Image by Melissa Marshall. See more of this styled shoot with summer wedding ideas here

With constant sunshine and warmer temperatures, there’s a reason that summer is one of the most popular seasons for weddings. If you’re tying the knot between May and August, you’re in luck because there’s no shortage of summer wedding ideas and inspiration. To help you plan your special summer day, we’re rounding up 19 of our favorite summer wedding ideas that will keep you and your guests feeling cool. From the best types of weddings to summery color palettes to favors that will help your friends and family beat the heat–we’ve got it all.

Types Of Summer Weddings

Beach

Beach weddings are by far one of the most popular types of summer weddings. There’s just something special about tying the knot while the waves crash behind you and the ocean breeze flows through your hair. It’s an ideal setting for anyone looking for a more laidback, bohemian vibe for their day. 

Garden

If you’re a fan of fairytales and all things whimsical, consider saying “I do” in a garden or greenhouse. The greenery and natural florals serve as beautiful backdrops, making for some incredible photos. It also helps you save money on decor.

Image by Peyton Rainey Photography. See more of this real wedding here

Destination

If you and your significant other have a travel destination that is special to you, invite your guests there for a destination wedding. It could be somewhere tropical where you can lay in the sun for hours on end or somewhere in the mountains to cool down from the summer heat. The options are endless for destination summer weddings. If you have the time to spare, turn it into a weekend-long celebration so you can soak up time in your favorite place. 

Vineyard

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or you’re looking for a more rustic aesthetic for your special day, a vineyard makes the perfect wedding venue. With rolling hills, plenty of sunshine, and some delicious food and drinks, there are quite a few benefits to tying the knot in a vineyard. And the best part? You can get a special bottle of wine on your wedding day to save for special occasions like anniversaries or birthdays.

Barns and Farms

To take the rustic aesthetic to the next level, opt for a barn or farm wedding. These venues are typically blank slates that allow for a lot of personalization with decor and florals while still offering a country feel that you can’t find anywhere else.

Image by Ash Gabes. See more of this real wedding here

Backyard

There’s something incredibly romantic about getting married in the backyard of a home that’s special to you or your partner. They’re intimate, nostalgic, and budget-friendly. Because they’re not typically used as wedding venues, you have free rein to tailor the decorations to precisely what you’re looking for whether your mood board is rustic, modern, boho, or something else entirely. If you don’t have a backyard that is big enough for a wedding, but you love the idea of a backyard wedding, take a look at Airbnbs!

19 Fun Summer Wedding Ideas

Now that you’ve got an idea of the types of summer weddings available for your big day, here’s a list of our favorite summer wedding ideas for you to use.

1. Destination-themed invites

If you’re jet-setting for your special day, tie in the destination theme with your invitations. You can find personalized invites for your destination all over Etsy–from Greece to Paris to Hawaii to Las Vegas. 

2. Minimal wedding decor 

One of the best, budget-friendly reasons to get married in the summer is that many outdoor venues have built-in decor already. At the beach, you have the sunset and the waves. At a vineyard, there are fields of grapes. Use this to your advantage and let the scenery do the talking.

Image by White Diamond. See more of this real wedding here

3. Bright florals

If you do choose to add florals to your summer wedding, consider a bright color palette. Think bright reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows. These bold colors will make your special day feel more tropical, even if you aren’t heading off to a remote island.

4. Short reception dresses

We’re huge fans of reception dresses and the summer heat is the perfect excuse to change into a shorter hemline for your party. Not only will your guests be shocked by the outfit change, but you’ll also stay cool on and off the dance floor. 

Image by Henry Tieu Photography. See more of this real elopement here

5. Choose lodging with a pool

Having a destination wedding typically involves booking a room block at a hotel or opting for an Airbnb for your guests. Turn it into a multi-day affair that everyone can enjoy by choosing lodging that has a pool. This way, you can spend your days off lounging around and catching some rays with your loved ones.

6. S’mores bar

One of the best parts of summer is spending the nights outside cooking s’mores over the fire. So bring that fun to your wedding with a s’mores bar. If the wedding is outside and a bonfire is permitted, do it the old-fashioned way. If you’re indoors or unable to have fires, you can set up mini tabletop fire pits using food-safe candles. 

7. Welcome beach bags

While guests will most likely bring everything they need for a weekend at the beach, surprise them with welcome beach bags full of goodies you would need for a day under the sun. Fill it with things like a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, bug repellent, and sunglasses. It’s a fun, easy touch that they will appreciate. 

8. Festive favors 

If you have too many guests for welcome bags but still want to incorporate the summer season in your favors, consider festive favors. Give gifts like personalized hats or water bottles, flip flops for the sand, fans, or sunglasses.

Image by Jordan Voth

9. Lawn games

Dancing is arguably one of the best parts of a wedding, but there are other things you can do to keep your friends and family entertained if they don’t feel like getting down on the dance floor–like lawn games! Break out the corn hole and oversized Jenga and they’ll be playing all night long.

10. Coconut water bar

What says summer more than drinking coconut water out of a real coconut? Setting up a coconut water bar is a refreshing way to cool down, and it doubles as an adorable piece of wedding decor. 

Image by Through The Glass Paris. See more of this styled shoot here

11. Fresh fruit

Fruit makes for adorable table centerpieces when paired with bold florals and candles, especially citrus fruits like oranges, peaches, lemons, and grapefruits. Citrus fruits give you a bright, colorful palette that ties in beautifully with the season. 

Image by Jordan Voth. See more of this real wedding here

12. Seafood bar

If you’re opting for a waterfront ceremony, consider a nautical-themed food bar. You can serve oysters, calamari, mini shrimp cocktail, or sushi–the world is your oyster (literally).

13. Popsicle cocktails

There’s something about summer that reminds us of our childhoods, so bring that essence of nostalgia into your wedding day. Turn popsicles into an adult-only treat by serving cocktails that include mini popsicles in them. Not only do they taste delicious, but they also make for really cute photos. 

14. Mini margaritas

One of the hottest cocktails in the warmest months is margaritas. While you could serve them as your signature cocktail, you can also take it up a notch by passing out mini margaritas in small Patron bottles during cocktail hour. 

15. Pool decor

Saying “I do” next to a pool is a surefire way to embrace the summer. If you do decide to go down this route, don’t leave the pool bare. Throw in monogrammed floats, floating lanterns, or retro floats shaped like flamingos and palm trees.

Image by Meghan Hemstra. See more of this real wedding here

16. Palm leaf florals 

Palm leaves are one of the few florals that will never go out of style–especially in the warmer months. Use them in bouquets, backdrops, centerpieces, seating charts, and more. If you’re aiming for a more boho aesthetic but you still want to tie them in opt for dried palms.

17. Colored suits

There really is no wrong time to wear colored suits, but boy do we love them in summer. Lighter colors will pop and they’ll also keep you cooler under the sun. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors like teal, baby blue, yellow, orange, and even beige.

18. Family style BBQ

One of the highlights of summertime is barbecuing outside with friends and family, so why should your wedding be any different? If you’re throwing a laidback backyard wedding, fire up the grill and treat your guests to your favorite BBQ foods. 

19. Alfresco dining

For a dinner party feel, host your reception dinner under the stars in the warm air. It’s an easy and romantic way to take advantage of the beautiful weather. Bonus points for the whimsical feeling that comes from eating outside with your loved ones.

Now that you’ve got all of your summer wedding ideas fresh in mind, it’s time to dive in even more. Check out our guides to a backyard wedding, destination wedding, or an Airbnb wedding to keep your planning train on track. 

Image by Heirlume Photography. See more of this real wedding here