The rhododendrons have burst into colour at last; the chickadees are serenading the early sunrise; the Cherry Blossom Festival has rung in the season: Spring is here, and with it the hint of wedding bells sweetens the air. Vancouver’s diverse variety of landscapes offers beauty of every sort, so when it comes to choosing a venue, the city has lots of options. For more on great venues, click here and find descriptions of our top choices. In addition, here are some useful tips for organizing a spring wedding:
Relax and Enjoy. You’re engaged! You have lots to look forward to – no need to start off with stress and anxiety. Instead, take some time to browse through books, magazines, albums, websites, and shops for ideas and inspiration. Try to follow your heart and let your head take the backseat (at least, for the moment).
Set a Realistic Date. Give yourself lots of time to plan and organize, if you can. Choose a date that both you and your partner feel comfortable with, and spread the word early to give your guests as much notice as possible. Spring is a season where people start planning vacations and other events, so claim your day as soon as possible. Professional services (i.e. caterers, photographers) and venues can sometimes be booked up a year in advance, so get your name in early.
Keep the Big Picture in Mind. From colour themes to venues to caterers to ceremonies, it all comes down to celebrating your marriage – and inviting the ones you love to bear witness. Spring is the perfect time to recreate the moments most special in your relationship, whether intimate or humorous. Plan according to what’s in both of your hearts in order to create a memorable event true to your personalities.
Set One or Two Priorities. Most people already have a few things in mind when they start to plan: everything eco-friendly, a religious ceremony in a big church, destination: Mexico, etc. The best and least-stressful plan is to identify one or two things that are most important to you and your partner, and let everything else fall into place as they may.
Focus on Flexibility. No matter how much you plan and organize, life happens. Try not to become too fixated on little details – you’re not marrying the Venetian fabrics, the opal limousine, the live band, or even the sunshine. Should any of these fall through, you’ll want a back-up plan, so wherever possible, arrange a Plan B.
Share the Work. Forget the old “If you want anything done right, do it yourself” line and put some faith in others. Seek advice from experts who know how best to create your perfect day, ask friends and family to help decorate, host a small favour-making or envelope-stuffing party, create a Pinterest board or online forum where others can contribute help and ideas – anything to take the stress off. Ultimately you’re the boss, but you don’t have to take care of everything yourself.
Fall in Love Again. Spring is the season for rebirth and rejuvenation, as any bird or bee will tell you. Watch nature grow and blossom around you, and let it reignite the connection between you and your partner. Don’t let the planning process overshadow your affections – take advantage of the brightening weather and revisit some favourite landmarks together, dine al fresco and watch the sunset, take a walk or bike ride to refresh yourselves, and enjoy the season’s gifts.
