Expert Wedding Day Timeline Tips: Plan Your Ideal Day
Planning your elopement or micro wedding timeline is hard, right? Fun and exciting, definitely! But hard, too. How will you want to spend your big day? How will you get from A to B to C? Do you need permits for your photo spots? Where will you park? It’s a lot to think about! *Cracks a beer* Thankfully, you are not alone in this struggle. I’m an elopement + micro wedding photographer, a born-and-raised British Columbian, and a Project Manager by trade—and I’m on your side and here to help!
Just note that this is a take on elopements + micro weddings from a photography lens! There’s SO much more a full-blown wedding planner would add.
Where Project Management Meets Elopement Planning
I spent many years working my “real job” as a Project Manager while growing my photography business on the side. I’m not a certified PM or anything like that (that’s next-level intense/impressive), but in the final years of my PM life, I was focusing mostly on events. So I don’t wanna toot my own horn or anything, but I know how to put together a pretty solid timeline, where no one is rushed and everything runs smoothly—even when things go sideways. (And they always go at least a little bit sideways!)
This is super relevant because your wedding day is, of course, an event! And to run smoothly, it really does need to be project managed. You’re going to want to think through all the little details like transportation, schedules, and timelines. Because when these details get overlooked, chaos (or at least stress) will ensue.
The tips I’ve outlined below will help you *think* like a verified, Type-A project manager as you plan this day, even if, in real life, you couldn’t be more Type B!
Wedding Day Timeline Planning Tips
This is such a fun topic for me because it’s where my old life and my current one meet and (hopefully) make one VERY helpful blog post baby! Here are a few tips from my project manager days that will help you plan your elopement timeline:
#1 Make Buffer Time Your BFF
Always always always give yourself buffer time. Add it to every single part of your day.
For travel, overestimate drivetime. Just going a few blocks? I don’t care 😂 Give yourself 20 minutes. (True story: it once took me 45 minutes to drive 2 blocks downtown.) Leaving Vancouver? Give yourself even more buffer time. The Sea-to-Sky highway can be really accident-prone during the rainy and snow seasons.
With your vendors, take their words for arrival and appointment times...then, add your own buffer time. Because, yeah, they’ll probably be right on time. But if they’re not? It’s your day that’s thrown.
PRO TIP: Give your hair stylist and makeup artist an extra 30 minutes. Since they’re typically the first vendors you meet with, any delays there can cause a ripple effect, setting you back and stressing you out for the rest of the day!
If you’ve planned fun adventures, like a hike or a seaplane ride, DEFINITELY give yourself more buffer time than you think you need. Because A) you just never know what could go wrong—maybe you get lost or you’re late taking off—and B) you never know what could go right! Maybe you’re on the mountain top having the BEST time together, and you just want an extra 15 minutes to cuddle and take it all in. Make sure you bake that in!
#2 Schedule Photos Your Way
You’re choosing a non-traditional wedding day, which means you traded the “should-dos” for the “f*ck yeahs!” and you’re getting married your way. Who says your photos can’t happen exactly on your terms, too?
Want photos during golden hour, even though it’s typically time for drinks? Bring a flask and let's share a celebratory shot! I want to give you the absolute BEST memories of your amazing day. The light should be just perfect. The location should be perfect. And whatever you want is what you should get. No exceptions!
Related: Find hidden gem elopement locations in Vancouver
#3 Give Yourselves A (Literal) Break
Whether you're having a classic elopement, an intimate wedding, or even a big party, schedule a 15-minute break for yourselves at some point between the ceremony and reception. No friends, no family, no photographers. Just the two of you. This little break gives you a chance to catch your breath, connect, reflect on the day, and really let it sink in that you’re married!
I know that as you’re planning, you might be getting SO excited about the day’s events that you’re tempted to skip this break because you don’t want to miss anything. But I promise, these are fifteen minutes you’ll be so glad you took for yourself. (And I can help you work out when during the day is the best time for your break if you need it!)
How To Fill Your Elopement Day
Whether you're having a classic elopement or a micro wedding with your must-haves, schedule a 15-minute break for yourselves at some point between the exchanging vows and your reception/next event. No friends, no family, no photographers. Just the two of you. This little break gives you a chance to catch your breath, connect, reflect on the day, and really let it sink in that you’re married!
I know that as you’re planning, you might be getting SO excited about the day’s events that you’re tempted to skip this break because you don’t want to miss anything. But I promise, these are fifteen minutes you’ll be so glad you took for yourself. (And I can help you work out when during the day is the best time for your break if you need it!)
How To Fill Your Just-Us Elopement Day
If you’re liking the idea of a full-day elopement, you might also be hard-pressed to come up with enough ideas to fill the time you have together. Especially when the ceremony itself only takes, like, 20 minutes! I can help with this, too.
Some of my favourite just-us elopement day ideas are:
Going on a hike together (keep it as chill or epic as you want!)
Having a picnic lunch on the beach
Hitting up a local brewery for a flight
Renting a canoe or kayak on a nearby lake
Going camping and taking in the greenery
Have a backyard fire
...but there’s really no limit to what you can do together on your day.
Also, if we end up with some extra time at the end of your day, it’s no stress. No one ever wished they had less time to spend celebrating on their wedding day, right?! I have a ton of photo ideas and I can easily use up the extra time. Or, you can use this gift of time as a break, to have a bevvie, or connect with each other and/or your guests. Own it and make it yours!
Read our sample elopement timeline guide on 3 Full-Day Elopement Timeline Examples
My Fav Elopement Planners
Thinking about hiring a full-fledged wedding planner? I’ve worked with a few over the years who I LOVE and highly recommend. They are:
Sharon + Laura from Imagine That Events
Natasha from Clearwater Events
Stephaine from Sweetheart Events
Jordan + Devon from Smitten Events
Make Your Elopement Day A Hell Yes!
As you plan your elopement day, have fun and get creative. Let yourself say YES to all the things. Want to go out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? YES! Do it. Want to start the day in PJs and slowly get ready together? Yes! It’s on. Feel like ending the day in front of a campfire with s’mores and a bottle of wine? Hell yes. I’m there. And if you’re booking a full-day photography package, I’ll capture it all!
...And I’ll Take Care Of The Photos
Eloping in BC and need someone to help you plan, prepare for, and document the day? I’d love to help you out. Fill out the form below to book a free call with me, and together, we’ll go from there.