Getting married outside in August. Minimum decor ideas

I definitely recommend a tent and lots of water.

You said that if this was a normal bbq no one would care. That is because I'd be in a shirt, shorts, and flip flops. I'm assuming your guests will be in nicer clothes than that, which tend to get warmer in quicker.

Think of your guests comfort and plan around that.

Before I make any suggestions, do you have a plan for what happens if it rains? It sounds like with no tents, no canopies, etc that you don't have a back-up plan. So never mind it being hot--what if it rains?

Where are you located? What time of day is your wedding?

I've been to outdoor weddings in July in the midwest, which just translates to a hot, sticky mess. Cocktail hour was gross, but by the time dinner was done it had cooled down enough so it wasn't miserable. My advice: LOTS of shade (a tent is a must, sorry) and as many fans as you can get. The last one I went to had giant fans on each side of the tent, which created good circulation. It wasn't bad at all.

Tents, water, and a place to cool off is key!

They have those fans that produce a mist. Those are awesome on a hot summers day!

Five hours in the sun sounds like a long time to me. Does the gazebo provide enough seating and shade for everybody? What time is the ceremony starting?

Sounds uncomfortable to me, honestly. Five hours with no air conditioning is not something that most people would pick, especially if they are all dressed up. Maybe invite guests to come in more casual clothing? And definitely plan for rain.

Hmm, all good points! Thanks!

"I want my guests to be comfortable, but to a certain extent."

Please change this attitude! You want your guests to be comfortable PERIOD. Host your guests properly. A tent is a must.

Honestly, an outdoor wedding can be a very expensive affair (more expensive than all inclusive) because you'll have to bring everything in. Tent, bathrooms (does your location require you to bring in bathrooms or can it handle your guest size?), enough chairs and tables, generator, fans, lighting, etc. All of these things add up. What does your venue have/offer? I'm having an outdoor wedding (larger than yours) and trust me, it's not cheap to rent everything.

And if you're in the States, August can be a miserable month (I've lived in the northeast, south, and west... and August can either be semi-decent/hot/dry to miserable, blazing hot, muggy, summer day depending on where you're located).

Are you for real? Outdoors in August? If it was a regular outdoor bbq, no one in their right mind would ask people to sit out in the sun in nice clothes for hours without an air-conditioned area nearby, lots of shade, and iced drinks. They would also ask people to wear bathing suits or other very casual attire and have a pool nearby or at least some waterguns/ hose for the kids. Listen to your guests because they're right! Not to mention you sweating in a wedding dress and your husband in a suit. Move the wedding to September/ October, or move it indoors. Sorry if you think I'm being harsh, but someone needs to be honest with you.

ETA: "only 5 hours"??!!! If I were a guest, I'd come after ceremony was over, have a drink, and leave. 20 minutes max.

Where are you located? I've been to an all outdoor wedding at a park here in Georgia in September and it was pretty hot but everyone had a good time and stayed the whole night. I also think that had to do with everyone being local and being used to the humidity here. It can be intense. Are your guests local to where you are too?

Also think about elderly guests and guests with small children (if kids are invited) - they will not be able to take the heat.

It looks like she's from McLean, VA. I have no idea where that is or what the climate is like. I would imagine that renting a community hall might end up being cheaper and more comfortable--you could always get your photos done at the park still. Plus, community halls have bathrooms.

I live in Texas and an outdoor wedding in August would be torture for anyone including me. I think it just depends on where you are located.

I can tell you that even in north NJ, outside in August is something no one should plan, not for the ceremony and certainly not for the reception (consider this a PSA).

Think of it this way; it's 90 degrees and humid. Do you voluntarily put on a lot of formal clothes and stand in a park for 20 minutes to 5 hours? No. You run from the air conditioned car to the air conditioned restaurant. So, I have honestly never understood this decision to have stuff outside, ESPECIALLY, when there is a nice, cool room right there------->,.

If you can't do anything else, put some bucks into fans, renting a low key venue. For those of you who have a lovely venue with a cool inside space? Take your photos outside and let your guests look at the landscape from indoors.

In Michigan we can have everything from triple digits to rain in the month of August. We even joke about snow in the summer. Lol.

I'm with everyone else. Your guests' comfort comes first. That means tents, tables, chairs, iced drinks, fans, etc. Maybe let your guests grab a cold drink before the ceremony starts? And have you tried your dress on in any heat? I put mine on the other day to show my grandma and its was about 70* and about 60% humidity inside the house. I was starting to sweat just standing there.

McLean, VA will be hot as hell in August.

If you were "going to a BBQ on a random day," it'd likely be at someone's house. With AC, where people can go inside to escape the heat. They also wouldn't be wearing dress clothes. Like someone else mentioned, have you tried your dress on in the sun in August?! Please, please get some fans and some shade, or consider a nearby indoor space with AC.

Yeah I wouldn't do it. I had a friend attend an outdoor wedding last weekend in North FL. The bride spent thousands on decor, it was beautiful, but the only thing my friend could comment on was how hot and buggy it was. They left early. It really matters. I only know one person who pulled off an August outdoor ceremony. It was at 6:00 in the evening and on the water so it was perfect.

We are having an outdoor ceremony in August (I live in Georgia). However, we are hosting it at 6:30 in the evening right near the water. Is moving your ceremony to the evening possible? As for simple decor, you can maybe decorate an archway and put rose petals in the aisle for the ceremony. For the reception, stick to tablecloths and maybe hydrangeas for your centerpieces - they do well in warm weather. I think a tent is a good idea either way. We are having our ceremony outside, but having our reception inside.

What time is your wedding? You might be able to get away with the heat if your ceremony in the morning before it gets too hot, or closer to evening when it cools down.