How Hot is TOO Hot for an Outdoor Wedding?

What's the max temp for a summer wedding outside? Here's what to consider, plus tips to keep guests cool

 

It’s that time of year again! When, in the name of love, we stand outside in the direct sun, sweating through our best semi-formal wear and swatting away mosquitos, sipping warm white wine next to drooping caprese skewers. 

 

That’s right – summer wedding season is back! Once again daring to ask, “what does it feel like to sit in a steam sauna in your shapewear?” 

 

It’s got us wondering: How hot is TOO hot for an outdoor wedding? 

 

What's the max temp for an outdoor summer wedding: 75? 80? 85? It depends

 

Most folks will agree that anything above the mid-80s – say, 85F or 29C – is too hot for any prolonged outdoor activity. But your older and more heat-sensitive wedding guests might agree that anything over 80 degrees is pushing it. Mix in a little humidity, adjust for heat index and bright sun, and a truly comfortable temperature is probably even lower – maybe as low as 75F. 

 

So what’s the real cutoff for an outdoor wedding? Honestly, it depends. A comfortable temperature will depend on a variety of factors. 

 

Factors that affect how hot it feels

 

• Temperature
• Humidity & heat index
• Air movement (breeze vs. still air)
• Shade vs. direct sun
• Air quality
• Seating surface (metal, wood, plastic, etc.)
• Duration spent outdoors
• Type of activity (dancing? sitting?)
• Medical conditions or medications
• Sensory sensitivities or heat intolerance
• And more

 

 

 

 

Consider your guest list and adjust 

 

As you can see from the brief list above, the answer to “how hot is too hot” is very personal! 

 

When deciding whether to hold all or part of your wedding outdoors, consider guest comfort and safety. Remember that common medications like antidepressants or antihistamines can increase heat sensitivity, as can medical conditions and disabilities like thyroid issues or diabetes. And heat plus humidity can even make things like asthma worse.

 

Simple adjustments you can make, depending on the weather:

 

• Host only part of your celebration outdoors
• Pose for photos outside, but keep celebrations indoors
• Reschedule outdoor events for early morning or late evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day
• Hand out bottled water and paper fans as guest favors
• Place seating under tents or awnings
• Provide indoor seating options with live-streaming for heat-sensitive guests
• Don't leave guests waiting too long before your entrance
• Choose a wedding dress code that allows for loose fitting clothing and breathable fabrics
• Provide time for a ‘costume change’ so guests can swap formal wear for summer fits after photos are taken
• Take advantage of fans and cross-breezes
• Etc!

 

And if you decide to move your celebration indoors, consider adding HEPA air filters and open windows into the mix to improve ventilation and air quality / safety indoors. While we hate to admit it, things like COVID and summer colds will always be around, but better air flow and good filtration can help keep everyone cooler, happy, and healthy. 

 

 

Well that's one way to cool off! So, how hot is too hot for an outdoor summer wedding? It depends! Consider your guest list when planning which parts of the day to celebrate outdoors. Then, find creative ways to help you and your guests stay cool, comfortable, and safe! (Photo: ajr_images / iStock)     

 

 

More tips on staying cool during the hot summer wedding season: 

 

• Summer Survival: 10 Items to Add to Your Officiant Wedding Emergency Kit This Season

 

• Is a Summer Camp Wedding Theme the Newest Trend?
   
• 7 Creative Summer Solstice Wedding Ideas
   
• How to Plan a Beach Wedding for Any Time of Year
   
• 5 Seaside Unity Ceremony Ideas for Your Beach Wedding or Vow Renewal
   
• New Wedding Script: Summer Solstice Handfasting with Honey Wine Toast
   
• Universal Love, Life, and Light Wedding Ceremony Script
   

 

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