Summer Weddings: Trends And Predictions For 2023

what will weddings look like this summer

This summer, weddings are expected to be bigger and more colourful than ever. Couples are breaking tradition, with grazing tables instead of passed hors d'oeuvres, locally-sourced eco-friendly décor, and brides wearing accessories like feathers, capes, and gloves. Mismatched bridesmaid dresses are also gaining popularity, with nature-inspired colours like moss green and sapphire blue. Fairytale florals with light and airy flowers, soft colour palettes, and organic-style bouquets are in, as well as Western-themed weddings with earth tone colour palettes and decorations like horseshoes and cacti. Audio guest books are another trend that's expected to be popular, allowing guests to create voice messages for the couple.

Characteristics Values
Number of weddings 2.1 million
Decor Locally-sourced, eco-friendly, Western
Food Grazing tables instead of passed hors d'oeuvres
Accessories Feathers, capes, gloves
Guest comfort Parasols, pillows, blankets
Color palettes Earth tones, light and airy, soft hues, dusty pastels, lilac, moss green, sapphire blue, cinnamon rose
Flowers Fairytale florals, light and airy flowers, fluffy ruffled petals, peonies, garden roses, hanging greens
Audio Audio guest books

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Outdoor weddings

If you're planning an outdoor wedding this summer, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your big day goes smoothly. Firstly, summer 2024 is predicted to be one of the hottest on record in the United States, so it's crucial to have a comprehensive heat plan in place. This includes arranging for shaded areas, cooling stations, and, if necessary, an indoor backup venue.

When it comes to attire, breathable fabrics such as chiffon, silk, linen, and cotton will help keep you and your wedding party comfortable. Consider knee-length and spaghetti strap options for bridesmaids to avoid overheating. Don't forget to also plan your hairstyle and makeup with the warm weather in mind.

For flowers, certain blooms like hydrangeas and gardenias are prone to wilting in high temperatures. Pair them with heat-resistant plants, or opt for durable flowers like succulents, anthurium, orchids, proteas, or palm leaves.

Food safety is another important consideration in hot weather. Opt for light, seasonal dishes with local produce and fresh herbs, ensuring that food is properly stored and handled to prevent spoilage.

Finally, think about providing guests with welcome bags containing items like bottled water, travel-sized sunscreen, and snacks. These versatile favors will be appreciated and ensure your guests remain comfortable throughout the celebration.

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Heat plans

With summer 2024 predicted to be one of the hottest seasons on record in the United States, couples planning a wedding this summer will need to form a heat plan to keep their guests safe and comfortable.

Shaded areas and cooling stations

Wedding planner Darryl Moore advises arranging for ample shaded areas and cooling stations. Couples should discuss these options early in the planning process and have everything detailed in the event timeline. If the heat becomes unbearable, an indoor backup venue may be necessary.

Flowers

Some blooms, like hydrangeas or gardenias, are known to wilt in hotter temperatures. Couples can still include them in their floral arrangements, but they should be paired with heat-resistant plants. Alternatively, consider using durable summer flowers and tropical plants, such as succulents, anthurium, orchids, proteas, or palm leaves.

Food

Food safety becomes even more critical in hot weather. Couples should discuss this with their caterer and consider planning their menu around local, seasonal ingredients, which will also add a personal touch to the wedding.

Favors

Couples can give guests favors that will be useful in hot weather, such as sunglasses, DIY personal fans, parasols, or custom drink koozies. Welcome bags with bottled water, travel-sized sunscreen, or snacks are also a good option for out-of-town guests.

Attire

When choosing wedding attire, breathable fabrics such as chiffon, silk, linen, and cotton are best. For bridesmaids, a knee-length, spaghetti strap dress in a breathable fabric will be more comfortable than a silk floor-length gown.

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Summer makeup

With summer 2024 predicted to be one of the hottest seasons on record in the United States, it's important to consider the impact of soaring temperatures on your wedding day. This applies to makeup choices, too.

Sunset Blush, Berry Lips, and Colorful Eyeliner

Sunset blush, reminiscent of an enchanting summer sunset, is a perfect makeup option for an outdoor summer wedding. You can also add a pop of colour with a bold eyeliner in shades of white, green, pink, or blue. This season's hottest makeup trend includes glittery accents for the eyes and lips, adding a touch of enchantment to your bridal ensemble.

