It’s a well-known fact that June through August is peak wedding season. If you are trying to plan a summer wedding, you are probably searching for summer wedding ideas that will make your celebration unique. If you are looking for a wedding videographer to capture your day, you can drop us a line here to see if we are available.
From behind the camera, I have witnessed hundreds of weddings during the warmest months of the year. Here, discover the top summer wedding ideas to make your summer soirée a wedding celebration to remember…
Open-air Ceremony
Choose a venue with an outdoor ceremony space and take advantage of the warm weather and beautiful natural settings. Picture exchanging vows under a clear blue sky with the sun shining down, surrounded by a manicured garden, a sandy beach, or a beautiful vineyard. An outdoor ceremony can create a serene and romantic atmosphere that’s hard to beat. Just make sure to have a backup plan in case of unexpected weather changes! A great example of this is at the Somerset wedding venue of Waterside Country Barn as featured in the image above from a recent wedding I captured.
Venue – Waterside Country Barn, Bradford On Tone
Arrive in Style
Make a memorable entrance and get creative with your transportation options to add an element of the unexpected to your summer wedding. Consider arriving at your venue in a horse-drawn carriage, on a vintage bicycle with a basket brimming with flowers, or even in a decorated Tuk-Tuk. These unique transportation options will make your entrance unforgettable.
Venue – Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton
Dress to Impress
Light and breathable fabrics are essential for staying comfortable in the summer heat. Choose lightweight fabrics for your wedding wardrobe, like airy chiffons for your wedding dress and breathable cotton for the suits. Encourage your bridal party to choose outfits suitable for warmer temperatures, ensuring everyone looks and feels their best on the day.
Venue – Family Farm In Bristol
Seasonal Stationery
Set the scene from the moment your guests receive their invitations with colourful stationery that reflects the season. Choose vibrant designs that feature pretty florals, Mediterranean fruits, beach motifs or bright patterns. Send out stationery that sets the tone and builds anticipation for a fun and festive celebration. Remember to bring a spare invitation for your photographer and videographer to capture on the wedding day.
Merry and Bright
Top summer wedding ideas include embracing bright and bold colours in your colour scheme. From bridesmaids’ dresses to floral arrangements, confetti and table settings, vibrant hues like hot pink, vibrant peach or a bright pastel shade, will echo the most colourful season of the year. These bold hues will pop beautifully on camera, adding an extra layer of visual appeal.
Venue – Elmhay Park, Frome
Strike a Pose
Choose an area at your venue to create a photography backdrop. Whether you utilise the natural beauty of your venue’s walled garden or create a backdrop with floral arches or a neon sign, dedicate an area for everyone to capture memorable snapshots during your wedding day. These backdrops not only enhance your decor but also provide entertainment for your guests, too.
Venue – Eastington Park
Sip with the Season
Keep your guests refreshed with seasonal drinks. Set up drink stations with infused waters, fresh lemonade or iced tea. Serve a summery glass of Pimms or a fruity gin for your welcome drinks, or opt for a ‘Pimp your Prosecco’ bar. Set with fresh fruit and flavoured syrups, guests can tailor their drinks for a fun and interactive option. You could even take the whole bar offering outside with a horse box bar serving cocktails and craft beers in your venue’s grounds. These drink options will keep the summer spirit alive and your guests’ glasses topped up.
Crazy Golf
Mini golf is becoming a popular addition to summer weddings. Hire a supplier to set up a miniature course at your venue to keep everyone entertained during the cocktail hour. Guests of all ages can try their luck at a hole-in-one before the wedding breakfast. A mini golf course also provides fun footage of your nearest and dearest for the wedding video.
Champagne Spray
A fun moment to capture on camera, organise a Champagne spray with your wedding party. One of the more unique summer wedding ideas, this celebratory moment, captured outside in the sunshine, will create a joyful memory. Make sure there are enough bottles on hand so everyone can join in the fun!
Venue – Coombe Lodge
Summer Decor
Incorporate decorative details that celebrate the summer throughout your venue. Fill inside spaces with an abundance of seasonal blooms and fresh foliage to bring the outdoors in. Add citrus fruits or seashells to your tablescapes for a fun twist on traditional centrepieces. Drape light and airy fabrics from ceiling beams and add colourful table runners to tabletops for soft, textural details. And, decorate your outside spaces with festoon lighting or lanterns. You could even line a pathway with giant balloons with tassel tails in colours to suit your wedding theme.
Venue – Waterside Country Barn, Bradford On Tone
Keeping Cool
Summer weddings can sometimes come with scorching temperatures and keeping your guests comfortable is key to a successful summer wedding. Provide hydration stations with infused-iced water kilns. Place hand-held fans and miniature bottles of suncream on the ceremony seats for guests to use throughout the day. And, make sure there are plenty of shaded areas for people to take a welcome respite from the sun.
Golden Hour
Take advantage of the drawn-out evening and plan a photo session during the golden hour, when the sun is just about to set. The soft, warm glow of the sunset creates romantic lighting for magical photographs that beautifully capture your summer wedding.
Venue – Coombe Lodge
Smoke Bombs
Let off colourful smoke bombs and capture dramatic moving images of you and your new spouse. These vibrant bursts of smoke can create stunning photo opportunities and add a sense of wonder to your celebration.
Dance in the Moonlight
For a magical first dance, consider holding it outside under the stars. Create a dance floor area, lined with flickering lanterns and string up fairy lights to create an enchanting atmosphere. Dancing in the moonlight adds a dreamy and unforgettable element to your wedding.
S’mores and Sparklers
End the evening with a cute and cosy moment around a fire pit. Encourage guests to embrace the warm evening by inviting them to join you for S’mores around the fire. Once the marshmallows have been toasted, bridesmaids can hand out sparklers for an iconic sparkler send-off.
Venue – Elmhay Park, Frome
