Summer is just around the corner and there’s no denying it’s a popular time to get married. Perhaps you are planning a summer wedding and are wondering how you’ll pull off the coolest warm-weather wedding your guests have ever been to… you’re in the right place, read on for all the summer wedding ideas set to make an impact on the wedding scene this season and beyond.
Tom Wood Photography
Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that if you are planning a wedding in the peak of summer, you’ll have to factor in that you’ll likely be dealing with summer heat and harsh UV rays. There’s not much you can do about the temperature – and you’ll no doubt be hoping for some sunny weather at the very least. Warm weather can quickly become uncomfortable for your older and youngest guests. So, to ensure your guests feel cared for and can keep comfortable, why not serve some cool, non-alcoholic drinks throughout your daytime reception (alongside your alcoholic ones of course! – note that alcohol causes dehydration) your guests will thank you for it. If you want to hire extras, an ice cream van or cart is always popular with all ages.
Fabulous Florals
There’s an abundance of fabulous blooms in summer and couples getting married during thistime of the year are truly spoilt for choice.
Typically, in summer, couples choose more greenery and whimsical displays with wedding flowers, and summer is the perfect time to use wildflowers and have more casual arrangements too. Let the simple beauty of the flowers you choose do the talking and allow your florist to guide you here. Anything goes during the summer season from cool pastels to fun, vibrant colours and it’s going to largely depend on your chosen colour theme and style of wedding.
If you are struggling with what to choose for your bouquet and arrangements, a few flower varieties that are popular for summer weddings are Peonies, Hydrangeas, Daisies, Sunflowers, Roses, Sweet Peas, Stocks, Geraniums, Lupins and Delphiniums. Also consider herbs such as Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme, which look amazing in buttonholes and corsages and smell great too. Whatever you choose, your florist will be experienced and prepared to ensure that they are looking their best and last throughout the heat of the day too.
The Wedding Cake
Your wedding cake is the star of the show (other than the wedding couple of course!) and will take pride of place during your wedding breakfast – many couples who are having a relaxed, boho style wedding, choose to have “naked” or “semi-naked” wedding cakes. These cakes look stunning in a barn or garden venue and your cake designer will discuss with you where the cake is going to be displayed to ensure it is not situated in full sunlight, as on a hot summer day, this could cause the buttercream to melt and ruin the cake. There are ways around this that an experienced cake designer will know and can ensure that this does not happen. Alternatively, a luxury wedding cake covered with chocolate ganache and sugarpaste will cope with hot weather better and has more scope for additional design elements.
Flavour choice for your delicious wedding cake is also important for a summer wedding. Few guests will want a rich chocolate mud cake on a hot summer day – instead choose flavours like zingy lemon, oozing with lemon curd, a classic vanilla sponge, or a light fluffy red velvet cake.
Easy Entertainment
The options for summer entertainment are endless. Consider entertainment at your wedding as a way to connect with your friends and family and create some amazing memories together. What better way to do that than in the glorious sunshine or cooler and lighter evenings? A wedding day is full of happiness, laughs and memories and the type of entertainment you choose will define this. It’s also a great way to split up all of the formalities of the day. Every couple has their own idea of their favourite type of entertainment, whether it’s outdoor lawn games, bouncy castles, or music and dancing, it’s your wedding day and this is your opportunity to show off your personalities and include your favourite form of entertainment.
For those looking for inside wedding day entertainment, surprise your guests with singing waiters, a string quartet or a band.
If you’re a foodie looking for some entertainment, you can have ice cream stations, grazing platters, doughnut walls, pimp your prosecco stands, sweetie carts or dessert tables adorned with everyone’s favourite summer desserts.
Delightful Décor
You’ve probably heard the phrase “it’s your wedding, have it your way” a million times by now and summer really does embrace this. Throw caution to the wind and plan the day you’d love to have. Your décor is going to be hugely influenced by the venue you’ve chosen and the theme you are envisioning for your day.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe at your celebrations, there’s something dreamy and magical about boho summer weddings. Whether you opt for an outside wedding venue or something indoors, decorate your venue with pampas grass, dream catchers and lots of wicker inspired elements.
If you’re inspired by nature, you can incorporate greenery and florals into your décor. Wedding décor doesn’t just have to be for the tables, adorn your welcome sign, magic mirror, bar area and entrance with foliage and flowers and you’ll give that refreshing, summer vibe.
Play around with light and you’ll bring elegance to your wedding day – and it makes for dreamy wedding photos too. Leave your guests mesmerized with a simple, fairy tale light entrance or hang solar lights and bulbs from outdoor areas.
If you’re a minimalist couple looking to keep your wedding décor simple – opt for décor that can be repurposed in other areas of your wedding day. Sometimes just choosing the perfect place to say “I do” is all the backdrop you’ll need.
Finally, please ensure you have some indoor alternatives to all the outdoor activities. With our unpredictable British weather it is always best to have a backup plan should the heavens open. And if it should rain, try to remember that in some cultures rain on your wedding day is considered good luck as it signifies that your marriage will last. As you know, a knot that becomes wet is extremely hard to untie – therefore, when you “tie the knot” on a rainy day, your marriage could be just as hard to unravel!