Small weddings, intimate weddings, and elopements are all still weddings! And weddings need to be planned. And planning takes time, dedication, attention to detail, and an understanding of all the little things that come together to give you a kick-ass day. If you have all of those things, go forth and plan the best day ever on your own. You got this! But, if just the thought of all that makes you cringe, my advice is to hire a wedding coordinator for the day!

A wedding planner or elopement planner can save you time, reduce your stress by helping you make decisions, and free you up to focus on having a memorable experience. In this photographer’s opinion, if you can afford a day of wedding planner, you should book one, especially for destination weddings!

4 Reasons Why Elopements & Small Weddings Need Planners!

From a photographer planner’s perspective, there are 4 BIG reasons why I see wedding planners as a major asset to wedding day stress:

#1 Smoooooth Planning

When you hire a wedding planner for your small wedding or adventure elopement, you can rest assured knowing your day is planned out to a tee! You won’t ever be rushed, and we’ll have plenty of photography time to really capture what you want. So whether you want photos of you getting ready with your sister and mom, or time to hike and snap pics on the mountain with your love and your fur babies, we’ll be able to make it happen!

#2 A Go-To Person That Isn’t You!

Every wedding has a go-to person. Without a planner or a super-dedicated MOH, that person will become you or your partner. That can be a good thing if details and planning are your jam. But, if they’re not? It can be a major wedding-day stressor. (You don’t wanna be the one answering questions like, “Hey, did Uncle Joe get his vegan meal?”)

When you hire a wedding planner, you and your partner get to relax and enjoy being fiancees during your wedding planning journey. Your wedding planner will make sure that your only job on your wedding day is to have FUN!

#3 Support With Decision-Making

When you find a small wedding planner that you click with, they’ll be able to help you make decisions by presenting them in a way that really lands for you. Do you like to have options? Would you prefer to consider what you want first and then discuss it? Your wedding planner will make it happen for you. Plus, when they know you well, they can even take some smaller, day-of decisions off your plate. (Like what to do about Uncle Joe’s missing vegan meal!)

#4 Connections & Hookups

Wedding planners are also natural connectors, and they know how to get sh*t done. You know that one family member you have that “has a guy” for everything? Need your car fixed? They know someone! Moving? They know a great realtor! Need legal advice? They’ll call their friend! Well, almost every wedding planner I have had the pleasure of working with is like that. They’re people who know people and call on those people to help bring your exact vision to life.

My Favourite Wedding Planners in Vancouver

Have I convinced you that your wedding would be way easier on you if you had a day of wedding coordinator? Yay! That’s great. Here are a few of my favs:

Sharon & Laura from Imagine That Events

Sharon, Laura, and the Imagine That Events team have been planning weddings in the Vancouver area for over 18 years and can help you with how to plan an elopement! Their goal is always to help you ditch the wedding stress and just enjoy the experience. I’ve worked with Sharon and Laura before and really loved their energy! I highly recommend booking with them.

Natasha from Clearwater Events

Vancouver-based, female-led, and sustainable. What more could you ask for in a wedding planning business? Clearwater Events helps BC couples celebrate their surroundings with local vendors and a business model that gives back to the community. I have loved working alongside Natasha in the past. She’s a total dreamer and a rockstar wedding planner!

Do We Need A Wedding Planner If We’re Having A Just Us Experience?

I guess the answer is it depends—on who you are, the kind of day you want to have, and the help you have around you. Are you in need of a destination wedding planner? 

A couple I photographed who eloped in the middle of COVID. At the elopement, there were six of us in total, including the officiant but the couple still felt a bit stressed! They confessed to me that they worried about day-of details like the flowers, the boutonniere, the license, and how they’d each get to the ceremony. They had to make tons of decisions too, like if they should get dressed together or separately, and whether or not they wanted to plan a meal, and whether they invited friends.

If you’re people who feel stressed out just reading about the decisions and details, consider a wedding planner! It will only make your day easier and more relaxed for you. But of course, if you’re super detail-oriented, you love a planning challenge, or you’re gonna keep the day truly easy to plan, then DIY it! There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s just about making the decision that allows you to feel the most relaxed, at ease, and present.

Got The Planning Down, But Love The Idea of Wedding Day Support? Hire A Wedding Day-Of Coordinator!

If you don’t necessarily need help with the planning, but you’d love to have a go-to person around to handle the little details and decisions of the day, look for a wedding planner that offers day-of services. They’ll be able to help you with all the “real-time” stuff, freeing you up to kick back and enjoy.
I love this option for couples who are admittedly a bit Type A and love a good spreadsheet, but don’t want to worry about the small deets if they don’t have to!

Wedding Planning Is Hard! This Helps.

Intimate weddings and elopements are kinda my thing! So if you’re planning a small wedding, I’d love to help. Download my Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Small Wedding or Adventure Elopement and let me help set you up for success!