Summer is in full swing in the Southern California area — I’m blasting my air conditioner as I type — so I figured I’d revisit a few summer weddings that have been sent to me.

All photos by Bob Christian. Thanks Bob!

This wedding took place in June 2006 at the Reef Restaurant in Long Beach. Now, remember what I said earlier about summer weddings and your guests? Please provide shade! These poor folks. There’s only one canopy, for the musicians. But you really can’t argue with the venue. Let me show you the view from the back…

That is a heck of a view. But if you’re asking my advice, save this view for a sunset wedding. I know, I know, lunch receptions are cheaper, but do you really want to waste this gorgeous view for high noon? Or, er, high 11 a.m.? Its cooler and much more beautiful at dusk. Of course, dusk is about 7 p.m. now, which is when most dinners start, so take that into consideration.

This wedding was very sparsely decorated — mostly rose petals everywhere — but I think that’s fine for a wedding in a nice venue.

Here’s a shot of one of the guest tables. Seat covers always make everything classy, and there’s a tiny arrangement obscured from this angle by a napkin, surrounded by pink, white and lavender rose petals.

And here’s the cake. A very simple cake, topped with a lovely figurine of a couple, surrounded by rose petals.

Remember — weddings don’t have to be all-out swanky affairs. At its heart, its a party celebrating the joining of two people. No amount of fancy decorations, expensive booze or one-of-a-kind gowns can change that fact, so if you just want to get married, get married then!