Warm Weddings + Cool Guests
If you’re in NE Ohio or Western PA and having a wedding anytime from May to late August (sometimes even early September), I’m sure you are imagining nice warm weather, clear skies and just a great time where guests can enjoy themselves without having to spend the entire event inside. Maybe you’re having an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour and an indoor reception. Maybe the whole event is outside or maybe you just want for your guests to enjoy the patio as the sun sets and the evening moves along. What you didn’t envision was how your guests handle heat and what it feels like when it’s hot and you mix in alcohol. As a planner who focuses on creating an experience, you better believe I’m thinking about guest experience as we plan your wedding.
Controlling Elements
Every single person wishes they could control the weather on their special day, but that is simply impossible. However, you can control how the weather affects your guests. No matter if it’s hot, cold, rain or shine you have the ability to ensure your guests are comfortable especially during this time of year.
Check out our tips below for top priority guest experience in hot weather.
5 Tips for your guests comfort:
Water: it’s so important to stay hydrated when it’s hot. Ask your caterer to put out a small table for guests to get water from as they arrive. *Pro tip: if caterer or venue offers white glove service, this is the perfect time to take advantage of it, as it sets the atmosphere for what type of experience your guests are about to encounter.
Hand Fans: Whether a wooden fan or you turn your program into a hand fan (yes, that’s a real thing) it’s a great way to help keep guests cool and enhance your stationery details. Each guests would receive one as they enter for an outdoor ceremony.
Appetizers: During cocktail hour serve cold refreshing options. I’m not suggesting to not have anything hot but you could have one display (which is always cold) and one butler passed appetizer that would be cold such as shrimp cocktail, gazpacho shooters, bruschetta on crustini, fruit skewers…the list is never ending
Drink Stations: You can have your caterer create one or two drink stations that serve refreshing drinks like iced tea, lemonade, fruit infused water or a fun mocktail.
Dessert: Last but not least we have so many frozen desserts that you can provide to not just serve as a cooling mechanism but also in elevating the guest experience. Imagine being at an event on a hot summer day and they have Handel’s Ice Cream being served. Or what if they served authentic gelato? I’d be in line at least twice!!
No matter when you choose to get married, spring, summer, fall or winter, please be mindful of your guests. Ensure they have a good experience and they are comfortable.
We trust our suggestions are helpful. Please feel free to email us with questions or suggestions you have that kept your guests cool during your hot weathered wedding.
