Beat the Heat. Ten Tips for Summer Brides

When you marry in the South in the summertime, you might have to contend with high temps and unexpected showers. Still, summer weddings in New Orleans are still better than summer weddings anywhere else! The food, the music, the traditions…. they all make up for it. Here are ten tips for dealing with the heat:

1. Choose a venue with a balcony, terrace, courtyard or garden along with access to an air-conditioned space. As long as your guests can escape to air-conditioning or duck in if you get a little rain, they’ll be happy.
    
2. Rent A/C units and provide cooling gadgets. Get little fans customized with your name and wedding date.
    
3. Watch those metal chairs if you have outside seating. Arrange for chair cushions or slip covers.
    
4. Choose wedding apparel made of cool fabrics and consider forgoing the veil and train.
    
5. Hire a hairdresser for your wedding party who understands New Orleans weather. Choose sleeker, pulled back styles over curls and up-dos. Also, you might want to think twice about putting flowers in your hair. They tend to wilt in super-hot weather.
    
6. Speaking of flowers, hire a florist who knows which varieties can withstand the heat and which can’t. Make sure they plan to transport your flowers with care and keep them in water or under refrigeration as long as possible.
    
7. You know those second-line handkerchiefs? They’re great for blotting foreheads and sweaty upper lips. Have a supply made up with your names and wedding date and let your guests have access. It worked for Louis Armstrong, it will work for you.
    
8. Choose a summer menu that’s more cold Gulf Coast seafood and less pasta in heavy cream sauce, and make sure everything is covered if served outside.
    
9. Add lots of fun and refreshing New Orleans cocktail options to the bar menu and consider a snoball station for kids of all ages.
    
10. As far as the cake goes, flies, gnats and mosquitos like frosting so keep it refrigerated for most of the reception then have it wheeled out when it’s time to cut.

Read: Best Months to Get Married in New Orleans