30 Fun Ideas for a Poolside Wedding

By Jane Asher
June 27, 2016
Braedon Flynn of Braedon Photogr

Let's dive right in, shall we?

Start Slideshow

1 of 30

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. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 30

Go For a Day-After Swim

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. 

3 of 30

Offer a Walkway

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!).

Advertisement

4 of 30

Hire a DJ

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. 

5 of 30

Sip From Sassy Straws

Belathée Photography
See Swizzle Sticks from Real Weddings

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

6 of 30

Show Your Letters

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. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 30

Go All In

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. 

8 of 30

Do Something Daring

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.

9 of 30

String Lights Above

Tec Petaja Photography
Get Outdoor Wedding Lighting Ideas

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 30

Walk on Water

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.

11 of 30

Decorate With Beach Balls

Belathée Photography

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

12 of 30

Let Guests Float

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 30

Serve Poolside Drinks

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. 

14 of 30

Take Wedding Party Portraits

Glen Allsop / Christian Oth Studio

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

15 of 30

Have a Backdrop for Your Vows

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 30

Say "I Do"—for Infinity

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.

17 of 30

Jump In

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.

18 of 30

Fill It With Balloons

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."

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 30

Lounge Around

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.

20 of 30

Host a Late-Night Pool Party

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. 

21 of 30

Pose for Photos

Jillian Mitchell Photography

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 30

Hire Synchronized Swimmers

Belathée Photography

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

23 of 30

Heat Things Up

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.

24 of 30

Festoon the Pool With Flowers

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.  

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 30

Or Let It Stand Out All By Itself

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.

26 of 30

Eat Dinner Poolside

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.

27 of 30

Give Guests a Good View

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 30

Let It Sink In

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.

29 of 30

Relax and Mingle by the Pool

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. 

30 of 30

Pitch a (Poolside) Tent