Summer is the most popular time of year for weddings and for good reason. From lakefront reception spaces to fun decorations, there are so many great summer wedding ideas to make your special day stand out and feel uniquely you! Warm weather opens up so many possibilities for both indoor and outdoor weddings, read on to see our favorite ideas.

You May Also Like…

27 Gorgeous Backyard Wedding Ideas
What to Wear to a Summer Wedding (Guest Attire)
Rustic & Elegant Wedding Ideas

Waterfront Venues

Summer is the perfect time of year to make your waterfront wedding dreams come true! Choosing a lake, beach, or river-front venue to soak up the natural beauty of a waterfront wedding.

Dance Floor Under the Stars

Warm summer nights make for great reception space opportunities. Have dinner and your dance floor in an outdoor venue space to enjoy the summer weather as you dance the night away!

Colorful Mix & Match Bridesmaid Dresses

Some brides use a summer wedding as a great excuse to opt for bright colored bridesmaid dresses! Summer offers more color options from classic jewel tones or neutrals, to bright colors like coral, or even an all-white dressed bridal party.

String Lights

Hang string lights in the reception and cocktail hour spaces to create a warm atmosphere and define your outdoor space. They also add a little bit of drama and visual intrigue to rustic venues and enhance the elegance of more modern venues.

Ice Cream Bar

Give guests a tasty way to cool off by offering an ice cream bar, loaded with toppings and multiple flavor options. This is a great idea for adults and kids alike, everyone loves ice cream!

Fire Pits

If your venue allows it, or even offers it, outdoor fire pits are becoming increasingly popular for outdoor venue spaces in warmer months (or even colder!). It gives guests something to do and cozy up near to while taking a break from the dance floor and provides a great space for socializing.

Food Trucks

A hip and trendy idea, food trucks are a great addition to the reception as after-dinner snacks for guests, or in place of dinner. Outdoor wedding spaces are best for this idea so guests don’t need to go in and out of builds with plates full of food. Just make sure it’s alright with your venue!

Host a Backyard Wedding

Summer is perfect for a backyard wedding! Backyard weddings make your nuptials feel super personal and special, as well as are a lot more budget-friendly.

Read more about backyard wedding ideas here:

9 Things You Didn’t Consider with a Backyard Wedding
Backyard Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
How to Plan a Backyard Wedding

Have a Nighttime Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Most people think you have to have an outdoor wedding during daylight hours, but summer offers a unique opportunity for a nighttime wedding ceremony that isn’t too cold for guests. Night ceremonies can be super romantic and are very unique. Just make sure you have adequate lighting!

Lawn Games

Guests love having games and things to do during cocktail hour and the early hours of a reception before they hit the dance floor. Games like corn hole, jumbo Janga, and the classic ring toss require minimal effort but are still fun games for guests to take part in. It also gives them an opportunity to socialize and meet other guests while the newlyweds are off taking pictures after their ceremony.

Mason Jar Drinks

Make your cocktail hour feel fun and rustic with cocktails in mason jars! Whether you use them for all glassware or just specific signature cocktails is up to you, either way they’re a fun addition.

Fireworks

Fireworks end the night with a bang! Have guests gather outside for your final send-off after watching fireworks that celebrate your love.

BBQ Style Rehearsal Dinner

Who says rehearsal dinners have to be fancy or over the top? We love a summer barbecue, especially as a rehearsal dinner! And as a bonus, it will be less expensive than a sit-down dinner at a restaurant or ballroom so you can invite more guests.

Boat Ride Pictures

If you’ve chosen a waterfront venue, boat pictures of the bride and groom are so romantic. Channel The Notebook vibes for your first pictures as husband and wife!

Sunglasses Wedding Favors

Make sure your guests aren’t blinded by your love! For outdoor wedding ceremonies during the day, offer guests sunglasses customized with your wedding date or a fun saying using your new last name.

Throw a Casual Pre-Party

For destination and domestic weddings, throw a casual pre-wedding party the night before or two nights before for wedding guests that have come into town for the big event. A casual backyard barbecue or bonfire is a great option for the early celebration.

Have a Fancy Water Station

Make sure guests stay hydrated but not just with a boring glass of water! Offer plain water, coconut water, and/or sparkling water with refreshing additions like cucumber, orange slices, lemon slices, or berries.

Sparkler Send-Off

Similarly to fireworks at the end of the night (or in addition to), have guests line up on both sides of a walk way and make a sparkler arch for the bride and groom to walk down as their big exit from the reception. It makes for gorgeous pictures and fun memory!

Fresh Cocktail Hour Appetizers

Keep cocktail hour appetizers light and refreshing like watermelon slices, Caprese salad kabobs, fruit, shrimp cocktail, grilled peaches or smoked salmon bites.

Cocktail Popsicles

Help guests cool off while enjoying an alcoholic beverage with frozen cocktail popsicles! This is a super unique and fun treat that guests will be sure to remember.

Provide Parasols

For sunny wedding ceremonies, offer guests parasols to shield themselves from the sun. Not only will they look cute in the crowd, they’ll help guests stay cool and comfortable.

Provide Fans

To piggyback off of the last idea, providing guests handheld fans will also help them stay cool and give themselves a little breeze for warm weather weddings. While it won’t shield guests from the sun like parasols, you’ll also have less of a chance of guests’ views being obstructed.

Flower Walls

Flower walls are so gorgeous and the perfect backdrop for the wedding ceremony, a place for guests to take pictures, an elegant champagne bar, or behind the head table in the reception area!

Offer Shade

For outdoor weddings during the day, make sure you’re providing guests with adequate shade. If the venue doesn’t have covered areas, make sure you’re setting up a large tent for your reception and cocktail hour, or have various drapery-covered areas so guests don’t get too much sun exposure.

Serve Frosé

Another fun, icy cocktail to help guests stay cool is Frosé, or “frozen rosé.” It’s similar to a blended margarita but it uses rosé wine! It’s become very popular among young people and will feel extra fancy at your cocktail hour or reception.