Keeping guests warm

Unfortunately, I do not have any advice but am following this. I’m getting married in Savannah on 12/4. And have been following the weather as well. Where are you getting married ?


Hopefully the weather will turn for our weddings. 👏🏻

View Quoted Comment We’re getting married in Toccoa!

Can you get heaters and large tents? 30-40's for hours is going to get REALLY cold. Do you have an indoor plan B option? I really hope the weather heats up for you.

What is your Plan B for inclement weather?

I live in Georgia and got married a month ago. I would suggest getting outdoor heaters your guest can stand around when they get really cold and also maybe give out cheap throws. The wonderful thing about Georgia weather is it could warm back up tomorrow.

I’m getting married just outside of athens on Jan. 1st and I am so worried about everyone being cold. We’ll only be outside for the ceremony, but we’re getting blankets and hot hands for our guests. It’s not a lot but It’ll keep them a little warmer!

Honestly, that kind of weather...outdoors for hours, people will be really cold. If you cannot get heaters and a tent, I would assume people will not dress up. They will most likely be wearing pants, gloves, winter coats and hats. I would also leave early. I am not trying to be mean because you cannot control the weather. But, I am being honest. I would not like being outside for hours in that kind of weather. Think about eating, you are literally sitting still for at least an hour. Sorry.

If the temperature is going to be 30-40, you will definitely need to rent a heated tent. That is way too cold to expect guests to be outside for any length of time. And I’m sure you don’t want to spend your reception (or have your wedding photographs) in gloves and a huge coat over your beautiful wedding dress. I would reach out to tent companies ASAP. If tenting is not an option at your venue, I would start searching for an indoor venue. Does your current venue offer an indoor option?

I agree with others who suggest an indoor or heated tent back-up plan. Even temperatures in the 50’s can be very uncomfortable once the sun has gone down and would require guests to wear a coat.

Agreed with heaters and a tent. Blankets might suffice for a brief outdoor ceremony in those temps, but for a whole reception you need a way to warm up the entire environment. I'm from NH (so used to the cold) and 40s/30s is just too cold to be outdoors in for any length of time stationary and not in the appropriate attire. Even my warmest "fancy clothes" would only suffice for a brief amount of time.

I would definitely get heaters and a tent or find an indoor plan b. Even with heaters, you may discover that guests leave sooner than you'd like, so indoors (if at *all* possible) would be better.

Lots of brides and grooms will get those cheap little throw blankets and set them up in a bucket and have some cute little sign that says “keep cozy” or something like that. It might not be much warmth but it’s definitely a cheaper option than renting those portable heaters.

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She's talking about having the whole reception outside though. At the bare minimum you need to keep guests warm and dry. I don't think a fleece blanket will do it over hours.

My sister lives in Alabama and it very rarely gets cold during the fall/winter months but she never ventures outside longer than it takes to get in or out of the car when it does. At minimum if you must have the reception outdoors, renting tents and heaters is mandatory.

Definitely rent heaters, or even buy, this is essential. At the very least, people can huddle near them. A tent will improve heat retention dramatically bc then the heat stays closed in, but heater without tent is better than nothing.


I know you say people know where it is so you hope will dress accordingly, but accordingly for 30s/40s is in jackets, and people won’t expect to need to wear a jacket at an event— I say this as a Been There, Done That guest. I went to a wedding in California and the hosts on several occasions impressed to all us guests “it will be colder than you think !!” …we heard this, registered, I brought a pashmina like scarf to use as a shawl. I thought I was on top of it but I was NOT. It was breezy and gray and damp and everyone was freezing — and many, even though they got the same memo we did, didn’t layer up. Luckily only their ceremony and cocktail hour were outside and we were inside and toasty by the time the sun went down, but we were all running to get inside from the cocktail hour …even that the lowest it got there was maybe mid 50s….point being , don’t count on guests to dress warm enough, as guests will be counting on you to keep them comfortable — keeping warm is not going to be everyone’s main focus when dressing for a party, and 30s/40s require a jacket for comfort

Not sure the size of your wedding or your budget, but perhaps you can shop personal sized blankets (bulk order) on Amazon that they can keep. Find them in your wedding colors.

I agree with others - secure a tent and heaters ASAP.

I clicked reply too soon. I would also update your wedding website with weather information so that they can be as prepared as possible. They probably have outfits picked out already and weren’t thinking about freezing. You may have to accept more casual attire and/or addition of coats or hats. As others have said, without heated tents, people won’t last long outside in that weather. I was at a football game last night in similar weather - I was wearing a hat, mittens, multiple layers, boots and a giant puffer jacket - and my legs were still cold. Tents. Heaters. ASAP.

Great idea!!! It dropped to the 60s here in Miami and I didn't know what to do with myself.

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This. 30s/40s is not acceptable temperature to hold an outdoor event. You at minimum need a heated, covered tent.