How hot is too hot?

Knottie03777613 · May 2015

I am having my wedding June 6th (it's so soon!) and right now we are planning on doing it outdoors. I live in Virginia, and the last couple of weeks it has been about 80-85 degrees. We have an indoor option at our venue (thank goodness), but I would really rather not use it if at all possible.

We are getting married on a concrete terrace, so that would make it warmer, but it is also up 8 stories, so there should be a breeze.

I have until the day before the wedding to make a decision because they won't set up the chairs until the morning of the wedding. I am wondering how hot you think is too hot and how we should make the call to move it inside? Did anyone have an outdoor wedding in the heat? I'm lucky I have the option to move it in but I would really rather have it outside with the views!

Maggie0829 · May 2015

I think 85 degrees in VA where it can also be humid as hell is too hot. I am assuming it is just the ceremony that will be outside? And yes, views are wonderful, but none of your guests are going to care about the views as they are sitting there melting and counting down the minutes until they can get back inside.

I would see what the temperature is like the day of your wedding. If they are calling for 80 degree weather then I would move it inside. Views are just not worth being stuck outside in the heat, especially for your GMs who I am assuming aren't wearing t-shirts and shorts. Then consider having some high top tables placed out in the ceremony area instead so that during your reception and cocktail hour people can go outside and take in the views if they so wish (make sure to discuss this with your venue like ASAP so they know what to do if you do make the switch to having your ceremony inside).

Knottie03777613 · May 2015

Yes, it is only the ceremony that will be outside. The reception (dinner/dancing) would all be inside, with access to the terrace during (and cornhole boards, which are definitely not going to be inside!) .

I had not thought of putting high-tops outside, though. I figured people would be playing cornhole/milling around. However that would be a good alternative if we moved the ceremony inside. Thanks for the help!

Maggie0829 · May 2015

Welcome! And now that I know you are having cornhole outside I would definitely do some high tops. If people choose to spend any time outside it is always nice to have a place to put down their drink or clutch or camera or what not so they aren't having to hold it all the time.

southernbelle0915 · May 2015

We got married outside. I think it was mid-high seventies with no humidity. And our outdoor space had a waiting area that was completely shaded. We also provided ice water and fans.

I think you need to consider humidity, shade, and where your guests are from in addition to temp. So 80 degrees with little humidity feels like a nice day (to me). 80 degrees and humid sounds gross. Shade makes things better, obviously. If guests are from the north, 80 might feel hot no matter what. KWIM?

It's a judgment call. Just make sure your wedding vision doesn't cloud your judgment about your guests' comfort.

Knottie03777613 · May 2015

That is all good advice. We are providing ice water. And they can all wait inside until right before the ceremony starts...no need to be sitting out before it starts! I'm not opposed to moving it inside in terms of my "vision" I would just hate to move it inside and have the weather be perfect. My vision is for everyone to have a good time. I just feel like 80 is right on the line between too hot and just right. More than 85 and we would almost certainly move it inside.

Maggie0829 · May 2015

Knottie03777613 said:

That is all good advice. We are providing ice water. And they can all wait inside until right before the ceremony starts...no need to be sitting out before it starts! I'm not opposed to moving it inside in terms of my "vision" I would just hate to move it inside and have the weather be perfect. My vision is for everyone to have a good time. I just feel like 80 is right on the line between too hot and just right. More than 85 and we would almost certainly move it inside.

I agree with the bolded. I think humidity will play a big factor, more so then the actual temperature.

Knottie03777613 · May 2015

That is also a valid point. But harder to judge from a weather report the day before I think...

KatWAG · May 2015

If you are standing outside and sweating (regardless of the exact temp and humidity level) then its too hot.

Maggie0829 · May 2015

Knottie03777613 said:

That is also a valid point. But harder to judge from a weather report the day before I think...

