Summer Heat

I think it really depends on where you are located. Obviously it must get hot where you are or you wouldn't be asking. HaHa! Is your venue outside? How hot does it get there? I definitely suggest a lot of water be available to everyone. Cucumber or lemon water is always a nice touch. If it gets insanely hot you are going to want to rent a tent with air conditioning and keep your ceremony really short.

I am getting married near Santa Cruz in July and usually temperature is around 75 degrees with a breeze. My reception is inside so I don't have to take many precautions.

Our wedding venue is in upstate ny. Usually around July it is in the mid 80's our ceremony is outside in the vineyard and our reception is in a tent in the vineyard, we will have air conditioning in the tent.

Our wedding is in SoCal in August and will be held outdoors. We're planning on printing our ceremony programs on fans so that our guests can use them in case they get hot. There are DIY fan kits on Amazon selling for a little over $7 (makes 24 fans).

Since it's just the ceremony that will be outdoors, I think you'll be okay. One thing that will help is to start the ceremony later in the afternoon/evening when the day has already started to cool down. Other than that, you can hand out cool water when guests arrive (maybe use some infused water dispensers?) and do your best to start the ceremony on time so people aren't waiting outside too long.

As long as your ceremony is short, I think providing cool beverages and shade should be sufficient. If there isn't any shade, wait until later in the day.

Is only your ceremony outside or is the whole thing outside? I would not have the whole event be outside when it was hot out. I've been to multiple weddings that we sweated at all day and it sucked.

Hold it inside. That's the only way.

If it's over 75-80, you really need to move it. I think it's as rude to have a summer wedding outside in the heat as it is to hold a winter wedding outside in the cold.

Have it inside.

Ugh. I hate summer weddings due to the heat. But if the ceremony is short n sweet you should be fine

Mid-80s is dangerous for sensitive groups like asthmatics, the elderly, or children.

Sorry upstate ny is BRUTAL in July, especially the end getting into August. I really don't recommend having anything outside that time of year. Remember even if your ceremony is quick, guests will arrive early and they'll be sweaty and gross by the time it gets moved into cooler air.

ETA: its also humid as fuck. 0/10 do not recommend

@Katherine, I live in upstate NY also. Our wedding will be July 2nd, 2017. You really never know what the weather will be like at that time of year. It could be unbearably humid and scorching, or it could be comfortable.

Please consider that even with a "short" ceremony, your guests will arrive early and be in their seats (because yes, you need a seat for every guest) for considerably longer than the actual ceremony. I would not be a happy camper if it were any hotter than 75. No one wants to sweat after just having gotten dressed up and doing their hair and makeup. I seriously question the quality of "tent air conditioning" as well. That sounds loud and expensive. ETA: our ceremony will be inside an air conditioned church, and our reception in an air conditioned former bank in Albany. One of my main concerns is actually taking photos outside in the heat. Something for you to consider as well. Hard to take beautiful portraits with the makeup melting off your face.

Good luck.

What is the appeal of "dream venues", anyway. The guests will be inside a tent hiding from the humidity. They don't care that your wedding is in the middle of a nice field that has some grapes growing in it. They're worried about whether they have to step over gravel to get to a port a potty, or their hair getting frizzy in the 95% humid summer air while they sweat through their dresses and suit jackets. The guest experience at many of these "dream venues" chosen by brides solely for their photo ops is just awful. My advice is to find a nice indoor venue and go take your photos at the vineyard.

July is hot as hell where I live. Even if you provide fans and water your guests will be miserable.

I'd have it inside. With everyone in formal wear, people are going to be uncomfortable. I'd honestly be super annoyed and consider skipping the ceremony cause I'm not trying to sit outside and sweat and be uncomfortable in formal clothing with my hair done (that I probably spent an hour doing) so your pictures can be amazing. Sorry if that sounds mean but I'm sure I'm saying what a lot of your guests would be thinking.

If you absolutely must have it outside, have it in the shade and make sure you have lots of bottled water available. Also have it as late in the day as possible.