Will Cold Weather Ruin My Wedding?

I think this is too cold and as a guest I would most likely leave early. I would probably focus more on being cold during the ceremony than on the actual ceremony. Also, keep in mind, while you may plan for a 15-minute ceremony, that is not the actual amount of time your guests are sitting out there. Most guests arrive at least 30 minutes early and then most ceremonies never start on time so the actual time to allot for a guest sitting out there is closer to 45 minutes to 1 hour. Another thing to keep in mind is that the "high" is at the peak of the day when the sun is at its fullest. The rest of the day is either climbing up to that temp or going back down so most of the day will actually be colder than 48. I echo what Mcsckipper said and recommend you start looking into solutions now - whether it be more heaters, tent walls, fire pits, etc. anything you can add to keep your guests warm; otherwise, they will most likely not enjoy themselves and leave early.

I feel like the heaters will keep everyone warm!

THANK YOU!!

This poor bride is probably panicking and I just couldn't hold my tongue when I saw that comment. I agree with you, we have no idea what they are going through and it takes nothing to be a little more gentle in our words!

Again, not being rude. I answered her direct question and said that the way to avoid this was to have the event in a heated building.

View Quoted Comment I’ll take it a step further. If I knew that, I’d dress appropriately. I’d wear a sweater dress and boots instead of a strapless cocktail dress and bare legs. Mid-40’s is not a frozen tundra.

I’d spread the word to guests so they can come prepared. Like someone else said, with heaters and people congregating in the barn for the reception, it will be fine.

Hey!

I am in the exact same predicament and posted on here a few days ago (and believe you may have commented). I freaked out to my fiancé and some of my friends and family and they all told me the same thing. It is going to be okay, people will wear jackets, don’t worry about it etc. I am finally starting to believe them and realized that posting on here just gave me more stress and made me feel like a horrible person for even considering having an event when the weather wouldn’t be a perfect 75 degrees.


The way I see it is the most important people who are there to celebrate your marriage are going to be too excited to care and the people who want to get up in arms can do so quietly so that you never have to know. I understand not disregarding guest feelings and comfort but it seems like you are doing a lot to help with that already.

All in all it’s going to be okay and you will be married so soon!

We're having our ceremony outside in Ohio in December. Reception will be inside, but partially open to the outdoors as well. I figure with how much dancing and the number of people that will be in there that there will be plenty of body heat warming the venue. Good luck!

What type of reception are you having? Appetizers and drinks? Cake and punch? Dinner and cake and drinking and dancing?

To be honest, I wouldn't mind the 15 minute ceremony if I knew I would be going inside after to get warm. A partially enclosed barn doesn't give the best idea of just how enclosed it is. Is it a 3 room building? Will wind be an issue? If there are 4 walls with an open door, heaters may work fine. If there is a whole wall missing, you may need to find a way to block it off or heaters may not accomplish much.

If you can get it up to even the upper 60s, I think you'll be fine. Lower than that, I'd expect at least some people to leave early. I don't think they will hate you, but I do think they will wonder what you were thinking.

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One wedding I went to was in late April and was tented. It was 40 degrees by the end of the night and there were no heaters and the bride was pissed that people were leaving. This was a freakish forecast given the time of year and location, but still-plan ahead and plan for people to leave.

I don't think your guests will be upset. Some may leave early because of the cold thought if you do not have a backup plan. I think providing blankets is a great idea and having heaters is also a great idea. I went to my fiance's sister's wedding last Saturday and it was chilly during the ceremony (she got married at 3pm) andit got colder as the night went on. She got married outside and had the reception in a partially enclosed barn. She had a fire pit outside with supplies for s'mores and I don't think she had heaters (at least I didn't see any). For us, it was only cold by the entrances to the barn. On the dance floor and where everyone was seated was okay. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't freezing cold either. However, we did not have the chance for 30 degree weather. I think we had around 45-50 that night. If you are worried about the cold, I would talk to your venue about the possibly of having the ceremony elsewhere if possible. Most venue's have options available if the weather does not look like it's going to hold up for the ceremony.

You should start by moving your ceremony inside, to start with. All outdoor weddings should have a back-up plan. If you don't have a back-up indoor ceremony location, get married in the reception space with guests seated in their reception seats.

I hope everything worked out for this bride.

How did your wedding go with the weather? Im getting married at a location that has an outdoor and indoor option. I had initially chosen then indoor option, but may change to outdoor because it just looks prettier if its available. But the wedding is in February. Although it will be in Vegas. Still gets chilly.

Let us know how your special day went!

I would suggest hot toddys or warm drinks, and even handwarmers. I've been to several unexpectedly cold weddings, remind your guests that it might be prudent to bring something warm. They are adults and should know to dress accordingly. For my close family friends wedding that was in Tuscany, it got really cold. The sun went down, we had fleece think blankets, some had 2, I brought leggings to wear under my dress, a jacket and a big scarf. Especially being somewhere if it's okay to leave your bag around is especially helpful. For the older guests, put them closer to the heaters, bring extra blankets if you can that might be heavier, I've pawned off my blanket scarves to Grandma's and they were very happy to have some warmth. It's going to be so lovely no matter what the temperature is. Also: dancing warms the soul.

Personally, I prefer the cold over heat. Even then I would a share Sitting outside in weather like this in nice clothes in a partially enclosed space. It’s also flu season and some people may be feeling slightly under the weather. I wouldn’t want to stay very long. :/ you know your crowd better thoogh!

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It was cold but it was PERFECT!! Our friends and family had a great time dancing wrapped up in blankets! Everyone was very supportive and celebrated with us despite the cold weather! Thank you to the ladies on here who were very kind and supportive even though you don’t know me! It meant a lot! Brides remember, it’s your day.. do what you want and in the end you’re marrying the love of your life and that’s ALL that matters!!💛💛💛

View Quoted Comment Wow!!!! This is so beautiful. I'm so glad it turned out! You guys look amazing.