25 Seasonal Ideas for Your Summer Wedding Reception

By Emily Platt
October 13, 2015
Sweetwater Portraits

These unique details make for a memorable summertime celebration.

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Sweetwater Portraits

Summer is the unofficial season of fun, so a wedding reception in June, July, August, or September should be just that. Whether you're throwing a thematic event that's entirely centered around seasonal details or you just want to add a little touch of summertime to your party, there are plenty of ways to incorporate staples of the warmer months into this portion of your big day. Need proof? We've got you covered. Here are some of our favorite summer reception ideas.

You can infuse summer's splendor into anything, really, including your menu, your event design, and your entertainment. Try serving seasonal snacks, like s'mores, for example. Or, use in-season or heat-proof blooms in your centerpieces or other décor elements. Additionally or alternatively, you can include summertime activities for your guests (or you and your new husband or wife!) to enjoy. We love the idea of offering lawn games, or a grand reception entrance on a boat!

No matter what type of celebration you're throwing—from a beach or backyard affair to a formal indoor event—there's a summery idea that'll suit your needs. Play with summer flavors, flowers, and motifs to show guests exactly why you picked the wedding date you did. To fuel your imagination, we've offered up even more suggestions on the slides ahead, plus photo representations of the recommendations above. If you plan an event with one of these unique and exciting details, your reception's bound to be as hot as the summer sun. We'll raise a glass (or popsicle!) to that.

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Picnic Setup

Whitney Heard
Picnic-Inspired Wedding Ideas

For a super casual celebration, try a picnic setup. Cynthia Martyn Events designed these pretty stations.

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Nonalcoholic Beverages

Birds of a Feather

Not all guests want to drink alcohol, especially when it's hot outside. This couple offered "his" and "hers" beverages: sweet tea and lavender lemonade, respectively. A MIHO Experience provided the drinks, while Hanwriting calligraphed the dispensers.

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Farm Stand Design

Ayres Photography
23 Delicious Food Bars for Your Wedding

If your favorite part of summer is the fresh produce, honor your interest with a unique display. Here, Costamanga Design served Private Knives Catering fare with a farm stand-inspired setup.

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Outdoor Décor

Emily Elyse Wehner
Get More Outdoor Wedding Lighting Ideas

Maybe you're obsessed with chandeliers, but you want to throw your warm-weather reception outdoors. Don't worry—you can do both! This Bliss Haven Farms event design proves it.

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Beach Venue

Aria Isadora & Tiffany Sage for BFA
See More Beach Wedding Venues

Pitch your reception tent on the beach for an enchanting night by the sea. Sperry Tents provided this one.

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Poolside Reception

Jessica Bordner Photography
Get More Ideas for a Poolside Wedding

A poolside celebration is always fun—especially when the space is decorated with pool floats! 

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Adirondack Chairs

Juicebeats Photography

Vacation-inspired Adirondack chairs are great for extra seating. They also make excellent props for a post-ceremony photo session.

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Poppy Place Settings

onelove photography

Use summer flowers to spruce up your reception tables. These Vintage Table Co. place settings featured Flour LA poppy stems.

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Citrus Décor

Passionate
Get More Citrus Wedding Ideas

We love seeing citrus used in unique ways. Flowers by Aude wrapped these fruits around a reception's light fixture.

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Tropical Drinks

Sarah Ellefson
See More Frozen Wedding Drinks

What says "summer" better than a tropical (and preferably frozen) cocktail? These Cali Craft Cocktails beverages were served in pineapples.

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BBQ Favors

Birds of a Feather

Give celebrants the gift of delicious summer fun with BBQ sauce wedding favors. If you're in the mood for a DIY project, make your own, like this couple did!

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Fun Accents

Sarah Kate Photography
See More Wedding Champagne Towers

Little details can take your event to new heights. Consider this flamingo Champagne tower by Emily Clarke Events. It wasn't just for looks: each glass doubled as an escort card!

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Summertime Snacks

Sean Cook Weddings
Get More S'mores Ideas for Your Wedding

Serve s'mores with special marshmallows, like these unique XO Marshmallow varieties. The Urban Allure Events wedding's sweets came in yummy flavors, including lavender honey and vanilla.

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Berry Wedding Cake

Smith House Photo
See More Summer Wedding Cakes

Accent your dessert with seasonal decorations, like berries. Buttercup Bakery made this wedding cake.

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Reception Popsicles

The Brauns

Popsicles (like these J-Pops snacks) will help everyone cool down after a night on the dance floor.

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Seasonal Menu

Bonnie Sen Photography

At this summer wedding, guests enjoyed plates of Crown Paella.

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Lawn Games

Two Pair Photography
Get More Wedding Game Ideas

Embrace the extended hours of sunlight with outdoor activities, like a giant Connect Four-inspired game.

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Fireworks Display

Joel Serrato
See More Wedding Firework Displays

Fireworks (or sparklers) are a dazzling way to light up the night. J&M Displays was responsible for this beachfront show.

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Cactus Centerpieces

Gaby J Photography
Get More Cactus Wedding Ideas

Flower Story decorated these reception tables with heat-ready cacti in assorted vessels.

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Lounge Area

Sally Pinera
See More Wedding Lounge Areas

Summer weddings are usually more relaxed, which makes a casual lounge station doable. This couple scored the décor for theirs at Found Vintage Rentals.

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Reception Ice Cream

Corbin Gurkin
See More Ways to Serve Ice Cream at Your Wedding

Whether you hire a truck or serve it passed, guests will scream for reception ice cream. This bride and groom offered cups of Graeter's.

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Patriotic Party

Alexandra Wallace
Get More Fourth of July Wedding Ideas

For a Fourth of July reception, patriotic décor is a must. Sandcastle Celebrations and Avenue Twelve put together this flag display.

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Fruity Centerpieces

Belathée Photography
See More Wedding Centerpieces with Fruits and Vegetables

In-season fruits can serve as centerpieces and décor. You can't go wrong with pretty peaches.

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Smart Table Numbers

Tinywater Photography
Get More Ideas for Wedding Table Numbers

These glass bottles marked reception tables while also helping to keep guests hydrated.

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By Emily Platt