Outdoor Reception

Where are you located? Here in MD early October evenings can dip down into the low 60s and high 50s throughout the night.

I would suggest reminding guests to bring a coat for later, provide space heater columns which you can rent, or have a good ol fashioned bonfire.

View Quoted Comment I am located in South Central PA. Our wedding reception will be very casual and I plan to provide blankets as favors but I am paranoid my guests will leave early because they’re miserable

View Quoted Comment I've learned you can't please everyone at a wedding. At a friend's wedding a few years ago, a majority of her family members left because they didn't serve cake right after the meal.

Like seriously? Get up and dance a have a little fun. They couldn't wait for guests to finish their meals, or for the couple to mingle with guests either.

Heaters & bonfires are always a nice touch

You can also have blankets available! But most people will warm up once they get on the dance floor.

You can rent those large outdoor heaters

You don’t need to stress, you need to plan. All the stress can be avoided if you have contingency plans for all weather scenarios— that’s part of the “joy” of a backyard wedding.
I had a backyard summer wedding, and had side walls and a mobile AC on hold with my tent company just in case the weather was too hot. Part of what made my day go smoothly is I considered all the things that could go wrong and made a plan for them! We can’t control the weather but we can control everything else.

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I love the idea of an outdoor backyard wedding reception. I am actually attending one this coming Friday in PA. I would say look into those tall outdoor heaters I have seen them for sale at local grocery stores.

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Yes, 100% this.

I am having an outdoor wedding/reception on the same date in Ohio. Our weather is very inconsistent that time of year so I agree with all the others to just plan for it. We plan on having side walls for our tent and patio heaters if need be as well. Since ours will be at a campground we will also have a bonfire going and will let our guests know to dress for the weather! Don't stress....just prepare and let guests know what to expect so they to can prepare.

Space heaters, blankets (even heated blankets if you have a power source), hand warmers, liquor, a warm mixed drink, hot coco station for kiddos, bonfire.

A trick I use to stay warm in the winter is wearing two sports bras, and stick a hand warmer in between the two under my armpit! Keeps me nice and toasty.

View Quoted Comment I love your hand warmer idea. I’m definitely having tents, blankets and a couple heaters, a fire, booze, and coffee/hot cocoa/tea.
I could set some hand warmers out for guests! Thanks so much!