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Summer Wedding: 9 Ways to Beat the Heat, Tips from Knots ‘N Such, Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist

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Feature Image by J.P. Lord Photography. Knots ‘N Such, Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist.

Guess what? It’s summer. And in case you haven’t stepped outside in the past few weeks (lucky you), in the Raleigh world that means it’s HOT, complete with that sticky, walking-through-water feel that only a North Carolina summer can bring.  Just wait until you step into all five layers of that gorgeous princess ball gown of a wedding dress!

Everyone loves summer weddings, including me, but in the heat of summer, doing anything outside can be tough and outdoor weddings that much more so. Here are a few things to think about to beat the heat on your big day.

Outdoor Ceremony Entrance

Photography by J Parker Photography

  1. Avoid the heat

This one sounds obvious, but sometimes it’s an easy one to forget. If you know you’re going to get married on a hot day (read any time June thru August), try going for a later or earlier ceremony time to avoid the heat of the day. You may not be able to escape the temperatures for the whole event, but this way you at least won’t have guests sitting for the ceremony, baking in the hot sun at its peak.

  1. Attire

Especially with an outdoor ceremony, take extra time to consider what your wedding party will wear on the day of. Trade the full tux and jacket for a nice vest, bowtie, or suspenders to class up the guys’ outfits without adding undo layers. For the wedding dress, try to pick something light and loose.

  1. Hydrate!

I can’t stress this one enough. Especially if you’re wearing a traditional wedding dress, you are going to be hot, hot, hot. Both you and your new hubby will be up on your feet, bouncing from friend to family member and back again. It will be all you can do to get a bite to eat (a pet peeve of mine—please be sure to get food!), but in hot weather definitely do NOT skimp on water. And don’t pass on water right to the beer. Trust me, you’ll regret it later. This goes for your guests, as well. You know how much quicker a cold beer or glass of wine can go to your head on a hot day. Make sure to have cool, non-alcoholic drinks available—and some cocktail hour snacks wouldn’t hurt, either.

  1. Flowers

Your blooms won’t like the heat any more than you do—and they also need to hydrate. As soon as you can after the ceremony, plop those bouquets in a glass of water. Your florist should take care of the centerpieces or other floral pieces, but just in case have your planner keep on eye on them to maybe top them off with water before dinner if they begin to wilt. (Bonus if your coordinator is also your florist!) What flowers you choose can help save the day, as well.  In-season blooms that don’t have to travel far will last longer, and the hardier summer varieties will stand up to the warmth better than more fragile ones.

  1. Cake or other desserts

Icing also doesn’t hold up well in the heat. While the sweet treats will taste just as delicious with dripping frosting as not, they won’t make for the best pictures, and you’re bound to get extremely sticky if you go for a cake cutting. Have your baker deliver during cocktail hour, so the cake doesn’t stay out long before the cake cutting. You may even want to cut the cake before dinner, so the cake is at its freshest for the pictures.  And then guests don’t have to wait long for dessert.

  1. Protecting guests

If you plan on spending most of the day in the sun, help guests prepare! Have sunscreen available—in cute little baskets or bins—somewhere near the entrance so they can lather up when they get there. If you plan on using metal chairs for the ceremony, invest in covers so no one burns her bottom. Also try to scope out or create shady areas for people to escape, especially during the cocktail hour.

  1. Indoor options

Remember the heat takes the biggest toll on the old and the young. If you have grandparents making the trip, make sure there is somewhere for them to go sit and cool off. If there’s an indoor element to the venue—even if not big enough for the entire party—think about making it available for those who really need it. The same goes for small children.

  1. Think waterpark!

Maybe not quite that extreme, but if temperatures are really getting up there, it might not be a bad idea to get some fans and misters to go on the tent. I heard of a bride who had a fan underneath the head table to blow under her skirt and help her cool off! Or go with the amusement park theme and get everyone those little squirt bottle fans as favors. If the venue has a hose, hook a fan up to the water source and create your own cooling station. Any way that you have to help your guests cool off will go a long way.

  1. Have some fun

Use the heat as a way to introduce some more casual aspects to your wedding. Give your programs a second purpose by having them printed as fans, so your guests can fan themselves during the ceremony.  Have a late-night snack of popsicles (Lunapops, anyone?), and have frozen drinks at the bar.  Ask your caterer to be sure and bring double the amount of water so you don’t run out.

Summer Heat Infographic

Photography by
Joe Payne Photography
Thirteenth Moon Photography
J.P. Lord Photography
Jamie Blow Photography
Azul Photography

Take it from your Raleigh wedding planner, if you have an outdoor wedding in June, July, or August, your chances of having excessive heat are great.  So plan to pamper yourself and your guests to beat the heat!  Be creative, have fun, and stay safe!

XOXO,

Amy

The Importance of Hiring a Wedding Planner, tips from Knots ‘N Such, Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist

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Feature Image by Brian Mullins Photography. Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist.

You have thought about your big day since you were a little girl.  You had that secret wedding board on Pinterest even before you met your fiancé. Then it comes time to plan and pull your vision together, and you are at a loss for words.  Enter a wedding planner, like Knots ‘N Such.