Not really. Just look at your forecast the day before. In VA the average humidity level for June in the afternoon is in the mid to upper 50% range. But if a t-storm is scheduled to roll in at 10pm the night of your wedding then your humidity will be a lot higher. So just check your forecast and go outside at about the same time as your wedding the day before and that is probably exactly what it will feel like on your wedding day.

Knottie03777613 · May 2015

Haha, true. I feel like with humidity it's like obviously 90% humidity is too much, but there's like a weird 60-70% range where I wouldn't know what to do.

That is one good point about the summer in Virginia, though. The weather is relatively consistent from day to day. Unless there's something like a whole day of rain (during which the temperature usually drops a lot) it's pretty consistent. Hopefully that will hold true ina couple weeks...

[Deleted User] · June 2015

Hey married lady, How'd it go?

[Deleted User] · June 2015

Of course you want to take comfort of your guests into consideration. But don't forget about your own comfort and that of your groom. If your groom is wearing a tux and it's in the mid to upper 80's, think of how he will feel wearing a long sleeve shirt, vest, & jacket. He's probably going to be sweating up a storm. And I know for me, I had a satin ballgown and it kept me warm outside in 40 degrees weather. I vote that if it is going to be a day where you are concerned about the heat, move it inside. For no other reason, do you really want the photos of you saying I do showing you and your groom all sweaty? And think of all the photos with the wedding party when they are all hot & sweaty too. Do an indoor ceremony & then go outside for some photos.

mikenberger · June 2015

Erikan73 said:

Of course you want to take comfort of your guests into consideration. But don't forget about your own comfort and that of your groom. If your groom is wearing a tux and it's in the mid to upper 80's, think of how he will feel wearing a long sleeve shirt, vest, & jacket. He's probably going to be sweating up a storm. And I know for me, I had a satin ballgown and it kept me warm outside in 40 degrees weather. I vote that if it is going to be a day where you are concerned about the heat, move it inside. For no other reason, do you really want the photos of you saying I do showing you and your groom all sweaty? And think of all the photos with the wedding party when they are all hot & sweaty too. Do an indoor ceremony & then go outside for some photos.

... she already got married.

Knottie03777613 · June 2015

haha @mikenberger that's okay! It's not bad advice in general. Luckily, it rained three days ahead of our wedding, and the weather COOLED DOWN! We were in the low 80s and there was a nice breeze (maybe a little too much wind whoops!) so we ended up doing it outside. Our spot was shady and the wind helped with the temperature (although it created its own problems!) but overall I think it went well. I don't think anyone was too hot. Really, aside from the wind my wedding was absolutely perfect

We even had the dancing outside on the terrace and everyone got really into it! Yay for rain storms!

beautyofdreams · August 2015

I'm glad the weather worked out in your favor! I am getting married right outside of Baltimore next Summer in August. Right now the weather has been anywhere between 74 and 89. The only way I would move the location is if it is raining. We will have water and fans for everyone. I saw a wedding where they provided parasols for guests. Is this a bad idea? Does this block the view of other guests?

ShesSoCold · August 2015

beautyofdreams said:

I'm glad the weather worked out in your favor! I am getting married right outside of Baltimore next Summer in August. Right now the weather has been anywhere between 74 and 89. The only way I would move the location is if it is raining. We will have water and fans for everyone. I saw a wedding where they provided parasols for guests. Is this a bad idea? Does this block the view of other guests?

Yes, a parasol is a bad idea. Not moving your ceremony when the temperature is 80+ is an even worse idea.

Maggie0829 · August 2015

beautyofdreams said:

I'm glad the weather worked out in your favor! I am getting married right outside of Baltimore next Summer in August. Right now the weather has been anywhere between 74 and 89. The only way I would move the location is if it is raining. We will have water and fans for everyone. I saw a wedding where they provided parasols for guests. Is this a bad idea? Does this block the view of other guests?

