The summer months are the perfect time for an outdoor wedding. The longer days make it easier to celebrate well into the evening hours, and the bright summer sun makes such a perfect backdrop for the event and the pictures. Flowers are blooming, the trees are full and green, and the grass makes a lush, natural carpet for the ceremony.
But those of us who live in the South know that behind all those pretty pictures of people in breezy dresses and strappy sandals, there’s a lot of flushed skin and sweat from the heat and humidity of mid-summer days.
You don’t have to let the heat of the summer force your wedding plans indoors. With a little planning and keeping your guests’ comfort in mind, you can have an outdoor wedding in the summer that everyone will enjoy.
Pre-Planning Tips for a Summer Wedding
One of the ways to make sure your summer wedding goes off smoothly is to work with the venue ahead of time to prepare. Just as you would have a rain plan, come up with a plan for intense heat as well. You might want to think about choosing a venue that has both outdoor and indoor options, so you have a place to go to in the event of bad weather. Or at the very least, set up a “chill station” somewhere indoors for people to go inside and get relief in the air conditioning for a few minutes when needed, if most of the ceremony and reception are planned for outside.
Provide plenty of shade to keep the worst of the sun off your guests. Set up a big tent, or find a venue that provides an outdoor shelter. If neither of those is an option, consider handing out pretty parasols for the guests to use. You might also plan to have fans set up throughout the space, similar to how venues provide heaters in tents at winter weddings.
While you’re planning, also think about the food. You’ll want to serve something light and cool, such as salads, fruits, and grilled vegetables. Consider chicken or fish instead of red meat. And have fun with the desserts! An ice cream bar, buckets of ice filled with popsicles, and frozen cocktails are fun ways to treat your guests.
Keeping Guests Cool and Safe
Having some things on hand to help guests make it through the heat comfortably is a great way to show you care, and also make the wedding fun for everyone.
- Use something other than metal chairs for the ceremony! That metal can be very hot once it’s been in the sun.
- Offer sunscreen and bug repellent. You can set up tables or small buckets around the venue with individual spray bottles of each for people to use or put in their bags.
- Put out handheld fans for people to pick up when they get a program.
- Set out sunglasses on tables or on each chair as a fun way to embrace the sun!
Tips for the Bride on the Big Day
Being the bride is stressful enough without spending the day worrying about your makeup running or sweating through your dress. Thankfully, there are ways to stay picture-perfect even on a hot, humid July afternoon.
- Consider an up-do. Keeping your hair off your neck will help keep you much cooler.
- Material matters. For you and all of your wedding party, plan the attire accordingly. Look for light, flowy materials for the dresses, and linen rather than wool for the groomsmen.
- Keep the makeup light. Avoid liquid makeup for summer weddings. And be sure to use a good primer to keep everything in place.
- Be prepared for quick fixes. Keeping blotting paper and translucent powder in your clutch can help you be ready for a picture at a moment’s notice.
Legacy Stables and Events is the perfect venue for an outdoor wedding, and we can help you plan for a wedding day that everyone will enjoy. Our venue has beautiful outdoor facilities, as well as indoor areas where your guests can stay cool or provide shelter in case of a pop-up thunderstorm. And our experienced team will help consider all of the details, from fans to sunscreen, to keep everyone cool and safe throughout the event.
Call today to schedule a tour and find out what Legacy Stables and Events can do for you.
Photo Credit: Russell Killen Photography
