Arizona-Phoenix

Outdoors in January?

How do you guys feel about an outdoor wedding in January in Phoenix? 

FI and I found a venue we love, but we would be outside for the most part.  Obviously, we would rent heaters and provide hot drinks/food as well as forewarn people to bring a coat on the wedding website.  We want to do a cocktail style reception so people would be up and moving, and the reception would be shorter overall (no 6 hours in the cold!).  We would also have a back up ballroom (in case of rain) that we could maybe utilize if we end up a week out with some sort of major cold front/freak weather.

Does anybody have experience with outdoor heaters?  Do they work well enough to allow our guests to be comfortable for 2 to 3 hours? 

Edit:  I should add that we could go with a mid-day or evening wedding, so if people think it would be too cold after sunset but nice during the day, let me know!  :)

Re: Outdoors in January?

  • edited December 2011
    My wedding is in January and the ceremony and cocktail hour are gonna be outside and the reception is gonna be inside. I don't think you should have a problem with people being cold if you're using heaters and only having a short cocktail reception. It gives people a chance to actually wear the cute dressy jackets and cover-ups that they normally wouldn't be able to wear cuz AZ is too darn hot! Consider which guests might be from out of town too and AZ winters would be warm to them. I don't think you should have a problem at all, but mainly do what you feel would be comfortable for YOU.
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  • edited December 2011
    I would definitely try to keep your outside time to while the sun is up.  It is Arizona, but it does get chilly in the winter.  I think the heaters would be fine as long as you have enough of them and space them out, so that people who are cold can be close to them and people who aren't don't get too hot.  Also remember that in January plants and trees won't be nearly as lush and green as they are in warmer months, so take that into account if that's one of the things you love about your venue.  Good luck!
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  • CellesCelles member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    People come to Arizona from all over the northern US and Canada to experience our winters.  January is arguably the prettiest month of the year.  I think you'll be fine with an outdoor wedding, especially if patio heaters are available and it's scheduled for daylight hours.  (After dark might be pushing it a little tiny bit.  My company rents out Chase Field every year for our Christmas party, and it is cold after dark -- even with heaters.)

    And just so you know I'm putting my money where my mouth is (fingers are?): I'm getting married outdoors in early February.  ;)

    Also -- where the heck have you been?  I miss you on E and SB!

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  • edited December 2011
    So I'm NOT a horrible person for asking my brother to stand outside for 3 hours on a cold day even though I was in his June wedding in a full length ballgown with no complaining?  Because he seems to think I am.  ;)

    Ok, here is my other question:  We were planning on drinks and stations (like mac n cheese, mini burgers etc) plus cake.  Could we pull that off as a lunch thing instead of after dinner?  Honestly, I would prefer something later but if that is pushing it we could probably figure out a lunch time thing.  (But that means we have to give up the video games projected onto the hotel tower during the reception which is my FAVORITE PART.)

    Celles, I was just saying that about you on SB yesterday!  I've been doing a whole lotta lurkin.  Things have either been dead and dull or I come on 6 hours after the good threads.
  • edited December 2011
    Go for it! Our wedding is in Feb, in the evening, we'll have heaters if it's too chilly a few days before. Enjoy the weather!
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  • CellesCelles member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_arizona-phoenix_outdoors-january?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:71Discussion:06244932-7106-47ec-8d79-8966629e7cc6Post:b6e34c0a-1577-4dcb-8e0f-59aa3da7e94b">Re: Outdoors in January?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Celles, I was just saying that about you on SB yesterday!  I've been doing a whole lotta lurkin.  Things have either been dead and dull or I come on 6 hours after the good threads.
    Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]

    Aww, I missed it!  I was crazy busy at work yesterday so I didn't have time to knot, except for a couple of random post and runs here and there.  

    Also... video games projected onto a tower?   So. much. win.
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  • edited December 2011
    Late to the party, but I think that you will be fine outside during the day, but after dark, it is likely to get a bit chilly.  I am an AZ girl, though, and have less tolerance for cold than, say, out of town guests. I picture local guests huddled around heaters and out of town guests acting like it's spring! I would be excited to wear my long pea coat, though, 'cause I don't get to do so very often!

    I also don't think making your brother be outside (in a jacket) in January is any worse than wearing a gown in July. I was in an outdoor August wedding in Scottsdale and it was, um, very hot, to put it nicely. Those were short dresses -- I can't imagine doing that in a long one! My disclaimer is that I'm getting married (indoors) in July, 'cause that's what works best for FI and I.
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  • edited December 2011
    We are doing heaters at our outdoor January wedding :)  However, you ladies really made me think about moving the time more to the afternoon....I really want those sunset pictures though!  Our venue is at the base of Squaw/Piewesta peak :)
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