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  5. 30 Fun Ideas for a Poolside Wedding
Martha Stewart Weddings

30 Fun Ideas for a Poolside Wedding

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By Jane Asher
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Credit: Braedon Flynn of Braedon Photogr

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couple dancing by pool
Credit: Jessica Bordner Photography
Get the Best of Real Weddings

Getting married in the summer, or in a particularly warm location? Or are you craving gorgeous photographs and a scenic place to wed? Satisfy your needs by tying the knot somewhere poolside. Crisp, clean agua makes a beautiful portrait backdrop, and the relaxing sounds of rippling water guarantee a peaceful cocktail hour. Plus, if the weather allows and you're celebrating all weekend, your guests will be thrilled to jump into a pool before or after the big day.

Plenty of real weddings have capitalized on pools for their ceremony or reception. Tap into their creative genius to throw a waterside bash of your own! From first dances to dinner to lounging around, pools can elevate any aspect of your wedding. Click through for some of our favorite ideas, and prepare to be wowed by the fun, pretty, and one-of-a-kind inspiration. Now, let's dive in!

Take a Spin

This gorgeous first dance was made entierly picturesque thanks to a stunning pool backdrop and the glowing sunset. 

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Go For a Day-After Swim

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Credit: Allyson Magda Photography

The weather was on the bride and groom's side during their late-October wedding. To close out the celebration weekend, they invited their guests to take a dip in the venue's pool. 

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Offer a Walkway

guests by pool
Credit: Miss Gen Photography

Pools are pretty but can pose a challenge, as they separate the two sides of your venue space. Eradicate the problem by choosing something with a walkway (making sure, of course, that it's wide enough for no falls!).

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Hire a DJ

DJ pool
Credit: Jesse Leake
Learn What Wedding DJs Wish They Could Tell You

Get the music bumping with a waterfront DJ. Pool float not necessary, but definitely recommended. 

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Sip From Sassy Straws

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Credit: Belathée Photography
See Swizzle Sticks from Real Weddings

These diver straws were a fun addition to refreshing, poolside drinks.

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Show Your Letters

bridesmaids in pool
Credit: Sandra Åberg Photography
Get Monogram Wedding Inspiration

This couple sent a message with huge letters sitting within their venue's pool. The giant words were a unique way to put their name in the wedding photos. 

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Go All In

jessie tristan wedding tennessee ceremony pool
Credit: Laura Dart
See More from This DIY Wedding

Forget poolside and dive straight in (sans-water). This quirky ceremony took place inside of an emptied structure. 

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Do Something Daring

bride on edge of infinity pool
Credit: Sandra Åberg Photography

This brave bride risked it all for the perfect photo, standing on the edge of an infinity pool overlooking mountains. Utilize water's reflective properties for similarly-stunning images.

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String Lights Above

reception by pool
Credit: Tec Petaja Photography
Get Outdoor Wedding Lighting Ideas

This wedding's gorgeous lighting twinkled beautifully above its reception pool.

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Walk on Water

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Credit: Jillian Mitchell Photography
See More Unique Wedding Portraits

For her wedding portraits, this bride showed off her gown with lace detail and an illusion neckline while walking on Casa China Blanca's clear platform over the stunning blue pool.

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Decorate With Beach Balls

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Credit: Belathée Photography

Clear beach balls, all in different sizes, floated in this pool at Casa Verona in Palm Springs.

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Let Guests Float

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Credit: Max & Friends
See Pool Party Essentials for Your Wedding Registry

At this all-day wedding reception at the Ace Hotel, guests could lounge in the pool in one of the many fun floats and rafts.

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Serve Poolside Drinks

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Credit: Josh Gruetzmacher

Guests at this rehearsal dinner in France enjoyed a pastis bar, where they could try four different styles of the Provençal specialty liquor, overlooking a crystal clear pool. 

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Take Wedding Party Portraits

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Credit: Glen Allsop / Christian Oth Studio

What better backdrop for your bridal party portraits than a picturesque pool, like this one at Locusts on Hudson.

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Have a Backdrop for Your Vows

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Credit: Trent Bailey Photography
Get More Wedding Chuppah Ideas

Framed by a tree trunk-based chuppah supporting a canopy of roses, dahlias, and woodland-esque flora, the pool at this rooftop venue, 620 Loft & Garden in New York City, served as a stunning backdrop for the enchanted forest-themed wedding.

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Say "I Do"—for Infinity

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Credit: Sara & Rocky Photography
See More Wedding Arches

Not only are infinity pools beautiful (especially when situated before an ocean), but their name is so fitting for a wedding. This couple exchanged vows under an arch of driftwood and dendrobium orchids, built just feet from the water—both an infinity pool and the ocean behind it.

