Summer is a beautiful season for a wedding and reception. Depending on where you live, summer also means dealing with high temperatures and lots of humidity. Even if you would like to have the ceremony outside, there are ways to ensure all your guests are comfortable and the setting is everything you could want. Start with these tips and the planning will go much smoother.
Choose a Theme in Colors That Are in Keeping With the Season
The right color scheme goes a long way toward creating the ambiance you desire. If you need inspiration for colors, consider the flowers that are native to the area and will be in full bloom. A combination of those colors can be used for the ceremony setting as well as the reception space. You’ll also find that using flowers and greenery that are in season leaves more of the budget to lavish on other elements of your big day.
Make It An Indoor/Outdoor Affair
Choose a venue that allows guests to enjoy elements of the indoors as well as the outdoors. One that will work nicely for the reception as well as the ceremony is great, since no one will have to drive from one location to the next. Consider a lodge with an open space overlooking a lake, a restaurant with a great view of the ocean, or even a stately mansion with a grove of trees between the home and a brook.
Think about holding the ceremony outdoors followed by an indoor reception. Along with providing a beautiful backdrop for exchange of vows, it will be much easier to move everything inside if rain moves into the area. It will also be easier to ensure the food is kept at the proper temperature and that the guests can enjoy the meal without being distracted by the heat.
Cooling the Outdoor Space
Holding the ceremony under a grove of trees or an open canopy does help everyone be more comfortable. Enhance that effect by renting freestanding air conditioning units to circulate cool air. You can also have paper fans prepared for the wedding and pass them out with the printed order for the ceremony. Along with providing a way for guests to fan themselves, you also ensure they have a keepsake of the event.
Consider the Attire for the Wedding Party
It’s possible to select attire for the the attendants and others that’s attractive and anything but heavy. Since you do plan on having the ceremony outdoors, you want to make choices that allow everyone to get the most of any stray breeze. A professional can help you choose attire for the bridal and the groom’s parties that’s the ideal colors, made from materials that allow everyone to breathe, and will hold up well even if the temperature is higher than anticipated.
Morning or Late Afternoon is Best
Timing is everything when you are planning a summer wedding. Afternoon ceremonies and receptions are fine the rest of the year, but a summer event should be held in the morning or the late afternoon. Doing so ensures your guests will enjoy the outdoor portion without feeling uncomfortable. That’s especially important if you are going with formal or semi-formal attire fore the ceremony.
Keep the Food Light
The reception menu should be free of any foods considered heavy. This is true even if you plan on holding the event in the late afternoon. Fruit and vegetable trays are great ideas. Shrimp cocktail, cucumber sandwiches, and gazpacho with pita bread is also worth considering. Caesar salads are also an option you will want to consider.
Remember that beverages should also be light. Sparkling water with fresh fruit for garnish works well. Flavored teas are also favorites this time of year. Desserts can include selections like shaved ice in several flavors or sherbets are also a great choice.
A Little Music for the Reception
It’s worth the money and effort to have a professional manage the music for the ceremony and the reception. A deejay can work with you to come up with the perfect set list for both. You can also ensure that the deejay controls the volume so guests can chat without having to talk over the music. When the time comes for the first dance as a married couple, the professional will know how to adjust the volume.
Work with a wedding planner to come up with the ideal venue and other elements. Start planning early on and it will be easier to ensure every detail is addressed. Above all, relax and let others take care of everything when the day arrives. All you should think about is enjoying the ceremony and the reception, and starting a new life with your beloved.
Unless you are visiting a national park, you can enjoy the beauty of nature for free. Most communities have hiking trails that are well groomed and monitored for safety. A quick search online will point out some of them. Many hiking trails are rated for difficulty. While you are on the trail, take the time to enjoy the beauty of the nature around you. Many families find that nature hikes are a great time to talk about their concerns, worries, and build a strong family bond.
Although the stars are out all year round, in most places, cold winter weather means that you can only look at them through a glass window. During summer months, you and your family can lay in the backyard or breakout the telescope and gaze at the stars. Buy a star chart, or download a free or inexpensive app to make identifying the stars easier. You will be amazed at the way the sky changes throughout the night as the stars roll by. Getting a little fresh air before going to bed is a great precursor to a good night’s sleep.