Summer weddings are by far the most popular choice for many brides and it’s not hard to see why. There’s something about the smell of freshly cut grass, blue skies and a warm summer breeze that instantly makes us happy and combined with what is to be considered one of the happiest days of your life, it’s the perfect match. With this in mind, here are eight tips to ensure your summer wedding goes without a hitch – so you can get hitched!
Opt for a lightweight dress
Heavy lace is a big no-no if you know the weather is going to stay warm on your wedding day, if you’re looking to stay particularly cool a ¾ length tea dress is a great option and would still complement your rings and jewellery. I oped for a light-weight lace dress myself, which had no under layers or petticoats.
Embrace seasonal flowers
Summer brings with it stunning seasonal foliage, including happy sunflowers, delicate freesia and playful snapdragons. Add these to your bouquets and floral arrangements to introduce some bright colours to your big day and also keep costs down, as flowers in season cost much less to source.
Plan for rain
With British summertime, anything could happen. The day could start glorious then turn into a vengeful thunderstorm and vice versa, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for anything. Bespoke umbrellas are a sweet idea to have waiting at the ceremony or in the outside areas at the venue to keep guests dry and for yourself wellington boots and a rainbow coloured umbrella make for the perfect additions to your bridal shoot.
Keep the bugs away
Nothing can sour an evening more than pesky mosquitos or wasps buzzing around the food and drink, so incorporate some bug repelling features in your table decorations and outside areas. Citronella candles are easy to make and can be added around an outside area to add some ambience and keep everyone bite free, while jars of sugar water are great for trapping wasps but can be dressed up with pretty foliage.
Keep cool
If the day turns into a sweltering one it’s a good idea to have something on hand to keep guests cool. Paper fans can be very pretty and double up as favours on the day, for guests to use when the speeches go on for a long time and it’s a good idea to ask your bridesmaids to carry with them top up deodorant and perfume to keep you feeling fresh throughout the day.
Stay protected
Even with cloud cover, on a summer’s day you can get burnt and no one wants a pink face in their evening photos. Guests will also appreciate spray sun protection in case they forgot to apply some that day. Provide a small basket with products for them to use when they arrive at the reception venue. It’s a little touch that shouldn’t cost too much but will be remembered.
Choose summer cuisine
A wedding breakfast doesn’t have to be a stuffy sit down meal. Instead, embrace the summer theme with a huge BBQ and serve jugs of ice cold Pimms and lemonade, make it a party and look for a venue where people can relax and eat outside then you can gather later for speeches and toasts.
Rethink fresh flowers in your hair
The summer heat will make these droop quickly, so it’s a good idea to avoid them altogether or opt for something hardier such as artificial flowers or gypsophila.