Planning a summer wedding? Don’t let the heat melt your bridal party’s enthusiasm. For brides and grooms worried about sweaty photos and uncomfortable attendants, here’s how to beat the heat on your big day. We’ll cover smart scheduling to avoid peak temperatures, setting up hydration stations that match your wedding aesthetic, and choosing breathable fabrics that look gorgeous while keeping everyone comfortable.
Choose Strategic Timing for Wedding Activities
Schedule ceremony during cooler evening hours
Nothing’s worse than watching your bridesmaids melt while saying your vows. Evening ceremonies are a game-changer for summer weddings. In East Tennessee the temperature at 6 to 6:30 PM can be 10-15 degrees cooler than at 2 to 3 PM.
Plan outdoor photos during golden hour, not midday heat
Midday sun is brutal. It creates unflattering shadows, makes everyone sweaty, and turns makeup into a melted mess. Golden hour (that magical time just before sunset) isn’t just prettier, it’s way more comfortable.
Your photographer knows this trick well. Schedule those outdoor portraits during the 60-90 minutes before sunset when the light turns everything gorgeous and the temperature drops. Your bridal party will look radiant instead of red-faced and shiny.
Arrange indoor breaks between events
Your bridesmaids and groomsmen need cooling breaks. Period. Build in 30-minute indoor reprieves between ceremony, photos, and reception where everyone can cool down in air conditioning.
These breaks aren’t wasted time, they’re essential recovery moments. Use them for touch-ups, outfit adjustments, or just sitting somewhere cool with cold drinks. Your bridal party will be eternally grateful.
Create a realistic timeline with heat considerations
Summer weddings require padding your timeline. Everything takes longer when it’s hot. People move slower, need more breaks, and travel between venues becomes more taxing.
Add 15-20 minute buffers between activities and photos for cooling breaks before the ceremony. Remember: comfortable bridal party = better photos, more energy for dancing, and friends who don’t secretly hate you by reception time.
Provide Refreshing Hydration Stations
- Set up dedicated water stations with flavored options
Nothing says “I care about my bridal party” quite like a gorgeous hydration station. Skip the boring plastic water bottles and create something Instagram-worthy that also keeps everyone from wilting. Fill glass dispensers with cucumber mint water, strawberry basil infusions, or citrus combinations that look as refreshing as they taste. Position these stations strategically – one in the bridal suite & groom’s quarters, another near ceremony seating, and definitely by the dance floor.
- Offer signature cold beverages before the ceremony
Your guests might be waiting for the signature cocktails at reception, but your bridal party deserves the VIP treatment beforehand. Have trays of iced tea, frosty lemonade, or even champagne with frozen berries circulating while everyone’s getting photos taken. Trust me, your maid of honor will remember this thoughtfulness when she’s standing in the sun during your 30-minute ceremony.
- Include electrolyte drinks for rehydration
Water is great, but electrolyte drinks are wedding day heroes. Between the nervous excitement, summer heat, and maybe last night’s rehearsal dinner wine, your crew needs more than plain H2O. Stock mini-fridges with sports drinks or coconut water. You can even find elegant bottles and remove the labels for a more appropriate wedding look. Your bridesmaids might not think they need these until that moment they absolutely do.
- Use elegant insulated bottles as practical bridesmaids’ gifts
Forget the monogrammed robes that’ll collect dust after your big day. Give your squad insulated water bottles they’ll actually use forever. Choose bottles in your wedding colors, add their names or fun titles like “Bride crew Hydration Manager,” and fill them with their favorite beverages. They’ll appreciate having their own personal supply during the getting-ready chaos and photo sessions.
- Arrange for cold drinks during photo sessions
Photo time is prime dehydration time. You’re stuck smiling in the sun while your photographer captures “just one more” for an hour. Designate someone (a coordinator, or helpful cousin) to bring refreshing drinks to your party during photo sessions. Bonus points if they come with straws that won’t mess up lipstick. Your photographer will thank you too, well-hydrated people look better in photos than those fighting heat exhaustion.
