Smitten Events

A lakefront location, wildflowers on the tables, incredible food, perfect weather and an intimate group of friends—can you say dream backyard wedding?! You can see more of I+T’s Okanagan wedding on the @rockymtnbride blog ✨ Photos @thomas.bullock Planning + design @toriblairmacdonald @smitten_events Florals @the_wildbunch Catering @cocktailscanapesokanagan Rentals @alloccasionspartyandevent @westminsterparty @perspectiveeventdesign @bespokedecor Hair + makeup @cassidywattartistry Music @abouttownentertainment Cake @cakeforbreakfastbc . . . . #okanaganwedding #okanaganweddingplanner #okanaganvalley #okanaganlife #bcwedding #beautifulbc #vancouverweddingplanner #vancouverwedding #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

Love in full bloom for I+A who were married at Vancouver’s @vandusengarden on this day last year ✨🌷🌼🌹✨ Photos by @thegodards Lead planner @megousey Ceremony @vandusengarden Reception @shaughnessyrestaurant Flowers @celsiafloral Decor rentals @bespokedecor @divine_decor Hair + Makeup @feyi_sara @beautyenroute Music @abouttownentertainment Officiant @younghipandmarried @lanibrunn Cake @cakeandgiraffe . . . . #vancouverwedding #vancouverbride #gardenwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

Devon and I started using the phrase, “mama takes care of mama,” when our kids were young because, in this crazy world of running a business and raising a family, no one understands what we are going through like the two of us. Entrepreneurship and motherhood are similar in so many ways—long hours, late nights, mental health struggles, constant learning, sacrifices and terrible pay—and there have been many times when we’ve needed to step up to take care of each other in order to move forward (even if that just means knowing when the other needs a snack!). The past few months have been FULL of exciting projects and endless amounts of work but we have each other’s backs and feel incredibly thankful to do the work we do, as mom and as business owners! To moms of all kinds—especially our incredible team—we salute you, you’re doing an amazing job! Photos by two badass entrepreneurs and super moms @substanceyyc ✨ . . . . #entrepreneurlife #vancouverevents #vancouvereventplanner #vancouverwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #whistlerwedding #okanaganwedding #2024wedding #2025wedding #smallbusinessbc #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

90% of our job as wedding + event planners is spent sending emails or in meetings to prep for the 10% of time we are on site. But that’s why we’re so chill on event days! This week may have only been 4 days long but we managed to pack in: 10 meetings, 3 new event proposals, 2 site inspections, 2 timelines, 1 400 person corporate event, at least 20 phone calls and easily 1000 emails. . . . . #vancouvereventplanner #vancouverweddingplanner #vancouverevent #vancouverwedding #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

Wedding planning can be a lot, so here are 3 things you can do to make the process more enjoyable: 1️⃣ Plan sequentially. Work from a checklist and try to stay on track by booking vendors and tackling your wedding to-dos in groups. It helps make the process feel less overwhelming. 2️⃣ Be ready to pick away at your planning daily. The average wedding will take 300-400 hours to plan, so if you set aside an hour a day it keeps your task list more manageable. 3️⃣ Hire a planner, obviously! . . . . #vancouverweddingplanner #vancouverwedding #whistlerwedding #whistlerweddingplanner #okanaganwedding #okanaganweddingplanner #2024wedding #2025wedding #bcwedding #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” - Serena Williams We’re so inspired by the women in our industry. From our truly incredible team, @frankieannestevens, @jenn_nana, @merlemerlemerleh, @megousey, @sarahelizabethdeluca and @toriblairmacdonald, to our fellow planners, catering teams, venues, decorators, florists, photographers, videographers, stationery designers, hair + makeup artists, cake makers and more, we’re in awe of everything you have built and continue to create. Here’s to putting community over competition and building each other up today and everyday 🙌 Photos by the talented @knoxandmaephotography from our event at @fairmontvan, lead by the incomparable @darcyhagan 💕 decor by @debuteventdesign, florals by @lemaraisdecor, stationery by @zabarstudio, corsages by @flowerfactory and planning by us! . . . . #internationalwomensday #iwd2024 #vancouverevents #vancouvereventplanner #vancouverweddingplanner #vancouverwedding #womeninbusiness #smallbusinessbc #womenentrepreneurs #2024wedding #2025wedding #luxuryweddingplanner #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

