We had some crazy-hot weather in NYC recently, and it really got me thinking about how we’re going to keep our guests cool during our wedding ceremony.
The high temperatures in late September in Austin have historically hovered around 90 degrees. Last year, after a summer of record dry spells and heat, the high on our wedding date (if it had been last year) was a toasty 102.9 degrees. Yikes. Let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of that craziness this year.
Our ceremony is set for 5:30 so, thankfully, the hottest part of the day will be over by the time our guests arrive at the site. The wedding party and families, however, will probably need to load up on hankies and ice water, as we’ll be taking photos from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, which appears to be prime time for sweating. Lovely.
 |
Maybe I could make everyone a set of wrist sweatbands?
Image via CraftSanity
Some ideas I’ve had that might make life a little cooler for everyone on the day of:
1) Have water/tea/lemonade/beer ready and waiting for guests as they arrive. I’m not sure how this will work logistics-wise, but I plan on talking to the site coordinator and bartender about what we might be able to do to make sure guests are hydrated.
Pre-ceremony drink table – so cute!
Image via abbylj on Weddingbee
Use an old boat for a cooler?
Image via Brides / Photo by Iris Photography
2) Fans. I would either go with something really simple, like the sandalwood fans below, or if I can find the time, I’m thinking about making paddle fan programs.
Sandalwood Fan from Koyal Wholesale
Paddle fan programs!
Image via Three Eggs Design on Etsy
3) Start on time, and keep it short! Our ceremony is not religious, nor are we incorporating songs or other performances. We currently have two, maybe three, readings, a speech from the judge, our vows, and the ring exchange, and that’s pretty much it. I’d be surprised if it takes more than 20 minutes. I don’t want it to be so short that our guests feel short-changed, but if it’s crazy hot out, we will definitely want to move things along!
Are you having an outdoor ceremony? What are your plans to keep your guests from sweating?
We’re outdoors too! *Fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain!* It was soooo hot here for the past few months, but now it’s cooled off quite a bit. I don’t trust Chicago weather though, so I’m still make paddle fan programs and having an outdoor drink station.
We might have the opposite problem! Everyone is a bit worried about keeping warm! 
But we have a back up plan for heaters just in case.
I have wanted to use sandalwood fans like that for-everrrr but we may end up doing a Fall wedding and, well, it won’t be that hot in the Fall…I found a site where you can get brightly colored sandalwood fans and have since been dreaming of bridesmaids carrying pretty yellow hand fans instead of flowers….
So if this were a poll I would have voted for fans 
Marrying in december.. I’m actually scared a cold front hits and it’s too cold (for our guests standards) and people will be bitchy about it.
I went to a wedding in Marfa and they beat the heat by having a raspa (snow cone) vendor there giving out snow cones. It was a nice little touch and definitely helped make the weather much more tolerable. I think the iced tea and lemonade are also a nice touch. Luckily, your ceremony will be short so your guests won’t have to be out in the heat too long.
It’s been in the 100′s lately and most of us are avoiding going out in the heat here at all costs!
Ok, that boat cooler is awesome, especially given your sailing background.
For our wedding last month it was 108 degrees, and yes, we had an outdoor ceremony! We had drinks (water, iced tea, lemonade, beer, and wine) ready for our guests to take down to the ceremony site with them. We had program fans, we made sure the seating was in the shade, and we kept the ceremony pretty short! No one had any issues (I was really worried about the grandparents) and we just made to move everyone into the AC right after the ceremony!
We did a drink station at our wedding. Most of our guests grabbed something. Our ceremony was about 20 minutes, and no one passed out!
All I have thought about is the heat during our August wedding next summer. As you know, in New York it can be unbearably humid and disgusting in August. Our ceremony is in an non-airconditioned chapel, but we are going to try to do paddle fans and the reception is definitely in the air conditioning (this was my primary requirement for the reception space).
20 minutes will be fine. One of my cousins got married in the beginning of June in Austin in mid-afternoon. That was HOT! Her ceremony was only 5-10 minutes though (we didn’t even sit!), so that helped. But I don’t think I liked it being that short 
It was crazy hot for our wedding, but it was indoors so only DH and I and the WP suffered through outdoor pics…
But I was just at a good friend’s wedding last month that was an outdoor ceremony in 90s+ weather – she had a table with water set up for pre-ceremony, and a fan on each chair. Both were lifesavers!! I think the ceremony was about 25 minutes. (I was 7 months pregnant at the time, and there was no fainting, so it was all good!)
coupon code:bridal1314
10% Off for your dream wedding dress purchase,we will provide your top service and quality dress. Come to select what you like in bridalweddingdesigner.com
Fan programs are a great idea, I am having them – there are great designs out there. We are also planning on serving a cold beverage and an icy cold face towel to guests on arrival! The wedding will be in Thailand so heat is a major factor.
The boat cooler is so adorable. I also think the fan programs are such a great idea.
We had the personalized water bottles and I made program fans. Our ceremony was only about 25 minutes.
A friend of mine got married at the Salt Lick in August. Ceremony was outsite, and short and sweet. They opened up the bar before the ceremony, and the beer/beverages were much appreciated in the heat. I don’t remember it being all that bad.
I love the idea of a pre-ceremony beverage.. we really wanted to do this, but the idea somehow got lost in the shuffle!! Fans are also a wonderful idea.. I’m sure guests will appreciate them if it’s as hot as it was last year!
My wedding will be outside in Texas during the summer. I’m going to have sno cones as well as a drink station.
We got married on August 1st in Temecula, CA (inland CA) and it was over 100 degrees. Our ceremony was at 530pm and about 20 minutes long. We provided paper parasols for those that wanted shade, a drink station (water, lemonade and champagne) before the ceremony and paddle fan programs. I never heard any complaints about the heat.
All great ideas and I love that you are thinking of your guests’ comfort! Now if you could only help me beat the heat in my very heavy and warm wedding dress.
Miss Cauldron, New York City/Austin Age and Occupation: 33, Human Resources Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Technology Engagement Date: October 8, 2011 Wedding Date: September 2012 Venue: Pecan Grove at the Salt Lick About Me: I grew up in the Lone Star State, but moved to NYC after college to get a taste of the Big Apple, and never left. I love baking, yoga, Mr. C, and sunshine (not necessarily in that order)! Mr. C and I met on Match.com back in 2007, and our second date was at a Texas barbecue restaurant in Manhattan. It’s only fitting that after almost five years together, we are getting married at an iconic Texas barbecue joint. (Shiner Bock and brisket, anyone?) I’m proud of the life we have built together around our love for each other, Mr. C’s crazy dog Bosley, and fun sailing adventures on our boat, and I’m looking forward to celebrating our marriage at one seriously awesome party in September.
Latest Gallery Pics