Post # 1
Member
1480 posts
Bumble bee
We are getting married on Saturday in Southern California, our venue is somewhat up a mountain so it will be cooler than where we live in a valley. Right now, accuweather says it’ll be sunny and high 50s during the ceremony but drop into the 40s for the reception with little to no wind (4 pm – 10 pm). The venue has a huge bonfire pit, a fireplace with couches, 8 outdoor heaters, and we bought 50 big blankets for the guests. Plus open beer and wine lol.
The venue recommended we get a tent because of the temperature, but it costs $2000 – we’re TWO DAYS out from the wedding, and we had to pay an extra $4000 this month for repairs on our house. We just can’t afford it – but we were thinking about getting some more outdoor heaters to compensate…
This is SO SHITTY! Last year, on the exact date it was 82 during the day and low 60s at night!! Even last weekend had pretty decent weather…
I don’t want our guests to hate us, so do you think renting extra heaters will be enough???
Post # 2
Member
1582 posts
Bumble bee
40s?! Oh heck no. Sorry, but I’d wish you well and be on my way.
That is cold. That is cold to spend hours outside even by the standards of cold weather climates, let alone for people who are used to Cali temps.
Post # 3
Member
9519 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
wonderlily: As a Cali native I felt like such a woose walking to my car the other day and it was in the 50’s
that is super shitty bee! I don’t know about more heaters, they couldn’t hurt. To be honest I would probably leave shortly into the reception
Post # 4
Member
3176 posts
Sugar bee
FutureMrsJohnson_: offer hot chocolate! Ugh I’m so sorry bee. I wish I could give you some of my warmth it will be 70 here in Massachusetts. I’m a so cal native originally. I think renting the heaters will help.
Post # 5
Member
257 posts
Helper bee
Outdoor weddings are a tough thing. You can never guarantee the weather. Do you have a back up reception area?
Post # 6
Member
47413 posts
Honey Beekeeper
What were you planning on doing if it is raining, not just cold?
Post # 7
Member
1480 posts
Bumble bee
wonderlily: theatrejulia: pretty much confirming my worst fears. Fiance says that the older people would’ve left early anyway but I don’t want EVERYONE to leave!
sumshine.dawn: Thinking about that, we already have a coffee bar thing and it won’t be too much more to add a hot water thing and hot chocolate that you can make yourself…
ohmylanta13: The back up is the tent, unfortunately…
julies1949: California is in a historic drought. We are usually in short sleeves and sandals well past Christmas time. It was in the 90s just a week and a half ago. Even when it does rain, it usually does so in March to June. The tent was always a back up, but we obviously didn’t anticipate spending an additional $4000 on our home this month.
Post # 8
Member
7883 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I could see it going one of two ways. First, everyone is cold, doesn’t want to freeze and leaves early. Second, everyone has a few cocktails, gathers around the fires, doesn’t notice the weather and is disappointed that it ends so early. Unfortunately, there’s no guessing which way is more likely. Then again, I’m from the snowy midwest, and option 2 would be most likely here (the 40’s is still shorts weather for high school kids). There’s nothing better than drinking around a fire!
Post # 9
Member
9519 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
At this point can you just whip out a creedit card for the tent. You don’t have many options left and you only get one day. $2000 is not too much to pay off
Edit- is NOT too much to pay off
-
This reply was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by theatrejulia.
Post # 10
Member
7881 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I could tough it out with the heaters, but I bet most other guests would feel it’s too cold for that. Extra heaters might expand the radius of warmth a little, but there will still be pockets of cold. Those outdoor tents are really nice, and I think your guests will appreciate it. It’s expensive though!
Post # 11
Member
1582 posts
Bumble bee
It sucks, and it’s a total bummer for sure, especially with the house cost. But your back up plan has always been the tent, as you say. You’re getting bad weather, so you need to enact your back up plan.
This is why I screened out a venue that did not have an entirely indoor back up plan for bad weather, though. You need the tent. Maybe even the tent plus heaters, honestly.
Post # 12
Member
3228 posts
Sugar bee
FutureMrsJohnson_: I’m from the southern east coast, but also used to nice weather (certainly not 90s this time of year, but it stays nicer than the north). I just got home from the bar and I was FREEZING out, I was miserable by the last half hour and begging DH to leave after we’d been there about 2.5 hours. Just checked the temp here and it’s 64*. No freaking way I’d last in nice/dressy clothes at 40 something degrees outside for more than the ceremony and maybe, MAYBE dinner. You just need to suck it up and rent the tent, tbh. It’s a risk of the outdoor ceremony and I would have factored the 2k in to my budget from the beginning, personally.
Post # 13
Member
7580 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Heaters plus tent, it’s the only way. Otherwise, everyone is going to leave as soon as the sun goes down. Sorry. But it’s the hostess’ responsibility to make sure her guests have theor basic needs looked after, and a fire pit and some blankets just isn’t the right way to take care of your guests.
Post # 14
Member
2671 posts
Sugar bee
FutureMrsJohnson_: sorry. I think you’re really going to need a tent or else everyone will be miserable. 40s is cold. Especially in Southern California where frankly, we are all wimps. I’ve been bundling up in my fiance’s giant hoodie, leggings, and uggs to walk my dog at night for the past week- and it’s been in the 50s! I can’t imagine having an enjoyable time being outside when it was 10 degrees colder and I was dressed for a wedding (most likely in a dress and heels.)
Post # 15
Member
9567 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Ill put it this way… If you don’t spring for the tents and heaters all that other money you spent on a reception will be a waste. Sorry bee!