A guide to planning the perfect summer wedding
Summer is the most popular time of year to get married in the UK. Here’s how you can make the most of the season for a wedding that really stands out.
The sun’s out, school’s out, and holiday season has well and truly arrived in the UK. And with it comes wedding season!
Summer is by far the most popular time of year to get married for British couples, with almost half choosing to get married between May and September. And there is good reason for this preference for summer weddings – the days are longer, the weather is (hopefully) warmer and you to get to choose from a fantastic array of seasonal produce and flowers.
If you’re planning a summer wedding, here are our top tips to help you make the most of this wonderful season.
Use the outdoors
While a summer wedding doesn’t guarantee good weather, you are more likely to see sunshine than at any other time of year, so make the most of it by choosing a venue with some lovely outdoor space that you and your guests can enjoy throughout the reception. How you use it is down to you, but some ideas that always prove popular include an outdoor drinks reception with acoustic musician, garden games such as giant Jenga and Connect 4, and even some fun inflatables such as sumo suits or a bouncy castle.
Go bold
A summer wedding is the perfect opportunity to throw caution to the wind and go bold with your colour scheme. Bridesmaid dresses, flowers and decorations in shades of hot pink, sunflower yellow and bright blue work all work really well and will look fantastic in your photographs. If you’re a bit nervous about using such bold colours, try combining them with softer pastel shades for a more subtle look that is just as beautiful.
Seasonal blooms
One of the great advantages of a summertime wedding is that flowers are in abundance, enabling you to choose from a wide variety of gorgeous blooms for your bouquet and venue decorations – so be sure to make the most of it. Opt for a romantic theme with roses or peonies, or go for a bolder look by making colourful sunflowers or gerberas the focal point of your floral displays. If a rustic theme is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with a hand-tied wildflower bouquet – especially if it’s accessorised with a beautiful flower crown.
Alternative catering
If you’re looking to move away from the traditional three course wedding breakfast, a summer wedding offers a great opportunity to do just that. Warmer weather generally means that people are happy with lighter dishes, so why not treat your guests to some delicious salads, antipasti and cold meats, afternoon tea, or even picnics served in wicker hampers – even better if they can be enjoyed outside. For something a little more informal, a gourmet BBQ is something that always goes down well with guests.
Summertime photo opportunities
Generally speaking, summer weddings also make for great wedding photographs. The days are longer, the light is usually better and, with summer in full bloom there are usually plenty of beautiful backdrops to choose from. As one of the premier barn wedding venues in Essex we are surrounded by acres of stunning countryside, as well as having our own private enclosed gardens, both of which offer some fantastic photo opportunities, enabling you to really make the most of the summertime weather and lighter evenings.
Weddings are magical at any time of year, but there’s something really special about a summertime wedding. If you’re looking for the perfect location for your summer wedding, please do get in touch. We’d love to help you organise the beautiful summer wedding of your dreams.