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Jump In

peony-richard-wedding-maldives-jumping-in-pool-0467-s112383.jpg
Credit: KT Merry
Go Inside This Multi-Day Wedding

Guests at this wedding had a choice of many activities at the Maldivian hotel, Maalifushi by Como, including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, game fishing, and sailing. But many of the guests chose to just hang out by the gorgeous pool that was just as blue as the turquoise ocean.

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Fill It With Balloons

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Credit: Katie Stoops Photography
Get the Best of Wedding Décor and Details

This bride wanted to fill the pool at her venue, La Chureya, with a pop of color, and balloons were the natural answer. "I love [balloons] because of the happiness and nostalgia tied to them," she said. "They make everyone smile."

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Lounge Around

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Credit: Max & Friends
See More Wedding Lounge Ideas

This couple set up a mid-century modern lounge with boho flair at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs using rented pieces from Yeah! Rentals.

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Host a Late-Night Pool Party

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Credit: Aaron Delesie

After the DJ went home for the night, the party kept going with many of the guests even jumping into the pool at Villa La Banane, fully clothed. "It was raucous," the bride of the late-night pool party. 

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Pose for Photos

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Credit: Jillian Mitchell Photography

Groomsmen posed for portraits together in front of this pretty pool at Casa China Blanca.

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Hire Synchronized Swimmers

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Credit: Belathée Photography

At the end of this reception in Palm Springs, synchronized swimmers performed a routine to Donna Summers's "Let's Dance."

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Heat Things Up

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Credit: Erin Kate Photography
See Chic Ways to Stay Warm at a Winter Wedding

Pools aren't just for warm-weather celebrations! Even in the winter, a steaming pool makes for an ethereal and romantic addition to wedding portraits.

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Festoon the Pool With Flowers

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Credit: Catherine Mead

Florist Boutique Souk embellished La Mamounia's blue-tiled pool with red and magenta flowers and petals for this wedding in Marrakech, Morocco.  

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Or Let It Stand Out All By Itself

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See the Coolest Hotel Pools for Your Honeymoon

The iconic pool at the Raleigh Hotel provided a pretty and summery backdrop for this couple's modern reception in Miami.

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Eat Dinner Poolside

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Credit: Belathée Photography
Get More Wedding Banquet Table Ideas

Guests at this wedding sat at a table right next to Casa Verona's pool. The seating included a mix of thrift-store finds and rented vintage chairs that had been spray-painted in the day's color scheme. Blankets were also tossed across the backs of each chair to keep guests warm after sunset.

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Give Guests a Good View

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Credit: Max & Friends
See Wedding Tent Decorating Ideas

This couple had the sides of their tent rolled up so that guests could enjoy the beautiful California evening air and poolside view. Everyone jumped into the hotel pool after dinner and dancing.

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Let It Sink In

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Credit: Braedon Flynn of Braedon Photogr

This couple's venue, Haciena San Antonio el Puente, houses seven gardens and one gorgeous pool, where the couple stopped for their first photos as husband and wife.

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Relax and Mingle by the Pool

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Credit: Jillian Mitchell Photography
Get Ideas for Keeping Summer Wedding Guests Cool

Modern poolside lounge furniture, vintage-inspired chandeliers, and wood crate coffee tables were set up to the side of the pool for guests to enjoy the beach breeze and fresh air. 

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Pitch a (Poolside) Tent

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Credit: KT Merry

Guests at this wedding in the Maldives enjoyed dinner in a clear-topped tent sitting right in between the pool and the ocean.

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    1 of 30
    2 of 30 Go For a Day-After Swim
    3 of 30 Offer a Walkway
    4 of 30 Hire a DJ
    5 of 30 Sip From Sassy Straws
    6 of 30 Show Your Letters
    7 of 30 Go All In
    8 of 30 Do Something Daring
    9 of 30 String Lights Above
    10 of 30 Walk on Water
    11 of 30 Decorate With Beach Balls
    12 of 30 Let Guests Float
    13 of 30 Serve Poolside Drinks
    14 of 30 Take Wedding Party Portraits
    15 of 30 Have a Backdrop for Your Vows
    16 of 30 Say "I Do"—for Infinity
    17 of 30 Jump In
    18 of 30 Fill It With Balloons
    19 of 30 Lounge Around
    20 of 30 Host a Late-Night Pool Party
    21 of 30 Pose for Photos
    22 of 30 Hire Synchronized Swimmers
    23 of 30 Heat Things Up
    24 of 30 Festoon the Pool With Flowers
    25 of 30 Or Let It Stand Out All By Itself
    26 of 30 Eat Dinner Poolside
    27 of 30 Give Guests a Good View
    28 of 30 Let It Sink In
    29 of 30 Relax and Mingle by the Pool
    30 of 30 Pitch a (Poolside) Tent

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