According to Brides & Bustles, 18% of UK couples marry in August, making it the most popular month to tie the knot. Why couples in the UK choose to marry at the height of summer isn’t rocket science! The typically glorious weather conditions are reason enough to schedule a summer wedding date as Hitched explains:
“In the UK, wedding season runs between May and October, with the most popular months to get married being July and August. This is due to the weather which is (supposedly) much nicer during these months. The height of summer is by far the most popular time in the UK for weddings due to the warm weather and the fact that it coincides with most school holidays.”
Being hit by a heatwave on your wedding day, however, presents just as many challenges as torrential rain or snow. If you’re obsessively checking the weather forecast in the run-up to your wedding day only to discover temperatures keep creeping up, you can use these last-minute tips to provide essential relief from the heat to your guests.
1. Throw them some shade
Marrying under bright, blue skies will make for some fantastic wedding photos but you’ll need to protect yourself and your guests from the sun (especially during the hottest parts of the day) if you intend to make the most of the weather by hosting your ceremony and drinks reception outdoors.
Liaise with your Personal Wedding Manager to ensure parasols can be placed throughout your venue’s outdoor areas to provide the shade your guests need to enjoy your celebrations all day long.
2. Create an outdoor haven
Go one better than a few carefully placed parasols by creating your very own shaded chill-out zone. Incorporating a chill-out area into your wedding venue won’t just offer respite from the sun. It’ll provide a dedicated space for all (including the happy couple) to steal away a few moments and really relish your special day.
3. Opt for fan-cy favours
Handheld fans are last-minute essentials that can be shopped for online or in-store just days before your wedding. Fans can double as favours as well as keep everyone cool during your ceremony and reception. From wooden and wicker to paper and silk, many fan designs look elegant and beautiful making them the perfect fit for your wedding day.
4. Set up refreshment stations
Whether it’s hot enough for ice cream, or a refreshing glass of water or juice is all you need to make the weather a little more manageable, working with your venue to set up a refreshment station will keep your guests feeling fabulous even as temperatures rise.
5. Keep hot weather essentials on hand
Let your guests help themselves to those hot weather essentials while you get down to the business of marrying. Stock up on sunscreen and cooling facial sprays to protect your guests from harmful UV rays and provide hydrating, soothing relief in the summer sunshine.
Hot weather essentials can even be displayed as part of your wedding décor. If you’re hosting a festival-themed wedding, a vintage suitcase is an ideal way to display sunscreen, cooling sprays, packets of tissues and even travel-sized deodorants a little more creatively for instance.
6. Give guests a heads-up
Your wedding guests may not be as vigilant when it comes to checking the forecast for your upcoming wedding date so if a heatwave is imminent, be sure to let your guests know. They may want to opt for a cooler ensemble or pack the accessories they need to provide a little extra protection from the sun.
