How to Plan a Summer Wedding - Ideas, Tips, and Trends For Summer Wedding Themes

Warm sunshine, vibrant colors, and outdoor setting opportunities abound during the summer months. Take advantage of the season with these summer wedding tips.

Summer Weddings - Things to Consider

Beat the Heat - Seriously consider renting fans or portable AC units for an outdoor wedding (even northern climates can hit 90 this time of year), and try to find a location with ample shade so guests can escape blazing sun and heat. Even if your wedding is inside, you´ll need to check the comfort level beforehand - some older venues lack good ventilation or aren´t air conditioned.

Brave the Elements - Outdoor settings are popular during the summer, but high temperatures aren´t the only discomfort you´ll have to contend with. Damaging UV rays, killer mosquitoes and pop-up showers are just some of the elements you may have to endure. Have bug spray, sunscreen and umbrellas on hand just in case.

Work Around Summer Travel - Remember that summer is prime time for family vacations, holiday weekends, oh yeah - and other weddings. Try to book your date and notify your guests as early as possible.

All in the Details - Summer Wedding Ideas

Invitations & Stationery

Add a summer motif - such as a seashell, starfish, tropical flower or plant - to your stationery suite

Go wild with color - now´s the time for paper or fonts in bolder tropical hues - such as fuschia or mango - or the colors of the sea - blues and greens

Wedding Venue

Get outdoors - summer weddings just call for a beach, garden, rooftop or backyard setting

Get on the water - marinas or even yacht cruises make for seasonably stylish venues

Décor Elements

Go casual - summer weddings lend themselves to a casual décor scheme - fitting of a backyard barbeque. Think checked table clothes, benches and picnic tables.

Go natural - incorporate natural décor elements like fruits, vegetables, even insects (like ladybugs or dragonflies, not necessarily roaches!)

Get lit - light up an outdoor evening reception with lanterns or torches.

Flowers

Seasonal blooms - abundant flowers are always in style at a summer wedding. Use bright and cheerful blooms like sunflowers, peonies, hydrangea, mums, daisies, dahlias, zinnias, and roses. Or create a breezy, airy look with white on white - using roses, stephanotis, calla lilies, snowball mums and daisies - and incorporate a touch of blue - like blue hydrangea

Fruits - fruits like lemons and limes look whimsical and chic when filled in tall clear vases

For a beach look - incorporate shells, sand, and sea glass in your arrangements

Menu

Serve lighter fare - think fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables like berries, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn, seafood and lean poultry like chicken. Between courses, serve a light sorbet.

Spark up the grill - serve traditional picnic and grill fare like barbeque, burgers and potato salad

Head to the tropics - feature tropical signature cocktails like margaritas, sangria, or mojitos.

Cake

Light and Fluffy - serve something light, like angel food cake topped with whipped cream and berries

Fresh adornments - top traditional wedding cake with fresh tropical flowers like hibiscus, or decorate with shells and starfish

Spoon it out - serve light sorbet or gelato

Add a cherry - have a do it yourself sundae bar (just make sure you have a way to keep the ice cream cool)

Looking for even more ideas for summer wedding themes? This complete guide to planning a summer wedding has even more tips and advice.