Wedding Blog > Ideas, News & Top Lists

ABIA Notebook — Summer wedding ideas and inspiration

In Australia the sounds of chirping cicadas have already announced that Summer wedding season is here, so we share a selection of the latest bridal styles and warm-weather wedding inspiration. 

Summer-wedding-ideas-Coral-Sea-Resort-Airlie-Beach-photo-@findinggeorgephotography_

Coral Sea Resort | @findinggeorgephotography_

Compiled by Tanya Bywater of ABIA Weddings Australia | December 2024

It’s a time of sandy toes and long balmy evenings, with the slightest hint of Christmas, so for carefree couples set to marry amid Summer’s glow — be it on the beach, or within the comfort of air-conditioning — we showcase the season’s pick of fragrant floral bouquets, al fresco styling, bridal beauty, ‘on trend’ wedding attire and relaxed, hazy-day wedding inspiration.

Summer wedding table décor

Styled by The Event Artists

A simple assortment of mixed vases, filled with white summer cosmos, daisies and hydrangea, set the stage for relaxed summer wedding dining at this table setting styled by The Event Artists.

Summer-wedding-ideas-table-styling-The-Event-Artists-Hunter-Valley-photo-@nicolebutlerphotography

@nicolebutlerphotography

Summer wedding dress

Design by Alexis George

The warmth of the season lends itself to sleeveless wedding dress designs and increasingly-popular skirt and top ensembles, like this one-off Alexis George two-piece gown, cut from the designer’s 3D vintage cotton lace and finished with delicate hand-stitching.

Summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-dressf-alexis-george-couture-adelaide-2

Summer wedding jewellery

Shop at Gerard McCabe

Pearls are trending at present and this Akoya Pearl Wrap Bracelet — and the coordinating pearl necklaces, rings, pendants and earrings in Gerard McCabe’s Atlantis Collection — offers summer brides a jewellery selection inspired by the allure of the ocean.

Summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-jewellery-Gerard-McCabe-Atlantis-Collection

Summer al fresco wedding inspiration

Located at Villa Botanica

Crisp white tablecloths, fresh florals and strings of fairy-lights combine to create the ultimate seaside wedding soiree at Villa Botanica.

Summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-venue-villa-botanica-whitsundays-photo-@lovelenscapesphotography

@lovelenscapesphotography

Summer reception dress

Shop at Etre Marie Bridal Boutique

For brides opting to change dresses between the wedding ceremony and reception, this ‘Scarlett’ mini bridal dress — designed by Trish Peng and available from Etre Marie Bridal Boutique — pairs glittered tulle and a feathered hemline, for perfect summer party vibes.

Summer-wedding-ideas-mini-bridal-dress-etre-marie-bridal-gold-coast-design-Trish-Peng

Summer bridal beauty

Shop at Vitis V

The blend of just two pure, powerful cold-pressed ingredients white grapeseed extract and unfermented grapeseed oil — in Vitis V Face TonIQ can replace 10 traditional elements of a bride’s beauty routine, smoothing, hydrating, healing and softening to provide a simple solution to glowing summer skin.

Summer-wedding-ideas-bridal-beauty-Vitis-V

Summer groom’s suit

Shop at Black Jacket Suiting

A linen suit exudes laid-back summer elegance for grooms, and the addition of cotton in this Uberstone Beige Lounge Suit — available to hire or buy from Black Jacket Suiting — helps prevent crushing, for a look that’s lightweight, breathable and super smooth.

Summer-wedding-ideas-groom-attire-Black-Jacket-Suiting-Murarrie-photo-@evernewstudio

@evernewstudio

Summer ceremony venue

Located at Coral Sea Resort

Summer and sand go hand-in-hand in Australia, so it’s the ideal season for a beach wedding, and we’re enamoured with this beach wedding setup, at the Coral Sea Resort in Airlie Beach, where the weather is summery almost year-round.

Summer-wedding-ideas-beach-ceremony-Coral-Sea-Resort-Airlie-Beach-photo-@findinggeorgephotography_

@findinggeorgephotography_

Summer wedding catering

Shop at Pineapple Traders

Looking for a clever way to tie your catering in with a breezy summer theme? We think these sweet Capiz shell dishes, from Pineapple Traders, might be just the thing.

Summer-wedding-ideas-Capiz-Shell-Dishes-Pineapple-Traders

Summer wedding photos

Image by Luke Middlemiss Photography

For a romantic and summery wedding or engagement photoshoot, we love this ‘summer in a snapshot’ capture by wedding photographer Luke Middlemiss.

