The summer months are by far the most popular time of the year to get married. The only problem is that it can get pretty hot in all your finery. Here are a few tips to stay cool as a cucumber at your hot summer wedding.

Start with yourself.
When you are choosing your wedding gown keep in mind you will be wearing it at the hottest time of the year. You may want to consider a sheath or a gown made mostly of light as air chiffon. The other way to go if you really want a ball gown is to get a hoop to wear under it. This has the advantage of keeping the gown’s skirt from clinging to your legs. You also want to make yourself familiar with body powder and some of the products on the market that are made for athletes like Body Glide. Sorry, but chaffing is real at summer weddings.
One more tip, hair up is cooler than hair down.

Your Wedding Party.
This is especially for the men of the wedding. The less formal in hot weather, the better. If you have your heart set on tuxedos, pay special attention to what they are wearing under their jackets. You might consider some very good looking unusual suspenders so the guys still look festive when they take off those hot jackets.
Another option is to dress all the men in light summer suits. You may have to do a little research but you can rent them just like tuxes.

Your Guests.
If you are having an outdoor ceremony be sure to provide some shade. You can have your ceremony under a big shade tree or a tent. If neither of these will work, you can buy inexpensive paper parasols online. The bonus is these look fab in your photographs.
Make sure that your guests stay hydrated while they wait for your walk down the aisle. You can provide custom labeled bottled water on ice or set up cute a little lemonade bar as they arrive. Save the alcohol for the reception.
Don’t underestimate the power of a hand fan! Have your program printed on cute little paper fans.

Timing is everything.
You can count on about an hour taking photographs. Traditionally this is done between the wedding and the reception. Then you miss your cocktail hour and show up at your reception how, sweaty and frazzled! If you are doing a first look anyway, consider shaking up that traditional schedule and have the majority of your photos taken in the morning before the ceremony when it is a bit cooler. Then take a break to freshen up, cool down and have a bit of refreshment. You will walk down the aisle cool and relaxed and get to the cocktail hour that much quicker!

Let’s eat.
You will probably be planning the menu for your summer wedding in the dead of winter. While heavy sauces and rich ragus may sound good then, don’t do it. Plan a summer menu with fresh, light food. Your guests will thank you.
Pay similar attention to your wedding cake. Some icings handle hot humid wedding better than others. Be sure and tell your cake designer about where you plan to display your cake. Even putting it in front of a large window so you can use the view as a backdrop might be a problem if the sun will be pouring in through it.

Make it pretty.
Work with your florist to choose flowers that will stand up to the heat. You can worry less about the centerpieces, they are in water. Your bouquets and the boutonniere, on the other hand, are spending a lot of time out of water. Have the bouquets delivered in vases of water and take the vases with you so you can keep your bouquet fresh between photographs. They can also be used at the reception to create a pretty display on the head table or escort card table.

Finish big.
As your guests dance the night away, do something fun like have a snow cone machine or an icecream bar set up to keep everyone cool.

Yes, it’s going to be hot at a July or August wedding but if you plan ahead you can still be the coolest bride around no matter what the thermometer says.