Its official, Summer has arrived at Huntsham Court!
It can only mean one thing, time to get stuck into some Summer Wedding planning.
With this in mind, we have put our Wedding Planner thinking-caps on and come together to give you some top tips when it come to planning your idyllic Summer wedding.
There is a lot to consider when you are piecing together your big day at an exclusive use, dry hire wedding venue.
But don’t panic, you are in good hands with the events team and collectively we have some excellent ideas to help you along the way.
First up, lets discuss the main event…
A Summer wedding Ceremony!
We caught up with Natalie from Hyland weddings and events for some of her top tips.
Planning your Summer wedding ceremony
As we bask in the British sunshine, sip on G&Ts and soak up the rays this summer, it comes as no surprise that this season remains the most popular time of year to tie the knot.
As an Event Manager at Huntsham Court, as well as having years’ worth of experience planning love stories across the South West, I have whipped up a few helpful tips to ensure you can say ‘I Do’ in the summer without a worry in the world.
A Wet Weather Plan for your Summer wedding ceremony
Huntsham Court has the most gorgeous locations for an outdoor ceremony. Imagine an intimate alfresco ceremony at The Dovecote, underneath a canopy of ancient conifer trees on the lawn, on the the Terrace with magnificent views, or in their Secret Garden under the Tipi – you really are spoilt for choice here.
Being in the UK, Huntsham Court has witnessed a rainy day or two so we will always work with you to have a Plan B in place just in case the weather doesn’t play ball for your outdoor Summer wedding ceremony.
Wherever you choose to get married, we will always make sure you have a wet weather plan in place to ensure your nuptials run smoothly – no matter if it rains or shines!
Rest assured, you can make a last minute decision on the day. You won’t be pressured into making a final decision weeks before. Both ceremony spots can be made ready, so if its a quick dash amid the scattered showers… we will be ready for you!
Top tip – Buy a load of white, matching colour scheme or clear brollies for your outdoor wedding ceremony. Have them under your guests seats ready, so no matter what, you are well prepared.
An Outdoor Summer wedding ceremony
Fingers crossed that the sun shines and the skies stay blue for the duration for your outdoor ceremony.
However, just because it’s staying dry it doesn’t mean you don’t need to consider the comfort of your guests!
Your friends and family will be kitted out in divine attire, including heavy suits – so are likely to get a little hot if it is a warm summer’s day.
I recommend ensuring your guests have access to shade, making use of the venue’s large parasol with plenty of rattan seating, you could hire in cute carousels or even stylish brollies to give respite from the weather.
You can match everything so that it effortlessly aligns with your wedding colour palette or theme. Trust me, your guests will thank you for it!
For couples who are having musicians play during their ceremony, they’ll hugely welcome having shade. Don’t forget, heat can actually affect instruments, so if you’re having a string quartet you may want to check with them to see if they have any specific requirements.
Little touches
There are lot of lovely little touches that can also be incredibly helpful throughout your summer wedding ceremony.
Hand-held fans are a great way of keeping everyone cool – you could even gift them as wedding favours (think wooden and paper options over plastic).
Chances are, some of your guests will have forgotten to apply sun cream prior to your wedding day, so perhaps pop some mini bottles of sun cream in little baskets around the venue with a little ‘help yourself’ sign. This will also be appreciated if your drinks reception is based outside too.
Thirst-Quenching Drinks To Stay Hydrated
The rumours are true – nothing beats a zesty summer cocktail, a flute of fizz or cold beer.
But I also suggest that you make sure your loved ones have access to water from the moment they arrive at your wedding venue – they’ll be stood mingling in the sunshine and will likely get dehydrated without even realising.
You could provide personalised water bottles with your wedding logo and date, or you could create a DIY water station with paper straws, flavoured water and garnishes.
This is especially true if you are thinking of some pre-ceremony drinks. Why not consider mocktails and soft drinks with plenty of ice, to help keep your guests cool ahead of being seated.
Summer Ceremony wedding timings
There’s a reason that people who have a destination wedding get married much later in the day – it’s because it means it’s much cooler for your guests to sit in the sunshine. If you you’re aiming for a Summer wedding ceremony and are hoping to have a scorcher of a celebration, consider shifting timings to accommodate the temperature.
The light in the afternoon is also ideal from a photography perspective!
When planning a summer wedding ceremony, it may feel like there’s a huge amount to think about. But rest assured, you’ll be in the safest of hands here at Huntsham Court.
Take time with your Event Manager to discuss both Plan A and Plan B, it will mean you are prepared no matter what the weather has in mind!
Next time on the blog, we will be catching up with Laura from Kept weddings about A Summer Wedding Reception!