River Ridge Golf Club Ceremony

Photo by Azul Photography

  • Help Establish a Wedding Vision and Stay on Track

One thing that a wedding planner can do for you is to take your vision and realistically craft a wedding experience that is both fantastic and attainable.  They also are a wealth of creative ideas that maybe you have never thought about or even had on your vision board. They are your advocate for your vision and will stand in the gap to make your day’s dream come true.

  • Help Establish and Stay on a Budget

A few weeks ago on the blog, we talked about bride’s with a budget.  A wedding planner can be very helpful in establishing a realistic budget, broken down by categories.  Then being a voice of reason to stay within the confines of that budget.  Before even hiring a wedding planner, I strongly recommend setting aside the fee for a planner to be the voice of vision and the voice of boundaries.

  • Help Establish and Stay on a Schedule

I think back to my wedding day and the biggest thing that caused me stress was establishing a schedule.  Taking your personal schedule and matching that with the vendors you have hired.  A wedding planner will work with you to establish a schedule and be the coordinator on day-of to manage that schedule, so you do not have to be getting your hair done while trying to communicate with the DJ.

  • Help with Vendors, Contracts

Related to the previous point, a wedding planner will be the liaison between the bride and the vendors/contracts.  This will help in the preparation, day of, and post wedding planning.  A voice that is on your side will be able to pull together all the previous categories: your vision, your budget, your schedule, etc.  Trying to do this on your own can be a harrowing task and lead to being stressed on the day of your wedding. And your vendors will thank you for providing someone to keep the day on time and organized. Everyone works better when they know what to expect and have a plan in place.

  • Help Reduce Stress on Day of Wedding from Updos to Exits and Beyond

Speaking of the day of your wedding, a wedding planner will be able to help reduce that stress and anxiety.  This will allow you to get your hair and makeup done in peace while enjoying this time with your bridal party.  They can coordinate the ceremony and reception, so all you have to worry about is showing up, having a great time, and then exiting by the light of sparklers.  One more thing that a wedding planner can do for you is the post reception coordination (for example, making sure the gifts make it into your parent’s car or that the florist’s vases are saved so you don’t have an extra fee).

Reception Arbor Sweetheart Table

Photo By Photographs by Stephanie

In conclusion, today on the blog, we hope that we gave some helpful, practical tips of the benefits of making the first hire for your wedding day to be that of a wedding planner.  If you are looking for a wedding planner, who could also double as your florist, please contact us at Knots ‘N Such today.  We would love be your advocate that makes your dreams come true!

XOXO,

Amy

 

Choosing a Wedding Venue – Tips From Knots ‘N Such, Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist

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Feature Image by Erica Serrano Photography

Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist

 

Drive around the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area, and you will come across some of the most beautiful wedding venues.  Today we are here to help you to choose which of these fantastic spaces fits your wedding and your vision.  Poppy Belle Design, Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist, gives some tips for making this important decision, and helping you craft the wedding of your dreams.

Wedding reception room view

PBD Inhouse Photographer, Brant Daniel Photography

 

  • Know your total event budget and Estimate your guest list

Last blog we talked about that b word – budget.  When choosing your venue, it comes up again as important because your budget will help you determine which venues are realistically feasible for you to use on your wedding day. In this market, the average venue for an average wedding is about 20% of the budget. A wedding planner can help you craft and manage your budget, so it’s wise to get one involved from the very beginning.

Before you contact venues, create your guest list. You need to know how much space you’ll need for 85% of your guest list to sit down for dinner.

River Ridge Golf Club Ceremony

Photo by Azul Photography

  • Talk to a planner and Research venues in the area

A wedding planner, like Knots ‘N Such, can be a tremendous help in casting your vision and finding venues that fit your needs. When making your initial budget, determine if a wedding planner fits into that budget and will help you be satisfied at the end of your day. At the very least,  a month of coordinator is essential and can offer advice even during the planning process.

Also, research the venues in your area, check out their websites to see what they offer.  Research photographers that have been at those venues, so you can see the venue as captured by a camera. Does the venue have photo worthy views and spots that will make your photos beautiful?  If you’re the type of bride that likes organization, create a spreadsheet with contact information and details you can gather from their website.

Bride & Groom at American Tobacco Campus

Thirteenth Moon Photography LLC

  • Find venues that fit your vision of the big day

Are you planning an industrial chic wedding?  A wedding with unique architectural features?  Are you planning ceremony and reception to be in the same space?  I suggest sitting down with your significant other and writing down your must haves, like outdoor spaces or a space the bridal party can stay the night before.  These must haves will help in finding that venue that fits you and your significant other’s wedding vision.

Corner Table and Chandileer

Photographs by Stephanie

  • Find out what’s included and preferred vendors

Each venue is a bit different and has different requirements.  In your planning process, find out what’s required or expected during the wedding time.  Do they provide in-house catering?Do you have to use one of their caterers?  Do they have a list of other vendors they require you choose from because they have a working relationship with them?  Is it an all inclusive type of venue? These sort of factors will play into your decision making.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Casey Rose Photography

The venue is the focal point that puts the wedding vision into motion.  It creates the ambiance, the inspiration, the storyboard of your big day.  Like we said earlier, a wedding planner, can be such a great resource in helping craft your wedding day.  Poppy Belle Design, a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist, would love to help you personalize and customize your wedding, starting with that initial venue decision.  Contact us today!

XOXO,

Amy