Yeah Weddings

20 Creative Ideas for a Summer Wedding

Summer is the wedding season for a reason! Here are some creative summer ideas.

So, You Want to Have a Summer Wedding…

If you are dreaming of a summer wedding, the ideas and inspiration are endless. From fabulous floral arrangements to beautiful wedding color schemes, summer is the perfect season for weddings.

Summer weather is ideal for a wedding. In fall, winter, and spring, there are unpredictable temperatures and even the chance of snow. Summer is well-known for beautiful sunny skies and warm temperatures, both of which will make your special day a little bit more special.

Summer weddings are limitless. Once you have decided on your theme and summer wedding colors, use this list of creative summer ideas to make your wedding stand out from the rest!

Here are Some of Our Favorite Wedding Ideas for Summer

Before you have your June, July, or August wedding, check out these summer ideas!

Signature Summer Cocktail

summer wedding ideas

Consider having a signature summer drink at your cocktail hour. Trendy drinks like froze, frozen margaritas, or even alcoholic popsicles will cool your guests down. Give the drink a unique name that is connected to your theme. Some examples include “the blushing bride,” “something blue,” or “berry happy together.”

Using seasonal ingredients like berries that are light and refreshing is perfect for a summer wedding. Serving the drinks in containers with taps will allow your guests to feel free to serve themselves and not have to wait in long lines at the bar.

Cool and refreshing beverages will make your guests keep coming back for more!

Poolside Reception

summer wedding ideas

A creative venue idea is to have your wedding at a location that has a pool. You can utilize the pool for custom decor like floats, flowers, or candles. If you really want to wow your guests, build a custom floral monogram to float in the pool for a beautiful statement piece.

If you don’t want to have your pool used for decoration, why not let your guests swim on your wedding day. After the ceremony, let your guests cool off and have a poolside reception. If you are feeling it, take photos with your groom jumping into the water for a fun end to your wedding night.

After Party at a Separate Venue

summer wedding ideas

Another creative idea for your venue is to have an after party somewhere else. Let your wedding go on for hours after the reception by renting a separate party venue for 21 and older guests or just your closest friends.

Themed Guest Book

Depending on your theme, let your guest sign a unique guest book to remind you of your special day. For example if you are having a beach themed wedding, have your guests sign a surfboard. Another idea is to have your guests sign a picnic table for a picnic theme.

Touch-Up Station

summer wedding ideas

Although the summer is perfect for weddings because of the sunny and warm weather, the heat can also have negative effects. When you spend hours doing your hair and makeup to look good at a wedding, it may be annoying to sweat through the ceremony and reception.

Give you guests a touch-up station with mirrors and hair spray, and if you really want to go all out, splurge on a make-up artist to help with the station.

Artist to Paint Live

summer wedding ideas

For a unique sentimental item to keep from your wedding, commission an artist to paint a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. Have the artist paint your reception live for your guests to watch and so you can have a cool piece of artwork for your new home with your spouse.

You can also hire a cartoon artist to draw caricatures of your wedding guests for them to take home. These types of artists will entertain your guests and the cartoons will definitely become a conversation starter. Let the artist draw you and your partner for a fun, cute portrait from your wedding.

Beat the Heat Station

If it’s going to be especially hot during your wedding, invest in a beat the heat station for your guests. Fans that mist water, seating for older guests who may overheat easily, and plenty of water will keep your guests comfortable and safe.

You can also give out fans as a wedding favor that guests can use during the wedding itself!

Rent an Ice Cream Truck

summer wedding ideas

One of the best parts of summer is snacking on cool, frozen treats. Give your guests some childhood nostalgia and rent an ice cream truck to come to your wedding. Watch your guests faces as they hear the nostalgic music and how excited everyone is!

Food trucks are a fun and  unique wedding reception idea, and will offer guests some fun wedding food to snack on.

Scavenger Hunt

summer wedding ideas

While your bridal photographs are being taken after the ceremony, give your guests a fun activity to do instead of waiting around in the heat. Have your guests do a scavenger hunt checklist with unique questions pertaining to your venue, with the winner earning a unique and fun prize!

