Do i really need a patio heater?

Yeah, I would do heaters. Twenty minutes when you're cold feels way longer than 20 minutes comfortable, and December can be really cold.

I hate to say this, but I think you will need the heaters if the wedding is outdoors in Iowa in December. You could literally have a foot of snow on the ground at that time. I would say do the heaters AND the blankets... And definitely have a back up indoor location just in case!

We're fortunate enough to have a venue that provides portable heaters! We are thinking about getting cheap fleece blankets. They won't be our favor, so we're thinking of doing 1 blanket per 2 people.

One thing to keep in mind when buying blankets if you go that route, is that most men won't use them and will opt for the women and children to have them instead. So you could prob get away with buying less than you thought. I also think that since your ceremony is so short, that it won't be too bad for them to sit with a blanket to keep them warm!

I would also suggest that if you have a wedding website, list on there about the weather. On our FAQ section, we have a question about attire and I wrote that it is an outside ceremony and expect it to be chilly, so please dress accordingly.

Really love the hot chocolate bar, super cute idea that adds warmth!

Not Iowa, but we have close family in Illinois.... I can't really imagine attending an outdoor wedding there in December and certainly not one without heaters -- and a tent, but honestly, I'd do everything possible to find an indoor location. Guests arrive early for weddings, so many of them will be there for much more than 20 minutes. We've been in Chicago for Christmas and in early January with temps of -15 degrees/snow/ice/etc. I don't want to be mean, but we would not attend an outdoor wedding in the Midwest in December. At best it would be incredibly uncomfortable and at worst it could be downright dangerous.

Yes, 100% yes you need them! And a lot of them for Iowa in the winter.

View Quoted Comment Fortunately, Iowa’s winters aren’t as brutal as Chicago’s (I am an Iowa native currently living outside of Chicago). But December in Iowa is definitely cold! Average temperatures range from 5° to 30° I have to agree with you, unless there was a tent with adequate heaters, there is no way I would attend an outdoor wedding in Iowa in December. To be honest, I’ve never even heard of anyone trying to have an outdoor wedding during the winter in Iowa! Hopefully there is a back-up indoor location, because I visited my family there last December and there was 6 inches of snow on the ground!!

Iowa in December will be COLD but I honestly don't see how a patio heater is going to make much of a difference if you have a number of guests and/or they are all socially distanced. Those heaters can only throw heat so far. Blankets (many of them) and hot drinks seem like a better option if you are having all but a small and super intimate ceremony.

Even though it's going to be at most twenty minutes, I would definitely say you will need heaters. It would be way too cold in December just for blankets.

Yes I would definitely get several patio heaters (the number of heaters you will need will depend on how many guests you're expecting). December in Iowa without any form of heating besides blankets would be brutal!

Yes heaters would be a MUST I would not expect my family to attend a December wedding without one. Especially children or anyone that is elderly that is way too cold. Blankets are not enough to sit outside for 20 mins.

Yea definitely go with the heaters! Maybe you can rent them

I think it depends. What's the dress code? Normal wedding attire? If so, yes, I'd think you need heaters. Casual, with jeans and sweaters, sweatshirts, big warm coats and jackets? If so, I'd think blankets would be fine.

Why are you doing that to your guests? I think you need an indoor space.