You can make your summer wedding an occasion that’s truly memorable. Getting married in a natural setting, under the blue sky with birds chirping nearby and a breeze tantalizing your guests with floral scents is a dream for many couples.
Because you can’t control the weather, it’s best to choose a setting that has indoor facilities as well, in case you need to move the festivities inside. This could include an historic site or a scenic landmark. Be sure and check for permits well in advance of the date. Renting a show tent is a good idea as it can provide cover if you experience rain but also provide shade for your guests if the day is sunny. Make sure it has thick and weighted side panels which can be raised if it’s hot, but which will also protect you from a summer shower.
Choose a location where restrooms are available and plenty of parking is located close by. You may have to consider renting some portable potties. If you are planning your wedding in your own or your parents’ back yard, you will need to keep your guest list short and include only immediate family and close friends. Try to get in a sheltered area so the wind is not a factor.
Not much decorating is needed in a natural setting, but you may want to embellish Mother Nature a little and put some bows on nearby trees. A nice additional touch is providing a little archway covered with ribbons of the same colour as your bridesmaids’ dresses under which you and your groom will enter as the ceremony begins.
You may not want a train on your dress but if you must, then purchase a bit of outdoor carpet for the area in which you will be walking and standing the most. Ensure your bridesmaids’ attire is suitable for the possibility of the day being very hot and that they can wear suitable shoes. A dressy and lacy shawl would be perfect as it can be removed if the weather is very warm. Your groomsmen should be wearing vests that will allow them to still look dressy if they take off their coats later.
If the day dawns hot, be sure to have plenty of iced water bottles and hand fans available. Discuss the food choices with your caterer beforehand too as potato salad and other dishes containing mayonnaise cannot be chilled properly if it’s hot and you may have to restrict your menu considerably. Some brides plan their weddings to happen at sunset, when it’s likely to be cooler, and when snack-type menu items are easier to serve.
Regardless of what time of day your ceremony will occur, be sure to plan for the placement of the bride and groom with their backs are to the sun so they are not squinting in the glare. Arrange your guest chairs so they aren’t facing the sun either. A shaded area under tall, mature trees is ideal, and the dappled sunlight on the ground, coupled with the textures of the gnarled tree trunks, will make for some gorgeous photo opportunities.
If you can hire a wedding planner, she or he will use previous experience to ensure your special day comes off perfectly, but enlisting the help of friends and relatives can also help you to anticipate every situation and prepare for it. Then decide what you want, and start planning the wedding of your dreams today!
