3 Summer Wedding Warnings

Wedding season is nearly upon us and it had me thinking about some heat-specific things to keep in mind when throwing your summer wedding.

Summer weddings can be stunning or they can be sweltering…I think mine was a little bit of both (circa July 2010).

Below are 3 things to keep in mind so you don’t end up like I did on my wedding: overheated with bugs up my dress.

Summer weddings can involve bugs, sun, and dehydration…OH MY!

Summer Wedding Warning #1: Bugs

As you can see in the photo below, bugs can cause some mishaps at a summer wedding. During our summer wedding, the bugs kept flying up in between my multiple layers of tulle and getting stuck. I bet Lesley Margaret Webster aka Maggie Sottero did know their wedding dress design doubled as a very expensive mosquito net. Thankfully, my cousin was there to save the day (and the bugs) by picking them out one by one. A wedding I went to last July was also outdoors and there were so many mosquitos. I remember the photographer coming into the reception hall with giant welts on her legs from all the bites. It makes me itch just thinking about it!

Be more prepared for bugs than I was by offering guests mini bug spays, inquiring if your venue can spray for mosquitos prior to your event, and/or considering placing natural bug repellent oils or candles around your event.

Summer Wedding Warning #2: Sun

In addition to my own (which was in the 90+ degree heat, outdoor ceremony in direct sun in July), I’ve been to some other really hot weddings. One wedding I attended was outdoors in direct sun. The ceremony felt long and I remember standing up and my dress was stuck to my legs from all the sweat…#notcute. For one wedding I went to they had their wedding program printed on fans which was a very clever idea.

To help reduce the heat at your summer wedding consider having the ceremony in a shaded area and the reception in an air conditioned space. It can be hard (especially for young and elder guests) if there is no break from the heat. Provide fans for your guests, mini-sunscreens, and/or even sun hats (you can purchase in bulk for relatively low cost). You can also consider setting up misters around your space if you’re wanting to keep the whole wedding outdoors.

Summer Wedding Warning #3: Dehydration

This might be one of the most important summer wedding warnings. Heat stroke and dehydration can easily happen for guests who get so caught up in the happenings of the event that they don’t realize how hot it is and they forget to drink enough water. To help prevent your guests from overheating and becoming dehydrated keep plenty of water out at your event.

Consider placing water stations around your event (the dance floor, by the dessert table, near the food, at the bathroom, etc.). Provide bandanas or small towels your guests can cool in water and wrap around their head or neck (inspired by my father-in-law, Alonzo DuPont, who did this exact thing at our wedding - see below).

My father-in-law, Alonzo

Looking for more ideas on what to include in your summer wedding?

Check out my “don’t forget” Pinterest board here.

Wishing you a joyous start wedding season!

~Amanda Jean