Planning for Sun, Heat and Rain on Your Wedding Day

One of the reasons so many couples choose to get married in the South of France is, quite simply, the weather.

The long summer evenings, outdoor dinners and beautiful golden light are part of what makes weddings here so special.

But if you’re planning a destination wedding in France, it’s worth remembering that beautiful weather doesn’t always mean comfortable weather.

The South of France can get very hot during wedding season. Even on days that look absolutely perfect in photos, guests may be dealing with heat, bright sunlight and temperatures they’re simply not used to.

The goal of this article isn’t to make you worry about the weather.

It’s simply to help you prepare for it.

Summer in the South of France Can Be Hot. Really Hot.

If you’re travelling from the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, North America or other cooler climates, it’s easy to underestimate how warm summer weddings can be here.

Temperatures above 30-35°C are common.

Sometimes much higher.

This doesn’t mean you should avoid outdoor ceremonies or cocktail hours.

It simply means it’s worth thinking ahead.

Because while sunshine looks lovely, people who are too hot tend to:

• sweat
• squint
• look uncomfortable
• get tired more quickly
• spend most of cocktail hour searching for shade

And unfortunately, no photographer has discovered a magical way of preventing shiny foreheads in 38°C heat.

Think About Guest Comfort

One of the best things you can do for both your guests and your photographs is to help people stay comfortable.

Comfortable people smile more.
Relax more.
And generally enjoy themselves more.

A few simple ideas include:

• paper fans
• handheld electric fans
• parasols or paper umbrellas
• shaded seating areas
• water stations
• cold drinks available before the ceremony
• sunscreen baskets
• ceremony programmes that double as fans

None of these are essential.

But they’re often very appreciated.

Especially by grandparents, children and guests who have travelled from cooler countries.

Shade Is Your Friend

Many couples dream of a sunny outdoor ceremony.

And honestly, sunny ceremonies can be beautiful.

But whenever possible, I recommend thinking about where the sun will actually be during the ceremony.

A ceremony at 3pm in direct sunlight feels very different from a ceremony at 6pm under the shade of large trees.

If your venue offers:

• trees
• pergolas
• covered terraces
• shaded courtyards

it’s worth considering how those spaces might be used throughout the day.

Don’t Forget About Rain

Even in the South of France.

Most summers are dry, but rain absolutely happens.

And when it does, it tends to arrive exactly when nobody wants it to.

Having a simple backup plan in place can remove a lot of stress.

One thing I always recommend is investing in proper transparent umbrellas.

Why transparent?

Because they:

• allow light through
• keep faces visible
• look much cleaner in photographs
• work for everyone

If possible, try to have enough for guests too rather than only for yourselves.

Future-you will be grateful.

A Few Things Worth Adding to Your Weather Checklist

For Hot Weather

• paper fans
• handheld electric fans
• parasols
• extra water
• sunscreen
• shaded ceremony seating
• shaded cocktail hour areas

For Rain

• transparent umbrellas
• a backup ceremony location
• towels
• somewhere dry for guests to gather

For Both

• checking the forecast regularly during the final week
• discussing contingency plans with your planner or venue
• communicating any weather-related updates to guests

The Goal Isn’t Perfect Weather

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that weddings rarely become memorable because the weather was perfect.

They’re memorable because people had a good time.

A little rain won’t ruin a wedding.

Neither will a very hot day.

The key is simply being prepared enough that neither becomes a major source of stress.

A few thoughtful details can make a huge difference to how comfortable everyone feels and how much they’re able to enjoy the day.

And when people are comfortable and relaxed, the photographs tend to reflect that too.

Continue Reading

Now that you’ve thought about the practical side of the weather, let’s talk about another topic that often comes up during destination weddings in France: phone-free ceremonies and how to decide whether they’re right for you.

→ READ NEXT: Phone-Free Wedding Ceremonies: Is It Right for You?

There’s a lot to think about when organising a wedding in another country. My job isn’t just to show up with a camera on the day, but to help you feel prepared and supported in the months leading up to it too.