Summertime can get a little warm here in the South, but that’s no reason to write off an outdoor occasion in August or September. All it takes is a little creativity and thoughtful planning to help guests beat the heat – and our PPHG experts are happy to help.

Here are four steps to keeping your summer wedding cool:

1. Keep the Menu Light: Opt for lighter alternatives to heavy dishes or hot soups. We love passed gazpacho and cooler bites like seared tuna cucumber rounds or hand-rolled sushi. For dinner, pair seafood or meats with fresh summer vegetables. Quench guests’ thirst with fruit-garnished cocktails, citrus spritzers and white wines over fuller reds.

2. Cool Extras: Great service is all in the details. Welcome guests with passed trays of ice water before the ceremony. During the reception, offer “hydration stations” with infused water and misting fans – or hand out complimentary iced towelettes to the dance floor crowd.

3. Made for the Shade: On sunny days, be sure to provide your guests with plenty of shelter, whether it’s tenting like these from our friends at Snyder Event Rentals or fun lawn umbrellas. A waterfront setting or natural canopy like the oak trees at Lowndes Grove offer a cool escape, too – something to consider when selecting your summer wedding venue.

4. Fan Favorites: Personalized fans make great summer wedding favors – as well as programs! Take a cue from this bride, whose ceremony program was not only super-functional, but featured a drawing of The William Aiken House she sketched by hand. Parasols can be just as lovely as bouquets for your ‘maids,  too!

Huge thanks to our talented photographers: Jennifer Bearden,Eric Kelley Photography, Squirefox,Bryan Mullins Photography, Marni Rothschild Photography, Gayle Brooker, Juliet Elizabeth Photography, Diana Deaver Weddings, Reese Moore Weddings, Visio Photography & Virgil Buano Photography