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A Hosting Home

Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Weddings

Treating Your Guests at Your Summer Wedding

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration

When it comes to summer weddings, especially southern summer weddings, there’s only really one word that can describe them all:

Hot

If you’re a wedding guest that gets invited to a summer wedding in a place like Texas, your immediate reaction is to probably cringe from reliving the sweat stains in your clothes from the wedding you attended the previous weekend. Y’all, there’s a reason why we praise Jesus for a little bit of air conditioning. In Texas, everyone wants to get married in the summer. I mean, y’all. My own wedding was outside in June. However, with my move to Georgia, I’ve quickly learned that people would much rather just skip summer in general.

If you want a summer wedding, have one!

I’ll be the first to tell you that your wedding day is all about you. It’s okay to be selfish and do your wedding the way that you want whether it’s outside in the middle of the afternoon in June. I love summer, and I love summer weddings. While they are hot, they are also extremely beautiful. Simple planning that shows you thinking of your guests and making your guests more comfortable at your wedding is a sure way to keep the party going and avoiding the gradual guest leak out that often happens after dinner is served.

Take note of these summer wedding ideas sure to treat your guests and make your wedding day one that is remembered (in a good way!)

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration

Tented Reception + Cooling Units

White tents are a great option to keep your guests out of the hot sun. The best part? They can be dressed up as much as you want or even kept casual. Uplighting and cafe bulbs can also be added to create mood lighting under the beautiful summer night sky. If it’s exceptionally hot where you live and you’re still concerned about your guests, ask your rental company about adding cooling units to keep the air flowing under the tent. I promise your guests will thank you while they’re enjoying their dinner.

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration, Tented Summer Wedding Reception

Photo: Kati Hewitt Photography

Sunglasses

You’re planning on having your wedding outside before sunset. But, you may want to think of how the sun will be during your ceremony. There’s nothing worse than your guests coming to your ceremony but not being able to see you actually get married! You don’t want your wedding photos looking like everyone is covering their eyes with their hands. (Talk about awkward!) Ask your photographer about what the lighting will be like during your ceremony. They may even be able to help you come up with a ceremony time that gives you the best lighting for your photos!

One idea is to have a cute basket of sunglasses by your welcome sign as your guests walk to your ceremony site. Dress it up with a cute sign saying something like “Don’t be blinded by our love! Take a pair of sunglasses.” Not only is this is a really cute and fun way to incorporate these into your day. But, these can be really inexpensive if you order them in bulk from somewhere like Oriental Trading Company. I believe you can snag them for approximately $11.99 per dozen.

You could also look into a company that allows you to personalize the sunglasses with your names and wedding date or your wedding hashtag. This way they can double as your wedding favors and can be an awesome keepsake to be used by your friends and family even after your wedding. I mean, it is summer! Who isn’t always looking for sunglasses in the summer?

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration, Wedding Sunglasses Favors

Photo: SMS Photography via Popsugar

Fan Programs

If you’re having an outside wedding in the summer months or even a tented reception, you’re bound to have wedding guests using your programs as a personal fan throughout the ceremony and the rest of the night. I’ve even been to some indoor weddings with faulty air conditioning that made me wish I had grabbed a program at the ceremony to fan myself with!

A cute way to combine these ideas and show your guests how much you care is to order fan programs. It’s one of those things that says “I know it’s crazy hot, I love you, and I care about your wellbeing. So, here’s a fan!” Make them as elegant looking or casual as you want. They are bound to be an attention grabber! You can even doll them up by adding a bow!

I actually did these for my own wedding. I made them very classy and vintage looking, and I think they turned out beautiful! It’s a great alternative to the traditional programs. Plus, they actually have a use for them. Let’s face it, from what I’ve seen not many people pick up or even read some traditional programs. They are often forgotten about, especially if they aren’t placed in the natural path of the wedding guest. Guests may be more likely to read your program out of curiosity in between fanning themselves.

