05/06/2024
Heat is a problem. It's hard to avoid the heat unless you pick winter or early Spring months. And the problem with the hotter months is that--many don't want a 6:30 or 7 pm wedding because of dinner plans or time limits at venues. Fortunately more guests dress less formally--which calculates to dressing cooler--these days.
A few things to consider:
1) Get an officiant who knows how to keep the ceremony brief and uplifting.
2) Let the crowd chill inside first. My little message I do is from 8 - 12 minutes depending on the comfort level. Then you add vows and processional and recessional--you are looking at about 20 minutes. But if guests are told to be seated in the heat as they arrive---they could be there 45 minutes to an hour! Also many weddings start 5-10 minutes late--so that's more time in the sun. So it's best to let guests chill in the AC while they wait for the service and then someone announce for them to please be seated about five minutes before start time. I know this is not embraced by coordinators because they want the dining area to not be seen until people enter it. Some venues have a separate mixing and drink area--which makes it easier.
3) Shade is critical! In Texas on a hot day, unless the humidity is high, a shady spot with a little breeze is bearable. If you can, look at the venue the same month (a year in advance) and time of the day in which you plan to have the wedding. See how much shade there is and consider what having the service 30 minutes later or so would do in terms of increasing shade coverage.
4) If you have a Saturday or Sunday wedding, consider that dinner time doesn't have to be at 5:30. People tend to eat later or bigger on those days for lunch. Consider a 6:30 or even 7 pm start of the ceremony. A 6:30 pm start means the crowd will be out of the heat by 7:00 and if you add time for pictures, you could start dinner 7:30 or a little later, depending on how much time your photographer needs.
Some photographers seem to worry about a later start due to lighting. But if they are assured that the ceremony won't last more than 20 minutes--they can relax and you might be able to pull of a later start.
5) Offer small bottles of water in bucket of ice out at the outdoor wedding site, or inside before the guests go out.
6) Senior adults are the ones you have to look out for. Try to give them shade and cold water and keep their time outside limited.
I've got other ideas and thoughts, but I am super flexible to go with your plans and desires. Give me a call or text! 512-845-3864
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