Florida Outdoor Wedding Venue Temperature Challenges

Outdoor Wedding Venue temperatures can add challenges for your Florida wedding. Barn wedding venues can help meet many of these challenges in Southwest Florida by providing shade, covered reception areas, fire pits for cooler weather, and lots more.

In 2010, I married my hubby on Little Gasparilla Island near Boca Grande on New Year’s Eve.  Our guests came by boat and were attired in shorts and swim suits.  Other years, we would bundle up in our heavy weather gear to make the trek across the bay to celebrate our anniversary.  Planning an outdoor Florida wedding a year or more out can be …. Stressful.  Outdoor wedding temperature challenges for your Florida wedding include: 

1. Summer Swelter: Florida summers (June to September) are notoriously hot and humid. Temperatures often soar into the high 80s and 90s, with humidity levels making it feel even hotter. Afternoon thunderstorms are also common, which can disrupt your outdoor wedding. Timing is Key: If you’re planning a summer wedding, schedule your ceremony for early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler. At Oaks of Devonaire, our country wedding ceremony site is nestled under towering oaks that provide great shade. Avoid having your ceremony near noon as the midday sun can be brutal. Provide amenities to keep guests comfortable such as:

   – Cooling Stations: Set up fans or misting stations.

   – Refreshments: Offer chilled drinks, such as water, lemonade, or iced tea, and consider light, refreshing bites. Set up hydration stations throughout your venue, especially if your wedding is in the heat of summer. This will encourage guests to stay hydrated and comfortable

   – Dress Code: Suggest lighter fabrics for attire and provide items like parasols or fans to help keep guests cool.

2. Mild Winters: Florida winters (December to February) are generally mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s. However, cold fronts can occasionally sweep through, leading to unexpectedly chilly days in the 50’s, and downright cold (by Florida standards), evenings and nights. For winter weddings, advise guests to dress in layers. While daytime temperatures may be warm, evening temperatures can drop significantly.

3. Transitional Seasons: Spring (March to May) is usually dry, as the rainy season typically starts mid-June, and fall (October to November) can be ideal for outdoor weddings, with pleasant temperatures and lower humidity. However, the weather can still be unpredictable, so it’s wise to have a backup plan.

4. Hurricane Season: Florida’s hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak typically occurring from August to October. During this time, the risk of hurricanes and tropical storms increases significantly. If your wedding date falls within hurricane season, keep the following in mind:

   – Monitor Weather Conditions: Stay informed about weather forecasts leading up to your wedding date. Use reliable weather apps or websites.

   If possible, consider scheduling your wedding during the early or end of hurricane for potentially better weather.

   – Insurance:  We always highly recommend purchasing event insurance that covers cancellation due to severe weather, including hurricanes.  Remember, you will have financial outlays for not only the venue, but for all of your vendors as well.  It does not matter if your wedding is at a rustic barn wedding venue, a country club wedding venue, or a beach wedding, hurricanes affect travel and the ability to host your wedding.

   – Emergency Plan: Have a clear communication plan for guests in case of severe weather. This includes informing them about potential changes to the venue or schedule. 

Choose the Right Venue: Look for venues that offer shaded areas, covered areas, or natural windbreaks. Tents can also provide shade and shelter from unexpected rain or storms, but remember that they can also be challenging during high winds or torrential rainfall.

Consider Seasonal Flowers: Choose flowers that can withstand heat and humidity for summer weddings. For winter weddings, seasonal blooms can help create a beautiful and appropriate ambiance.

We, at Oaks of Devonaire are a locally owned, independent small, family-owned business and offer over eleven years of first-hand experience and expertise at our authentic barn wedding venue.  We can help you choose the perfect weekend to celebrate, and to offer guidance for many details regarding typical weather, setup, timing, and attire that will help take stress away from planning your country wedding.  Reach out to us to schedule your tour today.  https://www.floridabarnweddings.com

Thanks for stopping by out blog! We hope that you will consider hiring a locally owned wedding venue for your big celebration. Locally owned wedding venues provide the best wedding experience, they support the local economy and thy are part of their local community. Choosing a locally owned wedding venue means the world to our small, family-owned wedding venues. In an effort to support locally owned wedding venues we will feature five small business wedding venues in each of our blogs. Find locally owned wedding venues in the wedding venue map on http://weddingvenueowners.com. We support other amazing locally owned venues such as: http://cornerstoneranchevents.com, https://springhausfarm.com https://adlerranch.com, thevenue112.com, and https://vistawestranch.com