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), 7mgg 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, manguerose 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

Color palette –

bright and bold – hot pink and deep red or mango and fuschia

nautical – navy and white is a clean summer classic; accent with touches of yellow, red or gold.

seaside – combine aqua with beige, peach or white

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, roomidea 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, spaice 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