Four Key Ingredients for a Successful Summer Wedding

Lavar Elliott Photography

Summer is one of the most popular times to get married – and it’s no wonder. With a better chance of warm weather, longer evenings and just a general feel-good vibe in the air, it’s the perfect time to host a celebration.

Of course, there are some essentials that you’ll need for every wedding, but tailoring your big day to the season can make it feel that bit more seamless and special. So how can you tie in your big day with all the joys of summer? Let’s take a look at four key steps.

Drinks That Match the Weather

The drinks you serve at your wedding set the tone for the party, whether they’re alcoholic or not. Wines and beers are a classic choice, along with something sparkling for the toasts, but how about creating a summery cocktail and non-alcoholic punch for your welcome drinks? A light and refreshing beverage will help tackle the heat, but also enhance the summery feel. 

Offer guests the choice of your two favorite cocktails, or even work with your bartender to create your own custom drink for your wedding day. If you’d rather keep things simple, something like an Aperol Spritz or a homemade lemonade should be popular with the majority of your guests. 

Open-air Dining

Providing the weather cooperates, open-air dining is one of the perks of a summer wedding that you should definitely embrace. You can always have a backup plan, but setting up your tables under the summer skies is not only cooler on a practical level, but sets your wedding apart from autumn or winter ones, allowing you to make the most of the summer scenery. It can also reduce the need for artificial lighting as the evening goes on, as you’ll be able to make the most of the daylight thanks to the longer evenings.

On a practical note: if bugs or other insects are an issue where you live, take steps to reduce their impact on the day. This could mean citronella candles to drive insects away, or a structure over the dining area, artfully draped with a light gauze, so you can still see out and enjoy the view but without getting plagued by bugs. You can also ask your serving staff to make sure plates get cleared as soon as possible, to avoid insects trying to get at any food left on plates.

Music That Gets Everyone Dancing

Once all the formalities of the day are done, it’s time to party. You want your guests to be moving freely about the space, mixing together and getting a drink at the bar without moving away from the happy atmosphere created by the music. 

One of the best ways to do this is by hiring a live band, as they’ll automatically draw people in and the sound will spread across the whole space, in a way that a playlist on a speaker might not. Visually, a live band is also just another beautiful touch, as the performers give it their all to make your day special. Be sure to let your chosen musicians know any special requests ahead of time, so they can incorporate your favorite songs into their setlist.

Fun Evening Snacks

The long, light evenings of summer give everyone an extra boost of energy, and keep everyone at your wedding right until the end. However, it’s a long day – especially for those who aren’t just evening guests – so you need to make sure you’ve adequately fed everyone.

Summer is a chance to be a bit more playful with your evening snacks: think miniature BBQ sliders, tacos, pizza slices and nachos. For dessert, keep your guests cool with an ice cream and sundae station, either using individual pots or by hiring a company to set up the opportunity for guests to create desserts with all their favorite toppings on. Not only is this fun, a cool dessert will help combat the heat, and provide a great photo opportunity for you and your new spouse. You can even hire food trucks for an extra touch of playfulness. 

Embrace the Season - Summer is a fantastic time to get married, so make sure to embrace this during your wedding planning. This way, you can make your day truly unforgettable.