How To Keep Your Guests Cool At A Summer Wedding

Okay, friends, it’s time to talk about how to keep your guests cool at a summer wedding.

If you know, you know. The total agony it can feel like if you are a guest at certain summer weddings. The blazing heat that not only exposes you to the sun, but is utterly uncomfortable. It makes your clothes stick to you and your makeup melt off. Hydration seems impossible. It’s not fun as a guest, and it’s not what you want your guests to experience if you are the one getting married.

The good news is that even if you are getting married in the dead of summer, in a climate that is known for it’s heat, you have options. Ways to keep your guests cool at a summer wedding. These ways include making sure ice water is available, putting out comfort items, matching your food to the season, and getting some misters. Plus, more. The ways aren’t complicated, and I go into much more detail below about each of them.

How To Keep Your Guests Cool At A Summer Wedding

This post is going to share how to keep your guests cool at a summer wedding. Yes, some of the ways will cost you a little extra money. However, your guests will thank you. As mentioned earlier, no one wants to be too hot. It’s just miserable. A little thoughtfulness and empathy for guests will go a long way. At the end of the day, this is what you want for your wedding. So, invest in their comfort and make your summer wedding that much more enjoyable.

Let’s get into it!

HAVE ICE WATER A PLENTY AT ALL TIMES

My number one recommendation to keep guests cool at a summer wedding?

Simply have ice water available, at all times.

Back in 2005 I went to a wedding in July, in Morgan Hill, California. If you’ve ever been to Morgan Hill, you know how hot it can be. It was miserable. Almost twenty years later, I can still remember how uncomfortable it was. There were no real ways to cool off. Including no ice water.

So, stock up. Have coolers to put the ice in to keep it cold. It’s okay if you’re left with extra. Ice is cheap. Have someone who’s assigned to keeping ice water out for guests at all times. Make it a priority.

USE WARM WEATHER RELIEF ITEMS TO KEEP YOUR GUESTS COOL AT A SUMMER WEDDING

Beyond ice water, there are other warm weather relief items you can provide for your guests at your summer wedding.

These items include, but are not limited to, sunglasses, cool cloths, sunscreen, handkerchiefs or light pashminas, fans, and parasols. Any one of these items can provide relief for guests who are sitting in the hot sun, or are generally sensitive to the heat. A cooling cloth on a hot day? It’s delightful. Can’t stand the sun? Grab a parasol and instantly you’re in the shade.

Seriously, a little can go a long way here, and each of these items can become part of the décor for your wedding.

SERVE COLD COCKTAILS OR MOCKTAILS

There are some people in this world who love sipping on warm drinks on a hot day. I am not one of them.

In order to keep guests cool at a summer wedding, you should have cool drinks. This may mean cocktails or mocktails that are served over ice. Or perhaps they are blended with ice. There should be a cooling element to them, too. Think herbs like mint instead of spices like cinnamon. Every little bit helps when it comes to refreshing drinks that will cool you down from the inside out.

MAKE THE REST OF YOUR FOOD COOL

While we’re on the topic of cold drinks, let’s talk about cold food.

Now, cold food doesn’t actually mean that the food needs to be cold. Of course, yes, cool summer salads may be preferred over hot soups on a warm summer day. However, you may also want to serve foods that cool people off, like spicy salsas and hot sauces. Pair them with barbeque food (see here for a post on barbeque weddings), tacos, chips, or whatever you like to eat.

For dessert, it may be best to lean towards colder options like ice cream or popsicles, as long as you’re able to keep them cold until it’s time to serve.

HAVE SOME SHADE HANDY

One of the best things you can do to keep guests cool at a summer wedding is to make shade happen.

Of course, if your venue already has some shade, that’s awesome. You don’t have a lot of work to do here. However, if your ceremony is going to be in the blazing sun, or your reception tables have no coverage for guests, you need to do something about that. Shade is important, especially if guests are going to be away from it and spend an extended period of time in the sun.

So, get a tent. Strategize about utilizing existing overhangs. See if you can install an outdoor shade structure, if needed. Stable, oversized umbrellas can also provide a lot of relief.

Side note, if you haven’t picked your venue yet and are set on a summer wedding, look for venues that have built in shade options. Your guests can thank me later.

USE FANS FOR YOUR FAVORS OR YOUR PROGRAMS

I know, I know. You already know about this one. I’ll tell you about it anyway.

One cute way to keep guests cool at summer wedding is to repurpose something you will provide anyway with a method to keep cool. For example, you can provide fans that could serve as either your favors or your programs (if they are folded paper fans). These fans can be electronic, or manual. You can likely even order them online, and personalize them if you want. Cute, and effective!

SET UP SOME MISTING STATIONS TO KEEP YOUR GUESTS COOL AT A SUMMER WEDDING

Do you know what a misting station is? It’s where you set up a device, usually connected to a hose, and have it gently spray water drops into the air. On a hot day, it’s delightful.

So, if you’re able to, set some misting stations up at your wedding. They may be stable, hung high up on a post or underside of a balcony, or moveable. The great thing about them is that they spray such a fine amount of water that it basically dries immediately, but it does leave a nice cooling effect.

Don’t have the ability to provide misting stations at your wedding? Simply leave out some spray bottles. Your guests will figure it out.

HAVE A LATE START TO YOUR CEREMONY

Last tip!

One surefire way to keep your guests cool at a summer wedding is to start your wedding later in the day. Of course, in some locations, it may still be hot out. However, the sun won’t be blazing as it tends to do in the middle and early part of the afternoon. A later start will still allow for sunlight to be present during your ceremony, but it won’t be too hot.

Just something to consider as you decide what time your ceremony, and subsequent party, should take place.

THOUGHTS ON HOW TO KEEP GUESTS COOL AT A SUMMER WEDDING

Friends, there are lots of ways to keep guests cool at a summer wedding. From providing actually cooling items, to serving the right foods and drinks, all the way to providing shade and misters, the choice is yours to decide what works best for your wedding, and your budget. A little can go a long way here, so do what you can. Enjoy! Happy wedding planning!

More On Wedding Guests From Hummingbird Wedding Advice

Should You Have A Food Truck At Your Wedding?

Five Ways To Let Guests Know Your Wedding Dress Code

9 Ways To Connect With Guests At Your Wedding

Did you find this post helpful, inspiring? PIN it to your Wedding Planning Board on Pinterest!