What to do if there’s a Heatwave on Your Wedding Day

After a blissful few days of sunshine in May, June was unable to make up its mind when it came to the weather – with sun, rain and even a heatwave thrown in for good measure!

With the ever-unpredictable English weather, there’s always a chance that your wedding day could be a scorcher! So, with that in mind, here are a few tips on what to do if there’s a heatwave on your wedding day.

If you’re outside, have access to shade

Sunshine on your wedding day can be a blessing for so many reasons. You can get outside for photos, have an outdoor drinks reception or even have your ceremony outdoors. However, just make sure that for all of the opportunities you give your guests to be outside, you also give them the option to be in the shade or indoors. This is particularly important for children or elderly guests who might struggle to be in the heat for too long.

Stay cool and calm during bridal prep

Staying cool and calm whilst you’re getting ready on the morning of your wedding is always important, but especially if you’re experiencing a heatwave. To help avoid getting too hot, wear loose, breathable clothing (a light bridal robe is perfect), open the windows to keep fresh air flowing, stay hydrated and set up some fans to keep you and your girls cool. Also remember to steam any outfits, including your veil, the day before.

Create a bridal look that will last

If you’re having your makeup done professionally on the morning of your wedding then your makeup artist should be prepared to use long-wear products on you to see you through the warmer weather. However, if you are doing your own makeup on the day, prepare your skin with a good quality primer, and finish your makeup with a long lasting setting spray to make sure that your makeup won’t budge throughout the day. It’s also so important to wear an SPF on your wedding day – you’ll likely spend a lot of time in the sun.

Provide plenty of water for your guests

As lovely as it is to provide free-flowing bubbles and delicious cocktails at your wedding, one of the most common mistakes I see as a wedding planner is couples forgetting to provide enough water. It’s always a good idea to have some water available for your guests both during your drinks reception and before your ceremony whilst your guests are waiting (especially if you are having your ceremony outdoors). If you are looking to ‘pretty’ up your water, put out some Kilner jars of water flavoured with fresh fruits and herbs for guests to help themselves to throughout the day.

If you are having a marquee wedding, make sure you are prepared

Marquees, and in particular clear-roof marquees, can get very hot and stuffy on warm days. It’s best to speak to both your wedding planner and your marquee provider to get advice on how to make sure that your marquee doesn’t get too hot – this could involve things like ventilation systems, draping or even just adjusting the timings of your day slightly. This certainly isn’t a reason to be put off marquee weddings (they are, after all, perfect for the summer) however it is definitely worth making sure you are prepared for the heat so that your guests remain comfortable all day.

Prepare some essentials for touch-ups throughout the day (for both you and your guests)

Setting up some toiletry baskets for your guests is always a lovely touch but it will be particularly well received on warmer days. Deodorant, blotting sheets, water mister sprays and suncream are a few great things to include. And remember to pack yourself a small bag of essentials to stay freshened up throughout the day too. It’s also a nice idea to provide handheld fans, parasols or sunglasses for your guests during the day.

If there’s one thing you’ll never be able to control on your wedding day it’s the weather. You can, however, make sure that you are prepared for any possible extreme weather conditions that might arise. If you’re in the process of planning a summer wedding, I hope these tips help you stay prepared if there is an unexpected heatwave on the day!

To learn more about my wedding planning services, visit the Rachel Dalton Weddings website.

Images by David Wheeler Photography. To view more from this shoot and see the full supplier credits, visit the feature on Rock My Wedding.