Summer-wedding-ideas-engagement-photo-by-luke-middlemiss-photographer

Luke Middlemiss Photography

Summer wedding shade

Hire from Stradbroke Island Events

If an outdoor ceremony is part of your summer wedding plan, make sure shade for your guests is taken into consideration. Think leafy trees overhead, awnings, market umbrellas or portable and stylish shade solutions like these parasols, hired from Stradbroke Island Events, which allow wedding guests to help themselves.   

summer-wedding-ideas-parasols-Stradbroke-Island-Events

Summer wedding cake

Design by Mad About Cakes

This spectacular wedding cake design, by Mad About Cakes in Melbourne, encapsulates the summery essence of the Italian Riviera in two sweet tiers.

summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-cake-Mad-About-Cakes-Melbourne

Summer wedding beverages

Served by Bubble Over Champagne Towers

There’s nothing quite like a cold glass of champagne of a warm summer’s day, and a Bubble Over Champagne Tower makes a showstopping way to serve your wedding reception guests.

Summer-wedding-ideas-Bubble-Over-Champagne-Towers-Brisbane-photo-@findinggeorgephotography_

@findinggeorgephotography_

Summer wedding lighting

Hire from Cape Events

A clear roof, strung with fairy lights and Yallingup bamboo pendants — hired from Cape Events — looks stunning by day, magical by night, and makes the perfect space for guests to party all evening.

Summer-wedding-ideas-venue-lighting-hire-Cape-Events-Yallingup-photo-@katedrennanphotography

@katedrennanphotography

Summer wedding marquee

Hire from Stradbroke Island Events

If your wedding style is casual, boho or beachy, keep your outdoor reception on-theme with a conical tipi like this one, hired from Stradbroke Island Events.

summer-wedding-ideas-conical-tipi-hire-Stradbroke-Island-Events

Summer wedding headwear

Design by Tina M Copenhagen

For the savvy bride, or a sun-safe wedding guest, the ivory-toned Paris Flexibraid Fedora, by Tina M Copenhagen, offers an easy-pack solution for weddings celebrated in Australia’s harsh summer weather.

Summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-hat-Tina-M-Copenhagen

Summer wedding flowers

Designed by Leah Mitchell Floral Design

A summery bouquet of seasonal cosmos, dahlias, roses, chamomile, zinnia, larkspur and peonies encapsulate the carefree essence of summer in this delicate Leah Mitchel Floral Design bridal arrangement.

Summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-flowers-Leah-Mitchell-Floral-Design-Illawarra-photo-Luke-Fletcher

Luke Fletcher

Summer wedding fragrance

Shop at Goldfield & Banks Australia

For brides seeking a scent that embodies the season, Australian perfume house Goldfield & BanksCoast to Coast collection proffers Sunset Hour, Pacific Rock Moss and Bohemian Lime, which share citrussy notes of lemon, finger lime and mandarin and take inspiration from Aussie coastal locations.

Summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-scent-Goldfield-and-Banks-Australia

Summer wedding stationery

Design by Wedding Flowers WA

Handmade by Wedding Flowers WA, delicate dried florals combine with simple black and white, in these bespoke, summer-inspired wedding place cards.

Summer-wedding-ideas-stationery-Wedding-Flowers-WA

Indoor summer wedding venue

Located at Zest Waterfront Venues Point Piper

To avoid the summer heat, while still embracing the delights of the season, opt for an indoor wedding venue — such as those offered by Zest Waterfront Venues in Sydney — which combines air-conditioning with spectacular ocean vistas.

Summer-wedding-ideas-wedding-venue-zest-waterfront-venues-point-piper

Summer wedding dessert

Styled by The Event Artists

Warm weather and traditional heavy desserts don’t always work well together, so we love the idea of this help-yourself doughnut bar, styled by The Event Artists.

Summer-wedding-ideas-dessert-bar-The-Event-Artists-Hunter-Valley

By sharing the latest wedding ideas and trends, our intention is to inspire and inform, but Notebook inclusions are not necessarily endorsed by ABIA, or its employees, and readers should make their own enquiries to determine the products and services best suited to their needs.


More than 600,000 reviews, provided by newly-wed couples, is what makes ABIA one of Australia's most-trusted wedding planning platforms. And for couples planning a wedding in Australia the ABIA Directory offers the ideal starting point. It's filled with ratings and recommendations, offered by real-life couples, for wedding services and wedding vendors from venues to celebrants, photographers, caterers, decorators, florists, planners and coordinatorstransport providers, hair stylists, make-up artists, videographers, cake designers,  live music and even dance teachers and photo booth hire. ABIA's website also provides up-to-the-minute insight into the latest wedding trends, ideas and inspiration. Find sustainable wedding suggestions, a comprehensive guide to wedding flowers, information on destination wedding venues, multi-day wedding planning, the best honeymoon destinations in Australia and so much more, together with an online wedding registry.