There is a good chance that some of LWPI’s certified wedding and event planners are broiling in the heat this week. That’s because the East Coast is living under a severe heat wave! But the show (er, wedding) must go on, and we know that a lot of brides have their hearts set on a steamy, summery, August ceremony. What can you suggest to help keep the bridal couple - and their guests - cool on a hot summer day? We spent a little time gathering some of our favorite summer-wedding ideas to share with you. Fashion? Check. Food? Check. Decor? Check. While it may seem like there is no relief in sight when you’re in the middle of August there are a few things you can do to trick the senses. (Be sure to click on the source links in each paragraph to visit these great sites see if these fabulous vendors are available in your area! We love their work.)

1 and 2: Nothing quite says summer like a beach wedding. There’s a reason they’re so popular! Beach weddings are the perfect excuse for the bridal party - and guests - to dress simply and kick off their shoes to stay cool. A few photos in the water are the cherry on top! (1-modernbridal.com and 2-brides.com.)

3. While taking it outdoors may seem like a risky prospect when the temperature is hovering near 100 degrees there is a way to keep cool: Hold the ceremony at night. When the sun goes down it’s time to party in August. Setting the mood with candlelight and lanterns is a gorgeous rustic touch, too. 15 - Another option? Hold the ceremony by the pool! Some guests may not be able to resist jumping in to cool off, but as the wedding planner try to keep them on dry land at least until the reception! (3-Jessica Verma Photography and 15-Singapore Brides.)

4 and 5. Especially in the South will you see these next two tricks: hand fans for the guests and 5 - parasols for the bride and her maids. It goes without saying that the fans are a cute favor, but they can also double as programs for the ceremony. And the parasols make some of the cutest photos we’ve ever seen! Forget the flowers; parasols are a lot more fun to carry! 14 - But don’t forget the guests! A tin bucket filled with parasols for all the ladies would be a cute gesture for an outdoor, day-time wedding. (4-Opulent Favors, 5- Southern Accents and 14-Richelle Dante Photography.)

6. You don’t want your bride melting under a long, heavy gown in the summer. It may seem trendy to wear a tea-length gown, but it certainly harkens to the 1950s, too. With the perfect shoes and perhaps a cage veil this is the perfect summer look. (6-Posh Girl Vintage.)

7. Let’s talk food. If there is one thing that screams summer refreshment it’s watermelon! They’re best in the summer, when they’re local and fresh. And there are so many ways to serve it. Consider: Watermelon granita (Country Living); 8 - Watermelon kebabs (National Watermelon Promotion Board); 16 - Spiked watermelon pops instead of cocktails, perhaps (Food Network); and 18 - Watermelon mint coolers (Real Simple.)

9. And if watermelon doesn’t do the trick? Ice cream is sure to. An ice-cream cake decorated with scoops of colorful ice cream is the perfect summer treat. (The Knot) 10 - Or if your bride wants to be a bit more original perhaps a stack of ice-cream sandwiches. Vanilla ice cream can be tinted to any color to match the wedding! (Skinny Cow) 11 - A more old-fashioned treat would be a simple cookies-n-cream ice-cream cake. You simply can’t go wrong with black and white, or chocolate and vanilla. (Real Simple) 12 - Sundae bars are popular at birthday parties right now, but we see no reason you can’t bring them in on the wedding fun! (Katie Moos Photography)

Finally if you’re trying to inject a little color with your coolness try these two obvious, and obviously adorable, ideas. 11 - Sno-Cones are sure to bring out the kid in everybody (and make them forget the heat for a moment!) Plus they’re easily tailored to match the wedding colors. Cocktail hour is fun, but wouldn’t Sno-Cone hour be cute, too? (Daisy I Do) 13 - And of course every guest needs something to wet their whistle, which is where colorful, gourmet sodas come in. Some couples may choose to bottle their own liquid refreshment - pink lemonade comes to mind. It’s a great personal touch to any wedding! (Dexknows Weddings)

We hope these ideas give you some cute ways to beat the heat at your summer weddings. Do you have any cute ideas to add? What have your brides and grooms suggested to help keep guests cool this summer? (Remember to click on the source links in each paragraph to visit these great sites and see if these fabulous vendors are available in your area!)

Tags: bride, decor, food, groom, summer, wedding

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