Create Cooling Comfort Zones
- Secure shaded areas
Nothing kills the wedding vibe faster than your bridesmaids melting in the summer heat. Trust me, sweaty makeup and frizzy hair don’t make for great photos! Strategic shade isn’t just practical, it’s a game-changer.
- Have transportation ready to get the bridal party to the designated photo ops, instead of walking to far away areas on the venue
- Find shaded trees to use during photo shoots
- Portable battery-operated fans
- Vintage umbrellas are a great option to have available
Position these shaded retreats near high-traffic areas where your bridal party will spend time waiting or mingling.
- Ensure the bridal suite & groom’s quarters have air conditioning
The getting-ready space can become unbearably hot with multiple people, hot styling tools, and pre-wedding jitters. Before booking your venue, double-check the air conditioning situation, make this a deal-breaker.
Pro tip: Have your coordinator check the temperature an hour before the bridal party arrives. There’s nothing worse than walking into a stuffy room when you’re already nervous!
- Provide personal fans that complement wedding aesthetics
Tiny details make huge differences on hot days. Personal fans aren’t just practical, they can be adorable accessories that double as keepsakes.
Some stylish options:
- Monogrammed folding fans in your wedding colors
- Battery-operated mini handheld fans for each attendant
- Vintage-inspired paper fans with your wedding date printed on them
The best part? These can coordinate perfectly with your overall design while keeping everyone comfortable during outdoor portions of your day.
- Set up Porta-cools in the venue for quick cool-downs
When temperatures soar, sometimes you need something stronger than a handheld fan. Porta-cools (portable evaporative coolers) create cooling zones that drop temperatures by up to 20 degrees!
Place these stations:
- At the waiting or meeting area for the bridal party during line up
- At cocktail hour locations
- By dance floor edges for quick refresh breaks
Unlike noisy air conditioners, these blend into the background while creating pockets of blessed relief. Your dance-loving friends will appreciate having somewhere to cool off between songs without needing to leave the party.
Remember — comfortable guests stay longer and enjoy themselves more. That investment in cooling comfort pays off in celebration energy!
Select Heat-Friendly Attire and Accessories
- Choose breathable fabrics for bridesmaids’ dresses
Summer heat and formal wear? That’s a recipe for miserable bridesmaids. Fabric choice makes all the difference between a bridal party that’s glowing or just plain sweating.
Opt for natural fabrics that let skin breathe. Cotton, linen, and chiffon are your best friends here. Silk can work too, but be careful with heavier silks that trap heat.
Some top choices for summer bridesmaid dresses:
- Lightweight chiffon (floaty and catches the breeze)
- Cotton voile (soft and incredibly breathable)
- Organza (airy with a bit more structure)
- Thin crepe (elegant drape without the weight)
Avoid polyester, heavy satin, and thick taffeta at all costs! They’re basically wearable saunas.
Color matters too. Darker shades absorb heat, while lighter colors reflect it. Pastels and neutrals aren’t just pretty for summer weddings, they’re practical.
- Offer lighter fabric options for groomsmen
The guys suffer in summer too! Traditional suits and tuxes can be torture in high temperatures.
Switch to lightweight wool (yes, it exists!) or linen-cotton blends that breathe while still looking sharp. Tropical weight wool is specifically designed for hot weather and wrinkles less than pure linen.
Consider ditching the full three-piece look. Options that work great:
- Vest-optional arrangements
- Suspenders instead of jackets for a casual-but-polished vibe
- Lighter colored suits (tan, light gray, pale blue)
- Rolled-up sleeves for reception time
Don’t forget about shirts! A lightweight cotton poplin or even a linen-blend shirt makes a massive difference under a jacket.
- Provide elegant paper fans that double as favors
Paper fans are wedding magic, they’re decorative, functional, and make for perfect keepsakes.
Personalize them with your wedding details, a thank you message, or even your wedding program printed right on them. Guests will actually use these favors!
