Wedding Planner

Consider this true story a caveat for all of you summer wedding people out there. You'll need to take special precautions to avoid overheated guests and unwanted discomfort. Read on below as we attempt to bring some key planning elements of a summer wedding into sharper focus.

Ceremony and Reception
More weddings occur during the summer months. Guests are usually more available to travel, and the weather provides ample opportunity for an outdoor ceremony and/or reception. In most areas of the country, of utmost concern should be what will happen if a summer heat wave strikes on your wedding day. Take advantage of a beach, with its cool breeze and beautiful views. (Read A Beach Ceremony for more on beaches.) Or, use a garden with ample shade. Remember that older churches and synagogues often lack the proper airflow to accommodate oppressive heat. If your ceremony will be there, at least try to keep the doors open to increase airflow and your guests' comfort level. If your affair will take place in an extremely humid section of the country, think about having it indoors. Or, at least spare your guests the potential for oppressive heat in the daytime by having the ceremony indoors before an outdoor reception.

Fans/Air Conditioning
Fans can be the solution to guest discomfort. The less formal your wedding, the more flexible your solutions can be. Hand out inexpensive hand fans or consider more elaborate pieces especially if there is a theme to your wedding. Miniature electric fans are also a possibility. One couple I know stamped fans with their name and nuptial date and their guests had a useful take-home souvenir. Large portable electric fans should be considered as well. Though the noise might be distracting, this option is more attractive than having your guests so distracted by the heat that they spend their mental energy wishing they were somewhere else regulating their own thermometer. Fans that blow cooled air are also available. Couples have used elaborate mist makers, much like the kind found at outdoor restaurants around the country. If your ceremony/reception runs the risk of being extremely hot, don't rule it out until you check into the price.

If your affair will be indoors, be sure that the facility's air conditioning works and does not have a history of conking out. Keep the items mentioned above in mind in case it does. You might want to rent portable air conditioning units as well.

Drinks
What else must you have on hand? Water, water and more water. One friend of mine had chilled bottled water, and lots of it, dropped in each guest's hotel room, and then had additional bottles available waiting on site in large ice buckets. All of this water might cause long lines at the restroom, but at least your guests will be cool. Though it is uncommon, if your wedding might be a heat/humidity victim, consider instructing your waiters to be available with icy, nonalcoholic drinks even during the ceremony. Your guests will appreciate the service.

Relief Plan
You must have some place where people can escape from the sun and/or humidity. Erected tents are perfect and quite versatile. The air conditioned main lobby or parlor of a country club suffices as long as it can accommodate your guests. The air conditioned inside of the house where you are having the ceremony and/or reception works as well, so be sure to include it in the rental fee. At a beach affair, the shade of nearby palm trees makes for the perfect respite. Guests could also jump in the sea.

Clothing
Be sure to make your dress code well understood. Guests will want to wear lightweight fabrics, such as cotton or linen. Women should consider a sundress while men can pull out that lightweight suit that's been collecting dust for months. Black tie at an outdoor affair in the dead of summer -- wow, that sounds sweaty. Also, encourage your guests to bring layers, as a summer night can be much cooler than the baking summer day that preceded it.

Other Considerations
If your ceremony and/or reception will be held outdoors, consider supplying ample amounts of bug spray and sunscreen. There's nothing worse than hungry summer mosquitoes, and a wedding is no place to work on your tan. Also, have umbrellas on hand in case a summer shower moves in quickly.

I attended a summer wedding that had a snow cone vendor on site. The kids were thrilled and the adults were at least given the illusion that they were cooler.

Finally
Though many heat and humidity related problems can be avoided by having a spring wedding, summer weddings are by far the most popular and best attended. At your summer wedding, remember that your guests are there to celebrate your day and have a good time, not to strain to stay comfortable and sweat through expensive clothing. Protect against oppressive heat by implementing a few of the above suggestions and your honored guests will not have to dive on sprinklers while they are dreaming about Alaska.
Photograph provided by Robert Evans Studios.