You’ve landed your dream partner, but now it’s time to create your dream ceremony! It’s your wedding day and planning it can be daunting, but don’t worry, we’re here to help put your mind at ease and find out exactly how to make your day perfect. After all, you never know how to plan a wedding until you need to. Follow the tips below to start planning your wedding ceremony today.
Choosing a Wedding Date
First things first, you’re probably wondering how long it takes to plan a wedding. If you’re not having a quick elopement, choose a date that is at least six months away. Six months is the minimum amount of time you need to plan a perfect wedding.
Six months allows you enough time to make sure the people you want to hire are available, and it’s polite to give your chosen guests plenty of time to organize their calendars. It allows them time to plan ahead – especially if they need to consider travel and vacation time from work.
Also, the first question your event planner, wedding venue and vendors will all ask you is the date you plan to marry. Although, your wedding planner can help you decide on a wedding date. It’s the first step before everything else can fall into place.
Know Your Wedding Budget
Having a budget in mind will quickly help you and your partner understand what type of wedding ceremony you would like, the venues you’re able to afford and what you would like to include in your day.
Every wedding is different, and costs can vary greatly depending on what you’re looking for. It’s a good idea to make a detailed spreadsheet of everything you would like to include – catering, decorations, venue, entertainment, travel – and an estimated budget allocated to each category. This will quickly guide you in your decision making and help you visualize an order to the events and when they need to be booked.
Send Out ‘Save the Date’ Invites
We’re sure you have a list of special people in your life you want to be at your ceremony! Write down their names and count the number of people. The number of potential guests, even if it’s a rough figure, will instantly give you clarity on the style of event you’ll need to organize, as well as the amount of space required.
Once you’ve settled on the guestlist, send out your ‘Save the Date’ invites as soon as possible. The earlier your guests know your chosen date, the higher chance they will be able to attend.
Choosing a Wedding Venue
When planning a wedding you need to think about where you want your special ceremony to take place. You might imagine saying ‘I do’ under the stars, barefoot on the beach, or somewhere quiet and cozy. Let your imagination run wild! Whatever you picture, knowing a location or wedding venue will help you to move forward with creating your perfect scenario. It’s wise to have a few places in mind, just in case your first choice isn’t available on the set date.
If you know the area you want to marry but are unsure how to find a place to set up you and your partner’s big moment, a wedding planner or nearby venue will have plenty of options for you to choose from. Read our blog on beautiful Vancouver wedding venues to get inspired!
Arrange a Seating Plan
Making a seating plan can seem overwhelming and complicated, but keep in mind there is no right or wrong way to arrange one. The best way to start arranging a seating plan is to roughly draw out the layout of your ceremony or download a typical layout from the internet. Write down the names of where you would like people to sit.
Depending on how casual the set up will be, close family should have reserved seats at the front. This is especially important for family members who may be walking you down the aisle or giving you away. There’s usually a head table for your closest family and wedding party, then the smaller tables will be listed and on display near the entrance so everyone can find their seats.
Consider Special Details When Planning a Wedding
Now you have a plan formed, you can start thinking about other important and exciting details. What song would you like to walk down the aisle to? What flowers would you like to hold? This can be the really fun part between you and your partner. Choose smaller details that feel meaningful and reflect your relationship. It’s a magical time for your guests to get to know you both and what you love. Whether its classic styles or a quirkier taste, on a beach or in your back yard, don’t be afraid to show off your personality on a day that is all about the both of you!
If you’re left feeling overwhelmed and need guidance on making it all happen, we’re here to help every step of the way. We can make your perfect wedding ceremony happen by taking care of everything big and small. Get ready to make your forever memories and get in touch with us today!
Are you trying to figure out how to plan a birthday party and have an ambitious vision? Hire a party planner and have them take care of all the details so you can do more celebrating and less organizing.
Keep an eye out for the following when choosing your planner and you’re sure to find someone who can bring your birthday dreams to life in no time at all!
Great Reviews
It’s so important to check out feedback from past customers who have used the party planner you’re thinking of choosing. A quick way to find feedback is by searching for reviews on their website, social media and Google search listing. A good planner will have testimonials across all their channels, including front and centre on their homepage!
Dive in and see if you can find any compliments that relate to the kind of birthday party you’re thinking of hosting. Maybe people have commended them on their ability to handle a large-scale event or perhaps there are concrete examples of ways they went above and beyond for their clients—all will reassure you that they’re the right planner to carry out your event!
Relevant Party Planning Experience
There are lots of different types of birthday party. Whether you’re looking to host a kid’s party, a celebration for an adult or a corporate birthday event, make sure you pick a planner that has plenty of experience organizing the kind of event you want.
Some planners might specialize in children’s parties or adult parties—others can do them all! The bottom line is they need to know how to plan a birthday party that you would want to attend. Is it a surprize birthday for someone else? Either way, there are different considerations to be made for each and you need to be sure your planner can pull off the big day.
Gather all the evidence you can about the planner and their past services, and question whether their experience resonates with what you’re looking for. Get it right and you will feel confident enough to hand over the responsibility to create the event of your dreams.
