You’re planning an outdoor wedding in the summer, and you can’t think of a better way to marry your best friend. It will be gorgeous with the sun shining, the birds chirping, and the warm summer breeze blowing. Unfortunately, being outside in the summer isn’t always a walk in the park. Here are some things you can do to keep you and your guests safe from the dangers that lurk outside in the summer heat.
Choose the right dress
You’re going to be outside in the heat, so you might want to stay away from heavy fabrics that don’t breath. Stick to materials like chiffon, crepe, cotton, or voile instead of silk. There are more than 7,880 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers across the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. One of them will be able to help you choose or create the perfect dress for your outdoor summer wedding.
Hydrate all day long
You’ve heard people all your life tell you that you have to drink enough water every day, and that’s especially true when you’re in the hot sun for hours at a time. If you don’t keep hydrated, you’re risking dehydration, heat stroke, or heat exhaustion. Americans use more than 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, and you and your guests should definitely be using them at your reception. Set up a hydration station stocked with water bottles; just make sure you recycle at the end of the night.
Pass out sunscreen
Some of your guests might tan really well and aren’t worried about getting a sunburn, but many of your guests are. Plus, even for your guests who love the sun, their skin is in danger of the harmful effects caused by UV sun rays. In fact, it’s estimated that roughly 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Provide sunscreen for your guests so they stay safe, and don’t forget to put some on yourself too.
Try double duty favors
You’re planning on getting favors for your guests to take home, but you want to give them something practical. Why not pull double duty and provide your guests with sunglasses that have a special engraving to commemorate your wedding day? Make sure you get glasses that can absorb and block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays to give your guests the ultimate protection.
Get mini misters
Many brides rent giant misters on their hot wedding days, but those often make your wedding look like a water park and not a lovely day to say “I do.” So, you can crease DIY mini water misters instead. Mini water bottles with a spray top make great misters, and you can leave them under each chair during your ceremony so every guest has one.
Repell the pests
Not only are bugs annoying, but they can also cause serious harm to your guests. Some people are allergic to bees and mosquitos, and ticks are carrying Lyme disease like there’s no tomorrow. So, if you don’t want swarms of bees around you, get your outdoor venue sprayed for pests about a week before your wedding. On the day of, pass out bug spray to your guests and maybe skip on the heavy perfume. Bugs love that stuff.
Light up the night
Unless you plan on your wedding reception ending before the sun goes down, you’re probably going to be partying in the dark. In this case, you should display lanterns or luminaries so your guests can see where they’re going. This can prevent tripping, falling, and other serious injuries from stumbling around in the dark.
In the 1950s, the median age for marriage was 23 for men and 20 for women. In 2004, those numbers jumped to 27 for men and 26 for women. Just as those trends have changed over time, so have weddings in general. If you want to stray from tradition and have an outdoor wedding, that’s awesome! Just make sure you keep these tips in mind to keep your guests safe at all times.
