OUTRAGEOUS or brilliant?

rhend88

I am looking at a North Florida wedding around the beginning of July.  My question is this, would it be ridiculous if I had an outdoor wedding (with an indoor air conditioned reception) at a location where I can keep most of my guest indoor until say 15 minutes before the processional and have a ceremony that is short and sweet.  Also I feel its important to mention it would be on an intracoastal with a breeze and likely to be evening/later in the day.  I know its going to be hot but I thought with those precautions its possible and hopefully not unbearable.  I really want an outdoor wedding but due to it being everyone from out of town I have to have it actually in the summer.  Thoughts? Warnings? Ideas for keeping cool?

cassi8619

I am getting married in North Florida at Palm Valley Gardens in June and our big concern was the heat, especially since most of our guests are from the upper midwest. Unfortunately we were unable to keep everyone inside for the dining portion of the night. So, we looked at getting an air-conditioned tent and it was going to cost aruond $5000 and we decided its just wasn't worth it. We settled on a tent to cover the dancing area (there will be some dining here as well)  and fans. We also decided to make our ceremony short and sweet (This is def a personal decision!). Most of the dining is going to take place inside so as far as seating goes i tried to keep the older people and those who are more sensitive to heat inside and the younger ones outside. I have also encouraged everyone to dress for the heat, light summer dress for the girls, and I told most of the men just a nice pair of slacks and a polo would be appropriate. We are also going to provided cold water bottles that will be set up in front of the ceremony area

If the only portion of your wedding that is going to be outside is the ceremony then I say go for it. I promise you people will suck it up for 20min (or however long the ceremony is). Ultimaltely it is YOUR day and you have to what is going to make YOU and YOUR FIANCE happy.

Good luck! I hope this helped

medusia00

I agree with PP, as long as you let everyone know it will be outside and maybe make your programs fans you should be good.

jagore08

I had an outdoor wedding in North Florida Memorial weekend when it was 85 degrees out and about 90% humidity.  I specifically choose a place that was mostly covered by trees so my guests had some shade during the ceremony and the refreshments table opened an hour before the ceremony (because some people like to be really early).  

If you just think of your guests comfort then you'll be fine.  If your guests are uncomfortable then that's what they'll remember, not how beautiful everything was.

Karennrob

I too am getting married outside, early June, in California. It's at a Golf course so no trees for shade.

I went to the local party rental store, and rented large white Market Umbrellas. Each has a stand to place in between rows and provides 9 feet of shaded ara.

 I rented 10 for $350 plus delivery and p/u fee of $60. Also making program fans and having bottled water nearby just in case. HTH.

This isn't mine, but an example

Queen Jane

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_outrageous-brilliant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:a68f2a18-6e16-4fab-8fba-48a48a95afa3Post:8acd133a-b2f0-468e-bc14-25b854632d92">Re: OUTRAGEOUS or brilliant?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am getting married in North Florida at Palm Valley Gardens in June and our big concern was the heat, especially since most of our guests are from the upper midwest. Unfortunately we were unable to keep everyone inside for the dining portion of the night. So, we looked at getting an air-conditioned tent and it was going to cost aruond $5000 and we decided its just wasn't worth it. We settled on a tent to cover the dancing area (there will be some dining here as well)  and fans. We also decided to make our ceremony short and sweet (This is def a personal decision!). Most of the dining is going to take place inside so as far as seating goes i tried to keep the older people and those who are more sensitive to heat inside and the younger ones outside. I have also encouraged everyone to dress for the heat, light summer dress for the girls, and I told most of the men just a nice pair of slacks and a polo would be appropriate. We are also going to provided cold water bottles that will be set up in front of the ceremony area If the only portion of your wedding that is going to be outside is the ceremony then I say go for it. I promise you people will suck it up for 20min (or however long the ceremony is). Ultimaltely it is YOUR day and you have to what is going to make YOU and YOUR FIANCE happy. Good luck! I hope this helped :)
Posted by cassi8619[/QUOTE]

Just wanted to check....are you seating people inside AND outside for dinner. That's awkward. I went to a wedding in Tahoe where there were a few tables outside, like 5 maybe and like 30 tables inside. I felt really badly for those stuck outside. Not only was it cold, but they probably missed a bunch and felt left out. Sorry if I misinterpreted your post and that is not the case.

TO the OP....I think doing a short ceremony outside is fine. I would make sure there are fans or umbrellas and refreshments available. I would also not plan it for the hottest portion of the afternoon. Good luck!

boutthattime

I always liked the idea of the program or having your monograms on a paper fan on those fat looking bubbly popcicle sticks, they can just keep fanning themselves and also have something to remember your wedding by.

courtney1188

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_outrageous-brilliant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:a68f2a18-6e16-4fab-8fba-48a48a95afa3Post:8acd133a-b2f0-468e-bc14-25b854632d92">Re: OUTRAGEOUS or brilliant?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am getting married in North Florida at Palm Valley Gardens in June and our big concern was the heat, especially since most of our guests are from the upper midwest. Unfortunately we were unable to keep everyone inside for the dining portion of the night. So, we looked at getting an air-conditioned tent and it was going to cost aruond $5000 and we decided its just wasn't worth it. We settled on a tent to cover the dancing area (there will be some dining here as well)  and fans. We also decided to make our ceremony short and sweet (This is def a personal decision!). Most of the dining is going to take place inside so as far as seating goes i tried to keep the older people and those who are more sensitive to heat inside and the younger ones outside. I have also encouraged everyone to dress for the heat, light summer dress for the girls, and I told most of the men just a nice pair of slacks and a polo would be appropriate. We are also going to provided cold water bottles that will be set up in front of the ceremony area If the only portion of your wedding that is going to be outside is the ceremony then I say go for it. I promise you people will suck it up for 20min (or however long the ceremony is). <strong>Ultimaltely it is YOUR day and you have to what is going to make YOU and YOUR FIANCE happy.</strong> Good luck! I hope this helped :)
Posted by cassi8619[/QUOTE]

Unless what makes you happy is going to cause some guests to be miserable and uncomfortable. Not saying your idea will, I just don't agree with the notion that it's okay and your guests just have to suck it up because you and your fiance are the important ones. What's the point in inviting guests if you're not going to treat them right?