Inspirational Suggestions
Even though you already have lots of ideas about the birthday party you would like, it’s useful if your planner has some unique suggestions about how you can make your party bespoke to the person you’re celebrating. There will be many challenges, so having a planner bring you inspirational ideas while taking care of the logistics too makes being a part of the planning much more fun.
Your planner might ask you about details that may not have crossed your mind yet. This is a great sign that they already have your best interests covered. From bespoke favours to entertainment or unique menu suggestions, they will take your imagination to the next level and find a way to make your outlandish ideas a reality!
Free Vancouver Party Planner Consultation
The best party planners will arrange a complimentary meeting with you to get a real flavour for the type of party you want to throw. It’s the perfect moment to share your story and ideas, as well as a chance to get to know the planner better.
Ideally, the planner should make you feel heard and say all the right things to get you feeling excited about your celebration. If they come across as disinterested or don’t seem fully engaged, maybe they’re not the right planner for you.
You’ll have lots of burning questions and this consultation is a wonderful way to have them answered up front. Ask them anything from pragmatic questions about seating to the fun stuff like what you and your guests will be eating!
You’ve guessed it – we offer a free consultation! Book with us today and we can share all the ways we can create your dream event, so you can make a forever memory. If you need a Vancouver party planner, you know who to call. We can’t wait to meet you!
If you liked this article, check out our post on 8 Essential Qualities of an Event Planner.
The key to a personalized engagement event is to get to know the couple as a couple, as well as who they are as individuals. Once you understand what makes them who they are you start having all kinds of engagement party ideas. You can include elements of each of them in the decorations, activities and food for their engagement party or event.
Reconnecting With an Old Love
In November of 2018, I had a gentleman in his 70s reach out to me to plan an intimate engagement for his high school sweetheart whom, until 2017, he hadn’t seen since they graduated from high school in 1969. The gentleman told me that they had both lost their partners back in 2014 and 2015 due to illnesses. When they ran into each other at a coffee shop in the middle of downtown Vancouver they just knew it was a sign for them to reconnect.
That first encounter, after 52 years, was very significant to both of them together and individually. At the beginning they just reconnected as old friends and as the months went by they realized that spark from 52 years ago was still there, and they didn’t want to waste another moment without being together.
An Engagement Plan 50 Years in the Making
After hearing this beautiful love story, the gentleman and I brainstormed on what kind of engagement plan would represent them as a couple and individually. It came down to the theme of going back in time.
For this specific engagement, we worked with both of their families on decoration as he wanted something simple but special. We started by getting pictures from their albums, so that we could create a timeline with their most treasured memories, starting with individual portraits of them and down the line showing pictures of them together and ending with current pictures. The gentleman wanted to do this surprise proposal in his backyard to make it as intimate as possible. We hired a company to build a rectangular frame so that we could hang the fairy lights and attach the string of pictures to give the effect of walking along memory lane. On the grass we had red rose petals that were brought in from Ecuador specifically for this intimate engagement party.
A Wonderful Success
As I was setting up his backyard, the couple went for dinner at her favourite sushi restaurant. I did a quick sound and light check and had everything ready for their arrival. We had the family hidden, we had champagne in an ice bucket and music was ready to be played from the minute she walked in. When the couple walked into the house and went to the backyard, she started crying happy tears as the gentleman took her hand and guided her through the aisle so that they could go back in time together. When they reached the end of the photos, he pulled out an engagement ring and proposed. The happy couple and their families celebrated such a special occasion that became a forever memory.
Making that couple’s day perfect, those happy tears and helping them celebrate their love after a lifetime apart is why we do what we do. If you are looking for engagement party ideas – an intimate proposal dinner, help choosing an engagement ring, or have already popped the question and want to crack open the champagne with your closest people at an engagement party – we want to help. Get in touch today and we’ll do our best to make your story as special as this one.
For more engagement party ideas, we’ve written a full article on the fundamentals here.
Congratulations! You’ve found your forever person, but now comes the tricky part: proposing with the perfect engagement ring! Luckily, we’re here to give you some advice on what to look for and where to find the best engagement rings in Canada.
Consider Which Engagement Rings Are in Your Price Range
An engagement ring is a significant gesture, but there is no reason to spend outside of your budget. You do have the cost of a wedding to keep in mind! First of all, it’s best to get an understanding of your partner’s preferences. If they would prefer something subtle, it will be much less expensive than something big and sparkly. When choosing what to spend, a good rule of thumb is to set aside around two to three months’ worth of your salary.
Decide on a Metal Type
The four most popular metal types for engagements rings in Canada are White Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold and Platinum. When choosing a metal for the band of the ring, an easy tip is to take a look at the colours in your partner’s wardrobe and the jewellery they already wear. Look at the rings they currently wear to find out their ring size or sneakily ask their bestie if you can.
If you’re looking for a metal that will stand the test of time, choose a more durable material like yellow gold and platinum. From the data on engagement rings people bought in Canada, white gold and rose gold are quickly becoming the number-one choice, but they do need slightly more care to retain their beauty, as they are softer metals and can corrode over time. You can pick various weights of these too, depending on how dense you would like the ring band.
