How to handle the heat at your Italian Wedding
Photo: Alex Gaidashev Photography
‘Hot and sweaty’ - not really the serene vibe you envisaged!
So how do you ensure guests don’t overheat and soak through their shirts before the ceremony has even started. In the height of summer, temperatures in Italy can really soar and as much as we love to focus on ‘what happens if it rains’, we also need to consider the baking heat. Timing is everything so nail these ‘easy-wins’ and avoid melting under the Italian sun.
1. Ceremony time
Make your ceremony later in the day. We know that’s not what many of you want to hear, when you want to fully max out your day but it really is the best thing to do. Have an event the day before and/or after to make sure you get lots of time with your guests so there’s less pressure on the wedding day. By starting later you are also working with better light for the meal, sunset shots and dancing in the dark.
2. Chose a shaded spot for the ceremony
Parasols, hats and fans are all nice touches but people will still be incredibly hot if they are in the direct sunlight. However gorgeous the view is, do not have people sitting out under the blazing sun.
Photo: Maria Bryzhko Photography
3. Welcome drink
Pre ceremony ensure your guests are welcomed with a cold drink. Most caterers include water, sparkling and still in their fee breakdown; additional alcoholic drinks will likely need to be quoted for on top.
Photo: Masseria Salamina
4. Air-con
Air-con is your friend. Make sure the transport you’ve arranged has air-con where possible, especially the bridal car! The majority of venues have air-con as standard, and the ones which don’t tend to be kept cool by the old stone walls it is made from. If the venue states no air-con, it is worth questioning how they manage the temperatures in the rooms which may act as your plan B option, in case of rain.
5. Change of clothes
It is actually custom at an Italian wedding for the bride to have a second dress….and on a hot day it is necessary! For the groom, we recommend having 2/3 spare shirts, underwear and socks to change into after the ceremony and potentially before the evening meal. For the bride, an ideal time to change is before the first dance. However…..do not waste your wedding day in an hour’s long diva moment where a quick change becomes a full on glam session! Firstly, you are missing the moments which matter and secondly, when a bride goes MIOC (missing in outfit change) ahead of the first dance, the guests lose their party energy which has been building over dinner.
7. Food, flies & sweating meats
Discuss with your caterer how they manage the food served at aperitivo and their systems to keep it cold. There is nothing more unappetising than seeing beautiful cold meats and cheeses slowly cook under the hot sun, attracting flies and making it inedible for those guests who might have enjoyed a spritz before hitting the food.
8. Guest Dress code
Avoid numerous texts from guests a couple of months before the wedding asking “what they should wear for the weather”, “do they need a wrap for the evening”, “do they need their shoulders covered if the ceremony is in a church.” We have a quick solution - include this on your wedding website in either a FAQs section or literally under “Dress code”.
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