Summer Wedding: Keep Guests Cool

Don't sweat a summer wedding with these tips

By Julie Hampton

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Summer is a popular time for an outdoor wedding; however, the high temperatures can cause guests to quickly become uncomfortable. Provide relief from the hot summer sun by incorporating a few tips and tricks to beat the heat. Look to anything from fans to food to allow guests to relax, stay cool and enjoy the ceremony.

• What You Need to Know
• Make sure you're prepared to rescue your guests from the heat! Helpful items include hand-held fans, parasols, water bottles, ice buckets and ice.

Step 1:

Have hand-held fans available for guests. Engrave the couple's names and wedding date onto the fans, and they can double as a wedding favor. Consider placing the fans on chairs before the guests arrive or arranging fans near the guest book for easy access. Or go slightly more high-tech and opt for personal battery-operated fans. Add parasols for guests who may want extra shade from the heat and sun.

Step 2:

Offer bottled water to guests as they wait for the ceremony to begin. Place water bottles in buckets of ice water around the ceremony location. Keep water bottles cool by storing plenty of ice in extra coolers. Assign someone to replenish the water bottles or to offer them to guests upon their arrival. Or, you can set up a small refreshment station with pitchers of water, lemonade or iced tea so guests can serve themselves.

Step 3:

Plan the wedding ceremony during the coolest part of a summer day, possibly right before sunset. Have outdoor lighting available in case the wedding ceremony lasts longer than expected.

Step 4:

Avoid using metal chairs for guests to sit on. The sun will heat the chairs, making them uncomfortable for guests to sit on.

Step 5:

Provide an indoor spot with access to air-conditioning if guests become overheated. Assign someone to mention the "cool room" to guests as they arrive for the ceremony.

Step 6:

Choose light foods for appetizers, and for the meal, go with cool salads, seafood, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit or eliminate hot food items from the menu and offer freshly made sangria for an alcoholic beverage. Discuss with your caterer the importance of featuring foods that won't spoil or wilt in summer heat.

• Tips & Warnings
• Remind your guests to wear light clothing for the ceremony.
• Consider making your ceremony a more casual affair so guests can wear attire that will be more comfortable in the heat.
• Have some travel-size bottles of sunblock on hand for guests who need it.