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Are you in the midst of planning a summer wedding? While they’re synonymous with idyllic images of bright sunshine and perfectly decorated venues, it’s important to ensure all the practical details are covered in the planning stage.
The truth is that the British weather is unpredictable could turn on its head at any moment.
On top of this, weddings can be expensive, so anything you can do to stay within your budget is well worth considering.
While it’s good to prepare for the unexpected, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and customize your big day to suit your vision.
Here are some things to consider while planning.
Budget
First, set a budget that works for you – and make sure it’s realistic. This means you may have to prioritize certain areas to make it all happen.
It’s no secret that summer is one of the most expensive times in the year to get married as the likelihood of good weather and comfortable temperatures is greater.
You’ll also have to compete with other summer wedding or event organisers wanting to hire out a particular venue, so the earlier you start looking, the better.
To get started, you could use one of many free budget planning tools online or simply set up a spreadsheet.
It’s often worth beginning to save well ahead of your wedding, as your big day can have many costs that you may not even think about when you’re caught up in the excitement of your engagement.
Fees such as chair hire, corkage if you’re having a wet bar, and of course hotel stays for the wedding party the night before can all begin to quickly add up.
If you’re finding that your dream wedding is beginning to look impossible, try see if there are certain aspects you could DIY or simply cut down the cost off.
Physical invites can be swapped for e-invites that you could whip up on a photo editor yourself and message or email out and opt for a smaller flower size and utilise filler to add more oomph to any bouquets and arrangements.
Wedding Outfits
Warmer temperatures mean you’ll need to think wisely about wedding outfits worn on the day. Suits shouldn’t be too heavy or made from thick material.
Meanwhile, you’ll have more scope when it comes to dresses – just make sure you go for a light, flowy material. Linen and silk are great fabrics to integrate into a summer wedding.
When it comes to styling hair, it makes sense to opt for an up-do across the bridal party to keep people’s necks nice and cool.
Plus, you can incorporate hair accessories or earrings to do the talking – this is where you can choose something that will coordinate beautifully with your engagement ring.
If you’re heart it set on wearing a larger, more dramatic wedding dress then it may be worth having a lighter dress to swap into after the ceremony.
This will offer you better manoeuvrability and comfort, whilst allowing you to dance the night away without worrying about ruining a precious, and expensive, keepsake.
Plan For Adverse Weather
There’s no getting away from the fact that the British weather is known for being unreliable. With this in mind, preparation is key.
Think about gazebos and areas that will allow guests to take cover at short notice, without having to pause the occasion.
It may be more practical to base the food, drink and entertainment indoors but allow guests the option to easily slip outside if the weather does come through.
Aside from this, make sure you have umbrellas on standby to avoid any rainy dashes in between locations.
It’s also important to prepare for any particularly warm conditions, as rare as these may be, in order to ensure that you are your guests are comfortable no matter the weather.
Have hydration stations with water dotted around where guests will gather, provide hand-held paper fans to allow people to cool themselves down throughout the ceremony or reception.
You should also make sure that your wedding cake and food can be properly stored at the correct temperatures in order to minimise the risk of any melting.
A Light Menu
When the weather is extremely warm, the truth is that a large sit-down meal feels somewhat less appealing.
However, it’s important to make sure your guests are well fed so they can celebrate into the night.
You might choose lighter foods for the meal or even set up a buffet where guests can help themselves to as much or as little as they like.