Summer Wedding Ideas, Fan Wedding Programs

Photo: Kati Hewitt Photography

​​
Summer Cocktail

It’s a good idea to include a summer cocktail on your drink list at the bar. Whether it’s a lemonade, a punch, or frozen something, you can guarantee that your guests will enjoy the cool down. Sometimes there’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a lemonade. The addition of alcohol to these types of drinks is optional. But, you know it’s preferred among 10 out of 10 guests. (At least, that’s what I’ve heard!)

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration, Summer Cocktail Ideas

Photo via howsweeteats.com (link)

One way you can serve these summer cocktails is with a fresh fruit and cheese tray added to your appetizer spread. Fruit is naturally refreshing when you’re a little overheated and can sometimes be more appetizing than something cooked. Also, the flavors of the fruit and cheese can easily be paired well with your summer cocktail of choice!

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration, Summer Cocktail Hour Ideas

Photo: Lydia Brannen Photography

‘Dancing Shoes’

This is another idea that I absolutely LOVE. Regardless whether your wedding is inside, outside, day, or night, your guests are bound to take off their heels to shake it at the reception. You saw it at your middle school dances, your high school prom, and other weddings. Let’s be honest, girls choose their shoes based on how it matches their outfit rather than comfort. (Way too guilty!) A cute way to show your guests that you care is to have a basket of assorted flip flops by the dance floor. I did this for my own wedding, and it was a hit! Not only did I get so many thanks on the night of the wedding, it was talked about for weeks after the fact!

Spoiler Alert: One of the main things most guests remember a wedding reception is their opinion on whether the DJ was good or not. Giving guests the opportunity to kick off their heels and put on flip flops will keep the dance floor full and keep your guests having a good time dancing the night away.

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration, Wedding Flip-flops

Lawn Games

If you’re getting married at a more casual venue like an Inn or a Barn, lawn games are a great way to keep your guests entertained during the cocktail hour or reception. Not only will they make your guests forget how hot they are. But, it’s also a great activity for those who don’t necessarily like to dance. Rather than sitting at a table awkwardly on the side of the dance floor, they’ll be having fun with the rest of your friends.

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration, Summer Reception Ideas

Photo: Kati Hewitt Photography

Koozies

Especially in the summer, there’s nothing better than an ice cold beer on a hot day. Can I get an amen?! (And the readers said amen!) Also, because it’s so hot, there’s no way to avoid the mass condensation on your guest’s beer (or water!) bottle. A great way to treat your guests while helping them keep from awkwardly wiping their wet hands on their dress clothes is to have koozies available at your bar.

Like the sunglasses you can purchase these in bulk from places like Oriental Trading Company and have them customized however you want! Having koozies personalized with your names, wedding hashtag, or even a cute saying like “To have and to hold and to keep your beer cold” is great way to give your guests an awesome keepsake for your big day. Just like sunglasses, who doesn’t always need a koozie in the summer?

Summer Wedding Ideas, Summer Wedding Inspiration, Wedding Koozie Favors

Photo via Christine Meahan on etsy

May 2, 2017

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty view like this. ✨💛 I hung these DARLING cafe curtains in my kitchen today, and I can’t get enough of the gold details with the rod, rings, and medallions. I still need to install cabinet hardware, but I’m really loving how everything is coming together in our new house. I’m feeling so inspired with embracing new styles and I hope you are too following along!  #ahostinghome 

Shared a closer look on stories today! Shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Futt #liketkit #shopltk #ltkhome

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
Building raised garden beds and planting with a to Building raised garden beds and planting with a toddler who just wanted to  dig and bury tools and throw dirt everywhere was as about as chaotic as you could imagine. (Forget wood for a second, have you seen how expensive DIRT is this year?! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Rob built me raised beds at our old house after Layne passed away and learning to garden became such a labor of love for me. We really missed having a garden last summer after we sold our old house and moved into the rental, so we were so excited to get started and plan another set of raised beds for this year for the new house. It’s a start — and we can’t wait to expand this little garden area even more as we go. 💛🪴 Are you excited for your garden this year? What are you growing?! #ahostinghome 

