Planning the Perfect Outdoor Summer Wedding Reception

Planning a summer outdoor wedding? You are probably searching for exceptional ideas to make your big day unforgettable? Well, we are here to help. Below are our curated favorites for your perusing pleasure! From seasonal flowers to refreshing reception drinks, these ideas are sure to get your creative juices flowing to pull off a cool summer wedding and reception.

First in line when it comes to planning an outdoor summer wedding is keep your guests’ comfort in mind, remembering that they will be dealing with extra-high temps and UV rays. Creative cocktails – such as champagne popsicles, sangria stations, and coconut margaritas – can help guests battle the heat and will satisfy their thirst. You can also exchange the conventional wedding cake for gelato, tiramisu, or tres leche to give guests a cool sweet treat at the reception.

Recipes:
Champagne Popsicles
INGREDIENTS
1 bottle Champagne
1/4 -1/2 cup of agave syrup (sweeten to taste)
mixed berries
fresh mint or lemon basil
OPTIONAL – simple syrup to sweeten
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INSTRUCTIONS
Choose your popsicle molds. Pour champagne into a measuring cup or small pitcher, allow the bubbles to settle. If you want sweeter popsicles, add in simple syrup to taste.
Place a few berries & mint or lemon basil into the molds.
Fill the molds with the Champagne, leaving about a 1/4 inch at the top of the mold for expansion, so they don’t spill over.
Freeze a minimum of 3 hours or until frozen.
Remove from the freezer a couple of minutes before serving so they release easily from their molds.

Coconut Margaritas
Cream of coconut and water, the kick comes from tequila blanco (silver tequila) and triple sec, while its tang comes from freshly squeezed lime. You can use toasted coconut, a slice of lime or both to top it off.
INGREDIENTS
1 (15-ounce) can of Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut
1 cup of tequila
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup Triple Sec
1/2 cup toasted coconut
1 cup ice

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine Cream of Coconut – tequila – ice – lime juice – Triple Sec and 1 tablespoon of toasted coconut in the blender. Blend until smooth.
Place additional toasted coconut on a small saucer. Rub a lime around rims of glasses and then press rims into the saucer of coconut.
Pour coconut margarita mixture into the glasses.

Sangria
Sangria is made with fresh fruit, red wine and brandy, this classic red sangria recipe will be spot on and is easy to make. Recipe yields 1 pitcher; enough to fill six glasses.
INGREDIENTS
1 bottle of affordable Garnache, Pinot Noir or other low-tannin fruity red wine, chilled
1 large orange
1 cup of thinly sliced seasonal fruit (such as apple or pear, peaches or nectarines, pineapple, consider a combination of fruit)
1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
½ cup brandy
1 or 2 tablespoons maple syrup to taste
Ice, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS
To prepare sliced oranges. Squeeze the juice of half of the orange into a pitcher, then thinly slice the remaining half to place into the pitcher.
Add the sliced fruit and lemon. Add the brandy and 1 tablespoon of the maple syrup. Pour the wine into the pitcher and stir. Taste for sweetness, add an additional tablespoon of syrup if not to your liking.

You may serve immediately or allow to marinate for 2 to 8 hours for a more fruity flavor. Serve over ice in wine glasses.

Note: Maple syrup may be substituted with sugar (brown or white) or simple syrup instead. For a lighter bubbly sangria add club soda to the pitcher before serving.


For UV protection
Consider chic straw hats as favors for your attendees, which can also double as escort cards! And what southern wedding couldn’t benefit from parasols or fans during an afternoon nuptials.
Now that you’ve covered the basics, it’s time to move onto the fun stuff, summer wedding decor. Get creative while you are at it! Create a monogram to hang from a tree or placed on a wall as a backdrop for photos of your guest. If your wedding reception is pool or fountain-side floating floral arrangements. greenery, colorful blooms, string lighting, candles and a chandelier hanging overheard make for a glamorous summer wedding that’ll capture guests’ attention.

Floral Arrangements
When it comes to summer wedding floral arrangements, we love the idea of clear glass vase lined with sliced or whole fruit and or berries as centerpieces. Also, lighted branches, twilight trees, lighted lanterns, potted ferns, small potted trees, and shrubs add exceptional ambiance to an outdoor wedding (think butterfly trees, magnolia trees, hydrangeas along with potted plants that can be reused at home after the wedding). The options are truly endless.

If you are planning summer nuptials and looking for elegant outdoor wedding venues in Lafayette, La that boast outdoor wedding setting, consider Le Pavillon at Parc Lafayette. Hannah and her team will delight in helping you execute your dream wedding. If planning your wedding is turning into too daunting a task, Hannah and her dream team excel at taking over the details.

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