Summer is one of the most popular times for couples to plan their wedding days. With the brighter sunny weather and warmer days, it’s easy to see why. Of course, you may experience hot weather and heat waves with summer weddings. To help you and your guests keep cool, comfortable, and focused on celebrating your wedding day, here are Huntsmill Farms’ hot weather wedding tips to help you enjoy your wedding day without breaking a sweat.
Huntsmill Farm’s Top 10 Hot Weather Wedding Tips
Photo thanks to Marcus Charter Photography
1. Timing is crucial
One of the top hot weather wedding tips is to consider the time you choose for your ceremony. To avoid the hottest part of the day, opting for a later ceremony time means that you can avoid the hottest part of the day, especially if you plan to have your reception drinks outside after your ceremony.
2. Consider an outdoor ceremony
Photos thanks to Two D Photography
If the weather allows and it isn’t too hot, consider having your ceremony outside. Outdoor ceremonies offer plenty of fresh air and space, allowing you and your guests to enjoy the open surroundings and contributing to a laid-back and enjoyable experience.
At Huntsmill Farm, we have an outdoor ceremony structure, The Shed, where we can hold your ceremony outside, giving you an alternative option to holding your ceremony inside our 18th-century stone barn.
3. Dress smart
Photo thanks to Katrina Matthews Photography
When choosing your wedding dress or suit for a summer wedding, remember that it could be warm on your wedding day. Choosing lightweight and breathable fabrics for your wedding attire will help to keep you cool. You might opt for airy, flowy dresses and linen suits for your wedding day. The last thing you want during a warm summer’s day is to wear clothing with lots of heavy layers!
And don’t forget to think about what your bridesmaids and groomsmen will be wearing too!
4. Hydration stations
Photo thanks to Two D Photography and Rafe Abrook Photography
During hot days you want to do your best to keep yourself and your guests hydrated to help with the hot weather. A good hot-weather wedding tip is strategically placing various hydration stations throughout the venue to offer water, chilled beverages, and refreshing cocktails to beat the heat and keep spirits high. Our drinks packages have many different options for chilled drinks on a hot summer’s wedding day.
5. Create shaded areas
Photo thanks to Laura Debourde Photography
Having shaded areas around the venue for your wedding help to offer a cooler environment compared to being under direct sunlight. They help to provide natural relief from the sun, helping your guests to feel more comfortable during the summer heat and giving you a designated space away from the sun.
6. Don’t forget your fans and umbrellas
Photos thanks to Marcus Charter Photography
A supply of handheld fans or umbrellas can be helpful for very sunny wedding days. They are useful in providing sun protection, and having them around the venue will allow your guests to keep cool when needed.
7. Included chilled refreshments
Photos thanks to Sky Photography
Another way to survive the hot weather is to serve chilled refreshments during your reception drinks. At Huntsmill Farm, we’ve often seen ice cream vans here in the summer instead of traditional canapes; they provide a sweet escape from the heat!
8. Hair and Makeup
As well as carefully considering what you will wear on the day of your summer wedding, you should also consider your hair and makeup. For hotter months, having long hair up can help you to keep cool. It’s also worth speaking to your makeup artist to keep your makeup looking its best for longer on warmer days.
9. Remember your SPF!
No one wants to get sunburnt, especially not on your wedding day!
On your wedding day, you want to look your best, and catching the sun can leave your skin red and irritated, not only making you uncomfortable but will show up in your wedding photos. An important hot weather wedding tip is to apply your suncream and regularly touch it up throughout the day – give one of your bridesmaids or groomsmen the task of reminding you to keep it topped up!
10. Be prepared for summer showers!
Photo thanks to Cat Lane Weddings
While summer is typically a dry season, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case of unexpected rain. It is British summertime, after all!
Photo thanks to Marcus Charter Photography
If you’d like to hear more information about summer weddings at Huntsmill Farm, you can book a viewing, or please get in touch if you have any questions.
