Secrets of Spectacular Summer Soirees
How to Wed in Style When It's Sizzling

By Natalie Foor

Courtesy of CMH Photo

Ahh, summertime … trips to the beach, longer days, dining al fresco and catching some rays. Such thoughts immediately come to mind when someone so much as mentions the word. Of course, in addition to the fantasies of lounging on a hammock, listening to a steel drum and taking in a salty ocean breeze, a bride-to-be—and just about any adult with lots of friends, kids or other relatives of legal marrying age—thinks wedding season!

After all, every season has its pros and cons when it comes to choosing when to hold nuptials. But let’s face it: For many engaged couples, summer is the perfect fit.

As for why the season is such a popular one for tying the knot, the reasons are numerous. According to Adil Malihi, owner and operator of Rendez-vous Limousine Service, www.rendezvoustrans.com, which is based in Falls Church and known for great service, “it definitely has something to do with the weather.” Or, as Jackie Yu, owner of Wedding Story, www.weddingstoryva.com, a no-worries, full-service event planning and coordination firm in Annandale, put it, “First of all, it’s not cold.”

Likewise, as uber-talented-on-the-strings triplet set The Calmes Trio, www.thecalmestrio.com, pointed out, “obviously, being able to have your wedding outside is a distinct advantage”—a sentiment that’s shared by Terri Finnerin, spa director of Modern Day Spa, www.modernco.net, with popular locations in Tysons and Pentagon City. Plus, as Carla Buchler, co-owner of Arlington’s legendary Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, www.heidelbergbakery.com, explained, “It’s nice because more people can come” due to more relaxed schedules and the kids being out of school.

If that weren’t enough, summer weddings also have advantages from a photographic standpoint. According to photographer Corbin Harris of CMH Photo, www.cmh-photo.com, who snaps more than 30 weddings per year in the D.C.-Metro area and New England, those advantages include “more opportunities for romantic photos towards sunset.” Plus, as Harris noted, “People are usually wearing brighter colors, and everything is just more vibrant.”

At any rate, if you’re newly betrothed and reading this as you dream of your own summer wedding, we have good news! On the next few pages, you’ll learn the secrets to making it spectacular!

In addition to seeking inside pointers from Malihi, Yu, Buchler, Harris, Finnerin and The Calmes Trio (Beth Calmes, Laura Soemarko and Melissa Calmes), we also sought expert insight from two other top vendors: Laurie Diver, corporate buyer in charge of weddings and special events at Conklyn’s Flowers, www.conklyns.com, which Teleflora has named one of the top 50 florists in the U.S., and Laura Lohman, event coordinator at Stafford’s stunning, Mediterranean-style vineyard, Potomac Point Winery, www.potomacpointwinery.com, which Virginia Bride Magazine named one of the top five “not-to-be-missed stunning wedding sites.”

And now, without further ado: our tips from the pros!

First Up: Overcoming the Cons
Yes, even for those of us absolutely smitten with summer, there are a few cons worth considering when planning a summer wedding. Two of them have to do with—you guessed it—weather; specifically, overwhelming heat and the threat of rain (if planning an outdoor affair). The other problem our pros pointed to: bugs.

But worry not! With careful planning, your summer wedding can still be as blissful as it is in your fondest of dreams!

As for the heat, there are actually lots of creative ways to keep yourself and your guests cool. One thing that Lohman of Potomac Point Winery suggests is serving ice-cold water to guests. She has also witnessed couples using programs that serve double duty as fans, something that The Calmes Trio has also picked up on as a stylish sweltering summer solution.

As for rain, if you’re planning to have your event outdoors, experts agree that it’s essential to select a venue that has an equally fabulous indoor or tented back-up plan, which, according to Lohman, Potomac Point always has in place.

When it comes to bugs, a real nuisance not only to guests but especially to musicians, it may be worth avoiding flowers that are notorious for attracting more than their fair share of them. Beth Calmes, who can’t be swatting about when commanding the strings of the viola, said she and her sisters always make sure to use bug spray, which brings us to another point: It also may be worth asking venues whether or not they spray the general area where your outdoor service would be held—again, something that Potomac Point Winery does. After all, what bride wants to smell like bug spray? Thought so!

Spectacular summer stems in every hue ... Take a peek and choose what’s “you”! White: alstroemeria (a.k.a. Peruvian lilies), calla lilies (standard & mini), gerbera daisies, hydrangea, larkspur, orchids, roses, snapdragons, stephanotis, stock, white iris Pink: alstroemeria, gerbera daisies, hydrangea, larkspur, nerine lilies, oriental lilies, roses, snapdragons Yellow: Asiatic lilies, freesia, gerbera daisies, oncidium orchids, roses, snapdragons Purple: freesia, liatris, lysianthus, roses, stock (lavender); anemone, larkspur, lysianthus (deep purple) Blue: (always popular for summer) cornflower, delphinium, hydrangea, iris Orange: Asiatic lilies, dahlias (late summer), gerbera daisies, orchids, roses Red: alstroemeria, anthurium, carnations, gerbera daisies, gladiolus, roses Flowers for hair: sweetheart spray roses, freesia, stephanotis

Details They’ll Remember …
Once those planning to wed have been assured of keeping those bugs at bay, have a back-up plan in place and have signed contracts with their main vendors, it’s time to figure out the details—in other words, the little things that can take a wedding from so-so to spectacular.

When we asked our experts to tell us what immediately comes to mind when they envision a spectacular summer wedding, the setting, or destination, came up more than once. As Diver of Conklyn’s Florist said, “You always remember a fabulous venue,” such as by the bay or perhaps along the Potomac.

And Wedding Story’s Yu agreed. In addition to recommending beach destinations like Virginia Beach, she also vividly recalled clients who said “I do” on a boat—a very memorable setting, indeed.

What’s more, Beth Calmes, while careful to note that “spectacular” can be defined differently by different people, told us, “The setting is usually paramount … It doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant. It can be a simple country setting or an elaborate one at a country club or historic mansion.”

Meanwhile, in discussing especially memorable weddings with Harris of CMH Photo, a certain festive, perfectly personalized mid-July reception quickly came to mind. He recalled, “The bride’s family was from South America, and they had a carnival towards the end of the reception where everyone wore crazy masks and hats while dancing to Latin music.”

Yu of Wedding Story also noted the importance of keeping the event personal, especially when it comes to such things as favors, something that Heidelberg often helps create. For instance, the bakery offers portrait cookies—and rest assured, Buchler said, that the icing does not melt. Buchler also agreed with Harris on keeping summer weddings festive and stress-free, or “kind of breezy and light,” adding, “I think they should be more relaxed.”

Still, when discussing undeniably memorable weddings with Lohman, she noted, “Some of the best are the most consistent ones.” To explain, she went on to illustrate a recent wedding that featured a raspberry theme. From raspberry-hued stargazer and calla lilies to raspberry-filled cake to raspberries in the champagne, the whole event was exquisitely coordinated (the best part being that ideas like that don’t necessarily require a lot of dough, just a little creativity).

Of course, we couldn’t talk details without talking flowers. After all, as Beth Calmes told us, “It never ceases to amaze me how artistic flowers can be, and really how they can define a wedding with their color and arrangements.” That’s why we made sure to tap some great ideas from our resident flower pro, Diver, who was kind enough to give us a number of summer flower options in various colors.

Finally, to make things even simpler for you as you plan your big day, we’ve assembled top dos and don’ts.

(June/July 2008)