6 summer wedding ideas to inspire you

Summer is a fantastic time to get married, when you can almost guarantee the weather will be perfect for your special day. Thanks to the pleasant weather and the long days, getting married in summer also means you can make the most of beautiful outdoor venues without worrying too much about putting together a plan B.

If you're dreaming of getting married under clear blue skies while the sun gently warms your face, take a look at our six top summer wedding ideas.

1. Embrace tropical colours

Whether or not you're jetting off somewhere exotic for your wedding, adding some bright colours to your theme is a great way to introduce a summer holiday feel. Vibrant pinks, oranges, and greens work really well. Just remember to keep it tasteful and don't go overboard.

2. Throw a pool party

Swap a stuffy indoor reception for a chic pool party! If your wedding venue has a pool or there's somewhere nearby that you know would cater for your party, end your big day with a splash and tropical cocktails. Just make sure you let guests know what's going on and ask them to bring their swimming gear with them on the big day.

3. Introduce floral accessories

Flowers aren't just for the table and the bouquet. You can add a sense of summer to your wedding by adding flowers anywhere you like. Consider choosing a floral tie for the groom and groomsmen, adding flowers to the bridesmaids' hair, and choosing a gown with white floral lace.

4. Have a flavoured water bar

If you're lucky and the weather is superb, you're going to have a lot of thirsty guests all day long. Help them stay hydrated by setting up a water bar. You can set several dispensers or jugs of water onto a decorated table, each of which is filled with a different type of fruit. Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit — pretty much any type of citrus fruit works really well.

5. Enjoy afternoon tea

Serving up a lavish afternoon tea is a great way to feed your guests while also embracing all the best bits of summer. Fluffy scones piled high with thick clotted cream and sweet strawberry jam (or the other way around — you do you!) served with tea and prosecco is something everyone can get on board with.

6. Set up fire pits

You don't have to head indoors when the sun starts to set. If you've got an outdoor wedding venue, keep the party going outside by lighting firepits. Surround each fire pit with deckchairs and lay blankets over each one, just in case it gets a bit chilly. For an extra special touch, provide biscuits, chocolate, marshmallows, and kebab sticks so your guests can make s'mores.

Peak wedding season in the UK is between May and October. This means that you'll be competing with a lot of other loved-up couples when you're planning your summer wedding. To make sure you get your first choice of wedding venue and services, plan as far ahead in advance as you can. It also pays to be a little bit flexible where you can, like having your wedding on a Friday afternoon instead of a Saturday.