In the Pacific Northwest, summer weddings are popular. Days are longer, there tends to be less rain, and temperatures have begun to rise. And of course, who can forget all that the PNW has to offer in terms of outdoor venues and lush landscapes. Our couples flock towards the summer season and these days tend to fill up quickly for us. But, as the temperatures start to rise there is a chance for very warm weather on your big day. With heat, comes safety concerns. We definitely don’t want to see any guests uncomfortable, sweaty, or succumb to dehydration. So, we’ve compiled our favorite tips that we’ve learned along the way from our past experience to help your guests beat the heat and stay cool.
#01: Say NO to Clear Tents!
Clear tents have made their way into the wedding industry and trends for the 2024 wedding season. While we love a clear tent in the cooler temps, clear tents do the exact opposite for keeping your guests cool during the summer months. Clear tents do not block any of the UV rays which can lead to dehydration and sunburns galore. Stick with the traditional white tented reception or ceremony and save a clear tent for a rainy day.
#02: Protect your Skin
It may be the last thought on your guests minds to sunscreen up prior to attending your wedding day. They may be too concerned with their attire, transportation, or not realize how hot the direct sun can be. Providing mini sunscreen, or sunscreen sticks in your welcome bags, or prior to the ceremony is a great way to remind your guests to stay safe with the sun.
#03: Keep your Guests Hydrated
The best rule of thumb is to offer water prior to serving any alcohol. Many couples opt to serve alcohol at their ceremony, which is a great idea to stay cool – but opt for serving water to keep your guests hydrated. Alcohol can cause dehydration and it’s better to hydrate before dancing the night away with a few cocktails. It’s best to skip the alcohol at the ceremony and stick to a water station or infused water station to keep your guests hydrated for the wedding events.
#04: Create a “Cool” Station
Especially if you have older guests, or guests with little ones, think about providing some sort of space to relieve them of the heat. Whether you have an area with cool misting fans, or a designated indoor area for guests to cool off, we recommend you set up a station or location with tools to stay cool. You can have cooling towels, mini spray bottles, and/or fans to provide some relief from the summer heat.
#05: Skip the Hot Food at Cocktail Hour
We don’t know about you, but when it is hotter than hades outside, hot food or appetizers is the last thing on our minds. We suggest that you save the hot dishes for the reception, when the temperatures start to cool down. If you’re serving appetizers, think of cool food that will keep your guests feeling good. Talk to your caterers about a grazing table with fruit and cheeses, opt for a salad bar, or mini popsicles to beat the heat. If you want to keep the cool theme going through dinner, opt for fresh summer elevated sandwiches, or even sushi!
#06: Give your Guests a Heads Up
It is more than okay to give your guests a heads up of the temperatures on your wedding day. If you’re planning to have your wedding in peak temps outside, it is best to let your guests know ahead of time. You can add these details in a small card with your invitation suite or you could add it on your wedding website. Many of your guests may be traveling from out of town and may not know what to expect. We recommend you give your personal recommendations on attire as well as preparing your guests for the hot temperatures.
#07: Find or Create your Own Shade
Many outdoor venues have shaded areas. We recommend you explore your venue at the time of your ceremony and reception to determine the layout of your wedding day. If you’re able to find some shade, that is ideal! But, some locations don’t offer shade. If this is the case, do not hesitate to make your own shade! You can create shaded areas using decorations that are not only functional but tasteful. You can order beautiful tents or canopies to create shade. You can even rental parasoles or umbrellas to provide shade for your guests. Don’t be afraid to create your own shade.
#08: Be Thoughtful about your Timeline
If you’re a summer bride or groom, creating a timeline that works with the temperatures is ideal. This doesn’t mean that a midday ceremony is off limits – it just means that if you’re planning your ceremony during the highest temps of the day, you may want to keep your ceremony on the shorter side if it's outdoors. As you create your timeline, be thoughtful about the summer heat and the events that you have planned.
Summer is one of our favorite times to coordinate and plan weddings. There is nothing like the fresh sunshine and beautiful summer landscape. We also know with this beauty comes the heat and there is nothing quite like the hot summer heat in the Pacific Northwest. We recommend as you plan your wedding to be thoughtful about your guests, timeline, and what you are offering to keep your guests cool. Create your little oasis of shade and offer a bit of cool for your guests throughout the day and if you need help creating a plan to beat the heat on your wedding day, reach out to us today!
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.