Summertime Wedding Essentials

Ah, weddings. Is there a girl that does not dream about that special day when she will walk down the aisle and say: ‘I do’? Are you planning your own wedding and considering dates? Have you considered getting married in summer?

Summer is the ideal season to get married – it’s beautiful, festive and offers a lot of different options. From my personal experience, I have enjoyed these as I like being outside and outdoor weddings – especially beach weddings – are out-of-this-world romantic. There are so many must-dos that are bound to make this big day a spectacular event and have your guests talk of it as one the most exciting happenings of the year.

Hello! Is anyone home?

First of all, it’s crucial to check if most of your guests can actually attend the celebration. Summer is the prime time for taking a vacation. Therefore, it’s preferable to let people know about your big day at least a couple of months in advance, so that they can organize properly. Nobody expects you to find a date that will suit everyone but most of your guests should be able to attend. It’s also advisable to include an RSVP note just in case someone has made vacation arrangements in the meantime and to always be able to know who will attend.

Dress for the weather

Now that the invitations have been sent, we need to consider one of the most important things (or the most important, some might say) for any bride – the dress. Even though summer is the warmest and the sunniest season of the year, the temperature can fluctuate. So, keep that in mind when choosing a dress. A silk dress is always the best option for obvious reasons, but you can always add additional accessories. A nice hat can also be a fun accessory, but make sure that your hat is not drawing too much attention. A stylish wrap is something you should also consider – it provides protection from the sun and keeps you warm if the weather gets colder. And don’t forget a beautiful bouquet to complement your dress, possibly using artificial flowers which wont wilt on a hot summers day.

Shoes, of course!

Well now, it is impossible to talk about dresses without considering shoes. They must match the dress even if the dress is long and they can’t be seen. The design depends entirely on you but don’t forget about the weather. If you have chosen to get married on the beach, you can wear sandals as to avoid getting sand in your shoes. But they wouldn’t do for a cold day. I have been to a London wedding where the bride wore the most beautiful sandals I have ever seen. Too bad it was cold that day.

Choose a ride carefully

Ok, we got dressed and now we are off to the wedding. How you arrive is important. I have seen people rent wedding cars in Sydney and it seemed (and still seems) very distinguished. For the happy couple, a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce would be the ideal choice as they combine beauty, elegance and comfort with safety and power. A nice ride is one of those things that will make your summer wedding even more memorable and classy. I remember me and my husband borrowed an old Ford Focus and had so much fun riding it to our venue.

Are the refreshments included?

We arrived in style and got married. Now let us proceed to the reception. A summer wedding can be tricky as the menu may depend on the weather. Don’t forget that, in summer, it can get pretty hot, so plan to serve something light as well. You can always go for fruit and ice cream. Who does not like ice cream, right? Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should forgo the more substantial fare. It should also be served so that your guest can decide on their own. If it is hot, make sure there is always ice available. If it’s cold, make sure there are hot drinks being offered.

Now as the reception is over, off to the honeymoon and your happily-ever-after.

These are just some of the things I find to be essential for a summer wedding. So, keep them in mind if you are planning a summer wedding. And just have fun planning. It is your big day after all.