The excitement of your engagement has plateaued and now the reality is starting to sink in. How do I plan and execute an amazing summer wedding? It’s a big question but one we will answer with a detailed checklist of all the elements that make up a great wedding.
1. Get a marquee
Summer is a time to be outdoors and soaking up all that natural light and air. Although that’s not to say that every moment outdoors is enjoyable. Summer can bring with it some unpredictable weather, with direct sun and rainy showers a possibility on your special day. Wedding marquee hire in Melbourne will stylishly mitigate this fear, and keep you and your guests content all day and night. Complementing the style desires of any bride, marquees are white in color and offer a classic design. The perfect backdrop for any wedding.
2. Consider your timings
The beauty of the wedding industry is that nothing is off the table, and the same goes for the timings of your ceremony and reception. Where you are geographically based will impact what sort of summer you are accustomed to. If the location of your wedding receives warm summers, you will want to have a morning or later afternoon ceremony. Hair, makeup and formal attire are not quite conducive with the hottest part of the day.
3. A refreshing menu
The warmer weather calls for cool cuisine. Light seasonal salads, seafood and anything that won’t overheat your guests. Summer is also a fun time to experiment with cocktails, incorporating zesty liquors and ripe fruit. Beer, wine and champagne are a given at any wedding. So why not buck the tradition and have a mojito station in the corner of the room? If you want to challenge the norms further, you could opt for a cocktail wedding rather than a sit-down wedding. The guests will still be well-fed, but the food will come in small bites with more variety.
4. Make a weekend of it
It’s a common misconception that you need to have a destination wedding to warrant a whole weekend of festivities. When you send out your invites, include another piece that lets guests know what you are doing for your rehearsal dinner and recovery brunch the next day. The rehearsal dinner tradition is alive and well, and it’s a great way to get everyone together and interacting before the wedding day. If you, like so many other couples, have a guest list that spans all generations and origins – this is the perfect ice-breaker. The recovery the next day complements this arrangement further, solidifying those relationships and giving you the chance to make the rounds with your guests.
5. Lean into the heat
Summer weather is a drawcard — fact. So if you are looking at the seasons as a downfall, it might be time to shift your mindset and lean into the heat. How? You can set the dress code as ‘garden party’, ‘summer soiree’ or really anything that will have your guests shaking off the traditional attire and into something funky and free. The same thinking can be applied to your theme. Who says your wedding decor can’t incorporate pineapples, flamingos and a vibrant color pattern?
The greatest thing about a Summer wedding is that your guests linger longer and you get brighter wedding photos. At every turn, ask yourself if this decision is befitting of a summer wedding, and is there a way you can make it a little fresher. In summer, you are not usually competing with a full calendar of weddings, so capitalize on the moment and make it a wedding no one will forget.