Post # 1

Member
5 posts
Newbee
My wedding date is June 25, 2011. My fiance and I are outdoorsy people and would love to have just the ceremony outdoors. The reception will be inside. I feel like that’s a great compromise, but I’m getting a lot of flak from people about the heat and bugs (men in sweaty suits, etc.). We plan on having a short ceremony. Am I being selfish or should people suck it up for our big day? We live in Tennessee where the average high that day is 85 degrees (the wedding will be at 6:30 or 7PM though, when it will be cooler). Thoughts? Suggestions?
Post # 3

Member
761 posts
Busy bee
People can suck it up. We are doing the same thing (short outdoor ceremony @ 6:30) but July in Michigan. We are not requiring jackets.
Post # 4

Member
2820 posts
Sugar bee
People can suck it up. There are ways to deal with heat like battery operated fans for a low breeze (not thinking wind tunnel), cool drinks, program fans. I’d worry a bit more about bugs though if you want to do it close to dusk because then people might be itchy the whole night.
Post # 5

Member
98 posts
Worker bee
I think you will be fine, esp. with a later ceremony. We are doing an outdoor ceremony in July in Wisconsin (earlier, around 4pm). It will be short, people will deal. We are going to try to have water for guests, and we have a tent on-hold in case it rains, and we may use it for shade if the weather looks like it will be extremely hot that day (we have to make a go/no-go decision on the tent 3 days in advance).
And if it’s buggy in your area at that time of year, offer little bug repellant wipes as needed (http://www.minimus.biz/LA-Fresh-All-Natural-Biodegradable-Insect-Repellent-Towelette-P04-0116801-8100.aspx). It’s not romantic, but you could present in a cute way somehow, and it would make your guests more comfortable.
Post # 6

Member
4464 posts
Honey bee
That should be fine. We’re having our outdoor ceremony Saturday @4:30pm. It is going to be 85 and sunny. It’s 20 minutes and people will deal. We have access to an inside area if anyone seriously feels they’re going to die.
Post # 7

Member
2829 posts
Sugar bee
pfffffft, we are planning [weather permitting] to have the whole shebang outside, either early morning or mid afternoon, like in the peak of the heat!
There will be shade & cool drinks, so I pretty well expect those who rsvp to suck it up. People should be grateful that you didn’t decide on a 2pm outdoor ceremony! I think it will be substantially cooled off by 6.30/7p, bugs might be an issue if you’re near the water or tall grass / unkempt greenspace, but if there is a breeze or if you invest in some citonella candles or bug traps etc, it shouldn’t be an issue.
In the end it is your weddingso do what you want!
Post # 8

Member
4023 posts
Honey bee
It will be fine! And they can suck it up in their suits for the short ceremony. And the guests can just dress accordingly to the weather. I think it would be great, so go for it no matter what people say to you!
Post # 9

Member
57 posts
Worker bee
Our wedding is June 26th of this year.. (ekkks only a few weeks away). We are doing everything outside. Our ceremony & reception are both at the same place (Thomas Bennett House in Charleston SC). The cocktail hour will be the only thing really that is inside/outside the house (on the porch) other than that we’re doing everyhting outside. Tents’ provide a lot of shade and they also make tent fans that go up in the corners of the tents. I vote all outside 🙂
Post # 10

Member
5 posts
Newbee
thanks fellow bees! this was my first post, and i can already tell this site is going to help me keep my sanity for the next year. great suggestions. i’m sticking to my guns!