The Best 5 Summer Wedding Ideas You Need to Read About Right Now

Summer is often thought of as the wedding season and for a good reason! The nice, warm weather opens up a host of options for your venue, dress, decor, and theme. Nevertheless, summer weddings can come with their own set of challenges, such as protecting your guests from the harsh sun or dealing with unexpected summer storms.

Thankfully, we've found a few ways to elevate your seasonal wedding experience while taking great care of your guests (and yourself). From fun, cooling cocktails to effortlessly summer-y decor, we've perused many ideas to bring you our favorite five.

Our Fave Five Summer Wedding Ideas

So Long Traditional Rehearsal Dinner; Hello Beach Pre-party!

There's nothing wrong with a rehearsal dinner. It's a great opportunity to mingle with your families and friends. A rehearsal dinner is one way to show your out-of-town guests a warm welcome. But it can feel a bit stuffy if you go the traditional, formal route in the summer.

Instead, opt for a pre-party outdoors! A beach can make the perfect backdrop for a night-before-the-wedding dinner. Prepare some laidback food, light a campfire or two, and let everyone relax before the big day. A more casual atmosphere is ideal for the summer when the last thing people want to do is be stuck indoors in formal clothing. It also might be just what you need as the bride, being able to go barefoot and wear a sundress before spending hours in heels and a gown.

Welcome Your Guests with a Handy Kit

Ah, sweet summer, the sun, the breeze, the sand, and the waves…unless the sun's too hot, the breeze messes with your veil, and the sand is getting positive everywhere! Summer weddings and weather can have a mind of their own. However, if you and your guests are prepared, your big day can go off without a hitch. A handy welcome kit is one way to ensure you've got everyone covered.

A fully stocked beach bag (think party favor size) can be a lifesaver if you have a remote wedding locale. You can put sunscreen, bug repellent, bottled water, band-aids, wipes, and safety pins inside. That way, no matter what your guests may need, they'll be prepared, making the wedding much more enjoyable for everyone involved.

From Beach to Boat

Beach weddings are ultra-popular; just look at some breathtaking seaside ceremony photos, and you can easily understand why. Still, you can elevate your summer wedding by moving from the beach to the boat. You don't need to get married on the bow, but organizing a ride for your guests can really blow their minds.

Consider hosting your rehearsal dinner on a large vessel, such as a yacht or a ferry. Alternatively, you can have everyone board for a low-key small excursion to get out and enjoy the water while taking in a different view of your venue. Charter boats will sometimes take everyone out for a sunset cruise with cocktails and dancing. Alternatively, catamaran or sailboats are ideal for an intimate gathering. Whichever way you involve a water-going vessel in your summer wedding, it's sure to be an experience no one will soon forget.

Hydrate with a Coconut Water Station

Water is good and great, and we love water at hot summer weddings. But what about coconut water? We're not talking about the boxed version you can find in stores; we're thinking of real coconuts with cute little straws. A coconut water station serves a few purposes at a wedding, and all of them are fantastic!

First, it keeps your guests hydrated; because the last thing anyone wants is someone fainting on their big day. Second, they are practically a piece of decor. It doesn't get much more beachy than a tropical fruit with a fun straw. Finally, a coconut station can make a great photo backdrop if done correctly. Instead of laying them out on a table, stack them on vertical shelving for an instant photo prop that screams "beach!"

Create a Cool Refreshments Station

Speaking of refreshments, summer weddings are the perfect time to get creative with your beverages. Everyone wants to cool down and be swept away to an island paradise with one sip, so keep your flavors fresh, crisp, and light. Popular summer beverage flavors include cucumber, berry, mint, or watermelon. Bubbles are usually welcome too.

Feel free to create a signature cocktail unique to your nuptials. Alternatively, stick to the favorites such as sangria, mojitos, negronis, rosé punch, or lime gimlets. Be sure to offer plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, too, especially if it is hot out. Mocktails, berry lemonades, punch, and seltzers can be enjoyed by all guests while keeping them safely hydrated and ready to party all night long.

Bonus Tip: Dress Yourself in Vibrant Jewelry

Summer and colorful jewels go hand in hand (but honestly, we don’t mind wearing them all year round!) However, our personal favorite picks for a vibrant summer wedding include tanzanite, ruby, and aquamarine. Take this pair of classic Ruby and Lab Diamond earrings, for instance. It’s elegant and dressy at the same time, and would look lovely with a hair up-do. Or you can also opt for a gorgeous emerald pendant to add a fresh pop of color and elevate the summer vibe.

Freshen Up Your Summer Fling

Summer weddings have become the standard, but that doesn't mean yours has to be the same-old-same-old. Elevate your nuptials with these fun ideas that will earn a permanent place in your guest's memories as one of the best summer weddings they've ever attended!