Unconventional event locations? Bring them on! While not every location is suitable for events, there are lots of unique and off-site options you may not have considered in your venue search. From public spaces to restaurants, art galleries to theatres, you can really think outside of the box when it comes to event locations. Just remember that every city has different restrictions and bylaws, so do your research to make sure you understand the limitations and start working on securing permits early. This applies to backyard weddings too! Here are a few factors we consider when we look at a unique location: 🧱 what are the load restrictions? 🔌 is there power? 💧 it there access to water? ⛺️ can we tent this location? 🔊 are there noise restrictions? Have any questions? Send us a DM! Cover photo of @theshipyards by @theapartmentphoto . . . . #vancouverevents #vancouverevent #vancouvereventplanner #theshipyards #vancouverwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #2025wedding #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

Okay, we’re the first to say “more colour in wedding design!” but white and green is always just 🤌 W+R at @thebrewcreekcentre (miss you!) with photos by @tomaszwagnerco, planning by @frankieannestevens, florals @senka_florist, decor rentals @eventrentalworks and cake by @mountain.made.cakes. . . . . #whistlerwedding #whistlerweddingplanner #westcoastwedding #vancouverwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #bcwedding #2024wedding #lgbtqwedding #2025weddings #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

You’re planning a wedding! Yay! Here are three things we want you you know— 1️⃣ You need to set a budget. Whether it’s $60,000 or $1M, you need to know what you can spend before jumping into planning. 2️⃣ Choose a top three. Think about the wedding elements that are most important to you—as an example, food, photography and entertainment—and prioritize them throughout your planning. 3️⃣ Remember, there are no rules in wedding planning. If you want to do something that feels special to you but out of the norm, just do it! Breakfast for dinner? Done. No first dances? No problem! Let’s make this wedding all about you. . . . . #2024wedding #2025wedding #vancouverwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #weddingplanningtips #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

Black tie + garden wedding—yes, you can have both✨ This gorgeous day for J+H at @stanleyparkpav with photos by @christiegrahamphotography, planning by @frankieannestevens, decor by @bespokedecor, florals by @flowerfactory, hair + makeup @junstudios, music by @soundstripemusicco @formartino, bar @lavishliquid, videography @cpienaarphoto, dessert bar @cakesbypeddie and photobooth by @danggoodbooths. . . . . #blacktiewedding #gardenwedding #vancouverwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #vancouverevent #stanleypark #bcwedding #2024wedding #2025wedding #2024bride #2025bride #luxuryweddingplanner #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

Everyone loves a wedding dance party, so here are three ways to ensure you have a killer dance floor— 1️⃣ Don’t give people a reason to leave. By keeping the bar, lounges and activities in the same vicinity as the dance floor you allow everyone to feel like they’re part of the party. People tend to crowd around the bar so if you can, keep this close by. 2️⃣ Skip the slow songs. Unless you have a few dedicated songs you want to play for special people (ex. your parents or grandparents), we recommend that you save the slow songs for your ceremony and cocktail hour. Nothing clears a dance floor quicker than a ballad in the middle of party favourites. 3️⃣ Play to every guest. A wedding is about bringing your friends and family together, so we suggest kicking off the dance party with classics that everyone knows and loves. It is so fun to see aunts and uncles, grandparents, little cousins, your work friends AND your wedding party letting loose on the dance floor at the same time. It’s a tad overdone, but guests of all ages flock to the dance floor when the band or DJ starts with “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. If you love to dance to a specific music genre (hip hop, country, edm) we suggest waiting until a little later in the evening. Cover photo by @sararogersphotography from L+O’s epic wedding dance party at @thepermanent330 with music by @theraincity6. This was one hell of a party! . . . . #weddingreception #weddingdance #weddingdancefloor #vancouverwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #vancouverevents #okanaganwedding #okanaganweddingplanner #whistlerwedding #whistlerweddingplanner #2024wedding #2024bride #2025wedding #2025bride #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings

IN: - Inviting who you want - Maximalism - Multi-day weddings - Colourful florals - Bows - No wedding party - Celebrating with intention OUT: - Ultra minimalist designs - Compromising what you want to please other people - Mediocre wedding food - Extra large wedding parties - Cash bars - Wedding favours - Traditional guest books Bts footage from @megwhitee’s wedding featuring design + decor by @bespokedecor, florals by @ecorce.flowers, stationery + signage by Meg! . . . . #2024wedding #2024bride #gettingmarried2024 #letsgetmarried #weddingtrends #weddingtrends2024 #weddinginspo #weddingideas #vancouverwedding #vancouverweddingplanner #smittenevents #smitteneventsweddings