We are so excited to bring you a very special guest blogger today who needs absolutely no introduction...queen of wedding inspiration and creator of Snippet & Ink, Kathryn Storke!
Kathryn is here on the official start of summer to share her top {10} favorite summer wedding details and we are so grateful and excited to share with all of you...here she is....
Each season brings inspiration to a wedding, and summer is no exception. Here are ten of my favorite things for summer wedding inspiration.
{No. 10} Shasta Daisies
I know the proverb is that Spring has come when you can put your foot down on three daisies, but they are equally a summer flower to me. I especially love Shasta daisies, which often get passed over for more popular Gerbers, and their long season and sweet simplicity make them perfect for a summer wedding. For more daisies, check out this spread by Michelle Rago, and this inspiration board I made awhile back
Top Row: stationery suite from Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquet from Rebecca Thuss, bottle board via Please Sir Blog
Middle Row: cake photo by Lumiere Imaging, bouquet from New York Magazine, centerpiece via Black Eiffel
Bottom Row: centerpiece from Thoughtful Day, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, daisy poms by R. Jack Balthazar
{No. 9} Short Wedding Dresses
Sure, you can wear a short wedding dress anytime of year, but to me anything tea length or shorter just screams summer - it's summer! it's hot! While they can range from casual to formal, they always add an element of playfulness that is perfect during the summer months.
Top Row: vintage dress photo by Marla Aufmuth, Amy Kuschel dress from Charleston Weddings, dress by Joan Shum
Middle Row: photo by Karyn Iserman, Oscar de la Renta dress from Brides UK, photo by Jose Villa
Bottom Row: yoke dress from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Tanja Lippert, tiered ruffled dress via {frolic}
{No. 8} Outside Venues
Again, you can hold your wedding outside in other seasons, but you'll get more of a guarantee for sunshine in the summer. And summer is all about being out of doors: playing, lazing in the sun, enjoying warm temperatures even once the sun has gone down.
Top Row: photo by Jude Mooney, photo by Elizabeth Messina, photo by Shane Carpenter
Middle Row: ribbon decorations from Todd Events, lanterns and table by Sasha Souza, photo by Karyn Iserman
Bottom Row: photo by Anna Kuperberg, photo by Kate Webber, photo by Anna Kuperberg
{No. 7} Frozen Treats
I absolutely love the myriad incarnations that ice cream can take at a wedding. Shot glass-sized milkshakes, miniature limoncello popsicles, tiny cups or cones of sorbets or gelati, fully stocked ice cream bars... Ashley and Dusty hired a Ben & Jerry's ice cream cart for their reception; Pococarretto Gelato is another delicious option.
Top Row: miniature milkshakes photo by Becky Hill, lemon buttermilk sherbet from Cannelle et Vanille, fruit sorbets via Once Wed's flickr
Middle Row: ice cream cups via Brooklyn Bride, sorbet cones from Martha Stewart Weddings, limoncello popsicles from Callahan Catering
Bottom Row: ice cream cones from Brides, sorbet from La Tartine Gourmande, milkshakes from Callahan Catering
{No. 6} Parasols and Fans
Having an outdoor reception is beautiful for so many reasons, but in the summer heat, a detail that your guests will appreciate is a basket of parasols or hand fans. Not only are they functional, but they make for really beautiful photos, too.
Top Row: monogrammed parasol from Rebecca Thuss, photo by Jamie Hammond, fans from R. Jack Balthazar
Middle Row: bucket of parasols photo by Jesse Leake, woven fans photo by Melanie Nashan, photo by Sweet Monday
Bottom Row: red fans photo by Laura Novak, printed parasols via Black Eiffel, parasols from Jo Gartin
{No. 5} Sun Hats
What summer accessory is more glamorous than a huge-brimmed sun hat? Any bride who chooses one of these in lieu of a veil has a bold sense of style, and will look lovely under the summer sun. But even if the bride chooses a more traditional hair accessory, an outdoor summer wedding begs that guests arrive in beautiful sun hats.
Top Row: straw hat with hibiscus photo by Elizabeth Messina, hat by Katie Burley, French netted hat from Couture Bridal
Middle Row: Philip Treacy hat from Brides, Marilyn Monroe via Daisy Pink Cupcake, photo from Martha Stewart Weddings
Bottom Row: bride via d.Sharp Journal, veiled hat from Hey Nonnie's flickr, photo from Jupiter Images
{No. 4} Picnics
One of my all-time favorite spreads from any magazine anywhere was the picnic wedding from the Summer 2006 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. Ever since then, I've loved the idea of a picnic wedding, anyway you might choose to do it. You can go fancy, and set up blankets and pillows with centerpieces and baskets of food, or you can go really casual with brown paper lunch bags. Dressed up or dressed down, a picnic wedding is all in the details, and it is quintessentially summer. For more picnic inspiration, check out my picnic inspiration boards.
