Church without Air Conditioning!

cas209

Hi ladies!

I just posted an introduction post below and I already have a question for you.

We reserved a church on a college campus that we both attended (FI for his BS, me for my M.Ed.).  The church is BEAUTIFUL and the location has a lot of special meaning for us. 

There is one little problem... the church has no AC and we're getting married in July.  I have heard that it can get very hot.  One guest at a wedding held there this July said that he had to step out during the ceremony because he was so hot.  I talked to the groom who said it was warm, but not bad.  He said that himself and the groomsmen were sweating in their suits, but that  his wife and the bridesmaids were OK in their dresses.

I don't want my guests to remember it as the 100 degree wedding!  I also don't want anyone fainting.  I have a few ideas of how to make this a little more bearable.

1.  Print the programs on fans.  The groom I talked to said everyone was fanning themselves with their programs anyway, so I might as well design them for that purpose!
2. Have mini water bottles in nice baskets at the entrance (If I can find a way to do this without it looking tacky....)
3.  Have a Catholic service, not Mass (It's shorter)

Any other suggestions?  The ceremony begins at 2:30pm. 

Also, what do you think about the water bottles?  Too tacky?  Be nice!

syddy88

We are having our ceremony outside, and its not very humid here, but we are going to have water for everyone. I think it's a nice gesture, and anyone who thinks its tacky can just be hot, everyone else will appreciate it. Congrats on the engagement!!

Madisonpenny

I like all your ideas, I think I might steal... all of them   we're having an outdoor ceremony and last year during the same date we're planning for we had a 110F and up heatwave and it was incredibly humid so fingers crossed we don't experience that next year.

mrsbunyip

Love all of the ideas mentioned.  We are going to do ceremony program fans as well.  

I have seen water bottles with the bride/groom's names that look very nice.  I don't think it's tacky at all.

littlemoments324

Water bottles are a great idea!!! and the fan programs awesome!!  Are having fans feasable?  Are there windows that can be opened?

I send positive knottie vibes your way that it is a breezy day!!!

MeaganR12

We're doing fan programs as well so I think that's an awesome idea. I think the water bottle concept is great and I'm sure your guests would be very appreciative. I think it possibly could be tacky if not done right, but I think if you can get creative and put a personalized spin on it, it can be really nice. 

The heat factor also kinda depends on what type of wedding you're going for and thus what attire people are wearing. For example, if it's formal and all the male guests are wearing suits and ties they would be much more uncomfortable than if they were wearing something more casual like khaki's and a button down shirt. Does that make sense? Hope so...good luck

ceglare4

I love the water bottle idea! We're getting married outside and it can get VERY humid in Michigan (fingers crossed that isn't the case for us because my hair hates humidity!!), and I'd never thought of providing water bottles. There are lots of places that can personalize the labels too. I think it'd be really cute. Are there any fans in the church that you could use? And even if it is a very hot day, opening any windows that they have would always help.

LADY324

I would 100% have cold water bottles for everyone its more tacky if someone passes out in the church from the heat.  I would discuss your concern with the church see if they can set up rotating fans for you.  Also the fan program is a good idea and also keeping the church ceremony short will also help. 

gossipgirl1983

I passed out in a church once during a wedding without air conditioning! But, I made it to Holy Communion!, so I think your idea about shortening the ceremony is great! 

The wedding I went to had fan programs, and although they're helpful for short bursts of air, I think the most important thing is to stay hydrated, so the water sounds like a GREAT idea! I'd consider half-freezing the water bottles (you don't want the water to be a chunk of ice, but you also don't want it to be boiling hot), which could ruin any labels you put on when they melt, so maybe try a small sticker if you are going that route. 

Some churches might allow you to plug in a few industrial size fans around the church (out of the way where people won't trip, of course). I attended an older church that used to do this for its regular services. 

I don't know your budget, but the little Evian mineral water spray bottles are very helpful, or you could do your own version in little travel sized spray bottles. I wouldn't even buy one per each guest, but maybe one for every 4 guests? Although you might not want people spraying themselves in church, I find this helps me in the heat (and I'm a fainter!) and I would definitely appreciate the gesture at a wedding. 

Also, when people get to your reception (if it's held shortly after your ceremony), consider having iced water with cucumber slices or iced water with chopped mint leaves in the ice (mint actually cools you down!) ready for your guests upon arrival in addition to whatever drinks you are having. You don't want people to get dehydrated!

Maggieaha

You might be able to rent mobile air conditioning units. I'm not sure, but it might be worth looking into.

AllyG303

I second looking into mobile A/C units.  Other than that, I like your ideas. 

lsk40

I would rent the A/c and its not tacky if its hot I think that would be the last thing on your guest minds

cas209

Thanks, ladies!

I will definitely look into mobile AC units.  The church is old (built around 1800-something...) so I'm not sure if the wiring would support something like that, but it's worth investigating!

Thanks!