Post # 1
Member
8 posts
Newbee
Hi all,
We are a little nervous about having an October wedding because of the unpredictable weather. Where we are in Northern California, Summer temps are 90-100 degrees, while Winter temps are typically in the upper 40s through 50s. In October, it can be as warm as 75 or as cool as 65, which I think is perfect. I can’t handle the heat so cooler is fine for me, but I also don’t want my guests to suffer. If it does get to be around 65 (any colder, I think indoors for sure,) would you attend the ceremony if you knew it was going to be a little chilly out? Maybe asking guests to bring a sweater just in case? We do have indoor options in case of rain or if it’s way too cold, but we dream of this outdoor ceremony. What do you guys think?
Thank you!
Post # 2
Member
261 posts
Helper bee
mrspalamarchuk : I think that temperature is fine. We went to an outdoor weding, fairly recently, that was in the same weather.
Post # 3
Member
2561 posts
Sugar bee
I’m also in NorCal, having our wedding late July in Monterey so I’m dealing with the same level of chilly as you are. Average day/night temp of 67/54 for July, so we are having “outdoor reception to follow” on the invites. We are also renting a plethora of heaters.
Post # 4
Member
1601 posts
Bumble bee
I wouldn’t go colder than 60-65F. And make sure the fact that it is outdoors is very clear on the invitations and website so that people dress accordingly.
Post # 5
Member
13988 posts
Honey Beekeeper
65 is completely fine. I think 45 is a pushing it. A lot of it depends on how long the ceremony actually is – 10 minutes, meh, I’ll deal. 30 minutes at 45 degrees would be rough.
No need to tell guests to bring a sweater. People will check the weather and dress appropriately.
Post # 6
Member
1601 posts
Bumble bee
teacher-bee-in-the-sea : 54 is way too cold to be comfortable for an outdoor reception. I’d strongly rethink this option. I like the cold and would still be miserable. And the food will be cold. And a reception is much much longer than a ceremony.
Post # 7
Member
3437 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: September 2017 - Poppy Ridge Golf Course
I’m in the Bay Area. Last October there were a couple 90 degree days and I believe only two were just under 65 degrees. But we live in contra costa county so its generally warmer than other parts. If you’re getting married around San Francisco or in the South Bay then it may or may not be considered chilly depending on the day. You also have a small chance of rain in October so keep that in mind if your event is outdoors. 🙂 Californians are weather spoiled for sure. This is pretty much spot on to how my friends feel about the weather. 😅 
Post # 8
Member
8 posts
Newbee
Thank you all for your input! Puts my mind so much more at ease. We are in Sacramento.
Post # 9
Member
608 posts
Busy bee
This might be a good thing to put on your wedding website, if you have one. California, especially northern, has so many microclimates and out-of-area guests could easily be caught unawares.
Post # 10
Member
8 posts
Newbee
heavenlyflower : Oh my, isn’t it the truth?! So funny!
Post # 11
Member
2561 posts
Sugar bee
chocochai : Thanks for the heads up. I am a bit worried about the cold factor too. I’m hoping that with the venue being surrounded by vegetation and a cottage it will cut the wind, the heaters will do their job, the blankets I’m renting will be utilized, people will bring jackets and enough dancing will happen to warm them up. There is an indoor portion to the venue but it’s not big enough for the reception, just a bunch of comfy couches and chairs if people want to relax inside. Do you think that’s enough or would you really switch venues?
Post # 12
Member
2027 posts
Buzzing bee
How long is your ceremony, and will the cocktail hour/reception be outdoors as well, or indoors?
I got married in October in Vermont; it was sunny and ~60 during the day. We had our short ceremony and cocktail hour outdoors, and the reception indoors. We got very lucky with the weather, which many of our guests commented on — “what a beautiful day, perfect weather” etc.
Post # 13
Member
6814 posts
Busy Beekeeper
mrspalamarchuk : The first time I visited California it was midsummer – I had come from the east coast and basically felt like it was early March for half of my trip, until we’d gone up to Canada and I’d adjusted. So if you have people from more humid climates, they may feel quite a bit different about how cold 65 is, especially at the beach, say, or if it’s cloudy or breezy. However, it wouldn’t stop me from attending an outdoor wedding. I’d be less likely to wear a dress and would probably be in slacks, but I think you can depend on adults to figure out what sort of clothing they need to be comfortable. (alternatively, 65 in the desert on a sunny day where I live now is flipping hot, lol)
Post # 14
Member
8 posts
Newbee
ellyd23 : Well our ceremony is right outside of a tent–the tent is lovely and one of the walls (optionally) completely opens up to the patio/grassy ceremony spot. The tent does have heaters and I’m told it gets very toasty in there. So cocktail hour & reception are technically inside the tent; in a perfect scenario I’d like to keep the tent wall open to the patio, but I won’t if it’s too cold. The ceremony will be no more than 20 minutes!
Post # 15
Member
6952 posts
Busy Beekeeper
teacher-bee-in-the-sea : Eh, my parents went to a wedding in Northern California where the temps were around 65 during the day and then dropped into the 50s at night for the reception. The whole thing was outside and they were freezing! And they’re from Chicago. There were heaters but it just didn’t cut it. Most guests left early and my parents still talk about it years later in negative way.