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Master December 2013

December Outdoor Ceremony (PA)?

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Kate, on March 28, 2013 at 11:19 AM

Posted in Planning 25

Hi! My fiance and I will be getting married at a Golf Club in the Philadelphia area – we attend church regularly so at first we assumed our ceremony would be there. Long story short, we are now doing everything at the Golf Club. The club has a ballroom for the reception and a large open deck off the...

The club has a ballroom for the reception and a large open deck off the back. It would be somewhat long and narrow for 135-150 guests, but we want to look into what it would take to get married on the open deck.

Are we crazy to consider an outdoor ceremony in December? It would be about a 15-20 minute ceremony, we would warn guests ahead of time and we would rent those portable outdoor heaters and have coffee/hot cocoa available. The other consideration is that it is going to be a Friday wedding and it will get dark by 4:30 or so that day and we'd be working from scratch on lighting.

We have the budget for heaters and lighting - I just don't want our guests to hate us. The cocktail hour and reception would be inside (warm!)

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25 Comments

Celia Milton · on March 28, 2013 at 1:46 PM
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No.I had a wedding in South Jersey in late Nov. ande it was so cold that no one paid any attention to the ceremony at all. (Two guys, both in tuxes; they were fine....)

Take pix outside. Don't make your guests sit out there. You do remember Snowtober, right? 2 feet of snow on Halloween weekend a couple of weeks ago?
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Super September 2013
Carole B · on March 28, 2013 at 8:25 PM
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My anniversary is Dec. 4th (1982) it was 70 that day in Philly but it was a fluke. My wedding was indoors. My birthday btw is Dec. 6th. your wedding day. I would not risk having the guests sitting outside for the length of time it takes for even a short ceremony. Those heaters are only good if you're sitting next to one. If you have your heart set on an outdoor service, I wish you luck in having another 70 degree days in December but be prepared for snow too.
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Expert August 2014
Jen A · on March 28, 2013 at 9:14 PM
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I also live in PA and would advise against it. The past few Halloweens here have had snow and I am further south than Philly. It sounds like a good idea (unique for Philly for that time of year) but if I was you all I would do was worry about the weather and if my guests were going to show up and be comfortable.
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Master August 2013
Mrs V (Roe) · on March 28, 2013 at 9:44 PM
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If you want an outdoor ceremony, get married in the summer. Think of your guest's comfort, not how "beautiful" your pictures would be. Or have the ceremony indoors then you and the wedding party go outside to take pics while your guest are warm and cozy sipping on cocktails by the fireplace.
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Beginner December 2021
Aliimarieesmith · on June 9, 2021 at 1:19 PM
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Hi! I posted almost the exact post and I got a bunch of no's from everyone too like we are the only brides that thought of this idea. Some brides have their ceremonies, cocktail hour & reception on a mountain in Colorado in mid winter with 5ft of snow on the ground so I don't see an issue with it. My entire family is from MD & are used to the cold. I am sure that they will know how to dress accordingly and tbh its my wedding not my guests wedding.. if I want it outside, it will be outside. I will provide everything to keep warm and cocktail hour & reception will be inside. I am just curious to see what you ended up doing, if you are still on here.
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