December Outdoor Ceremony (PA)?

Sorry, you just can't do outdoors in December in Philadelphia.

Unless you get one of those freak 65 degree days in December (which obviously you can't plan on)... no.

I was in Philly at the beginning of Oct. and it was too chilly for me.

Absolutely not. Nothing is ever 15 minutes when it comes to weddings.

Thanks for the responses! I should also note that we can plan on being outside and then decide last minute to move it in if it's freezing/windy/rainy/snowing. I don't know if that matters.

And I know that a 20 minute ceremony would mean the guests would be outside longer than that, but it wouldn't be more than an hour.

I would advise against this. I got married in December outdoors in Florida, where it doesn't get cold until February, got an 80 degree day when I was hoping for 70. But methinks that's not going to be the case up north.

Sorry but that is a horrible I idea Dec in PA is way too cold for even a 10 minute ceremony not to mention windy guests would likely not come in my opinion, I am in VA and dec is really cold so I know PA farther north is worse.

That's a terrible idea haha

What are you nuts (not meaning this in a mean way) but it's winter in PA. It's cold and snow. Good change temps will not go over 35 degree... Would you really want to stand outside freezing for a wedding?

I would move it all inside and bag the outside thought a.s.a.p.

Don't do anything outdoors in PA in the winter. You never know the weather, it could be 50 or a blizzard.

December 6th is fall, not winter, and the average temperature in Philly for that time of year is 50F. The likelihood for snow is under 10%. If you rent the heaters and do the hot cocoa, I don't see what the problem is. I mean, if your guests are all from Florida or something, I could see it being a problem, but 50F is hardly unbearably cold to someone from this area, especially with heaters and warm beverages.

It'd be so mad. And cold.

I would honestly rather attend an outdoor ceremony in PA in Dec than July or August, but this is just personal preference. As you can see, most people disagree with this though

Thank you Beth G. - Those were my thoughts. And for those who think it is a "horrible idea", it's not like I"m the first person to ever think of this. People have outdoor ceremonies on ski slopes, in Minnesota, etc. all the time. It can be done (and there are beautiful photos if you google "outdoor winter wedding ceremony").

And again, if it IS 4 degrees, we can move it inside. Just like if it rains in April.

Our guests are all either local or from Chicago and 90% are family. It's not as if they don't have winter coats and we will provide a coat check for the reception.

Edited to add: I'm not 100% sure that this is what we want to do. I"m just defending our idea. I didn't think it was THAT crazy, and I don't really know why it's okay to put people outside in 100 degrees but not 40. That's all.

I live in PA and absolutely no way. I might have lived here all my life, but I am not used to cold weather and I don't like it. Most people don't enjoy being cold.

An hour standing or sitting (ie not moving) outside in December? I guess if nothing else you'll be a trailblazing bride.

Have you even checked if they'll do outdoor ceremonies in December? My venue won't do them mid November to like march and I'm in south jersey so I have the same weather as Philly.

Yeah well the average high might be in the upper 40s but it sounds like this is in the evening and the sun will be down so you are likely looking at 30's. That's really too cold. Often people dress up for weddings (think ladies in dresses with bare legs). Even if things start right on time and don't go over people are going to need hats, gloves, etc. and may still be miserable sitting still in that weather.

My Ex's Best Friend Got Married In Tahoe, In January, In 3 Inches Of Snow. Outdoor Ceremony, And Reception. I Called Then Crazy, But The Attendance Was 90%!!! Only Me Add My Ex, And A Couple Friends On A Navy Cruise Didn't Come. Our Ceremony Is Outside, In Texas, On The Lake Front, On New Years Eve, Lol.

If I Were You, I'd Provide some Small Blankets For Ladies To Cover Their Legs With, And Be Done. That's What I'm Doing!

I'd say don't do it. I was at an outside November wedding in MD and it was pretty cold. And generally the temps in MD are a tad warmer than PA. And she was lucky that it was a fairly nice day, but everyone was freezing. The poor bridesmaids were shaking while standing (granted they had no shawls or anything) but they were out there the least of anyone. The guests knew enough to have coats on, but still. I'm used to those cold PA winters, and I know its not unheard of to have snow for Halloween! You just never know in that area.

I'm from PA. We can get those freak 60-degree days, but if it is cold outside, I wouldn't do it. Most people hate the cold. People will not be happy if they are cold and have to put on gloves, hats, etc. just to see an outdoor ceremony. No one will want to be messing up their hair, trying to find a nice coat that looks OK for a wedding ceremony, girls will be in dresses, etc. What about you and the bridesmaids -- would you be OK with them wearing jackets and stockings (and maybe gloves and hats?) If you still want to do outside, I would try to see how effective these heaters are. Is there a spot inside where you could get married? Candles can look so pretty for indoor weddings in the winter. Oh, if you do outside, also make sure there are tissues around as people tend to get runny noses from the cold!