Some fan options to consider:
- Folding paper fans in your wedding colors
- Paddle-style fans with wooden handles
- Sandalwood fans (they smell amazing!)
- Vintage-inspired lace designs
Place them on ceremony chairs before guests arrive, or have ushers distribute them. Your bridal party will especially appreciate having them during outdoor photos when they’re standing in the sun.
- Include cooling accessories in bridal party kits
Create emergency cool-down kits for your squad! These thoughtful packages show you care about their comfort.
Pack small gift bags with:
- Mini portable fans (battery-operated or USB rechargeable)
- Cooling towels that activate when wet
- Refreshing face mists (rose water or mint-infused)
- Blotting papers to control shine
- Individual packets of electrolyte powder to add to water
- Cooling gel eye masks (perfect for pre-ceremony relaxation)
Stash these in the bridal suite & groom’s quarters, have extras available throughout the day. Your photographer will thank you for fewer shiny faces in photos!
- Consider outfit changes for different parts of the day
The ceremony might call for formality, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs to roast all day long.
Plan strategic outfit transitions:
- Start formal for the ceremony
- Switch to lighter options for the reception
- Consider completely different looks for after-party festivities
For bridesmaids, maybe the formal dress transforms, detachable skirts or overlays that come off to reveal simpler dresses underneath. For groomsmen, perhaps jacket-required for ceremony but optional afterward.
Some brides even provide cute matching button-ups or robes for bridesmaids to change into during the reception dancing. The photos are adorable, and everyone stays comfortable!
Incorporate Heat-Relief Into Your Wedding Design
- Distribute cooling towels in wedding colors
The summer sun can be brutal on your bridal party. They’re standing there in full attire, smiling through the sweat. Want to be the coolest bride ever? Get some cooling towels that match your wedding colors!
These babies are game-changers. Just soak them in cold water, wring them out, and snap them a few times. Boom – instant relief that lasts for hours. The best part? They’re not expensive at all.
You can bundle them up with cute personalized tags or place them in elegant baskets near the ceremony site. Your photographer will thank you too – no more shiny, red-faced wedding party photos!
- Arrange for frozen treats between ceremony and reception
That gap between saying “I do” and hitting the dance floor? Perfect time for a cooling surprise. Imagine your bridal party’s delight when the ice cream truck rolls up!
You’ve got options:
- Custom popsicles in your wedding flavors
- Boozy snow cones for the adults
- Italian ice stations
- Frozen fruit skewers that won’t stain
Your guests will be raving about this thoughtful touch for years. Plus, it creates a fun, candid photo opportunity – the maid of honor with a strawberry popsicle matching her lipstick? Priceless.
- Provide stylish sunglasses for outdoor portions
The squint is not a good look in photos. And that killer eye makeup your bridesmaids paid for? Gone in a flash under harsh sunlight.
Solve both problems with curated sunglasses. Get matching pairs for the bridesmaids and different ones for groomsmen. Or go wild with custom options featuring your names and wedding date.
Display them on a vintage cart or hanging from a custom frame with a cute sign: “Don’t be blinded by our love” or “Our future’s so bright…”
Bonus tip: Test them in photos beforehand. Some cheap pairs create weird reflections that will haunt your wedding album forever.
Conclusion
Summer weddings are beautiful, but keeping your bridal party comfortable in the heat requires thoughtful planning. By strategically timing your wedding activities, setting up hydration stations with refreshing beverages, creating shaded comfort zones, selecting breathable attire, and incorporating cooling elements into your wedding design, you can ensure everyone stays cool and happy throughout your special day.
Remember, a comfortable bridal party means better photos, more enjoyment, and lasting positive memories of your celebration. Take these preventative steps before the big day arrives, and you’ll be able to focus on what truly matters, celebrating your love surrounded by comfortable, present, and joyful loved ones.
Happy Wedding Day,
Sheila
5428 Salem Church Rd.
Knoxville, Tn 37938
Photo by: Vowed and Vintage