It’s mid-August and you’re waiting for your best friend to walk down the aisle at her beautiful south garden wedding. You can’t stop sweating or maybe it’s the end of September and you’re sitting on the beach in California watching the groomsmen blink in the hot sun in their fancy suits, desperately wanting the bride to make her entrance. Such are the settings of outdoor weddings in summer. They’re scenic and romantic, but even during the briefest of ceremonies, how do you avoid melting? Better yet, how does the couple ensure some relief for their sweltering and overheated guests?
Jen Glantz, who has experienced and handled this many times, definitely knows how to provide options for brides and their guests to fend off even the sweltering temperatures. She is the founder of Bridesmaids for Hire, a BTS bridesmaid that you can hire to help you run your bridal party and keep all the bridesmaids organized and happy on the eventful big day. Part of Glantz’s job is to help alleviate any last-minute weather-related stress, like an 80+ degree forecast.
She shares her 7 hacks for brides looking to keep everyone cool and cool at their outdoor summer wedding. Skol to beat the heat!
A drink in hand
As your guests arrive, instead of handing out glasses of champagne, it is recommended to have decorative vases of fruit-infused ice water at the entrance of your outdoor event. Since some fruits like mango, orange, and watermelon can help control body temperature, guests can settle into their seats with a drink that will keep them cool while you say “I do.”
Make sure their asses are cool.
If your mind is set on using a certain type of wooden or metal chair for your function, spend lavishly on getting fabric cushions so your guests don’t burn their legs or buttocks when using the seating arrangement.
Avoid liquid makeup.
Choose powder-based makeup and you’ll avoid making frequent trips to the bathroom to fix lipstick and foundation that’s likely to drip off your face. It would be even better if you hire a professional to airbrush makeup as it is sweat, water and even tear proof.
A pair of sunglasses will make your guests happy.
Personalize the sunglasses with your initials or wedding logo on the side for guests to wear while outside to ensure they don’t squint throughout the wedding ceremony if the sun is blazing volume. (and probably on the dance floor too). Handing out fancy umbrellas would also be a great idea if you don’t like sunglasses.
Design a bridal party sweatshirt survival kit.
Create a bridal party kit filled with sweat-fixing items like sunscreen, body wipes, face blotters, and even a travel-size deodorant. The groom can also make one for the gentlemen. You can have the kits waiting for them after the wedding in the bridal suite or even have the bathrooms at the reception stocked with these items, since they can’t carry this kit with them down the aisle.
Put your hair back.
A hair bow is a girl’s best friend during the summer. For outdoor moments, whether it’s cocktail hour or ceremony time, have close hair ties for women who want to go with a quick, temporary updo.
Create homemade water sprinklers.
Skip the giant spray rentals that will make your wedding venue look like a water park, and instead create mini water sprays that you can place under each chair during the reception. Get mini bottles and print labels for each bottle so guests know when and how to use it.