Preparing Your Perfect Wedding in the Warmest Months
Most statistics still point to May through August as the most popular times to get married, so summer weddings are high on many couple’s lists. There are advantages to a summer affair, the biggest being that you can have an outdoor ceremony and/or reception. You can also take advantage of that gorgeous garden Mom’s been keeping up for years, or wear a sleeveless dress to show off those yoga-trimmed arms. Time things just right and you might be saying your I do’s when the sun begins to set.
Hot fun in the summer time.
Summer tends to invite informality too, with slinkier fabrics for you (satin and chiffon), and colored hues for the bridesmaids. The groom might be thrilled to wear a khaki blazer instead of black-tie (provided it’s not an evening ceremony). Hair’s usually kept up or away from the face, as humidity is a do’s worst friend. Tres chic affairs go mad for hats.
So why doesn’t everyone wed in the heat-of-the-night-or-day!? Summer invites disadvantages as well. Depending on where you live, it simply may be too hot to be outdoors—New Mexico and Florida in August aren’t for the faint of heart. Keep in mind, too, that elderly relatives can have a very difficult time in the heat. If you’re set on saying your vows in the Mojave Desert, don’t expect everyone to RSVP “yes.” No matter anyone’s age, if you hold a wedding in hot weather, make sure bottled water’s readily accessible.
They say it never rains in Southern California, but don’t count on it. Though some climates have little precipitation during the warmer months, others, like the East Coast, have frequent downpours. Every summer wedding outdoors requires a contingency plan for rain, and that can add a lot of extra costs and preparation.
The heat is on.
That yummy butter cream cake you want? It’ll melt faster than you can cut it. (You’ll probably need to go for something more durable, like fondant.) You’re also going to need refrigerator space for foods that don’t hold up well in heat, or simply go bad—anything with mayonnaise.
Among the unwanted guests for a summer affair are mosquitoes and bugs. Make sure there’s plenty of shade, and provide repellant. If you’re holding the ceremony in a park or beach area, advise female guests not to wear hose or high heels. You don’t want your guest to be uncomfortable, or, worse, tripping in the sand or sinking in dirt.
Summer is vacation time for families, and you might find yourself competing with your friends’ holiday plans. If you’re insistent on one of the three Big Weekends (Memorial, Fourth, or Labor), get those Save the Date cards out way in advance, and be prepared for higher airfares and hotel costs, and booked-up rooms.
Summer romance.
Don’t sweat the small stuff; with all the reasons to wed in the warm months, the best may be because the atmosphere will be as hot and fiery as your passion for one another. So get ready, because things are about to heat up!