I am a wedding photographer who married my high school sweetheart in 2022. The second we got engaged I began researching how to plan the perfect summer wedding. When August is the only month that works, you have to have a treehouse resort wedding venue, right?  We chose Mohican Treehouse Resort as our venue because we wanted to turn our wedding week into a family reunion so close family + friends stayed throughout the resort in cabins and treehouses. It was basically adult summer camp and we loved every second. Hiking, bonfires, parties and uninterrupted quality time made it the best week of our lives. This day was 10 years in the making and we wanted it to be personal + intimate which guided all of our decision making. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming but hopefully this guide will help you to plan the most perfect summer wedding! Let’s get into it!!

Getting Ready

It was a calm + relaxed morning spent writing vows on the deck of our treehouse, then getting ready in cabins at the venue with all our family and friends. Our invitation suite was created + designed by my sister, addressed in her calligraphy. We worked together to choose a summertime color palette with baby blues and buttery yellows. And of course a crisp green to tie into this summer wedding in the woods.

My talented friends and sisters did hair & makeup for me and my bridesmaids and it was so much fun helping each other get into our glam. My wedding day glam was inspired by Hailey Bieber and we went for a very dewey and natural look, with a classic low bun. Because of summertime heat and humidity we made sure to use lots of setting spray and do touch-ups throughout the day. I have never felt so beautiful but I also really loved that I still looked and felt like myself. My wedding morning attire was a Lulu’s silk teddy romper my bridesmaids gifted me, a thrifted silk robe, and feather slippers.

My sisters and mom helped me put on jewelry, dress, and shoes. And my gold rings gifted by Jay + Jay’s nana and a gold bracelet gifted by Jay’s mom. I loved wearing jewelry that was sentimental in such an important day. We created and designed my asymmetrical bespoke engagement ring using heirloom diamonds that were gifted to us from Jay’s family. My wtoo watters floral dress from Lovely Bride was perfect for me and for the day. I adored the giant crochet florals and they really added to the summer wedding and garden party theme. I couldn’t find the exact shoes I was envisioning, so I created my own! I bought a simple white pair online, took off the ankle straps, and replaced them with silk ribbon. I knew I needed shoes that were sturdy and comfortable for walking on gravel and wooded paths around our venue. I added the ribbon to give them a more romantic and summery feel.

Private Vows

We chose a first look because we literally couldn’t wait to see each other & and read our private vows to one another (in the adorable custom vow books I designed). It was our favorite part of the day. We fell in love at 16, did long-distance throughout college, and have been living together ever since I graduated. Our relationship has been filled with cross-country travels and road trips. Family vacations that doubled as visits to see each other for even just 24 hours. Late night phone calls when we hadn’t seen each other in months. Jay loves me calmly and deeply and keeps me grounded. And in his words from our marriage vows, he loves me for my “confidence, creativity, and joy for life.”

We chose to read private vows to each other because we didn’t feel comfortable having to speak during ceremony. We made this moment as intimate as possible with only our photographer & videographer there to document. Private vows ended up being one of our favorite things we did on our wedding day! If you know you won’t share personal vows during ceremony I absolutely recommend this as an alternative.

Following the summery theme, I asked bridesmaids to get adventurous with their dresses and choose any tea or floor length floral gown they loved and they absolutely crushed it. White heels, Baby’s Breath, & dappled forest sunlight equalled all my summer wedding day visions coming true. And we wanted a laid-back feel for our groomsmen so we had them all choose an affordable white button-down and linen pants with mix and match floral ties that Jay picked out and gifted to each of his boys. Friends and family were also encouraged to dress their “summer best” and florals were the ultimate theme of the day.

Ceremony

Our officiant, Ali, is Jay’s sister and we loved that she knew both of us so well along with witnessing our relationship over the years. My siblings all shared stories during ceremony, my uncle made a poem using the letters in both of our names. Jay’s grandma, Ida, read “The Gift” by Pam Brown and it was very sentimental and emotional. To close the ceremony Ali read a letter that I wrote Jay when I was 17 and he was leaving for college. It ends with “I’ll love you forever, in the end we’ll be together.” Our best friends and siblings (and my niece as flower girl) walked down the aisle to Beyond by Leon Bridges. And I surprised Jay with a cover of Home by Edith Wiskers for my walk down aisle because the original is a song that is special to us. For recessional, For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder blasted and we were showered in rose petals.

 

We wanted to hire vendors we know whenever possible & are lucky enough to be friends with/related to some extremely talented people. Our photographer, Brittney Raine, is a family friend (who also captured both my sister’s weddings) and I adore her work and her overall photography philosophy. She played music during our portraits in the woods, she encouraged us to pause and enjoy quiet moments together, and to do whatever we genuinely wanted at every turn. A lot of those moments turned into our favorite parts of the day. She also shot film throughout the day to add that imperfect, candid, grainy romantic goodness to our overall gallery.

Reception

Inside the Mohican Lodge we had long, family style seating for a merry and inclusive dinner to fit the Summer Wedding theme. And an emotional and very sweet toast by my dad that made everyone cry. For our first dance, we had our talented friend sing an acoustic version of Yellow by Coldplay (more crying) and it was a moment we will truly treasure for the rest of our lives. After formal dances I had my sister cut my dress to tea-length so I could really get down on the dance floor. So much joy and laughter.

My advice for the perfect summer wedding day: Choose the things that are important and meaningful to your unique relationship. And if you can, hire vendors you love and trust. Best day EVER.

To see more BTS content of this perfect summer wedding, go to the highlights on my instagram! And if you want to read up on more of my wedding guides head over to my blog.