Summer is a beautiful time to get married if you love warm weather, longer days, and a vibrant environment. However, this season often comes with its own set of challenges, including hot temperatures, humidity, and unpredictable weather. Keeping certain factors in mind during the planning process can help ensure that your summer wedding and reception are beautiful and enjoyable for you and your guests.
1. Heat Edema
Heat edema tends to happen to many people during the summer as hot temperatures temporarily cause their hands, legs, and feet to swell. You may notice your men’s or women’s engagement rings feeling tighter than they do throughout the rest of the year. Some couples swap out expensive engagement rings for larger-but-still-gorgeous affordable engagement rings during the summer when swelling happens so they don’t have to get the original resized. If you or your partner experience heat edema during the summer months, it’s important to keep this in mind when buying women’s and men’s wedding bands so you can plan accordingly.
2. The Average Temperature
The best starting point with your summer wedding planning process is knowing the average temperature in the locale where you’ll get married. You’ll also want to pay attention to the average humidity levels.
3. Venue Cooling Preparations
Any venue that hosts summer wedding ceremonies and receptions should be thoroughly prepared for the area’s weather conditions. This can mean having a tent available that they can set up at the couple’s request if they want a shaded spot outside, and having a perfectly functioning HVAC system to keep everyone cool inside. Ask the venue what options they offer.
4. Pre-Wedding Refreshments
It could be a great idea to have beverages for guests as they arrive at your wedding ceremony. Water is always an ideal choice, but you can also consider others, such as lemonade or iced tea, so guests can decide what they prefer.
5. Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour is the perfect opportunity to keep guests hydrated while they wait for the reception to start, especially after an outdoor ceremony. You could serve a variety of beverages and light appetizers, such as cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, bruschetta, vegetable spring rolls, and hummus with vegetables.
6. Food and Beverage Options
When you know the temperatures will be especially hot, keep the reception food as light as possible. For instance, opt for salmon, stuffed mushrooms, pasta salad, grilled vegetables, and a charcuterie grazing board. Beverage options can range from frozen margaritas to freshly squeezed lemonade. Water stations can also be a good idea for guests to grab additions such as lemon, lime, mint, and cucumber.
7. Wedding Party Attire
Hot temperatures mean what you and your wedding party wear is crucial so nobody feels uncomfortable or overheats. Consider lightweight fabrics and dress options with spaghetti straps instead of short or long sleeves. Depending on your preference, you may also want to think about switching into a knee-length or midi dress for your wedding reception should you want to change out of your wedding ceremony attire.
8. Flower Sensitivity
Not all flowers will stand up well during hot weather, so it’s important to know which ones will for your wedding ceremony and reception. Gorgeous, sturdy flowers, such as hydrangeas, sunflowers, and peonies, are only a few that will remain bright and vibrant. Speak with your local florist who can advise you on which flowers will incorporate well into your theme and color scheme while remaining lively.
9. Ceremony Start Time
If your wedding ceremony is outdoors, avoid having it during the hottest part of the day. This can often cause additional issues, such as guests feeling hot and uncomfortable. Late afternoon and into the evening are usually excellent time frames for the start of a summer ceremony. Depending on the setting, it also offers a wonderful opportunity for a sunset backdrop. If the reception stretches into the nighttime, having a professional set off fireworks, if they’re legal in your area at that time, may also be a fantastic way to end the event.
10. Hair and Makeup
Wedding hair and makeup can be a significant concern during the summer as both can be impacted by heat and humidity. You’re the person who knows your body better than anyone else, so you know how your skin and hair typically react during the hot weather. Speak with your hair stylist and cosmetologist during your wedding makeup and hair test sessions and let them know so they can plan accordingly and prevent any mishaps.
If you have long hair and would rather wear it down for your wedding ceremony but put it up during the reception to help keep you cool, it’s also important to let your hairstylist know. They can help you decide on two different hairstyles that will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the event while still helping you feel like your best self and look fabulous in person, on video, and in pictures.
Start Planning Your Summer Wedding Today
Planning your summer wedding early helps make it easier to handle everything that needs to be done for the ceremony and reception. Write a to-do list of all the factors you need to consider that pertain to the season’s unpredictable weather, humidity, and heat. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks. Above all, do what you can to practice self-care during this busy time so you enjoy the planning process and your upcoming nuptials.
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