For many couples, a summer wedding is a dream come true. A season of blue skies, warm breezes, and golden sunsets creates the perfect backdrop for a romantic and joyful celebration surrounded by those you love the most. With longer days, flourishing flora, and the chance to celebrate both indoors and outdoors, it’s no wonder that summer is one of the most sought-after seasons for weddings across the UK.
While Summer certainly comes with warmer weather and clearer skies, it’s important to consider that a summer wedding also comes with unique considerations, particularly with keeping guests cool and content. At Virginia Park Lodge, we offer a stunning countryside setting that is perfect for a sun-drenched summer wedding. Nestled beautifully within 100 acres of rolling Irish landscapes, our estate provides a versatile, private, and elegant venue where you can make the most of the season. Whether you’re envisioning an open-air ceremony, a garden reception, or an indoor celebration with breathtaking views, our team is here to help you craft the perfect summer wedding.
Choosing the Perfect Summer Wedding Venue
A summer wedding is all about embracing the beauty of the season. However, as idyllic as summer can be, the key to seamless celebrations lies in choosing a venue that offers both breathtaking outdoor spaces and elegant indoor options. Weather can be a little unpredictable, even in summer, and having the flexibility to transition between spaces ensures your wedding day fears are managed and minimised.
At Virginia Park Lodge, we provide the perfect balance of stunning outdoor settings and refined indoor spaces, ensuring that your summer wedding is nothing short of spectacular. Whether you dream of a ceremony overlooking the water, a lavish marquee reception, or an intimate gathering within our historic lodge, our venue offers unparalleled versatility to bring your vision to life.
Weather-Proofing Your Summer Wedding
A summer wedding offers sunshine, blue skies, and long, golden evenings, but while the allure of fantastic weather is promising, it’s always wise to prepare for changing conditions. From shade and ample hydration stations to thoughtful evening comforts like blankets and fire pits, small touches can keep guests comfortable throughout the day. At Virginia Park Lodge, our stunning gardens, lakeside ceremony spots, and elegant marquee options allow you to embrace the outdoors while ensuring seamless transitions into covered spaces if needed. Whether it’s hand-held fans, stylish umbrellas, or sheltered seating areas, we’ll help you create a stress free and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.
With versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, we offer flexibility for any weather scenario. Should rain make an appearance, our grand Pavilion, beautifully styled marquees, and elegant indoor reception rooms provide a flawless alternative without compromising on style. If a gentle summer breeze picks up, we ensure secured décor, optimal sound arrangements, and practical styling choices to keep everything running smoothly.
Summer Wedding Attire Tips
Dressing for a summer wedding is all about staying stylish while keeping cool. Lightweight fabrics like linen, chiffon, organza, and breathable cotton are perfect choices for both the couple and guests, ensuring comfort without compromising on elegance. Brides may opt for flowing A-line or bohemian-style gowns that provide a little more breathability, while grooms can choose lightweight suits in soft neutrals or perhaps even pastel tones. For guests, breathable, light-coloured fabrics help beat the heat, and accessories like wide-brimmed hats or delicate parasols can add both charm and practicality, providing a sea of colour for wedding photography.
If your wedding includes a garden ceremony or lakeside celebration, choosing appropriate footwear is another consideration. Block heels, dressy flats, or stylish sandals prevent sinking into the grass, while grooms may prefer breathable loafers or lighter dress shoes for all day comfort.
Summer Wedding Menu Ideas
Celebrating the finest flavours of the season, a summer wedding menu should celebrate the season’s finest, with fresh, vibrant ingredients and light, flavourful dishes that complement the warm weather. At Virginia Park Lodge, Chef Richard Corrigan is a passionate advocate for seasonal, locally sourced produce, with much of our menu ingredients grown right here in our estate gardens. From crisp garden salads and freshly picked herbs to perfectly ripened fruits and sustainably sourced seafood, we ensure that every dish reflects a true farm-to-table dining experience, making your wedding feast as fresh and flavourful as possible.
Our bespoke catering allows couples to tailor their wedding menu, ensuring a seasonal selection that uses what's in our garden and perfectly suits their tastes. Whether you envision a light summer starter of chilled gazpacho or burrata with heirloom tomatoes, a main course featuring locally sourced fish, succulent roasted meats, or delicate vegetarian dishes, or a refreshing dessert like berry pavlova or citrus sorbet, our team will curate a menu that captures the very best of the season. We also offer an array of refreshing drink options, from signature summer cocktails and chilled sparkling wines to seasonal fruit-infused spritzers. At Virginia Park Lodge, food is something we take very seriously, so rest assured, your summer wedding menu will showcase the very best of our gardens, crafted to perfection.
Keeping Guests Comfortable
Keeping guests happy and content is a big part of the wedding day. However, this is never something for the happy couple to worry about and something we take care of at Virginia Park Lodge. From the moment they arrive, your guests will be welcomed with refreshing seasonal drinks, setting the perfect tone for a relaxed and enjoyable day. For outdoor ceremonies, we provide stylish parasols and shaded seating areas to offer relief from the sun, while our elegant indoor spaces and marquee options ensure a seamless transition should the weather take an unexpected turn.
As the evening sets in, our team is ready with cosy blankets and softly lit fire pits, allowing guests to stay warm and enjoy the beautiful outdoor ambience even with the chill. With a dedicated and attentive staff, we are on hand to take care of every detail, ensuring each guest feels looked after and comfortable at all times. Whether it’s assisting with seating, offering umbrellas for a light drizzle, or ensuring drinks are always topped up, our team creates a seamless and stress free experience, allowing you and your guests to simply relax and enjoy your unforgettable summer wedding.
Why Virginia Park Lodge is Perfect for Your Summer Wedding
With 100 acres of private countryside, breathtaking gardens, and stunning lakeside views, our estate offers the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary summer celebration. Whether you dream of an outdoor ceremony by Lough Ramor, a garden reception bathed in golden summer light, or a luxurious indoor celebration in The Pavilion, our versatile summer wedding venue ensures complete adaptability. Our outdoor spaces can accommodate up to 160 guests for a lakeside ceremony, while The Pavilion and marquees can host up to 300 guests for a grand summer reception, offering both expansiveness and intimacy in equal measure.
Exclusivity is at the heart of what we offer, and thus, Virginia Park Lodge is available for complete private hire, ensuring that your wedding is intimate, secluded, and entirely your own. With luxurious accommodation on-site, you and your guests can extend the celebration, relaxing in the comfort of our elegant suites and beautifully restored rooms. From bespoke menus crafted by Richard Corrigan to our attentive and dedicated team, every wedding at Virginia Park Lodge is designed with personalised service and meticulous attention to detail, making your summer wedding a truly unforgettable experience.
Get in Touch
To begin planning your summer wedding or to take a closer look at the possibility of a summer wedding in the heart of County Cavan, please get in touch with us, and a member of our team will be more than happy to discuss your questions in more detail.
Until then, please feel free to browse our website, take a closer look at our weddings and fall deeper in love with the possibility of Virginia Park Lodge as your summer wedding venue.