Is it absolutely crazy to have a backyard wedding in July??

It sounds like there's too many factors you can't control. I wouldn't risk it. Also as a guest if it was hot I'd leave right after the ceremony.

I think you should move it indoors.

I'd poll your guests.

Will the ceremony and reception both be outside??

Yes. DC is subject to heat waves. I went to a wedding in July 2 years ago. It was outside. It was 110 degrees. The cake melted, everyone was hot and miserable, it was too hot to dance, everyone pregnant had to leave early.

Of course in the end it's your choice - but I personally would not recommend it.

I do think an outdoor ceremony would be okay with an indoor reception, though.

I wouldn't want to have one outdoors. Weddings are stressful enough as it is I wouldn't want to spend the next 5 months stressing about what the weather will be that day. That is something you don't stop stressing about till that moment. Besides, even if it doesn't rain chances are it will be really hot and miserable. If I was at a wedding outdoors in the summer I wouldn't dance at all. I'd be to miserable. I hate heat. I hate bugs. I hate mother nature. I'm a bad example of the average guest i guess but I would come to the ceremony and leave after cake and I got to say hello because I would be so uncomfortable.

Side note,

my brother had only his ceremony outdoors and I had to sit down because I almost fainted and one of his groomsmen got sick and had to be taken back to the hotel due to the heat.

Just like anyone else who plans an outdoor ceremony, i wouldn't do it without a viable back up option in case of rain or excessive heat.

i went to a wedding in july that started at 7pm and the bugs were AWFUL. we used our program fans to shoo them away for the entire ceremony. it was super distracting

I live an hour from DC in the Virginia 'burbs and I say AW HELL NO. We get way too humid here. If you're doing a July wedding please have the reception somewhere air conditioned! The last thing you want is a bunch of whiny, sweaty guests.

Go inside. I honestly don't understand why people want to have even their ceremonies outside in weather that is uncomfortable for everyone, including them. I have actually watched makeup slide off brides' faces and grooms who are soaking wet by the end. Then there is fainting, and that's only the ceremony.

If no one is comfortable, no one will have a good time. Do your photos outside, but plan for another scenario if it's going to be awful out.

July here in Iowa can get hot and humid and miserable, but I've always liked the 5pm "magic hour", where it's still warm but you can feel the evening start to roll in. If at all possible, maybe schedule the ceremony for 5:30 or 6ish? If hunger is a concern, you could be totally unique and hand out small bags of jordan almonds with the programs I really think if you plan it in the cooler evening hours, you can have a beautiful July wedding no matter where you're located

Sorry, I should have clarified: the plan is to have a small and casual wedding at my mom's house. The ceremony will be super short (less than half an hour) and we can do that indoor or out. There are 2 big rooms (living/family rooms) that I plan to have chairs and tables for guests to mingle and eat buffet style. If the weather is agreeable enough we will put tables and chairs outside and hang string lights to make it a bit more festive. I understand that most people can't stand the heat and will not make them stay outside the whole time. Does this sound better?

I agree - you need an option with A/C. I would think even having an outdoor ceremony in July is a stretch. Maybe if you have no other alternative, think about bringing in misters or portable A/C. Which will probably be more hassle than it's worth. I went to an outdoor July wedding last summer (in Connecticut) and one of the bridesmaid's fainted during the ceremony.

I wouldn't do it.

You can have it out doors, however you need to make sure tha tyou have a tent and fans and accomodations for guests who cant handle the heat. Given its at 5pm it should be cooler outside but July is a pretty fierce time

My wedding is outdoors in July in Texas. It's the driest month but we do have a back up plan.

If you live in Texas it is lol.

I wouldn't do it. You could maybe do the ceremony outside, but if you do - for heaven's sake, keep it brief and start on time! Keep in mind guests typically arrive up to half an hour before the ceremony starts, so starting late really stretches out the discomfort for them.

My SIL's wedding, they started the ceremony about 20 minutes late. By then, everyone had been sitting on a hill, with no shade, in the heat for almost an hour and you could just feel the waves of grumpiness coming off the guests. Then the ceremony was a full 30 minutes long (not helped by the fact that a reader spontaneously decided to launch into a long speech about the couple). By the end, everyone was sweating bullets and the older folks were feeling woozy. And that was an 85-degree day, not the 90-100 degree days that DC so kindly gifts us with in the summer.

Your updated idea is better, but you'll need to crank that AC with a lot of people in the house. You may want to get your system checked/serviced before hand. I know Michael and Sons do this and surely other places.

We are having our ceremony outdoors in July as well. Our Ceremony will not be long, so it shouldn't get too warm. We have plans in place for the people that can't handle the heat. Sure I may live Northern Ontario but it can be hot here as well.

Last year my friend got married in July and she had an outdoor ceremony as well. We were sweating even in light knee length dresses. But it wasn't a long ceremony and they made sure to have snacks/drinks after.

One piece of advice I can give is to stay well hydrated the day of, and stay away from alcohol as much as possible before the reception. Her wedding was at noon and by reception time (cocktails started at 5) the MOH and one of the BM's were quite tipsy come then.

^omg FMMacEwan who in their right mind has a NOON wedding in July? Just, no. That is not okay.

(and a five hour gap. bleh)