Tennessee is one of the best places to be in the summertime, regardless of which part of the state you’re in. Of course, we’re partial to the mountains ourselves, but it’s ok if you’re not (though it does seem strange). All across our oddly shaped state, we’ve got sweeping landscapes, dense forests, national parks, rivers, lakes, ranches, botanical gardens, and all sorts of other great places you can go to really enjoy the season. But this is an article about wedding ideas for summer specifically. So if you’re looking for that, then you’ve come to the right place. 🙂 🌻
1. It All Starts With a Great Venue
And since it’s summer, why not choose an outdoor or hybrid venue? Take advantage of the breathtaking scenery and perfect weather. Summer is not the time of year to be holed up inside a stuffy, climate-controlled building all day, every day. That might be what you have to do for your job, but do you really want to do your wedding like that, too? Luckily, you’re spoiled for choice in Tennessee, especially up here in the mountains.
Since we’re talking about summer and we are in Tennessee, we think it’s worth mentioning barn venues and mountaintop venues in particular. They both will give you a real feel for the local character. If you’re going to be in Tennessee anyway, you might as well go all the way and really be in Tennessee! If you’re in the lowland part of the state or you just want something a bit different, getting married on a horse ranch is another great idea that many local women have surely dreamt of since they were little kids.
2. Seasonal Floral Arrangements
Green is a happy color, and it’s undoubtedly one of our favorites, but it’s not the only color nature gifts us with in summer. Take a look around as you’re walking outside, and you’ll surely notice a wide variety of other colors, bright and neutral alike. And while there are likely to be flowers at almost any wedding, many don’t fully appreciate what a massive difference seasonal arrangements can make to the overall aesthetic and vibe of the wedding. All the different color combinations you might use to choose which clothing to wear can also be found right outside in nature.
Colors aren’t the only things to play with, either. From flowers to tree branches and ferns, there are all sorts of flora growing all over the place that you can mix and match to create the perfect bouquet, arch, or whatever else it is you’re trying to make. Whether you’re doing it on your own or with the help of a florist (recommended), you can have a lot of fun with this.
3. Fun Outdoor Activities 🌲⛰️
Especially in the mountains where we are, opportunities abound in Tennessee for exciting (or relaxing) things to do outside. And this is helpful when you’re planning your wedding because you and everyone else will probably want to get out and stretch your legs at some point. It’s just hard to resist that temptation here, especially during summer. But “outdoor fun” can mean different things to different people.
Maybe you like golfing or just going for a walk through a public park, or maybe you and your friends are adrenaline junkies and you want to go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River. Whatever the case, you can find something to your liking here in Tennessee. And by the way, another great summer wedding idea is to set up some lawn games. These are a relaxing alternative to a trip or excursion, and they’re great for the kids (their parents will thank you).
4. Summer Can Be Hot, So Keep Your Guests Comfortable
The sun is hot, whether you’re doing something outside or trying to cool off inside. So, make sure one of your wedding ideas for summer is to see that you and your guests have plenty of shade and water to go around. You can do this in a lot of ways, and there is definitely room for creativity. You can set up a tent, pergola, and/or gazebo as part of your wedding space in addition to your indoor space (assuming you have both). Likewise, you can also make use of the already abundant tree cover we have in Tennessee by setting it up beneath the tree canopy so the leaves and branches can provide shade to everyone.
5. Last But Not Least, Go Native! 🤠
You’re in a very distinct region of the country, and that’s worth appreciating. Embrace it and embody it in your wedding. For you, that might mean going for a cowboy aesthetic or more of an Appalachian one. It mostly just depends on which part of the state you’re in and which one speaks to you. Think of the music you want to play, the clothes you want to wear, and even the food you want to have on the menu. It’s a whole thing, but it’s the most fun part for lots of folks. And no, you don’t have to be from a small town or grow up on a farm. Anyone can get in on it. If anything, folks here tend to appreciate it when newcomers do.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it: five great wedding ideas for summer in Tennessee. Admittedly, you could apply these to many other places as well, but we wrote it, so we’re claiming it for The Volunteer State. We hope that this article has been of some help to you, and we hope that your wedding planning and preparation go smoothly. Congratulations on your new life together! 💍
