Photo: Click Happy Mallory
“There are planners who follow trends… and then there are planners who set the tone for an entire room the moment they walk in. Amanda Wilson is firmly the latter.
Fresh off seeing her in action at the WPIC Wedding Awards and Kickoff Gala in Toronto last month, one thing is undeniable, Amanda is a force to be reckoned with. Her presence is magnetic, her standards are high, and her commitment to excellence is woven into everything she does.
As WPIC’s Planner of the Month for April, we’re shining a spotlight on a professional who doesn’t just plan weddings, she elevates the entire experience for her clients, her peers, and the industry as a whole.” ~Tracey Manailescu
Amanda Wilson is the owner and lead planner behind Amanda Marie Events, a Fraser Valley based wedding planning and coordination company in British Columbia. Since founding Amanda Marie Events in 2017, she has worked with couples in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and across the province to bring their wedding celebrations to life with thoughtful planning and a calm, supportive presence throughout the process. As a WPIC certified planner, she has been fortunate to be part of hundreds of weddings over the years, gaining valuable experience across a wide range of venues and celebrations throughout the region.
Over the years, Amanda has developed a deep appreciation for the many meaningful moments that make up a wedding day. Each season brings new inspiration and opportunities to grow, allowing her to continually refine her approach while supporting couples through one of the most exciting milestones in their lives.
Known for her hands-on approach and the positive energy she brings to every celebration, Amanda creates an environment where couples feel supported, relaxed, and able to fully immerse themselves in their wedding day. Her goal is simple: to ensure couples can be present, enjoy every moment, and watch their vision come together seamlessly.
Photo: Cassileigh Photography
1. British Columbia offers everything from oceanside views to mountain backdrops. How does planning weddings in BC influence your design approach and the overall guest experience you create?
Planning weddings in British Columbia is incredibly inspiring because the landscapes here are truly unmatched. From oceanfront and waterfront settings to vineyards and mountain backdrops, the location often becomes one of the most important design elements of the day.
When I work with couples, I always remind them to really lean into what makes their location so beautiful. In a place like BC, nature already provides such an incredible backdrop, so the design approach is often about asking how we can complement the space and enhance it with thoughtful details rather than compete with it. Carefully chosen décor, intentional florals, and the overall layout of the day all work together to highlight the environment around us.
Guest experience is also a big focus when planning here. Many venues in BC are outdoors or in more rural settings, which means careful consideration around logistics, transportation, weather contingencies, and the overall flow of the day.
My goal is always to make sure guests feel comfortable, relaxed, and able to fully enjoy the celebration while everything behind the scenes runs seamlessly.
Photo: Meg Kristina Photgraphy
2. What is one defining moment in your career that shaped the way you run Amanda Marie Events today?
One of the defining moments early in my career was witnessing firsthand how much the overall atmosphere of a wedding day can shift depending on how well things are organized behind the scenes. When there is not strong communication or clear support between vendors, it can create unnecessary stress not only for the couple but for the entire team working to bring the day together.
That experience really shaped how I approach Amanda Marie Events today. I believe the best wedding days happen when everyone involved feels supported and is able to work together seamlessly. My goal is always to ensure vendors feel taken care of and have what they need throughout the day so they can do their best work.
I really enjoy being hands-on and actively involved in every aspect possible throughout a wedding day. From overseeing the timeline and welcoming vendors as they arrive to stepping in wherever an extra set of hands is needed. Being involved in these moments allows me to support both the couple and the vendor team while ensuring everything flows smoothly behind the scenes. While doing this, a calm and organized environment is created where the couple can simply focus on enjoying their celebration.
Photo: Franki Leigh Photography
3. When working with couples, what do you believe is the most important quality a planner can bring to the relationship and how do you personally build trust from the very first consultation?
I believe one of the most important qualities a planner can bring to the relationship is reliability, respect and trust.
Couples are inviting you into one of the most meaningful milestones in their lives, so it is important they feel confident that you are truly there to support them.
For me, building that trust starts with listening. During the first consultation, my focus is really on understanding the couple, their story, what matters most to them, what their vision looks like, and where they might be feeling overwhelmed in the planning process.
I also really value building a genuine relationship with my couples. That connection starts in the first conversation and continues throughout the planning journey and into the wedding day. When couples feel heard and supported, it naturally builds trust and allows the planning process to feel much more collaborative and enjoyable.
Photo: Brooklyn Grace Photography
4. April represents a season of fresh beginnings. What trends or shifts are you seeing in 2026 weddings and how are you guiding your couples to make timeless, not trendy, decisions?
One of the biggest shifts I am noticing with 2026 weddings is that couples are becoming much more intentional about how they spend their time on the wedding day. There is a growing desire to be more present and to actually experience the celebration alongside their guests.
For example, many couples are choosing to join their cocktail hour rather than being away for long periods for photos. They want to spend that time connecting with family and friends, which ultimately creates a much morerelaxed and joyful atmosphere throughout the day. Along with that, there is also a stronger focus on the overall guest experience.
Couples are really prioritizing how their guests will feel throughout the day, making sure the timeline flows well, that guests feel comfortable, and that there are meaningful opportunities for everyone to connect and celebrate together.
Design-wise, I am seeing colour making a return along with carefully curated details that truly reflect each couple’s personality. While trends can be inspiring, I always encourage couples to focus on choices that feel authentic to themrather than simply following what is popular at the moment.
The weddings that truly feel timeless are the ones that reflect the couple’s personalities, their relationships, and the experience they want to create for their guests.
Photo: Aileen Choi Photo
5. What advice would you give to newer planners entering the industry who want to build a strong reputation and long-lasting vendor relationships in a competitive market like BC?
The wedding industry in British Columbia is incredibly collaborative, and some of the best wedding days happen when the entire vendor team is working together toward the same goal.My biggest advice for newer planners is to approach every wedding with a team mindset. Each vendor brings their own expertise to the day, and when everyone feels respected and supported, it creates a much smoother and moreenjoyable experience for both the couple and their guests.
Being organized, communicating clearly, and stepping in to support other vendors whenever possible helps create that sense of teamwork. At the end of the day, we are all there for the same reason, to bring the couple’s vision to life and ensure the day unfolds seamlessly.
When vendors trust and support each other, it truly shows in how the entire wedding day comes together.
We’re proud to celebrate Amanda as WPIC’s Planner of the Month for April, and can’t wait to see what she does next.
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