Summer can be a beautiful time to get married outdoors: by the water, in a local park, or at a location special to you and your partner. It can be a challenging season to get married as the weather can be unpredictable. Here are five tips for planning your summer wedding, especially if you’re planning an outdoor wedding.
Ensure Your Food and Decor Can Withstand the Elements
While it’s fine to have a vision, you also need to be realistic as summer can be a challenging season to get married in. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, ensure that you’re using flowers that won’t wilt; hydrangeas or gardenias are examples of flowers that will wilt in heat. Work with a florist to find the best summer blooms that fit your theme.
In terms of food, if you’re doing an outdoor wedding, be sure to follow safe food guidelines, keeping hot food hot and cold food cold. Work with the catering staff to plan a menu for your outdoor summer wedding.
Have Hydration Stations
During the summer, the weather can be anything from hot to scorching depending on the day, and time of your wedding. Having hydration stations is not only a way to cool off you and your guests, it’s also a way for you to incorporate additional decor. Seasonal fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges are great additions to your water stations at an inexpensive cost. Offering both sparking and still is another way to add some variety to your water stations.
Offer Sunglasses and Hand Fans as Table Favors
Another way to keep you and your guests cool in the summer heat is to offer sunglasses and hand fans as table favors. Not only can these options be inexpensive, but they can also be personalized to you. If you want to take it a step further, you could also offer parasols as a way to offer shade from the sun.
Make A Back-Up Plan
Summer weather can be unpredictable. Ensure your venues have sufficient indoor spaces for your guests should you have rain or a passing shower and need to move inside. If you can’t move the event inside, consider a tent in case of a passing shower on your wedding day. Work with both your venue and a rental company as they will also know what will work best for you should you need tents or indoor cover.
Consider a Menu with Seafood and Seasonal Foods
The summer is the perfect time to have seafood at your wedding, and it could be a good way to feature seasonal and regional cuisine. A side with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and starch will be the perfect accompaniment to your meal. Lighter cocktails such as sangria are another way to include summer fruits.
No matter what you choose to do for your summer wedding, remember to have fun and enjoy your day. Check out our bridal collection if you’re in the market for a wedding dress.