well be the biggest event you’ve hosted to date, and sometimes that comes with some stress and uncertainty. If you’ve got a professional on board to collaborate with you and help schedule your big event, you’re off to a great start. That being said, I’d also like to share some of my best tips for staying stress-free on your wedding day.

Advice from a wedding planner in Vancouver on how to keep calm and party on

Without a doubt, one of the best ways to stay calm on your wedding day is to know you have a comprehensive plan in place.

That’s where I come in. As a wedding planner in Vancouver, I’ll know you and your partner extremely well by this point. Together we’ll have gotten all the details of your big event fleshed out, from the vintage flatware and boozy, artisanal cocktails, to the playlist and super-ninja set-up and take-down team. Knowing you have a plan – and a schedule – can make all the difference, especially when you know there’s a professional overseeing it. This leaves you free to enjoy the experience.

If you think you’ll need it, you can ask me to work in some quiet moments on your wedding day schedule.

Knowing you’ll have some designated time to relax, breathe or think about hilarious inside jokes you and your partner have shared will help keep wedding-day anxiety to a minimum.

That being said, give your nuptials permission to have some genuine moments.

Sometimes not everything goes to plan, and that’s okay. You and your partner are a unique couple; shouldn’t your wedding have some aspects that are uniquely “you” too? Maybe cocktail hour gets extended because everyone is having such a great time. Maybe dinner finishes early and an epic, unplanned dance-off ensues. These things happen. As a wedding planner in Vancouver, I’ve seen tons of whimsical, off-script moments and guess what? They make for great stories.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that another big part of staying calm on your wedding day also has to do with self-care, both on the day of and in the weeks and months leading up to the event itself. I get it; it’s an exciting time! It’s hard not to fall victim to those late-night Pinterest binges, where suddenly you realize it’s two in the morning and there you are: dishevelled, a carton of half-eaten takeout wilting beside you, while you click frantically on yet another DIY place setting made from upcycled teacups. Trust me: this is not a rabbit hole you want to go down. Instead, set daily limits on the amount of wedding research or planning you do and stick to a normal sleep schedule. Also: no matter how badly you think you need to lose five pounds to fit into your gown or bespoke tuxedo, don’t make malnourishment part of your game plan. You already look fabulous. Instead, find a way to work exercise into your daily routine, whether that’s a yoga session or a walk on the beach to clear your mind. Eat your greens and proteins and stay hydrated. Keeping a balance of optimal mental and physical health will leave you better prepared to deal with stress on your wedding day.

A common reason brides, grooms and even guests get worked up at these events is because they neglect to remember what the whole thing is about in the first place.

Even though it’s natural to want your wedding to be full of luxe details (which it totally can be) and to unfold seamlessly and dazzlingly (that’s my job!), remember why you’re here in the first place. Your partner! Love! The start of a forever adventure! A wedding is not a theatre production, it’s a reflection of your partnership, personalities and values. Even though it’s nice to imagine every moment being impossibly Instagram-worthy, take a deep breath and remember the genuine love that has brought you and your partner to this place. Think about the challenges you’ve overcome and how it’s shaped you as a couple. Think of hilarious moments where you literally laughed so hard you snorted something out of your nose. These are the things that truly make you a couple.

One last word: There’s an abundance of advice out there on exactly how to calm your wedding day jitters, but there’s no solution that works for every person.

Give yourself permission to relieve stress in a way that suits you. If that means getting your Zen on in the dressing room with a meditation session, do it. Maybe it means grabbing your bestie and cranking some gangster rap before you get your hair and makeup done. That’s cool too.With a detailed game plan and a healthy routine and mindset, you’ll be on your way to a vibrant, relaxed and memorable wedding. Want to chat more about my services as a wedding planner in Vancouver? Feel free to contact me or stay in touch on social media!

Tips from a wedding planner in Vancouver for a stress-free wedding