So, you have decided to have an outdoor summer wedding. Here is all you need to get started on piecing it together to make sure your special day is just that – special. From finding the perfect venue in a clear span tent to sending out the save-the-date invitations, read below to learn how to plan the perfect outdoor wedding.
Save-the-dates
Having a wedding during the summer means having to plan with and around the schedules of many. Since kids are out of school in the summer, most families plan vacations during that time. If you want to have a summer wedding and you want to make sure you have guests attend, you will want to make sure you send out save-the-date invitations to your guests.
Save-the-dates can be sent out six to eight months prior to the scheduled wedding date. This will provide ample time for your future guests to arrange their schedule so they will be able to see you tie the knot.
Don’t overlook this step in your preparation. You want a wedding – and you want guests to celebrate your day with you!
Use a clear span tent for the perfect outdoor venue
Okay, so you don’t have to have an outdoor summer wedding, but why wouldn’t you want to? Nature and the outdoors brings such a welcoming place for a celebration. Most people try to fill indoor venues with flowers – but, you can have your wedding outside amongst the flowers! Besides, having an outdoor wedding gives you ample amount of choices for location. You can rent a clear span tent and have it erected in a large backyard, an open field, a park, the beach – you name it!
Clear span tent rentals come in all shapes and sizes. You can customize your wedding tent to meet your exact needs, depending on the size of your wedding and the events you plan to partake in on your special day. For example, you are going to want to likely have seating, a food serving/prep area, dance floor and DJ location, etc.
Food for thought – best ideas for an outdoor summer wedding
There is something about eating a heavy meal on a hot day and then feeling miserable – heavy food and outdoor heat do not mix. If you are holding your wedding outdoors during summertime, it is best to go for a light meal that will not weigh your guests down and spoil any potential fun. Here are a few ideas to consider when planning your menu:
- Offer a mixture of light salads on a salad bar, such as crisp tossed salad, chicken salad, fruit salad, etc.
- Go barbecue style. Have ribs, chicken, burgers, etc. on the grill, along with all the fixins’ – potato salad, coleslaw, or chips.
- How about a cool down station? A sundae bar, popsicle stand, or a shaved ice cart.
- Like seafood? How about serving crab, sushi, shrimp cocktail, or a crawfish boil?
- How about serving finger foods or appetizers to keep it a light menu?
Food isn’t the only thing you want to keep light. Have you considered the beverages you will serve? An outdoor summer wedding requires staying hydrated. However, there are many light and refreshing beverages and cocktails that your guests will appreciate. Use this list to get you started:
- Have a drink station of pre-made beverages – Fill dispensers with a ton of ice and then fill them up with things like lemonade, iced tea, sangria, fruit spritzers. To add a decorative flair, add fresh fruit to the dispensers, too.
- Fruit-infused waters add a lovely touch to wedding receptions, as well. Water is necessary on a hot day, but the fruit spruces it up a bit.
Decide what it is you and your guests will enjoy and then make it happen. Keep it cool, light, easy, and tasty.
Make your guests comfortable
Just because you chose to have a wedding outside, in the middle of summer, does not mean that your guests should suffer. It’s going to be hot. Depending on where you live, it could also be humid. While your friends and family may be fans of you, they may not be fans of the heat and the sun. So, treat them and make them comfortable on your special day.
Providing fans is one of the most important things you can do for your guests. Although, clear span tent rentals can be climate controlled, when you have a lot of people in an outdoor space in the summer, it may get a little sticky. Providing area fans throughout your celebration, as well as decorative hand-held fans can add a bit of relief. If you are feeling up to the spending, purchasing personal fans for your guests will likely be much appreciated.
Sunglasses and flip flops are other things that will help guests be more relaxed. Perhaps they spent their time dressing for a wedding, rather than remembering things such as sunglasses to protect their eyes or the fact that heels and grass don’t mix. These items are cheap to purchase in bulk and can make a big, welcoming impact.
All in all, make sure your guests are protected from the elements and are staying hydrated and cool throughout the festivities.
Don’t overlook the little things
You cannot please everyone, but you sure can try. There are lots of little things that you don’t want to overlook when planning your outdoor summer wedding. Make sure you take into consideration the venue and the pesky things that may lead to irritable guests.
For example, bugs. Your clear span tent can have side walls that will help keep a lot of the pests away. However, with so many guests coming in and out, the bugs are likely to find their way in. That doesn’t mean they must feel welcome when they get in. Make sure you use repellent and spray the area prior to the party. Then, provide your guests with repellent wipes to stay bug-free throughout the day!
Something else you will not want to overlook is hot guests. You want them to dance and let loose, but you don’t want them passing out from heat exhaustion. Therefore, providing your guests with ice rags to put on their necks can cool them down and keep them dancing!
Put yourself in your guests’ shoes and decide what would make you most comfortable – then provide that for your guests.
An outdoor summer wedding can be fun and beautiful. Plan to make it memorable – and enjoyable – for all involved.