Florida Summer Wedding Secrets from a Florida Wedding Planner: Beat the Heat and Make Memories
With summer right around the corner Diamonds and Details team of Florida wedding planners would like to share some of their favorite tips for having a more enjoyable summer wedding in Florida. We have had our fair share of summer weddings. We have seen what is necessary to incorporate into your summer wedding for more comfort and to embrace the summer wedding vibes.
Diamonds and Details is going to share the tips and must haves for brides during the summer, how to run your summer wedding from start to finish, and tips for your guests comfort.
Tips for the Bride: Keeping Cool on Your Big Day
Beat the Sweat: Stash a hand fan (and maybe even a sneaky one for under your dress!) in your emergency kit. Florida humidity is real, and our brides who have brought a few handheld fans have been grateful for it!
Hair must have: Embrace an updo during your hair trials. Loose waves might look romantic, but they'll wilt fast. We have seen the best curls dissipate as soon as the bride leaves the bridal suite. And speaking of withstanding the elements, Elf setting spray is a godsend for a reason that a lot of our brides swear by!
Shoe Therapy: Open-toe shoes are your summer BFFs. No bride wants sweaty feet the whole night! If you so close toe shoes consider some no show socks.
Umbrella Chic: Pack a cute umbrella for those afternoon pop-up showers. Also a cute parasol for the shade. It'll double as a stylish prop for photos, too!
Wedding Day Flow: For a summer wedding
Avoid the hottest parts of the day: Skip the midday sizzle. Opt for a ceremony closer to sunset for that dreamy, romantic light and cooler temperatures.
Cool Down Cocktail Hour: If your venue allows, consider an indoor cocktail hour. It gives guests a chance to escape the heat while the sun dips below the horizon right before your reception.
Late Night Delights: Extend the celebration! Book a venue that allows festivities to flow well past sunset, perhaps 11:00 pm or 12 am. This lets you have a later ceremony, a shady cocktail hour, and an overall cooler reception.
Hydration Station: Set up a fun beverage station with easy access to water alongside the usual bar offerings. Most guests will get stuck waiting in the long bar line when they may just want water, tea, or lemonade. Consider a cute station like the one below that your guests can have access to before ceremony.
Shady Soirees: Planning an outdoor cocktail hour? Think shaded tables and strategically placed umbrellas to keep your guests comfortable.
Guest Comfort: It's All in the Details
Welcome Bags: Show your guests some love with welcome bags filled with essentials they'll appreciate in the Florida heat.
Consider a lighter dress code: Encourage a lighter dress code for a more comfortable celebration. Shorter dresses and no coats for the guys.
Bathroom Refreshments: A basket filled with deodorant, feminine products, blotting papers, and setting spray in the restrooms is a thoughtful touch.
Hydration Heroes: Water stations or signature cold beverages are lifesavers for guests arriving before the ceremony.
Beat the Heat Brigade: Handheld fans, parasols, and umbrellas are your guests' new best friends during the ceremony and cocktail hour. Set up a cute basket of parasols and fans!
Sweet Endings: Cool down your reception with refreshing desserts like popsicles or ice cream sundaes.
Welcome Bag Must-Haves:
Based on guest requests at countless weddings, Diamonds and Details recommends including these lifesavers in your welcome bags:
Mini water bottles
Fans
Hair essentials (bobby pins, hair ties, claw clips)
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Blotting papers
Anti-frizz hair products
Makeup setting spray
Cheap Sunglasses
With these tips and a little planning, your Florida summer wedding will be a guaranteed hit, leaving your guests with memories as bright and beautiful as the sunshine state itself!