#raisedbeds #raisedgardenbeds #raisedbedgarden #raisedgarden #raisedbedgardening #gardening #backyardgarden #bhghome #mybhg #bhglivebetter
Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence about a bold design decision… to just do it! After I shared the black living room wall, I had a few friends tell me they wanted to do the same in other spaces in their home and they chickened out. Especially when it comes to paint, I say just go for it! Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home. It’s only paint — and that’s the beauty of it! If you hate it you can always paint it back. So instead of asking what if you hate it, ask yourself what if you LOVE it?! 🖤👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3EXef

// Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in eggshell/satin in the Duration line // Walls are Extra White by #sherwinwilliamspaint 

#tricornblack #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #sherwinwilliamsextrawhite #blackaccentwall #blackwall #accentwall #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #homedecor #homedesign #homedesignideas #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #homestyling #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter #mybhg #bhgcolor #swcolorlove
About the only thing I managed to get done this we About the only thing I managed to get done this weekend with a sick toddler was the little gallery wall in our dining room. I found these wireless battery operated gold gallery lights on Amazon and they are AMAZING. Comes in 3 colors, under $35, and super easy to install. I love how it just added a little something and made it look more high end. 😍👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Ep2B

tags // #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #gallerywall #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #transitionalstyle #transitionaldecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomdesign #ltkhome #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
My living room took a complete transformation this My living room took a complete transformation this evening — and I’m so in love! (You really didn’t think I’d part with these floral curtains did you?! 🤪) I always talk about the power of paint… but there’s also so much power in drapery, friends! I love how cozy they make our new home feel and how it just feels like “us” now with them up. ❤️ #ahostinghome
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#interiordesign #interiordesignideas #interiorstyling #livingroomdecor #livingroom #traditionaldecor #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #traditionalhome #homedecor #homedesign #floralcurtains #livingroominspiration #livingroomideas #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousedecor #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhg
✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at ✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at the point of unpacking that I can start decorating a little bit! What do you think of the vibe in here so far? Hoping to get the kitchen cabinet hardware on this weekend! #ahostinghome 

p.s. I’ve also got big plans to refinish these table and chairs soon! 😍

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles
After all the rain, we finally got the wire backin After all the rain, we finally got the wire backing, our gates done, and the fence finished this week! 😍 We had a fencing company local to us do it, and they did an amazing job. We had a fence like this at our old house, and we loved how open it made our back yard feel while still keeping the dogs in. With the dogs, the fence was project priority No. 1 after we moved in — and I must say, I’m so glad I won’t have to embarrass myself chasing a puppy around the house with a toddler on my hip in my slippers anymore! 🤪 Are you team privacy fence or team 5 row fence? 🏡 #ahostinghome
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#farmhousefence #blackfence #fiverowfence #5rowfence #blackfarmhousefence #farmfence #modernfarmhouseexterior #modernfarmhousebuild #farmhouseexterior #farmhousebuild #houseexterior #homeexterior #whiteandblackhouse #blackandwhitehouse #blackandwhitehome #homedecor #homedesign #georgiahomes #exteriordesign #exteriorpainting #exteriorpaint
It’s been a long time coming, y’all… We clo It’s been a long time coming, y’all… 
We closed on our new house last week! It has been a crazy past few days getting moved in and the essentials set up/ unpacked, but we are so excited for the new adventure! We’ve already got so many plans and ideas, and I can’t wait to completely transform this home! 😍 I hope you’re just as excited to follow along! #ahostinghome
The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black sh The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black shutters and a black door completely transformed the look of our house and made the exterior POP! 😍 We’re getting SO close, y’all. We’ve got just a little finish work left inside for them to wrap up, and we have our final walk through next week! #ahostinghome 

Exterior Paint Colors—
- Siding: Extra White by @sherwinwilliams 
- Shutters & Door: Iron Ore by #sherwinwilliams 
- Cedar wood columns

#newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildjourney #newbuildprogress #newhomeconstruction #newhome #houseprogress #homeprogress #extrawhitesherwinwilliams #ironoresherwinwilliams

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