After a long wait, the popular summer wedding season is finally here! The breezy ceremonies, pastel palettes, and warm, hazy outdoor celebrations give way to some of the most creative decor ideas.
From the use of rustic twine to free-flowing fabrics, summer weddings are all about celebrating beautiful, carefree weather with matching decor. Here are 10 whimsical ideas to bring out the sunshine in your summer wedding:
1. Mirrored Signs
Photo via Emily Blake Photography
Ditch the overplayed chalkboard welcome sign for a fun and unique mirrored display. The mirror makes for a great photo op, while providing all the necessary info for your wedding guests. Plus, the weather is warm – so you don’t need to worry about the mirror fogging up!
2. Potted Plant Columns
Photo via Jose Villa Photography
Plants are a must-have for outdoor weddings, but who says they have to be small and forced into vases or centerpieces? Go big, or go home, I say! This potted plant column fits in perfectly at an outdoor ceremony, and it’s portable enough to be moved around easily. Pick your favorite small tree or bush and attach it to a rustic, pastel pot for that casual, yet graceful look.
3. Hanging Flowers
Photo via Jose Villa Photography
Flowers are present at every wedding, but how often have you seen delicately hanging flowers? This decor idea is creative and whimsical, but the curved glass adds elegance. It’ll fit in just fine at an outdoor reception or indoor ceremony. For a true “summer” feel, go for bright corals or tinted pastels.
4. Brightly Colored Streamers
Photo via Steve Cowell
Streamers aren’t just for birthday parties – pick some satiny ribbon or brightly colored string for an easy, fun decorative piece. This simple idea adds personality to your wedding – whether it’s hung over the bar or placed at the entrance. Choose the colors that represent you, and mix and match to your desire. Of course, leave this decor somewhere where the wind can do its magic.
5. Beachside Water Station
Photo via KT Merry
Naturally, you’ll be providing your guests with water and refreshments, but making the station into a decoration on its own is a double whammy. For a beachside wedding, set up a rustic table on the sand and place your water cooler, glasses, and ice upon it. This idea can apply to any outdoor ceremony, as it’ll look just as fresh and clever on a green lawn or sandy shore.
6. Clothespin Place Settings
Photo via Matteo Crescentini
Place settings are an excellent venue to share your creativity in display. This idea involves pinning the names and table assignments to hanging strands of rope with clothespins – much like laundry, but much more fun! It’s an easy, DIY project that’ll take no time at all but will be super accessible and welcoming. Bonus points if the wind makes this adorable setup sway a bit.
7. Marble Mania
Photo via Sonali & Rajeev’s Destination Indian Wedding
An even simpler place setting that’s easy and fabulous includes the use of marbles to weigh down place cards. While clear marbles are a wise choice for colored cards, colorful marbles can add some more whimsical fun to an outdoor wedding with otherwise white/natural decor.
8. Flip Flop Shoe Stand
Photo via Ashley Seawell Photography
Offering a shoe stand with cheap, rubber flip flops in various sizes will be graciously adored by your guests – especially if the wedding is on a beach or otherwise uneven surface. This clever idea is easy to set up: just buy a wooden shoe stand, fill it with flip flops, and add some printed labels for sizes. With less blisters and more dancing, this decor/savior of an idea will even make your wedding celebration better!
9. Paper Tablecloth Sketches
Photo via Kathryn McCrary
Why waste money on fancy tablecloth when there’s bound to be some spillage here and there? A cheap, paper layout can be just as fun and effective. For an added personal touch, write the names of the guest over their place settings. They’ll be more easily guided to your seats, and they’ll love the utensil drawings. Quick to do, quick to clean up and recycle, this is one decor idea that’s as economical as it is creative.
10. Windowpane Dinner Menu
Photo via Jillian Michelle Photography
Instead of printing individual menus, this windowpane dinner menu shares the information in an eye-catching way that everyone can see. Use a small windowpane and a Sharpie to write out the various menu items on each piece of glass. The idea is very quick and easy to do, and it’s so unique that your guests will be as impressed by it as they are by your delicious dinner menu!
Happy Summer Wedding Season!