The long, sun-drenched days of summer are so appealing for weddings. But before you plan an outdoor wedding during these steamy months, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind:

1. You'll need to book your date early. Not only is it the most popular time of year to get married — meaning the best venues book up quickly — but you're also going to be competing for your guests' attention; between vacations and other weddings, it pays to let your wedding VIPs know your date as early as possible so that they don't make other commitments.