Heatwaves Are Changing Summer Weddings - Here’s How to Plan for One

Heatwaves are becoming a growing concern for couples planning summer weddings in the UK. The sweltering temperatures of 2023 brought record-breaking highs, leaving some venues struggling to cope and forcing couples to get creative with their celebrations.

Brides like Aimie Seale recall the harrowing experience of marrying during a heatwave. “It was just unbearably hot,” she says. “I remember looking at my husband at one point, and he was just dripping with sweat.” To mitigate the issue, her venue set up an emergency marquee to provide shade, while an ice-cream van helped keep guests cool. However, this costly fix added to the already exorbitant average wedding price tag in the UK (£20,000+).

Climate change is not a distant threat; it’s already affecting weddings. According to data from 2015 to 2024, half of those years saw temperatures above 35C – a significant increase from one in ten previously. This shift has severe implications for the wedding industry, which is struggling to adapt.

Venues and suppliers are facing economic hardship due to heatwaves. Michelle Miles, board adviser to the UK Wedding Association and founder of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, warns that “it has affected the industry massively. You’re talking into the thousands [of pounds] for businesses.” The costs are twofold: venues must invest in equipment and energy to keep spaces cool, while also facing reduced profits from decreased alcohol sales and increased water consumption.

Florists like Rebecca from Lilac and Lace Floral Design are also feeling the strain. With peonies and roses – staples of British weddings – seeing their flowering window narrow to just two weeks, suppliers must scramble for alternative blooms or travel further afield, resulting in higher delivery costs (estimated at £200+).

Wedding planners have noticed a shift towards later, cooler destinations, with couples increasingly opting for June and September weddings. However, this trend may not be enough to mitigate the effects of heatwaves.

As temperatures continue to rise, the wedding industry must adapt or risk losing customers. For some, this means rethinking venues entirely. Samantha Bottomley, a wedding planner in France, notes that “Europe has previously been a popular destination for UK couples looking for guaranteed sunshine – but this summer has changed things.” She’s now promoting cooler destinations like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

Venues in the UK are investing in cooling measures to future-proof their businesses. James Matthews, managing director of Xenia Venues, credits their decision to install air-to-air heat pumps with keeping their orangery cool – a costly but necessary measure for adapting to climate change.

Couples planning their 2024 weddings would do well to factor in the heat when making decisions about dates, venues, and attire. With climate change here to stay, it’s time for the wedding industry to acknowledge its role in reducing carbon emissions and investing in sustainable practices.