Summer weddings are SO beautiful, but can be extremely warm and can get your guests upset veryyy quickly. It’s your big day, and a beautiful, outdoor summer wedding may be just what you envisioned, however, the logistics of making the day perfect can be a little tricky. Planning a wedding in general is time-consuming, stressful, expensive, and overwhelming; but it is also going to be one of the best days of your life because you get to be with your person forever, two families are coming together, and you get to spend time with your favorite people who care about you both so much.

There are a lot of little things brides forget to plan, when figuring out all the kinks for this monumental and super exciting day, so that’s where I come in! A summer wedding is totally attainable and can be an epic day, but let’s make sure we take care of EVERYTHING and don’t leave our guests dying in the heat, while still making sure your day is freaking PERFECT.

I came up with a few tips and things I’ve learned as a photographer whose been to tons of weddings and seen almost everything to make things a little easier on your dream day.

1. Stay away from the middle of the day. It’s hot, the lighting is terrible and everyone’s miserable. Opt for an afternoon ceremony and cocktail hour and photos at sunset and then dancing!

2. Have lots of water bottles ready to go during pictures and other events. I’ve had so many brides get dehydrated and have heat exhaustion, so be careful. During your day you don’t realize how thirsty you are until it’s too late so let your new hubby take care of you and put him in charge of water!

3. Wear a dress you can move in. Something light and easy that you’re not going to sweat all day in.

4. If you’re having an outdoor reception, have bug spray ready!

5. STATE PARKS make incredible venues. They’re so affordable as well. It’s so easy to rent out a space there, super inexpensive. Then just bring in chairs,tables and decor (if you want any). So stunning and so simple.

6. Let people know months ahead of time your date because flights tend to be slightly higher in the summer!

7. Have a fun “wedding weekend”.  If you’re doing a destination wedding, take a couple of vacation days beforehand and blow off the stress with some friends. It makes the wedding day so much more relaxed and fun!

8. Make sure you take photos of the kids and grandparents first. It gets so toasty in the summer, and you need to get those guys out of the heat and hydrated!

Don’t get me wrong, weddings are lots of planning and a lot of work, but my friends, they are so worth it. It’s a day of celebration and love and family. Check out other my other posts for more tips for planning your wedding!