For the lips, berry shades are a trendy option to make your bridal look more in tune with the summer vibe. Tints, cream lipsticks, glosses, or matte lipsticks in luscious berry hues are ideal.

Red Lips and Rosy Cheeks

Red lips and rosy cheeks are a classic choice for a summer wedding. Apply cream blush to the apples of your cheeks to achieve the desired pigment, and don't forget to shape and lightly fill in your eyebrows.

Breathable Fabrics and Comfortable Attire

When considering your wedding attire, opt for breathable fabrics such as chiffon, silk, linen, or cotton to stay comfortable in the warm summer weather. This applies to your makeup choices, too—choose products that won't melt or slide off in the heat.

Heat Plans and Contingency

It is imperative to form a heat plan to ensure guest safety and minimal stress on your big day. Discuss options early with your wedding planner, venue manager, caterer, florist, and makeup artist. Consider providing welcome bags to out-of-town guests, including helpful products like bottled water, travel-sized sunscreen, or snacks.

Summer weddings provide an opportunity to embrace creative and playful beauty choices. Whether you opt for colourful eyeliner, bold lips, or a radiant, dewy look, your makeup can be a fun and expressive part of your special day.

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Flowers and food

With summer 2024 predicted to be one of the hottest seasons on record in the United States, couples will need to be mindful of the impact of soaring temperatures on flowers and food.

For flowers, some blooms such as hydrangeas and gardenias are known to wilt in hotter temperatures. To counter this, you can pair them with heat-resistant plants or opt for more durable summer flowers and tropical plants like succulents, anthurium, orchids, proteas, or palm leaves. Work with your wedding florist to identify blooms that fit your theme and overall vision.

To keep your flowers looking fresh, ask a bridesmaid to hold your bouquet in a shady spot when it's not being used for photos, or place it in a vase of cool water.

Regarding food, food safety becomes even more critical in hot weather. Discuss this with your caterer early in the planning process to ensure your menu is well-suited to the warm weather. Lean into seasonal ingredients, local produce, fresh herbs, and wildflowers, which will add a wonderful touch to your menu and bring a personal touch to your wedding day.

Consider the following ideas for creative summer wedding food options:

  • Seafood
  • Backyard barbecues
  • Light, fresh dishes

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Wedding attire

With summer 2024 predicted to be one of the hottest seasons on record in the United States, wedding attire will need to be carefully considered to beat the heat. Bridesmaids' dresses, for example, should be knee-length and made from breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Silk floor-length gowns, on the other hand, are more likely to cause overheating and show sweat marks.

For weddings in hot climates, it is important to choose breathable fabrics such as chiffon, silk, linen, and cotton. These fabrics will help you stay cool and comfortable outdoors. It is also a good idea to provide versatile wedding favours that can be used on the day, such as sunglasses, DIY personal fans, parasols, and custom drink koozies.

If you are the bride, you might want to consider changing into a more comfortable reception dress or second look after the ceremony. This is also something to keep in mind when thinking about bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen attire.

For wedding guests, the warm-weather months provide an opportunity to be more creative and playful with makeup choices. A bold red lip and colourful eyeliner, for instance, can add a romantic touch to your look. If you're wearing a purple outfit, you can match your makeup by using purple eyeshadow. For a summer wedding, a dewy look with sculpted, glowing cheeks and deep red lipstick can be a great option.

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Frequently asked questions

Weddings in the summer of 2023 are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels, with approximately 2.1 million wedding receptions. Couples are breaking tradition, with grazing tables during cocktail hour, locally sourced and eco-friendly decor, and brides wearing accessories like feathers, capes, and gloves instead of traditional ball gowns.

For a summer wedding in 2023, trending colours include soft and dusty pastels, lilac, sea glass, moss green, sapphire blue, and cinnamon rose.

A unique trend for summer weddings in 2023 is Western-themed decor, including Western fonts in invitations, bolo ties for groomsmen, and a late-night fire pit at the reception. Another unique trend is the use of parasols instead of outdated baskets of sunglasses and paper fans to provide shade for guests.

A popular theme for summer weddings in 2023 is a "fairytale" theme, with light and airy flowers, soft colour palettes, and organic-style bouquets and centrepieces. Another popular theme is a destination wedding, with couples jetting off to say "I do" in dreamy locations like France or Jamaica.

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