Try a Unique Theme

summer wedding ideas

Why not try a unique summer wedding theme? If you and your partner do not want a traditional wedding, try a different theme that will excite your guests. A carnival theme, beach theme, or a patriotic theme are some unique ideas.

For a carnival themed summer wedding, you can rent a cotton candy machine or even a ferris wheel to complete your theme. For a beach wedding, decorate with sand and shell centerpieces. A patriotic theme can include vintage American themed accessories, and a red, white, and blue color scheme.

Flower Crowns

summer wedding ideas

Give your wedding party beautiful flower crowns and hair accessories to wear on your wedding day to create a whimsical look. These bloom arrangements will give your bridesmaids a romantic and pretty look for your ceremony.

Color Coordinated Guests

summer wedding ideas

On your invitations, ask your guests to wear something specific to your wedding. For example, you could break traditional rules and ask all of your wedding guests to wear white. Or if you have a special color scheme, ask your guests to coordinate with the colors of your wedding.

Garden Games

summer wedding ideas

A backyard summer wedding isn’t complete with yard games to play. Build a custom monogramed corn hole set or set up horseshoe to give your guests something to keep them occupied. This is especially a good idea if you are inviting family members with children under 21, as it will give them something to do while older guests are partying and socializing.

Photobooth and Hashtag

summer wedding ideas

Photo booths are always a hit at weddings. Look for a photobooth to rent or create your own so guests can take pictures to post on social media. Give your guests a special hashtag to use so that you and your partner can look through everyone’s pictures on your honeymoon.

Some ideas for a photobooth are to include funny custom props and signs for your guests to take photos with. You can decorate the backdrop with the colors of your wedding, or a beautiful custom flower wall.

Rent a Ride

summer wedding ideas

If you want your guests to have an unforgettable experience at your wedding, rent a ride so that guests can be thrilled. Amusement rides like a ferris wheel will not only be a fun activity, it will also be a cool backdrop for wedding photographs.

If you decide on a carnival theme, this is a must. The illuminated ferris wheel in the background of your reception will bring this theme to life.

Parasols

summer wedding ideas

Instead of giving out paper fans at your ceremony, give out custom parasols to protect your guests from the heat. Parasols can give your wedding a cute and vintage look while serving a helpful purpose.

Another idea is to put giant umbrellas over your seating at your wedding ceremony. Keeping your guests protected from the sun will not only keep them cooler, it will also make sure no one gets a sunburn watching you and your partner exchange vows.

Flip-flops and Sunglasses

summer wedding ideas

For a unique addition to your wedding party, let your bridesmaids and groomsmen wear fun accessories to your wedding. Sunglasses and flip flops can liven up the mood and make your party a fun, casual, party-like atmosphere.

Unique Ceremony

summer wedding ideas

Depending on where you are having your wedding ceremony, add some unique touches to make yours special. An out of the ordinary seating arrangement can make your walk down the aisle a different and unique style.

Another idea is to let your pet be the ring bearer. Let your loyal pup deliver your rings to you and your partner for an especially cute and personal touch.

Getaway Car

summer wedding ideas

A fun getaway car, or other type of vehicle can make the end of your wedding night a special memory. For a summer wedding, let your imagination take over and make your getaway memorable.

Don’t think that you need an extravagant luxury car… make your wedding unique and getaway on a boat, motorcycle, or you could even ride a horse!

Lanterns and Bug Spray

summer wedding ideas

If you decide to have your wedding outdoors in the summer, you need to anticipate that bugs will probably be a pest during your reception. Put out bottles of bug spray for your guests to use if your venue is especially buggy, or light lanterns and candles that are made specifically to keep bugs away from guests.

Use These Summer Ideas to Make Your Wedding Perfect!

With so many fun and unique summer  ideas, the inspiration is endless. Use some of these ideas on your special day to make it memorable and festive. Little details will not go unnoticed by your guests, and it will give them an experience they will not forget at your summer wedding!

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Caroline Kinsley

Caroline Kinsley is a recent graduate from the University of Delaware. With a degree in media communications, Caroline’s passions are marketing and journalism. Caroline has always loved the wedding planning process, being the daughter of an event planner. In addition to contributions to Yeah Weddings, Caroline Kinsley has published articles in Delaware Today Magazine, Her Campus, and YOUR Magazine.

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