The Summer Bride's Guide To Planning The Perfect Wedding

When planning your wedding, before you book the venue, create a guest list or even start shopping for the dress, the first step is deciding exactly when you want to tie the knot. Getting married in the Summer is a popular choice for many Aussie brides to be because there’s an increased chance of good weather, more outfit options for guests and stunning outdoor venues available. But planning a Summer wedding comes with its own unique set of challenges.

But don’t worry - we’re got 8 expert tips for planning the perfect warm-weather wedding in Summer, so grab your planner and read on to find out more!

Book A Venue in Advance

It goes without saying that Summer is one of the most popular times of the year for engagements, weddings and everything in between. The last thing you want is to plan the perfect event, only to find out that your dream destination has been completely booked out. f If you have a special date in mind, we always recommend booking your venue as soon as possible. In a perfect world, you’ll want to stay safe by booking your chosen venues at least 9 months to one year ahead. This way, you allow yourself some leeway in being flexible with dates, without having to give up on your dream venue. Of course, this is a general time frame, and it doesn't mean you can't find the perfect venue available in under 9 months. However, it is always best to err on the side of caution.

So, whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect church or wedding restaurants in Sydney, plan in advance to avoid disappointment on your special day!

Choose The Best Part Of The Day

Depending on where you live or where you plan on hosting your wedding, it is safe to say that the hottest period of the day is usually around 3pm or so. As such, brides are encouraged to do some research on the best part of the day to host a wedding, avoiding the hottest period of the day whenever possible. While the wedding is 100% about the event (and mostly the bride and groom), you also don't want your guests to end up a sweaty, miserable mess.

Moral of the story: For a safe and comfortable summer wedding, plan your ceremony for the middle of the day, or even better – late evening, which is the coolest and most pleasant time of the day.

Prepare For Summer Showers

It will come as no surprise that in recent times, the weather is becoming more unpredictable by the day. Generally, most climates can expect to experience a plethora of summer showers — some of them expected, others not so much. Even if your trusty weather app predicts a clear and sunny day, one can never be too cautious when it comes to protecting your guests from the unpredictable elements.

To ensure that everyone remains comfortable throughout your wedding event, we highly recommend preparing for Summer showers by having a backup plan and plenty of shade available for guests. One great idea to combat unpredictable weather is to hire a marquee — not only will it protect your guests from showers, but it will also provide respite from the scorching sun. Alternatively, when selecting your venue, opt for one that has an indoor space reserved for the case of sudden rain.

Choose A Summer-Friendly Wedding Dress

Besides wanting to look beautiful on your special day, your wedding dress serves as a totemic garment, symbolic of a major event and new chapter in life. As such, it comes as no surprise that all brides want to pick the perfect white dress for their special day. However, when it comes to a Summer wedding dress, finding the balance between aesthetics and comfort is an absolute must. The last thing you want is to end up feeling constricted, stuffy or itchy on your special day, so choosing a warm weather-friendly dress is key.

Generally, you'll want to choose natural, light and breathable fabrics that allow you to feel cool and comfortable all day long. Some dress style options we recommend include ensembles with a matching shrug, lace top, or cape that can be easily removed to expose your arms and shoulders whenever you choose. You’ll also want to take into account your wedding venue — if you are getting hitched on the beach, you might want to choose a shorter dress to avoid getting your frock stained or wet. Learn more about what you need to know when choosing the ultimate Summer wedding dress here.

Provide Plenty Of Shade For Guests

As we mentioned earlier, Summer weather can be unpredictable at the best of times. To keep guests (and yourself) comfortable, always make sure there are ample amounts of shade for people to retreat to if they're not stationed there already. Providing a shaded area for guests to rest and eat under not only helps to keep everyone comfortable and in high spirits, but will also help to protect them from the harmful UV exposure and nasty sunburn.

Top Tip: Scout out your location and ask the site manager to arrange seats and tables under the shade of trees, a marquee or big, bright table umbrellas.

Plan The Perfect Warm Weather Menu

The food served at your wedding is undoubtedly one of the most important elements of the whole event. According to Bridal Guide, planning for a light menu filled with fresh produce, lean meats and fish is always a good idea when planning a Summer wedding feast. The last thing you want is to serve up heavy dishes that weigh your guests down. After all, you want to make sure that everyone has the energy to dance the night away! When it comes to desserts, opt for light and refreshing options such as sorbet, fruit tarts and frozen yoghurt to keep your guests cool and energised. Lastly, ensure there are plenty of beverages available, including plain water and non-alcoholic beverages that are essential in the hot Summer heat.

Additionally, paying attention to food allergies and dietary requirements that accommodates each of your guests is extremely crucial. To ensure that there are no hiccups, we recommend requesting dietary preferences or requirements in your wedding invite RSVP. Be sure to let your caterers and organisers know about any special requirements well in advance.

Offer Guests A Summer Goodie Bag

The truth is, when hosting a Summer wedding, one should always be prepared for uninvited guests in the form of flies, mozzies and more. This is especially important if you are hosting an outdoor soiree, and the best course of action to mitigate against these gatecrashers is to provide guests with a Summer goodie bag. Your goodie bags should be stocked with some basics such as insect repellent, mini tubes of sunscreen, cooling sprays and more. Depending on your budget, you can choose to include a pair of inexpensive sunglasses in each bag, in case guests have forgotten their own. Lastly, you may want to consider setting up a number of Citronella candles all around your venue for added protection from mosquitoes.

Explore ideas for what to include in your wedding welcome bag for guests here.

Invest In Cooling Solutions

Last but not least, keeping everyone cool throughout your special day is made easy when you invest in simple cooling solutions. If you really want to ensure your guests have a GOOD time – rent a few big mobile air conditioning units, portable fans or misting fans to keep all your guests comfortable. Remember, even if you rent a large marquee to protect your event from the gruelling sun, the heat could still be tough to cope with, especially for older and younger guests.

Alternatively, you may consider setting out vases or theme-appropriate containers of little hand-held, battery-run fans, or pretty paper fans for guests to cool themselves with. When in doubt, always consult your wedding planner or event organiser for more advice on how you can keep guests cool on the day of.

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And there you have it – 8 tried-and-tested expert tips for planning the perfect Summer wedding. Fortunately, by following these handy tips, you can avoid common summer wedding woes and avoid letting mother nature steal your warm weather wedding perfection!