Keeping Your Cool: Hot Weather Tips for Celebrants
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
The British weather can be wonderfully unpredictable. One week we're reaching for umbrellas and the next we're standing in full sunshine, wondering why we chose a black outfit!
As celebrants, we spend much of our time outdoors during the warmer months. Whether you're conducting a wedding ceremony in a beautiful garden, leading a memorial in a woodland setting, or supporting a family at a graveside service, hot weather can present some unique challenges.
Here are some simple tips to help you stay comfortable, professional and focused when the temperature rises.
Hydrate Before You're Thirsty
It sounds obvious, but many of us get caught up in preparation and forget to drink enough water.
Start hydrating well before your ceremony, keep a water bottle with you during travel, and take regular sips throughout the day.
By the time you feel thirsty, you're already becoming dehydrated.
Dress for the Weather
Professional doesn't have to mean uncomfortable.
Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics wherever possible. Natural fibres such as cotton, linen and bamboo can help keep you cool while still looking smart and professional.
It's also worth having a "heatwave wardrobe" ready for those unexpectedly hot days.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
A celebrant's skin often receives more sun exposure than we realise.
Apply sunscreen before leaving home, particularly on your face, neck and hands. If appropriate for the setting, sunglasses and a hat can be helpful while waiting for guests to arrive.
Remember that even on cloudy days, UV levels can be surprisingly high.
Think About Your Feet
Long periods of standing in the heat can be exhausting.
Choose comfortable footwear that supports you throughout the day, especially if you're working on grass, uneven ground or at large outdoor venues. Your future self will thank you.
Keep Ceremony Materials Safe
Heat and sunshine can wreak havoc with ceremony scripts.
Consider keeping your script in a folder or clipboard and avoid leaving paperwork in direct sunlight or a hot car.
If you use electronic devices, remember that phones and tablets can overheat surprisingly quickly.
A printed backup is never a bad idea.
Arrive Early and Find Shade
If you're delivering an outdoor ceremony, arrive with enough time to assess the space.
Look for shaded areas where you can wait before the ceremony begins and identify where the sun will be positioned during the service.
This can help you avoid spending 30 minutes squinting directly into bright sunlight while trying to maintain eye contact with your audience.
Support Your Clients and Guests
As celebrants, we're often the calm voice in the room.
If you're conducting an outdoor ceremony, gently remind couples, families or organisers to consider guest comfort. Water stations, parasols, shaded seating and shorter standing periods can make a huge difference, particularly for older guests and young children.
Celebrant Heatwave Hacks
Over the years, celebrants have become incredibly inventive when it comes to staying cool during outdoor ceremonies.
Here are a few tried-and-tested favourites:
• Pop small reusable ice packs into your pockets before a ceremony. They can help keep your body temperature down and are especially useful when you're standing in direct sunshine.
• Keep a portable handheld fan in your celebrant bag. They're lightweight, rechargeable and can provide welcome relief while you're waiting for guests to arrive.
• Store a cooling towel in a cool bag and drape it around your neck between ceremonies.
• Freeze a bottle of water the night before. It will gradually melt throughout the day, giving you cold water for much longer.
• Pack electrolyte sachets to replace lost salts on particularly hot days.
• Keep spare clothing in the car if you're conducting multiple ceremonies or appointments.
• And perhaps the most talked-about celebrant heatwave tip of all... put your underwear in the freezer for a few minutes before getting dressed! It might sound ridiculous, but on those exceptionally hot days, you'll be amazed at how many celebrants swear by it!
NB - warn your family! Mine have been startled by my underwear peering out from the frozen peas.
Create a Summer Survival Kit
A small summer kit can be a lifesaver. Consider keeping the following in your celebrant bag:
• Water bottle
• Portable fan
• Sunscreen
• Cooling wipes
• Electrolyte sachets
• Tissues
• Lip balm
• Plasters
• Small ice packs
• Spare shirt or blouse
It's amazing how often these little items come to the rescue.
Listen to Your Body
Perhaps the most important tip of all.
We are often so focused on supporting others that we forget to look after ourselves. If you're feeling dizzy, lightheaded or unwell, take a moment to stop, cool down and seek help if needed.
Looking after yourself isn't selfish; it's essential.
A Final Thought
The British summer may only last a few days (or occasionally a few hours!), but when the temperatures soar, a little preparation can make all the difference. Whether it's a portable fan, an ice pack in your pocket or a pair of unexpectedly chilled pants, don't be afraid to find what works for you.
After all, if we're encouraging our families, couples and guests to stay comfortable, it's only fair that we look after ourselves too.
A comfortable celebrant is a confident celebrant.
Stay cool, stay hydrated and take care of yourselves this summer.
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