The Internet Is Losing It Over These 12 Summer Wedding Hacks

A summer wedding is a dream of many, but it also comes with its fair share of planning headaches. Good news — the Internet is buzzing with seriously unconventional, game-changing wedding hacks that will make your big day surprisingly chill and memorable. Transform your summer wedding with these strategies.

1. Place Portable Fans in the Bouquet

The summer brings pleasant weather and fresh flowers, but the sunny days can bring an uncomfortable heatwave. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, consider tying a portable fan in your and your bridesmaids’ bouquets. Attaching a mini fan is a great way to stay cool in the heat. It’s an effective wedding hack that eliminates the need for manual fans, which can be a hassle to use, especially if you and your bridesmaids are holding bouquets.

2. Upcycle Your Wedding Florals as Party Favors

Many couples splurge on wedding flowers, with costs averaging around $2,200 in 2023. However, most of them get left behind at the end of the night — what a waste of budget and beauty. Upcycling your blooms as party favors transforms them into eco-friendly keepsakes that guests will actually cherish and the planet will appreciate.

Communicate with your florist about this plan. They can collect all flowers used during the ceremony and reception, display them in front of their kiosk and have guests pick their ideal flowers for rearrangement during the reception. Set up this station near the exit with the signage “Take a piece of our love home” so attendees won’t miss out on this unique favor.

3. Get a “Phone Person”

A professional photographer is a must, but the magic of candid shots is undeniable. Assign someone who can snap live and candid pictures of everything on your phone. It could be a close cousin or a friend you can trust to capture raw emotions, silly moments and authentic interactions that your main photographer might miss while focusing on key shots. Make sure that this person loves taking photos, has a good eye and won’t be too distracted by other duties. 

4. Offer Parasols and Cold Refreshments as Guests Arrive

Summer weddings are undeniably beautiful, but the heat can be a party pooper. One of the most important summer wedding hacks is to offer parasols and iced drinks to guests as they enter the ceremony area. This strategy will make them infinitely more comfortable and happier.

Set up a station near the entrance where guests can get a parasol and a drink. Offer various options to ensure there’s something for everyone. Consider infused water, lemonade and iced tea. Small, handheld or manual fans can also be a lovely addition, especially for humid climates.

5. Incorporate Bug-Repelling Plants Into Your Arrangements

Outdoor weddings sometimes come with uninvited guests — mosquitoes and other bugs. You need a strategy to ward off bites, particularly something that looks beautiful, smells lovely and secretly protects your guests from pesky insects. Many plants have inherent pest-repelling properties, such as chrysanthemums, marigold species and catnip.

Citronella grass is also a great insect repellent. Ask your florist to incorporate these plants into your aisle decor and potted plants around the ceremony and reception areas. Place them near seating areas and anywhere guests will congregate. 

6. Take Loperamide in the Morning

Wedding day jitters are real, and for some people, the anxiety can manifest in tummy problems. The last thing you want is an unexpected dash to the restroom in your bridal gown. Taking loperamide is a simple yet effective wedding hack that eliminates the worry from your mind. That way, you can focus on marrying your significant other, not on your tummy troubles.

Consult with your doctor before taking this medication to ensure loperamide suits you. If approved, take it according to the package instructions on the morning of your wedding. 

7. Hire a Cleaning Staff to Clean Your Home

The week before your wedding day is a roller coaster of emotions. You may be excited, tired and stressed out, which are all valid. You and your partner deserve to relax, especially after your big day. Consider hiring a cleaning service to clean your house on your wedding day. Then, walk into your home as newlyweds, tired but happy, and find it sparkling clean. It’s an incredible way to set the tone for a relaxed start to your marriage journey.

8. Eat and Drink While Getting Your Hair Done

Wedding mornings are hectic. Your bridal party is rushing in to greet you, your photographer and videographer are capturing moments, and your family is getting ready for your big day. With so many things happening simultaneously, it’s shockingly easy to forget to eat or drink. Skipping meals can lead to low energy and a feeling of “hangry” you don’t need.

You’ll probably find your most “relaxed” moment while getting your hair done, so take this opportunity to snack on nonmessy foods like mini sandwiches, granola bars and yogurt parfaits. You’ll need all the energy you can get for your big day. Feel free to share them with your bridesmaids and vendors, too.

9. Serve Desserts at Your Reception

This wedding hack provides the perfect way to connect with guests without feeling forced or pressured to visit every table and make time for everyone. You can create a dessert station and distribute cake slices to your guests. You can also offer cupcakes, mini tarts or crepes, then personalize them according to your loved ones’ preferences. Put the station somewhere accessible to avoid congestion.

10. Spray Your Veil With Your Bridal Perfume

Do you want your guests to smell you as you walk down the aisle? Ask someone to spray your veil with your wedding perfume. This will allow you and your guests to associate your scent with your big day, making it more memorable. 

You don’t want to drench it or leave any stains. Test it first on an inconspicuous area of your veil and see if there will be any discoloration. If you haven’t chosen one yet, opt for floral scents like Christian Dior Diorissimo For Women and Gucci Bloom for Women for that perfect summery vibe.

11. Transform Table Numbers Into Personalized Cards

Wedding guest books are excellent, but can be put away and forgotten. Transforming table numbers into personalized tent cards can be a great way to start a tradition. Imagine opening a letter your loved ones wrote on your first, third and tenth anniversary. Leave a tent card on every table, and invite guests sitting on that table to write notes for you and your partner to open on that number’s anniversary.

Have a small sign on each table explaining the concept. Something like “Share your advice, well wishes or memories for us to open on this anniversary year!” You can buy personalized table tent cards on Amazon, making this one of the best cheap wedding hacks.

12. Have a Private Last Dance

Your wedding day will fly by in a blur of greetings, mingling and dancing with your guests. It’s easy to feel like you didn’t have a moment with your partner to soak up all the wedding vibes. A private dance shared after the guests leave the reception area offers a chance to reconnect, breathe, and truly feel united away from the spotlight. We recommend only sharing this intimate moment with your photographer and videographer to immortalize this memory.

Have a Stress-Free Celebration With These Wedding Hacks

These strategies are from graduate brides to brides-to-be. May these help you in making wedding planning more fun and less stressful!