How To Keep Your Summer Wedding Cool

A dreamy summer wedding? Yes, please. Sweltering heat and sweaty guests? Not so much. With record-breaking temperatures becoming the new norm, it’s worth thinking ahead so the sunshine adds to the joy, rather than turning your big day into a meltdown (literally).

Here are our favourite easy, thoughtful tips to keep everyone happy, hydrated, and heatwave-ready on your summer wedding day.

1. Keep Everyone Hydrated

This one’s at the top for a reason. Make it easy for your guests to stay topped up with water throughout the day, especially if your ceremony is outdoors.

A bottle of chilled water on each seat is a lovely touch, and drink stations dotted around your venue with iced water, soft drinks, or even mocktails will go down a treat. Pop some jugs on the tables too, to keep things flowing alongside the fizz.

2. Don’t Be Blinded by Love… or the Sun

Nobody wants a wedding album full of squinty faces. Sunglasses as favours are a fun and practical idea, and they make brilliant photo props too. Go for bold colours or personalise them with your wedding date, either way, your guests will love them (and so will your photographer!).

3. Sun Cream Stations

Tiny touches like baskets of sunscreen scattered around your venue show your guests you’ve thought of everything. Add after-sun minis as favours or put together a little “sun care” table. It’s thoughtful, practical, and shows a whole lot of love.

4. Ice Cream, Anyone?

Booking a vintage ice cream van (like the ever-popular JB Ices!) is a sure-fire way to keep guests cool and smiling. It's nostalgic, sweet, and makes for the kind of photos you’ll treasure forever. Plus it’s delicious. Enough said.

5. Seek the Shade

Create shady little sanctuaries across your venue, parasols, umbrellas, covered drinks areas, or even a tipi-style chill-out space. Let guests choose between basking in the sun or ducking away for a cooler moment. It’s all about balance.

6. A Breath of Fresh Air

Mini handheld fans or paper fans make brilliant, inexpensive favours and really do make a difference. If you’re indoors for any part of the day, consider hiring portable air con units, your guests will thank you later.

7. Dress Cool (Literally)

From your outfits to your guests', the dress code sets the tone. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are a must, and layering pieces mean you can stay cool in the day and warm up come evening. Give your guests permission to ditch the formality, it’s your day, your way.

8. Your Wedding Dress

If you’re shopping with summer in mind, choose a dress that’s light and breathable. Keep in mind that veils and long trains can feel heavy when the sun’s beating down. You want to feel free, not flustered.

9. What About the Groom?

Grooms and groomsmen don’t have to roast in a three-piece suit. Think linen shirts, tailored shorts, or a casual two-piece in a breathable fabric. Summer weddings are the perfect excuse to bend the rules and keep things fresh.

10. Mind the Metal

If your ceremony seating includes metal chairs, do your guests a favour and add covers or cushions. Hot metal in the midday sun? No thanks.

11. Summer-Ready Hairstyles

Big, bouncy styles can wilt fast in the heat. Elegant low buns, textured ponytails, or soft chignons hold up beautifully and still look super chic. Bonus: they’re breeze-proof and dancefloor ready.

12. Flower Crowns—Yes or No?

We love a flower crown, but they can suffer in the heat. If it’s going to be a scorcher, opt for something a little more heat-friendly, like a headband, hair vine or delicate tiara. You’ll stay picture-perfect, all day long.

13. Keep Those Florals Fresh

Pop bouquets in water whenever they’re not in use, and give centerpieces a helping hand with soaked oasis or fresh vases. Spritz indoor arrangements to keep them perky, but skip this step outside (sun + water = scorched petals).

14. Chill the Toss Bouquet

If you’ve planned a separate bouquet for tossing, ask your venue to pop it in the fridge until you’re ready for the big moment. Fresh flowers = prettier photos and no wilting!

15. Outdoor Photos

Try to avoid portraits in the midday heat. Instead, go for golden hour, later in the day, when the light is dreamy, the air is cooler, and everyone’s feeling a little more relaxed. If you're storing your flowers between photos, keep them somewhere cool so they stay photo-ready.

16. The Cake

Melting tiers? We've seen it happen. Keep your cake somewhere cool until it's time to cut. If you’re having a buttercream or semi-naked finish, talk to your baker about the best display options for summer.

17. Paddling Pools for Grown-Ups

Yes, really. A little shaded paddling pool for tired feet can be a game-changer, especially if you’ve got kids or plan on dancing the night away. Think of it as a wedding day spa moment, barefoot bliss!

With a little planning, your summer wedding can be the sunshine-filled celebration of dreams, minus the heat stress.

Keep it cool, keep it thoughtful, and most importantly… enjoy every second.

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