As someone who lives right outside of Baltimore, August is hellish hot, not including the "awesome" humidity going on. So even though I could deal with a maybe 10 minute ceremony (remember as a guest I will probably be there 15-20 minutes prior to the ceremony and then I would wait in my car with the AC blasting and then walk to my seat about 5 minutes before go time) I would not be happy to be outside for the entire thing. Fans, water and parasols will not do anything to diminish the heat and humidity. You and your guests will still be sweating your asses off. Hope you enjoy super sweaty wedding pictures.

frenchiekin · August 2015

beautyofdreams said:

I'm glad the weather worked out in your favor! I am getting married right outside of Baltimore next Summer in August. Right now the weather has been anywhere between 74 and 89. The only way I would move the location is if it is raining. We will have water and fans for everyone. I saw a wedding where they provided parasols for guests. Is this a bad idea? Does this block the view of other guests?

We have friends and family in Baltimore/DC and my FI won't even consider visiting them in July and August. Our friends who live in DC got married in August a couple of years ago, and it was HOT AS ALL HELL. Thankfully the entire wedding was indoors in well air conditioned venues. I can't imagine sitting outside in that, just baking in the sun and the humidity.

Not saying you need to just cancel your outdoor plans right now and move them inside, but I do think you need to consider your indoor plan for temperature as well, not just rain. Like, if it's going to be in the 70s with moderate humidity and cloud cover, cool! Have the ceremony outside. Pushing 90, sunny and humid? Fuck no. Your guests (and you!) are going to be miserable. Sweating in dress clothes is one of my least favorite things.

climbingsingle · August 2015

beautyofdreams said:

I'm glad the weather worked out in your favor! I am getting married right outside of Baltimore next Summer in August. Right now the weather has been anywhere between 74 and 89. The only way I would move the location is if it is raining. We will have water and fans for everyone. I saw a wedding where they provided parasols for guests. Is this a bad idea? Does this block the view of other guests?

No no no. It will be way too hot. I live in NY and if I had sit outside in the sun in 80+ degrees in August, I would not be a happy camper. By the time your ceremony is over, I'm a sweaty mess and most of my makeup has melted off my face. Water and fans are not enough.

Listen, it's possible you'll end up with a 75 degree day with low humidity. But you need to be prepared to move things inside if it's above 80 degrees. Your guests' comfort should be your top priority.

justsie · August 2015

I feel like if you are asking yourself this question, it's probably going to be too hot for your guests.

southernbelle0915 · August 2015

beautyofdreams said:
I'm glad the weather worked out in your favor! I am getting married right outside of Baltimore next Summer in August. Right now the weather has been anywhere between 74 and 89. The only way I would move the location is if it is raining. We will have water and fans for everyone. I saw a wedding where they provided parasols for guests. Is this a bad idea? Does this block the view of other guests?

Yes, umbrellas are a bad idea because they are awkward in crowds of people and they block the view.

Your vision may be an outdoor wedding, which is fine, but then you need to plan around the outdoors. 89 is too hot. And 74 with high humidity is too uncomfortable. Rain is not the only thing to consider.

And keep in mind an outdoor wedding is only lovely and fun if people are having fun. No one is having fun if they're sweating in nice clothes and too hot.

beautyofdreams · August 2015

Thanks ladies. It is something I hadn't considered but definitely will! I'll contact the venue to see if there are some other options pending the weather (hot or rain)!

Heffalump · August 2015

southernbelle0915 said:

I'm glad the weather worked out in your favor! I am getting married right outside of Baltimore next Summer in August. Right now the weather has been anywhere between 74 and 89. The only way I would move the location is if it is raining. We will have water and fans for everyone. I saw a wedding where they provided parasols for guests. Is this a bad idea? Does this block the view of other guests?
Yes, umbrellas are a bad idea because they are awkward in crowds of people and they block the view.

Didn't someone recently post her wedding regrets, which included accidentally poking her dad in the eye with an umbrella? Another vote against parasols.

How hot is too hot?

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