As it happens, we will arrive in Milan Italy (2015) on Easter weekend, and had planned to immediately go to the Cinque Terre. How crowded does Vernazza get on Easter weekend? Should we hangout in Milan for a few days until after Easter weekend? We fear large crowds would ruin the experience. Any help is appreciated.
It's early April, and weather in early April is very variable, with a good chance of rain.
If it rains there will be very few people. Even if it doesn't there might be some Italians on a day trip from nearby cities (especially on Easter Monday, a traditional holiday when Italians visit places nearby on a day trip), but I doubt you'll see the hordes you see in summer.
I will kind of echo Roberto, I would get to where you are going before the weekend, and try not to travel on Easter Monday, modes of transport will be extremely busy