Outdoor Wedding with Tent to Perfectly Beat The Summer Heat at The National Arboretum

couple walks holding hands at National Arboretum DC wedding

When planning a wedding for the outdoors, there’s always a chance of surprises. No matter the season and how much you plan, the weather can always be unpredictable. During the summer in Washington, DC, the only thing you fully can depend upon is the heat. While there are ways to work around this, you still must enter the experience with a flexible outlook. See how this couple balanced the heat for their summer cocktail hour and reception through an outdoor wedding with a tent!

outdoor wedding with tent at National Arboretum DC

Preparing for Your Day Starts with an Open Mind

No one can predict all that will happen on your wedding day. But, as Elise and Kevin modeled, you can do your best by planning for the unexpected and still enjoy a relaxed wedding day.

These two had their fingers crossed that their summer outdoor wedding in June would come together as envisioned! This is about the latest in the summer I recommend for a wedding reception outdoors since beyond this point the heat is intolerable.

wedding decor table setting with white florals

white and blue porcelain wedding decor at outdoor wedding with tent

Some of the pros of an outdoor wedding during this season are the wedding colors of June that you can use for a variety of summer wedding themes. The bride shared that her driving goal with the design was “warm and welcoming” wanting to hit the vibes of “an upscale backyard summer dinner party.” Her chosen summer wedding colors were highlighted through white florals with greenery, blue and white porcelain, and pops of coral beside gold accents.

They opted for an indoor ceremony at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, DC since it took place in the afternoon during the peak heat of the day. Personal touches were added by having family members do readings and the bride walked down the aisle to the traditional “Canon in D” wedding song just like her mom did on her wedding day.

couple kisses at Catholic wedding ceremony

Keeping with the plan for an outdoor wedding with a tent, they moved into a reception at the National Arboretum.

wedding decor table setting with white florals and wicker chairs

The National Arboretum: the Perfect Location for an Outdoor Wedding with a Tent

couple kisses under Capitol Columns at National Arboretum DC wedding

The National Arboretum is one of my favorite DC wedding venues so I always jump at the chance to return! It is a beautiful, natural space right in the middle of DC with a variety of areas within it including historic columns, rose gardens, open fields, forest trails, and dogwood trees.

Check out my Guide to Engagements & Weddings at The National Arboretum!

couple poses under Capitol Columns at National Arboretum DC wedding

couple walks beside Capitol Columns at National Arboretum DC wedding

couple walks in field at sunset outdoor DC wedding

The grounds capture great on camera in every season and depending upon the time of day, there are so many interesting pockets of light. Elise and Kevin selected the National Arboretum because they were excited to get married outdoors while remaining in DC to celebrate their adopted home city.

There are many on-site ceremony locations such as the National Capitol Columns which are beside a meadow with a reflecting pool. Even if you’re not going for an outdoor wedding with a tent then this also serves as a backup rain location.

bride walks through field at National Arboretum DC wedding

The spot is ideal for those who love touches of DC history in an outdoor setting surrounded by beautiful florals. They held their cocktail hour outside under umbrellas in view of the columns with the tent serving perfectly to create the couple’s garden party wedding vibe for the reception.

wedding guests mingle during cocktail hour in front of Capitol Columns at National Arboretum

table settings at outdoor wedding with tent

Your Outdoor Wedding with a Tent is About What You Want to Remember

bride has dress buttoned during wedding getting ready

band performs during outdoor wedding with tent

white twinkle lights at outdoor wedding with tent

couple walks along street with bridesmaids

Most important to these newlyweds was remembering all the moments celebrating with their loved ones. This started with keeping the wedding party solely to their siblings and the wedding guest list under 200. Other favorites were the first look down the aisle, memories made with immediate family and grandparents, and just having fun on the dance floor with their people.

A special moment that stood out to me was their forgoing a cake and instead selecting chocolate chip cookies served in individual warmed skillets with vanilla ice cream on top (provided by their caterer).

couple has first look with cultural traditions

bride dances together during first dance

wedding guests dance at outdoor wedding with tent reception

The bride also performed a special hula dance and the couple’s first dance was to “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges. They expressed loving this song because of its tie-in to memories of listening to it whenever they cook together with a bottle of wine. Being one of their all-time favorite activities, they immediately knew after getting engaged that this was the song they wanted.

These two were so very sweet and intentional with their day. An outdoor wedding with a tent paired with an indoor ceremony worked in their favor for all that they had dreamed for this day.