Top Row: picnic blankets via Oh Happy Day, picnic lunch from Martha Stewart Weddings via Lucky Me!, lunch bags via A Practical Wedding and The Bride's Cafe
Middle Row: picnic baskets via Zoe Lingard, gable box photo by Stacey Kane, picnic with balloons via Nibs
Bottom Row: miniature picnic baskets from Brides, picnic tables via ABCD Design, lunch boxes from Martha Stewart Weddings
{No. 3} Lemonade and Iced Tea
Few things say summer more than lemonade and iced tea. Whether spiked, flavored or in their pure forms, lemonade and iced tea are the perfect refresher for a summer wedding. Offer them to guests before the ceremony, or during the cocktail hour. Let guests ladle lemonade or iced tea themselves out of punch bowls or large jars, or have them ready to serve in dainty glasses or sturdy mason jars.
Top Row: large jars from Brides, iced tea with mint sprigs from Brides, lavender lemonade from Martha Stewart
Middle Row: numbered glasses from Martha Stewart, lemonade dispenser photo by Myrtle & Marjoram, iced tea photo by Lisa Lefkowitz
Bottom Row: covered jar from Country Living, photo by Leigh Miller, lemonade with "I do!" flags from Rebecca Thuss
{No. 2} Seersucker
Seersucker is the most summer appropriate fabric I can think of - it's lightweight, breathable cotton, and it looks fine even after wrinkling a little from being worn. It comes in so many colors, from classic blue to red and even orange. And how beautiful would a custom-made seersucker wedding gown be? You can also pull it into elements of your wedding beyond just dress - striped stationery and ribbons, a seersucker ring pillow, and even table linens. I played a little with seersucker in this inspiration board from awhile back.
Top Row: table settings via Brooklyn Bride, dress photo by Mel Barlow, photo by Anna Kuperberg
Middle Row: photo by Heather Waraksa, photo by Whitebox Weddings, save-the-date card by Lily Darby
Bottom Row: orange seersucker Thread dress from Brides, seersucker ring pillow by Sweet B Papers, photo by I Shot the Bride
{No. 1} Berries
Summer fruits are probably my most favorite summer element to pull into a wedding, and berries are like nature's little jewels. You can use them in decorative elements, such as centerpieces or bouquets, or as a motif on your stationery. And of course, you can include them throughout your menu, in salads, drinks, desserts and favors.
Top Row: arrangement by Michaele Thunen, strawberry champagne photo by Dia Rao, blackberry boutonniere from The Knot
Middle Row: blackberry gin fizz from Martha Stewart Weddings via A Practical Wedding, strawberry favors and cake both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Bottom Row: blackberry tart photo from Jupiter Images, arrangement by Artfool, invitation by Nic Events
Thank you SO, SO much Kathryn for stopping by today...you are so gifted and I know you have inspired everyone about the amazing details and delights that summer has to offer weddings and events! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Hi Maria and Kathryn...Great Post and perfect for "summer"...xoxo
Posted by: Janie | June 20, 2008 at 07:11 AM
OOOH.This is so fun!!!
Posted by: Chelsea | June 20, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Yay! We are doing a number of these things for our summer wedding, and I love them all. Thanks Kathryn :)
Posted by: Meg @ A Practical Wedding | June 20, 2008 at 10:52 AM
It was so nice to the see the small feature on tea length dresses. I'm a short haired bride who opted for a tea length dress for my '09 summer wedding and it's very rare to find this combination in wedding magazines.
Posted by: Becky | June 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM
What gorgeous summer inspiration! We are using quite a few of these things too, I just hope to God that the Scottish weather doesn't let us down!
Posted by: Peonies and Polaroids | June 20, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I heart Snippet & Ink and {ritzy bee}...thanks for the refreshing and inspiring features!
Posted by: Molli | June 20, 2008 at 04:20 PM
LOVE the summer wedding ideas, especially the short dresses. too bad san fran summer is really more like winter!
Posted by: kathleen | June 25, 2008 at 08:56 PM
I love the ice cream treats and parsols...I am having an outdoor wedding next june and theses two details will be a must for my big day!
Posted by: Nichole | September 15, 2008 at 11:32 AM
i love the wedding plan, especially the sitting so romantic
Posted by: Busby SEO Test | January 16, 2009 at 06:46 AM