Are you planning a Florida summer wedding? Summers in Florida aren’t for the faint of heart, but many wedding couples choose to brave the sun and heat and celebrate their unions despite the weather. 

Florida destination weddings and local weddings alike need to account for certain issues that can pop up. You’ll need to take different precautions and have different supplies on hand to make sure that you’re ready.

We’re here to offer some wedding planning tips for Florida locals or anyone who’s looking into beach destination weddings in Florida. Keep reading to learn more. 

Pick a Good Time

Florida is warm and balmy during the summer regardless of the time, but you’ll have the coolest weather in the early morning or an hour and a half before sunset. The hottest weather is around midday, and you also risk a midday thunderstorm. 

For morning weddings, it may be too early for your guests to want to join you. For an elopement, it’s a great choice. You get to see the sunrise and get some beautiful pictures.

If you want to pick a time that’s more acceptable for guests, while still having a daytime wedding, an hour and a half before sunset is often cool enough for people to bear while still offering enough light to enjoy the occasion. This time also allows you to have daylight, sunset, and nighttime photos!

Stay Hydrated

If you’re having a Florida wedding, you need to focus on hydration. You need more than wine and sugary drinks.

Keep water nearby for both the wedding party and the guests. You can use bottled water or you can have a cold water dispenser.

If you want to make sure that your guests can drink while they’re in their seats during the ceremony, but you don’t want the waste from plastic bottles, consider providing small, reusable bottles as wedding favors or asking for bottles when you’re finding catering. 

It’s a good idea to keep Pedialyte or other electrolyte packets nearby as well. You can add them to water for an extra boost of hydration if you’re not feeling well. 

Protect Your Skin

You need to protect your skin from dangerous UV rays during the wedding. 

Everyone at the wedding party should wear sunscreen. If you’re worried about makeup, you can ask your makeup artist about makeup-friendly sunscreen options that don’t have a lot of flashback. Re-apply sunscreen every hour. 

If it’s appropriate, wear a hat after the ceremony if you’re staying outdoors. 

For outdoor beach destination weddings in Florida, you want to make sure that you invest in some kind of covering for your party. Tents are a great choice if you don’t want to be completely enclosed, though you can also look into barns or other unconventional structures. 

Not only do these protect you from the sun, but they’re also great in the event of a summer shower. 

Notice Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Make sure that you keep tabs on yourself and your guests so you can avoid dangerous overheating. If you’re feeling nauseous, clammy, fatigued, or dizzy, get out of the sun and into a cool area. You can place a cool washcloth on the back of your neck and drink cold water as well. 

If a guest or someone in your party faints mid-wedding, it can disrupt the entire night. Keep everyone safe!

Use Cooling Devices

While tents are helpful for keeping yourself out of the sun, it’s also a good idea to invest in some cooling methods for extra protection.

You can rent air conditioners that are made for outdoor events. They provide enough cool air to keep everyone cool and comfortable. You can also try large water misters or handheld fan-mister combinations. These are also great as wedding favors. 

Bring Snacks

Every wedding is exhausting, but hot Florida weddings add a whole new set of challenges. You may experience low blood sugar or weakness during the event. 

Keep easy, handheld snacks nearby for both the party and the guests. Trail mix and granola bars are often enough for a boost of sugar and energy to get you through the wedding until it’s time for the reception. 

Keep Sweat at Bay 

Sweat is inevitable at a Florida wedding. It’s a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get rid of some of it to keep yourself looking fresh. 

For people who wear makeup, cotton pads and oil blotters will be your best friend during the wedding. They shouldn’t remove much of your makeup and you don’t have to rub. You can pat your face to keep your makeup in good condition. 

For people who don’t wear makeup, handkerchiefs are great. They’re easy to keep in a pocket and you can even match them to your party’s wardrobe. 

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Speaking of wardrobes, when you’re planning your wedding, you need to make sure that you dress for the occasion. 

Clearwater Beach weddings aren’t the best fit for someone who wants to wear a large and fluffy ballgown. You’ll get too hot too fast. If you insist on a large dress, consider having a secondary dress for the reception so you can keep cool. 

Aim for lightweight fabrics (like linen) and avoid too many layers. A dress shirt and a vest or suspenders might be better than a suit. 

If you’re having your wedding on the beach itself, you won’t be able to wear your heels. You don’t want to get stuck in the sand or trip. Many people opt for barefoot weddings, but if that isn’t right for you, make sure that you choose flat shoes.