The Do’s and Don’ts for Your Summer Wedding this Year
A few tips for planning a wedding during the summer.
Any time you’re planning a wedding, there’s always a ton of things to get done. Summer wedding planning is no different, with both general and season-specific tasks to complete before the big day arrives.
We definitely want the day to go as best as it can, but it can sometimes become overwhelming. To help simplify the process, we’ve put together some quick wedding do’s and don’ts for you to keep in mind before and during the ceremony.
DO… Send Invitations Sooner, Not Later
One of the first steps involved in summer wedding planning is the sending of invitations. Although it may seem “old school,” it’s always a good idea to send save-the-dates as far in advance as possible so that your guests can – you guessed it – save the date. The good news is that sending wedding invitations is easier than ever before because you can send digital versions. This allows you to track who’s going and who isn’t with very little effort.
DON’T… Assume Everyone Goes Online
While it’s true that sending digital invitations have simplified that part of the wedding planning process, it’s important not to assume that everyone has access. Even those who may have Facebook or another social media platform that allows you to make a wedding guest list may not use their account very often. Be sure you take a look at the RSVPs and send out physical invitations as a back-up to those who don’t respond.
DO… Protect Guests From the Elements
Summers in Florida are gorgeous but they’re also hot and bring bugs along with them. If you’re going to have your wedding or reception outside, which you absolutely should, then consider making it a tented event. This will protect your guests from the sun and other outside elements. Just in case, make sure that you have bug spray handy for any pests that attempt to crash your wedding.
DON’T… Start the Ceremony Early
We know that you’re excited because it’s your big day, but starting the ceremony early is a huge mistake (and bad etiquette). Unless you’re having a very tiny wedding, there’s a good chance that some people will be forced to show up at the last minute. You certainly don’t want any of your guests to be embarrassed for showing up “late” even though they’re actually on time.
DO… Keep Everyone Cool and Comfy
A huge part of summer wedding planning involves making sure that your guests have a great time. It’s important you keep everyone cool and comfy throughout the wedding itself and during the ceremony. If you’re going to rent a tent for either of these things, then you always have the option of adding floor fans, clip-on fans (that attach to a tent’s poles), or mobile air conditioning units. These things will help ensure that your day goes off without a hitch… for everyone.
DON’T… Leave Food Out Too Long
First of all, you want to decide whether you prefer to serve heavy food dishes or choose more lighter fare. Either way, you need to be cognizant of how long the food has been sitting out.
This goes for you and your guests. The last thing you want to do is grab a shrimp cocktail that you’ve carried around with you during the reception and then eat it an hour later. Your stomach might not forgive you.
DO… Hire the Proper Professionals
If you have someone in your family who has proficiency at catering, organizing, or taking photos, you can probably save a good deal of money by asking them to help out during the wedding. However, many weddings have been negatively affected because the proper professionals weren’t hired. If you have any doubt about a person’s expertise, it’s best you hire an expert in that particular field. This will reduce the chances of something going wrong.
DON’T… Leave Anything to Chance
Since this is your special day, you absolutely don’t want to leave anything to chance. This doesn’t mean you should be paranoid about every little thing, but if you’re not at least a tiny bit paranoid, the wedding could go awry very quickly. A good rule of thumb is to contact an event rental company that can supply everything from tables and chairs to dinnerware and tableware. Renting a bunch of items is a lot easier – and reliable – than getting friends and family to cobble them together.
Contact Elite Events & Rentals for Summer Wedding Planning
Elite Events & Rentals can assist you with summer wedding planning and any other personal or professional events you have coming up. If you have questions about event rental equipment in Tampa or would like to reserve any of our many items, reach out calling (727) 791-7082 today to schedule a free consultation.