Summer Wedding Planning Dos and Don’ts

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Do Provide Heat Relief

While summer weddings are fabulous, the heat can be unbearable. If your wedding is outdoors, make sure the venue has ample shade or air-conditioning. You can also provide ice-cold hand towels for the guests or fill baskets with water and position them near the ceremony site. Be mindful of your vendors and offer them cold beverages as well.

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Do Serve Lighter Food

Heat and heavy food make a bad combination. Choose a seasonal menu filled with fresh produce, luscious appetizers, grilled entrees, and fruits. Frozen cocktails are also great for summer weddings. For a festive touch, consider popsicles.

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Do Consider the Time

The sun is strongest at midday so don’t time your wedding to begin then. Your guests will be overheated and won’t want to party. Hold the ceremony in the afternoon or early evening. You can also choose a shaded area if you’re getting married outdoors.

Don’t Skip Save-the-Dates

It goes without saying that you should send out save-the-dates beforehand to all your guests. People like to travel in summer because schools are closed. Make sure all your guests know when you are tying the knot so they don’t miss out.

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Don’t Take Chances with the Weather

Mother Nature is unpredictable and can surprise you when you least expect it. Even if the weather forecast says that the sun will shine brightly all day, have a back-up plan. Speak to your wedding planner in advance and tell them to map out an alternative plan if the weather decides not to cooperate.

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Don’t Forget the Bugs

If your wedding is outdoors, bugs will attend. They will disturb your guests as they enjoy the festivities and put a damper on your big day. Make sure the venue is filled with bug spray, bug zappers, or citronella candles. Your guests will know you had them in mind.

What’s not to love about a summer wedding? The weather is warm and nature is at its best. Whether you’re having a wedding at the beach, in a vineyard, or in a lush garden, keep these dos and don’ts in mind.

Can you share your wedding dos and don’ts?

Outdoor Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas

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Decorating With Ribbons

There is something which is very feminine, dainty and festive about ribbons. The same can be said about weddings. Outdoor wedding reception decor gets a very elegant touch if you can incorporate ribbons cohesively in the decor. You can use ribbons to form walking aisles, you can hang the from trees and wrap them around reception chairs. Another great way to use ribbons is to hang them from a height and tie old bulbs at the ends to lend a vintage touch to your wedding.

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Flavors Of The Sea

As we have discussed many times before, sea has a very soothing effect and balances the harsh summers perfectly. Sea elements bring about the same effect. If for some reason you can’t organize a beach wedding, you can always bring the sea to your outdoors via sea elements. Use shells lavishly, use flora that resembles sea life, add ribbons and frills in hues of blues, aquas and azures and see the magic happen. You can also bring to use green and aqua colored bottles and work out beautiful summer flower arrangements in them.

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Decorating With Streamers And Buntings

Streamers and buntings are the happiest forms of wedding decor, especially for an outdoor wedding. Summers too long for happiness, cheer and glee and hence this decor setup matches the mood and spirit that is required for a summer wedding. You can arrange for bamboo poles for the lack of trees and run streamers and buntings end to end. If you are lucky to have trees in your outdoor setup then buntings can form a very interesting zig-zag mesh. Buntings and streamers can also be used effectively on table edges and chair backs.

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Mason Jar Magic

Mason jars carry a certain nostalgia with them. Weddings are nostalgic affairs too. You can arrange summer flowers in mason jars and hang them using ribbons or jute cords from tree branches. Mason jars can also adorn your reception table decor along with flowers arrangements or candles. You can even fill them up with sand and stones for a beach wedding feel.

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Decorating With Tents

If the summers are too harsh around your wedding, you can use white breezy tents to keep the glare away. Tents will give an outdoor feel along with an indoor sheltered experience. Tents can be worked out in many interesting patterns and color combinations. Apart from white you may use pastel shades of yellow, blue, peach, green, etc. to create a protected environment.

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An outdoor wedding reception party requires you to be careful on many fronts. Apart from the decor elements there are a few other aspects that need to be taken care of. For instance, if arrangements have already been made for an outdoor setup and its too hot without any breeze you might want to introduce outdoor fans. You might also have to cater for sun protection and bug protection. All in all, with everything working out as planned, your outdoor wedding reception can be the best one in town.

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