Dynamic Colors
Bright hues are always popular for summer weddings but, don't try too many colors in one space. Think sophisticated brights. Sticking with just two hues (and maybe an accent color) will keep your space unified. Rather than splashing color all over your reception space, use one dynamic color to make a strong statement. This holds especially true for your centerpieces: Instead of multi-colored centerpieces, alternate single color floral arrangements for a pulled together look.
Upscale Picnic Food
Summer is the season for barbecuing, so consider incorporating grilled entrees, summertime favorites, and seasonal fruits into your menu.
Beyond Wedding Cake
Get inspired by the summer flavors you loved as a child. Think fresh strawberries and whipped cream filling for a strawberry shortcake-style wedding cake, or a citrus-infused filling like Key lime, lemon, or orange vanilla butter cream that honors a summertime fruit. Beyond the cake, consider serving other desserts. A big-hit: Hire an ice cream truck to arrive a the end of the night offering summertime favorites--the perfect nostalgic, late-night snack for your guests.
More Green Weddings
Environmentally sensitive weddings have proven to be more than a trend as they continue to be as popular as ever in 2008.
Natural Centerpieces
Cut citrus fruit is a tried-and-true favorite for summertime centerpieces, but other options can be just as visually appealing. If you love fruit but want something new, have your florist use a hollowed-out watermelon as the centerpiece container for a casual look that's fun and seasonal. Another option is to go natural and green with your containers. Incorporate wooden vases or pedestals with grass or moss to give centerpieces a textured, natural feel.
Unexpected Invitations
Letterpressed invites in traditional ivory and black are as popular as ever. But if you want to go for something a little more creative - use colors in an unexpected way. For example, rather than using fuchsia lettering on a cream-colored invite, opt for cream print on fuchsia paper. Or mix it up --do the cream-colored invite with fuchsia writing, and then a bright pink reply card with a cream-colored font. Consider the material of your invite as well. One hot-off-the-press idea: Get fabric-printed invites, programs, and escort cards for a laid back look that's perfect for summer.
Branded Weddings
To make planning easier and more cohesive, many couples are choosing to create a "wedding logo" to theme their wedding around. Not only does this help couples to narrow down choices for decor and food, it also gives couples a chance to infuse their personality into their wedding's design.
Couples are deciding to think like tourists in their own towns and opting out of the traditional church and reception hall wedding. Instead, many are choosing wedding venues that have vacation appeal, right in their own towns. This way couples get the best of both worlds - the feeling of a destination, without the long distance planning hassles.
888 Weddings
While 7/7/07 was the hot wedding date last year, this summer couples are making their lives easier by choosing a wedding date they'll never forget - 8/8/08. The date falls on a Friday, which often reduces the cost of a traditional Saturday afternoon wedding - making it an even more attractive choice for simplicity-seeking couples.
Favorable Favors
Couples are opting out of the traditional miniature monogrammed wedding bells and choosing to hand out favors their guests can really use. This summer's favorite favors include: potted plants that double as centerpieces, seed packets, miniature jars of honey or fruit preserves, personalized tea bags, and other perishable items dressed up with ribbon or paper in your wedding colors. Beyond that, you might consider donating to a local charity for a wedding favor idea that never goes out of season.
