Planning an outdoor wedding is an adventure. As you move toward your Arizona-based celebration, it’s important to consider how you’ll lay the foundation for a stress-free day.
In this guide, we’ll tell you how to plan an outdoor wedding, including information on:
Choosing the best time and location
Keeping guests cool and comfortable
Weather-friendly decor and floral choices
Food and beverage considerations for hot weather
Final tips for a stress-free outdoor celebration
Read on to start preparing for your big day.
Plan a Stunning Outdoor Wedding With Modern Moments!
Say “I do” outdoors with a beautiful wedding celebration at Modern Moments. We’ve made comfort and convenience our mission, with complimentary tables and chairs and modern restrooms on-site. Your day-of coordinator will even remove trash so you can enjoy your event to the fullest. Contact our team today to see how you can marry your wedding and the stunning outdoor vistas Arizona has to offer.
Choosing the Best Time and Location
As you begin learning how to plan an outdoor wedding celebration, keep time and location top of mind. Arizona is known for its intense midday heat. Plan around this daily high point by opting for an early morning or sunset ceremony. You may want to consider a fall or spring wedding to take advantage of milder temperatures.
Wedding venues with shaded and covered areas should be at the top of your list. Look for botanical gardens, courtyards with built-in shade, and open-air pavilions that welcome cool breezes while still warding off the sun’s rays.
Keeping Guests Cool and Comfortable
Heat exhaustion is a real concern in Arizona’s sweltering summer months. Keep guests comfortable by partnering with outdoor venues that have misting systems, fans, and air-conditioned tents. Offer ample seating in the shade to ensure your loved ones can rest during the ceremony and reception.
Other tips for keeping cool and comfy during your outdoor Arizona wedding include:
Personalized shade solutions. Opt for practical wedding favors, like custom parasols, wide-brimmed hats trimmed in your wedding colors, and sunglasses emblazoned with your wedding hashtag.
Cooling stations. Have shaded lounge areas stocked with cold towels, fans, and misters.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Everyone should have access to plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. Sports drinks, fruit-infused water, and electrolyte drinks are all smart choices.
Consider your seating. Seating options should be lightweight and breathable. That means avoiding metal chairs and stools.
Weather-Friendly Decor and Floral Choices
It’s important that wedding decor looks beautiful, but it should also be practical during a heat wave.
Select heat-resistant flowers. Sunflowers, roses, and succulents are better able to withstand high temperatures.
Use light and airy fabrics. Light (in color and weight) fabrics like pastel tulle and off-white linen are breathable and less likely to trap heat.
Incorporate cooling elements. Wrap misting fans and pergolas in vines and florals to help them blend in instead of disrupting your carefully planned aesthetic.
Choose heat-resistant lighting. String lights and LED candles set the mood without melting in direct sunlight.
Food and Beverage Considerations for Hot Weather
Your wedding menu should reflect the climate and outdoor setting.
Consider lighter dishes. Entree salads, fruit-based appetizers, and grilled proteins are filling yet refreshing.
Be strategic about desserts. Buttercream frostings and chocolate desserts are prone to melting. Fondant-covered cakes, chilled fruit tarts, and frozen treats served to order are safer bets.
Offer signature cooling cocktails. Mocktails with citrus and mint and heat-friendly frozen margaritas and spritzers will help keep guests cool.
Ensure proper food storage. Meet with your caterer about their plan to keep dishes at safe temperatures.
Final Tips for a Stress-Free Outdoor Celebration
Even with the best planning, your wedding day may bring surprising weather. Plan for Arizona’s temperature shifts by:
Having a backup plan, such as a shaded or indoor ceremony option.
Choose breathable wedding attire and layer if necessary.
Let guests know the wedding is outdoors so they can plan accordingly.
Hire an experienced wedding planner who specializes in the unpredictability of Arizona outdoor weddings.
Make Your Dream Arizona Wedding a Reality
Let Modern Moments help you plan the wedding you’ve always wanted. Our charming and versatile facility offers both indoor and outdoor venues at affordable rates. Take advantage of the Arizona sunshine and host up to 300 guests in an alfresco space ideal for seasonal celebrations. Speak with one of our professional event planning specialists to begin putting together the pieces of your big day.