Blankets??

I would send out a text or email reminding guests that the ceremony will be held outdoors so please dress warmly and bring a coat. I would also consider renting some outdoor heaters. However, since the ceremony is only 30 minutes it might not be worth the expense. But… guests may arrive early and the ceremony might not start in time, leaving guests outside for a potential hour. Blankets would be a good idea for people who may have forgotten to dress warmly. Maybe do 75? If any are untouched and unused maybe you can return those. Good luck!!!!!

I agree with your FH 😂. If it’ll be in the 30s then guests should be wearing or bringing a jacket with them so then they’ll have that to keep them warm during the ceremony. If you’re generous I would get a dozen or two pashminas from Amazon depending on your guest count.
That was the possibility for our wedding as well. But I thought if I can stand up there for 30 minutes, sleeveless then so can everyone else?

I really think you should consider moving your ceremony indoors. 30s-50s is way too cold to ask people to stand outside for 30 minutes to watch you get married.

View Quoted Comment

We live in Michigan where people are used to the cold - I've been wearing shorts in this weather as do many others. I'm mostly concerned about our older family members. The reception area is completely heated and there will be warm drinks available as well. Moving the ceremony space isn't an option.

View Quoted Comment

What you've mentioned is mostly what I'm worried about. The reception area will be open and heated if people get there too early and are cold, but that's not ideal as the caterers will still be setting things up for cocktail hour. I've been leaning towards getting 75 and returning what isn't used...

View Quoted Comment

I totally get it, I just feel soooo bad 😅. I think I'm leaning towards getting 60-75 and returning what we don't use. I found some for under $4 a piece at Walmart and don't have to buy in sets of 12 or 24 so I can return any number of them.

Lol I also identify as the mom friend (and I'm always cold), so I'd honestly say get enough for everyone. My worry with getting less than that would be if people thought they were favors so everyone took one, then grandma gets there late and there isn't one for her when she's the one who probably needs one most.

I would— that’s cold to be outdoors. I’ve been to plenty of weddings that planned on ceremonies outdoors but moved them inside due to weather conditions, so that’s essentially my expectation — not preparing to bundle up. My only “formal” looking jacket is not a particularly warm one, but it’s the one I wear to almost every event in cool weather, knowing I won’t be outside long and it’s the only way I’ll look “nice” ..:so I’d be taking a blanket !

View Quoted Comment

There's no indoor ceremony space - we've got outside under an awning or outside not under an awning and the awning doesn't really have room for everyone. It's not uncommon here to make sure you bundle up for the weather, but I'm similar to you in only having a lighter "formal" jacket so I had a similar thought. With the way the weather is right now thankfully the high of the day is going to be right around when the ceremony is, so people won't be sitting out in 30 degree weather. I'm definitely leaning towards just getting the blankets and dealing with FH complaining lol.

View Quoted Comment

I was wondering about that as well. It's not really in the budget to get 130ish of them, but I would hate for someone to go without if they actually go over well and a ton of people want them. With us choosing to have a popcorn bar as a late night snack instead of favors I feel like people are more likely to think these were and take one.

Can you do a social media post and/or "phone tree" type thing to get the word out about the ceremony being outside? I don't think you need to purchase 75 blankets. That seems silly to me. Maybe buy 10 for the really old people? But the younger people can toughen it out. That's my opinion.

I will admit I’m on FH’s team 😬


While I usually am “the mom friend”, when it came to our wedding - especially costs - I was like yeah nope 😂
Similar but yet not the same thing: my MIL tried to suggest we buy a bunch of flip flops to give out to people to change into at the reception so “they could be comfortable while dancing”. We put a hard stop to the idea and said people just better be smart about what shoes they wear or bring their own alternative pair. There was no way I was spending money on 150 flip flops when it’s something guests could take care of themselves 😬
Would there be a way you could give the few older guests their blankets before hand? I agree with Paige that I’d be afraid everyone one would snap them up thinking they’re favors and then grandma comes in to find none left.

I would compare the costs of purchasing that many blankets versus renting space heaters. Ideally you could rent some space heaters to keep everybody comfortable. That is really cold for people to be outside for potentially an hour; especially elderly people

I forgot to add, I would check with your vendor to see if they offer outdoor heater rentals. I was surprised to find out ours do, and they are really affordable!

If you go to blanket route, he might want to also consider putting out a basket of hot hands (hand warmers). It can help a lot to warm up your hands when you’re cold!

View Quoted Comment The space is a patio that's completely open and large enough that space heaters would only warm maybe a couple people and wouldn't help a ton if people couldn't huddle around them. They don't offer any heater rentals either 😕. Especially with older family members, who I'm most concerned about, they will be able to hang out in the barn to stay warm if they get there an hour before the ceremony begins. The barn itself is the cocktail hour and reception space and it's completely heated and has AC for summer weddings, so it's not one of the ones where you can see outside through the walls lol. We talked it over and my parents still have some money they wanted us to have for wedding things, so we're going to take that and get blankets for everyone and they can double as favors for whoever wants them. The time of the ceremony is literally going to be the high of the day which has been fluctuating for weeks between 54-59 so I'm not concerned about anyone seriously freezing, I just didn't want to leave people high and dry if they felt chilly!

I totally feel you. You had commented on my post a few days ago with my chilly weather concerns! But I do feel it’s up to your guests to check the weather but if you feel bad you can always send a message out to people

I would let your budget decide this for you. If you can afford to add it to your budget then I think blankets is a good solution as that is very chilly, especially for the older guests.

If you can't afford to add such an expense then I would do a round robin email or whatever to remind guests that it will be cold and that they should wrap up warm (perhaps you could mention that they would be welcome to bring their own blanket if they wish)

Do you not have a backup for rain or something? I also live in a colder climate and am "used to" this weather, but it really isn't cool to ask people to stand outside in formalwear in those temps. I'd still consider another option.

As the hosts, you're responsible for keeping your guests comfortable. That's just basic good hosting. Asking them to spend time outdoors in weather that cold is going against that. I would provide a warmer environment or blankets for everyone. I hope it warms up for you!