Jersey Shore Summer Outdoor Wedding: Tips for Keeping Guests Cool

by Tara Bard, Contributing Writer

If you're having an outdoor wedding on the beach or in an outdoor location, it's important to consider the health and safety of your guests, musicians, officiant and attendants. The heat can mean health issues, especially for the young and elderly. Here are some ways to make everyone feel comfortable on your wedding day this summer.

Boardwalk refreshments. If you're having an Atlantic City wedding (or a ceremony in another location with a boardwalk) consider hiring one of the boardwalk vendors to provide refreshments at the beginning or end of your ceremony. Water ice and water are popular ways to stay cool. If you aren't having a boardwalk wedding, you should at least have some bottled water nearby for your guests.

Fans as programs. You can make or order a wedding program on a fan. Guests can use the fan programs to keep themselves cool during the ceremony without committing an etiquette faux pas by using a traditional program.

Seek out shade. When you're planning your ceremony location, check to see which areas have the most shade. Head out to your desired location around your ceremony time on a different day within weeks of your date to judge the sun intensity.

Ceremony length. Consider keeping your ceremony to 30 minutes or less barring any special requirements or spiritual obligations. This minimizes the amount of time your guests need to stay out in the hot day. If you can, consider an evening ceremony instead.

With all the fuss over making guests comfortable, it's easy to forget yourself, your intended and your wedding party. Everyone should have refreshments at hand on a hot day, especially water. Hydrated brides and grooms are much less likely to faint or overheat in hot weather.

This post was originally published on Examiner.com