Choose Between Diamonds, Gemstones… or Both!
Diamonds
Let’s talk diamonds. Choose something that best fits your partner’s personality and lifestyle. They may prefer a classic style such as Solitaires, or a three-stone engagement ring. Perhaps they have a love for all things contemporary and would suit a sparkling pavé style, or a band with diamond and gemstone accents instead. If they love the outdoors, they might prefer organic elements, such as a twisted band mixed with decorative floral additions.
Gemstones
Let’s not forget about Gemstones. Although diamonds are said to be higher in value than gemstones, you might like to propose with something less traditional. This is where you can have a little fun and choose from a variety of colours! Popular gemstones are sapphires, rubies and emeralds because they are tough, making them an ideal piece to wear daily. Another enjoyable aspect is to look up what certain gemstone colours symbolize, which helps create more meaning behind the colour you choose for your partner.
Consider Adding an Engraving
A rising trend is to add a special engraving for an additional surprise and to make the ring even more unique to your partner. If you’re thinking about creating a custom piece, adding a few thoughtful words or letters to your band makes for a wonderful family heirloom for generations to come.
Where to Find Engagement Rings in Canada
Ready to shop for something they’ll never forget? Take your pick from these jewellers to get started.
Crest Jewellers
This family-owned business has more than 30 years of experience in guiding couples through their important ring decisions with kindness and clarity.
Ecksand
Book a virtual design consultation and learn all about their wonderful values, such as providing sustainable jewellery, all carefully crafted and at unparalleled prices.
Luxury Diamonds
Based in downtown Vancouver, they pride themselves on offering a personalized service while making it an easy and fun experience.
Cavalier Gastown
Have a team of specialists help you in a boutique setting, by appointment. You’ll be given expert advice as well as guidance on custom ring-design requests.
Era Design
Choose your ideal ring in a “no pressure” east Vancouver studio, all made by local craftspeople. Be inspired by their selection of rare gemstones and unusual pieces.
Need help with setting up a beautiful engagement backdrop or event? We can create the ideal celebration from start to finish. Contact us today and let’s get planning!
Now you’ve decided on a ring, take a look at our engagement ideas or our guide on how to surprise your partner! It’s also never too early to start thinking about venues.
Congratulations! You have something to celebrate – an anniversary, a proposal, Valentine’s Day, maybe a birthday or some great news. Let us help you plan it as a surprise like no other and give your partner, family or friends the event they’ll remember, and you deserve.
Don’t Settle for a Small Surprise
When you’re looking to execute the perfect surprise, you can find all kinds of suggestions online for stunning locations, picnic spread ideas, couples massage recommendations and AirBnB getaways. At You Forever, we believe in going the extra mile and delivering an event just as you picture it. We’ll provide you with personalized recommendations and a fully serviced event of whatever scale you choose. Whether you prefer to manage each detail of the occasion or give us a theme and let us plan the rest, we guarantee the only surprises will be happy ones.
Setting Your Partner Up for a Surprise Event
Our clients always get excited about an upcoming event but want to create a buildup rather than give the surprise away. We can help there too. Having done this before, and with several sweet tales to recount, we think that creating a ruse to help throw off any scent of the grand plan is a must.
We’ve created a business out of knowing both the magic and the realities of planning surprises and two factors can come up as potential problems. If it’s an anniversary, birthday or another annual event:
- they know that this date is coming up
- they know your way of doing things
While these factors make surprising your partner a bit of a challenge, they’re also what you can lean into to create misdirection! Magicians are known to apply similar strategies to get big reactions.
Diffusion
Better than one big explosion is a delightful scattering or a buildup to something grand. So, our first set of ideas belong in the pre-surprise phase (2-3 days before the event).
– Ask them misleading questions that lead them to make ‘obvious’ gift assumptions.
Example: “Do you like any TV show enough to buy their merch?”
– Use their computer to make random searches for gift ideas.
Example : “home spa ideas summer”
– Leave some old photos and some stationery lying around, “accidentally on purpose.”
Illusion
Add a bit of drama, like a hushed conversation with “customer care” over a delayed delivery. You’re playing this up so your actual plans don’t cross your person’s mind.
Misdirection
Plan a smaller surprise before the bigger one. Your significant other gets a small bonus, and their expectations are managed before you exceed them wildly. We can suggest some ideas on this front too!
Astonishment
Be prepared to document your chosen surprise with pictures and video! Let us know if we can help here too as an additional service.
Why Choose You Forever?
When you leave the planning to us, we can guarantee the look on your partner’s face will be worth it. Stories about surprises tend to be about the little things you had to keep anxiously hidden, the intricate planning, near misses and last-minute final touches. All that fuss is what we enjoy, as our team’s passion is to help create a memory you can cherish and recount to friends and family in years to come.
Do you like the way we think? We have plenty of other tricks up our sleeves! Let’s partner up and pull off your surprise together.