Here are some tips for a hot outdoor wedding: 

1. Shade. Find some shade. Make some shade. Get under some trees, rent some lawn umbrellas, or offer the elderly some hand-held umbrellas. Don’t face the sun, don’t have the officiate face the sun, and don’t make your guests face the sun. Direct sun will take the celebration out of anyone. 

2. Bring sunscreen.  Is this a wedding or a trip to the beach? If you must have a wedding with anyone facing the sun, make sure ample sunscreen and UV400 sunglasses are available. Fair skinned people can burn in a matter of minutes and suffer for days afterward. 

3. Avoid strenuous activity. Don’t try to do everything the day of the wedding. Set up tables early in the morning or the night before. Get help setting up chairs. (Forget metal chairs period. After ten minutes in the sun they will sear any flesh they come into contact with).  

4. Just add water. Provide lots of ice-cold drinking water at one or more locations. Just like having a guest book attendant stop people for signatures, have someone dispensing water. No, not beer, water! 

5. Evaporative Coolers. Fans sometimes turn hot air into hot air with friction. Misters on fans are like spraying your guests with a garden hose and are noisy enough to drown-out your Ave Maria. Big rental companies rent authentic portable evaporative coolers. Spend the extra few dollars to provide this source of quiet cool air when the dew point is low enough. 

6. Bring a handkerchief. This elegant, and often over-looked item is the perfect complement to any hot-weather wedding ensemble. From the breast pocket of a stylish tuxedo or the hand of the beautiful bride, the discrete patting of a handkerchief can be a relief on one’s face. Hand fans with the wedding program printed on them are becoming popular. 

7. Be Sure. If your antiperspirant doesn’t work cutting the lawn in July, it probably won’t work at your wedding either. Shop around for an upgrade. Since you will be soaked with perspiration during the ceremony and photos, you might also consider bringing at least a change of underclothing for the reception. 

8. Call 9-1-1. If anyone suffers the symptoms of heat exhaustion, don’t wait for the coma. Place cold cloths on wrists and the forehead and get medical attention immediately. 

9. Plan. Make a detailed schedule of the day and try to follow it. Make sure you have time for everything. Don’t add stress and rushing to a hot summer day’s schedule. Stay inside with air-conditioning as long as you can and get back inside frequently as your wedding day goes by. 

10. Plan B. Your minister, DJ or musicians, florist, parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, vocalist, and all your guests are praying you have an indoor Plan B. Can you take the wedding inside?