San Francisco is the perfect place to have a summer wedding, whether as a destination wedding or a local affair. The weather is reliably temperate instead of hot and muggy as with most of the U.S. And if you choose the right venue, the views alone can make your San Francisco wedding truly unforgettable. Every season comes with its own challenges, of course, so be sure to read the points below as you begin your wedding planning.

Summer San Francisco Wedding Planning Tips

Five key elements of Summer Weddings are:

Sufficient Notice

Because many people go on vacation in the summertime, you should mail save-the-date cards as soon as you decide when your summer wedding will be. The invitations should go out at least a couple of months ahead of the event.

Appropriate Attire

When planning your wedding party attire, think layers! We have a dry climate so temperatures vary as much as 20 degrees between afternoon and evening, especially with our seasonal fog. Even if the tone of your event is formal, you can find many appropriate options in light-colored fabrics, such as shawls and longer skirts. And advise out-of-town guests about how we layer our clothing for summer evenings, so they can pack properly!

Sun Protection

Remember to have sun protection available for your guests if you have part of your ceremony and reception in the open air, as many of our wedding parties do on our bay cruises. Even with a cool bay breeze the sun is high overhead. And have plenty of water available to keep everyone hydrated!

A Summer Menu

The cuisine at a summer wedding might have to accommodate the weather in hot climates, but with our mild temperatures and year-round fresh produce here in the Bay Area, we can offer our full range of menu styles and themes.

Floral Selections

Depending on how hot the week of your wedding is expected to be, you might want to work with your florist on which flowers and plants best suit the venue. We work often with local florist Susan Bell, and she has identified a wide variety of flowers that are the likeliest to hold up well at a summer event. As she points out, in-season arrangements may also be more affordable than off-season blooms. And, if you hold your wedding ceremony at one venue and the reception at another, don’t try to transport the flowers from one place to the next. Instead, have similar or contrasting arrangements waiting at the second destination.

Summer Weddings on San Francisco Bay

Yacht venues offer a perfect location for summertime weddings in the Bay Area. Commodore Cruises & Events provides so much more than many party boats do. We feature spectacular views, a wealth of cuisine choices, and a fleet of beautiful, well-equipped yachts to accommodate any wedding party, from 20 to 350! Let our knowledgeable staff help with your wedding planning, so you are free to focus on your betrothed and your guests. Call us at (877) 346-4000, or contact us online for assistance.