How To Keep Guests Cool During Summer Weddings

Summer is upon us, my friends. This past weekend, Randy and I shot the first wedding of the summer season and it was 104 degrees at the height of the afternoon. Let me tell you – once you hit 100 degrees, Palm Springs starts to feel like a dry, hot oven. Add in formalwear and alcohol – and it can become a recipe for potential wedding disaster! So how can you help keep your guests cool at your summer wedding?

How to keep guests cool during summer weddings?

Consider the time of your ceremony. Mid-day sun is not the best for lighting anyway – but it’s really awful that time of day to be standing around in the sun. Take whatever time sunset is supposed to be that day, and go back an hour or so (depending how close the venue is to the mountains). It’ll be a bit cooler, plus you won’t have to deal with whacky shadows or squinting eyes.

Provide shade. You can rent some really stylish cabana-style sitting spots for your guests, especially during cocktail hour if there’s no trees or other form of shade provided.

Provide water. You can put drinks in cute containers like half whiskey barrels, you can even go all out and get custom labels made if you really want to go the extra mile! If you put it out, people will grab water bottles or other types of drinks.

Turn your programs into fans. That’s right – make the program for your wedding into something people can fan themselves with. Two birds, one s

Dress codes. We’ve talked about dress codes before – but this is a good time to really consider having one. We have a wedding this upcoming August where the dress code is “light colored clothing – whites, tans and creams” – and they are requesting no black or other dark clothing. This will not only create a polished look, but will also prevent people from wearing heat-attracting dark colors.

So tell me, how do you plan to keep your wedding guests cool this summer?