Planning the Perfect Summer Wedding
The sun is out, the temperatures are up, and love is in the air. It’s summertime, and people are flocking to San Diego to get married. And who can blame them? We pretty much live in paradise.
But even in paradise, those temperatures can peak at a little too warm, and the sun can beat down harder than expected – both threatening to reduce the comfort level of an otherwise gorgeous wedding.
So if you are getting married outside in the summer (and is there any other way to do it if a summer wedding is what you yearn for?) then you might want to consider these tips to ensure your day shines just as bright as the sun beating down.
Plan for Shade
Yes, that sunshine is part of why you wanted to get married in San Diego in the summertime. But it can also get a little overwhelming if you put your guests directly in its rays. So plan on setting up a tent near the reception area that guests can congregate under for shade, and consider providing fans and parasols for the ceremony itself. You can still bask in those rays and enjoy the sun on your back, but with a few modifications; you can also ensure your guests can escape that sunshine if need be.
Keep Your Guests Hydrated
Consider talking to your catering company about serving beverages before the ceremony. No, you don’t have to booze your guests up before your “I Do’s” (and doing so might actually be a bad idea – that is, if you want a relatively calm ceremony). But providing a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink for guests to sip on as they wait for the ceremony to begin will keep them hydrated and happy until the reception commences.
Dress For the Heat
This should hopefully be common sense, but if you are getting married in the middle of summer – lighter apparel is the way to go. You want a dress that breathes and moves, and a tux that will do the same. As you are trying on wedding apparel, just ask yourself whether your dream outfit is one you could wear in 80+ degree heat without sweating through the seams. And while you’re at it, make sure you choose heels that will be able to withstand the outdoor terrain – flats are sometimes your best option when it comes to navigating the sand at a beach wedding.
Time it Right
Again, this may seem obvious, but avoid the midday nuptials. Not only is the lighting less than flattering at midday for photographs, but the heat is at its most intense. Instead, opt for morning, late afternoon or evening weddings. I personally think that ceremonies timed around sunset are about as classic as it gets.
Keep Your Flowers Happy
When the temps get higher, flowers are more likely to wilt – so plan ahead, just in case. Talk to your florist about arrangements most likely to withstand the summer temperatures, and ensure he or she is committed to, and educated in, keeping those arrangements hydrated up to the big event. You may also want to consider ordering an extra boutonniere, as a backup for if the original starts to wilt, and keep your tossing bouquet in a refrigerator until it is time to make it’s debut. As for flowers in your hair, remember that without a water source – they are more likely to wilt. Which is probably not the updo look you were going for on your big day.