To Shade or Not to Shade?

To Shade or Not to Shade?

February 19th, 2010 @ 3:02 pm by Mrs. Hot Wings
Share

Having a summer wedding outdoors? Heck, depending on what part of the world you live in, you might have to deal with this year-round. What is it that I’m talking about, you ask?

The sun! There’s the squinty eyes, the sweating, and the sunburns. This past summer, I attended my cousin’s beautiful beach wedding. Even though she had a shade hut that we all sat under during the ceremony, all the walking around afterwards left me utterly sunburned. I’m actually in Chicago sitting outside and the temperature is about 30 degrees, and I STILL have the tan lines to prove it, even though it’s February!

What could save your guests? SHADE! Let’s explore some options.

At least, there are the programs. Talk about multi-use paper products!

To Shade or Not to Shade? : wedding ceremony 11 1

source

Well, what if you provide one shade umbrella and a couple parasols? You’ll get this…

To Shade or Not to Shade? : wedding ceremony 21 2

source

Shading everyone might be more expensive, but definitely more fair and might look better in photos.

To Shade or Not to Shade? : wedding ceremony 31 3

source

Or pretty parasols… but with this option, some light still gets through. Is it enough to not get sunburned? This may be an expensive option, but at least you can re-sell the parasols after the wedding. Will people use them? Will men feel like they’re not allowed to use them? Will they get in the way of peoples’ line of sight?

To Shade or Not to Shade? : wedding ceremony 41 4

source

To Shade or Not to Shade? : wedding ceremony 5 5

source

What do you think? Are there other options to shading that I haven’t considered?

Tags: ceremony |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

24 Responses to “To Shade or Not to Shade?”

1 2 Last

Bee

Miss Jellyfish (message) 1,423 posts, Bumble bee

We’re thinking of doing parasols too! I never thought about the possibility that they’d block people’s vision though. Hmm..

2/19/10 @ 3:07 pm (reply)

Member

UCLAMeghan (message) 118 posts, Blushing bee

This is exactly why we chose a garden shaded by these beautiful oak trees (we get married in July). Also, for those sunny “peek throughs” we are supplying some sunscreen for guests at a table with water and bugspray for pre-ceremony.

2/19/10 @ 3:08 pm (reply)

Member

Goldilocks1107 (message) 2,504 posts, Sugar bee

Instead of umbrellas, what about draping fabric over the chairs (i.e. a couple poles that triangles of fabric are attached to)?
http://images.hayneedle.com/mgen/master:CR044.jpg

2/19/10 @ 3:11 pm (reply)

Member

LittlestBirds (message) 2,605 posts, Sugar bee

There’s always the tenting option, though that can get expensive! We’re tenting our cocktail area, and I love the way it looks with a billowing sheer liner underneath and leg drapes all around. Yowch, though, sunburn in the ceremony area is a pain! Our ceremony will be like UCLAMegan’s, surrounded by tall shady oak trees, thank goodness. You could go for the tenting option if you do what we’re doing and split the cost with other couples who are getting married at the same venue that weekend.

2/19/10 @ 3:24 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Sewing (message) 2,701 posts, Sugar bee

that first picture is pretty funny, poor guy! I do like the look of the multiple shade umbrellas though!

2/19/10 @ 3:26 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Spaniel (message) 6,792 posts, Bee Keeper

I really like the multiple shade umbrellas, too!

2/19/10 @ 3:31 pm (reply)

Member

mimi06d (message) 646 posts, Busy bee

I think the parasols would help, but would get in the way and obstruct the view for your guests.

2/19/10 @ 3:51 pm (reply)

Member

April.H (message) 175 posts, Blushing bee

I like the shade umbrella look! It’s pretty and different.

2/19/10 @ 4:12 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Cardigan (message) 8,645 posts, Bee Keeper

I love the multiple big umbrellas - looks amazing!

2/19/10 @ 4:24 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Hot Wings (message) 2,213 posts, Buzzing bee

oh wow. I’m a bit surprised that everyone likes the large market umbrellas. That makes me feel better b/c Mr. HW more and more isn’t liking the parasol idea.

2/19/10 @ 4:36 pm (reply)

11.

Member

mdarrah (message) 1,205 posts, Bumble bee

Unless you are doing a full Catholic or Orthodox wedding (in which case you probably wouldnt be outside) your guests might be squinty and warm - but really? its only 1/2 hour give or take. No one will melt - and those who are prone to sunburn already know it and prepare for it every other day of their life Parasols are cute, the overall shade is nice - butnot worth breaking a budget and your guests will never miss it believe it or not.

2/19/10 @ 4:47 pm (reply)

12.

Bee

Mrs. French Bulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

We used the large markey umbrellas for our outdoor wedding and I’m really glad we did. After the ceremony the venue moved them over to the tables so our elderly guests had shade They didn’t get in the way and most importantly didn’t block the people behind them like parasols would.

2/19/10 @ 6:09 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Professor (message) 422 posts, Helper bee

As a short person, I would worry about the parasols obstructing my view. I’m not sure I’d worry about shading people for a short- to medium-length ceremony. How about having some baskets of fans and packets of sunscreen for guests as they arrive? Spray sunscreen bottles would also be helpful for female guests who don’t want to smear their make-up.

2/19/10 @ 6:53 pm (reply)

14.

Member

Magenta (message) 1,860 posts, Buzzing bee

i love the parasol look… it looks so whimsical and magical plus it give a romantic fair to the wedding

2/19/10 @ 6:54 pm (reply)

15.

Member

daniellemybelle (message) 2,520 posts, Sugar bee

Our ceremony is taking place under big shady trees and at 10:30am, so I’m not too worried about it. I would love to have market umbrellas for our cocktail hour, however, before our reception begins under a tent (with fans!). But we can’t find anyone who rents them in the entire state!! And they are too expensive to buy. What to do

2/19/10 @ 6:55 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Mrs. Mouse (message) 5,844 posts, Bee Keeper

Hmm, I’m no help. But you should definitely have bottled water and possible fans for people to fan themselves with.

2/19/10 @ 7:12 pm (reply)

17.

Member

Marinara (message) 392 posts, Helper bee

Our ceremony will be in a sunny garden in August and we aren’t providing shade — no parasols or umbrellas. But it will start at 6pm when the sun is at a slant and our guests’ back will be to the sun — hopefully that combo will be enough to make everyone comfortable. I’m worried about myself, squinting up there at the altar!

We are doing bottled water & fans on chairs

2/19/10 @ 8:20 pm (reply)

18.

Bee

Miss Argyle (message) 2,516 posts, Sugar bee

I like that option with the big umbrellas around (the pic with the umbrellas and lanterns).

2/19/10 @ 8:43 pm (reply)

19.

Member

marieta (message) 339 posts, Helper bee

I like the big umbrellas and lanterns. It looks lovely. And yeah, I’d really worry about parasols getting in the way… not just the view, but hitting people!

2/19/10 @ 9:17 pm (reply)

20.

Member

daydreamwanderer (message) 9,017 posts, Bee Keeper

I REALLY worry about parasols blocking line of vision. At least one of the pictures you posted you can’t see the faces of anyone beyond the first row. If you can’t see them, they can’t see you!

2/20/10 @ 8:51 am (reply)

1 2 Last