Tips for tying the knot while it’s hot

With Summer wedding season in full-swing and the English weather as unpredictable as ever, happy couples across the country may get more than what they bargained for when it comes to wishing for a sunny day.

As temperatures across the UK already reaching highs of 30C and the Met Office predicting even hotter temperatures expected ahead, Samantha Gilchrist, former wedding photographer turned cofounder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, the UK's largest wedding venue collection, gives her expert advice gathered from over 15 years in the industry.

Don't compromise your photography backdrop for finding shade
Your wedding venue is the backdrop to your day and it's important that it is not lost in your photography when avoiding squinting eyes. Work with your venue and photographer in advance to discuss where you will take your couple photos and allow for early evening photographs in the iconic photo areas of your venue that are maybe too bright for the day. Ensure you have someone on hand to bring you water and canapes during your group and couple photos and top you up with suntan lotion as this often gets forgotten about. Nobody needs a sunstroke headache on their wedding day.

Embrace the air-con and move your outdoor ceremony indoors
Do not feel pressured to have your ceremony outdoors when you see the sunshine. Consider your dress or suit and think if you will be too hot to enjoy the moment. Think about your guests, will some be older and struggle? Work with your venue to understand if that area is shaded or exposed to the sun, otherwise make the most of your beautiful venue and move things indoors so you can keep your cool at the top of the aisle.

Ditch the Jackets
If you are intent on an outdoors wedding, maybe ditch the suit jackets and instead opt for braces or waistcoats that the buttonholes can be pinned to and save the men some heat

Offer some cooling favours
If you are worried your guests may struggle in the heat whilst enjoying the grounds of your venue, incorporating some cooling wedding favours can help your guests deal with the soaring temperatures. My favourites include offering paper fans, sun cream, flavoured water dispensers or cooling mist stations or even ditching the ever-popular sweet cart and offer ice cream or ice lollies instead.

Take time out to refresh
Whether it's packing an extra few shirts, arming your Chief Bridesmaid with powder for keeping the shine away or popping some refreshing towels and sprays into your venue toilets, all this can help encourage that moment to refresh to ensure you and your guests are feeling their best.

Samantha adds, "As Brits we tend to naturally worry only about rain on our wedding day, however the scorching sun can to cause a bit of havoc to your day. I've been a part of over 2,000 weddings over the past 15 years and my biggest piece of advice is to think about keeping people shaded, hydrated and well fed so the combination of alcohol and sun doesn't end up in heat stroke. We know our venues inside out and whether it's the secret garden outside at Ravenswood or the giant love swing under the trees at Crowcombe Court, you will not be short of photo moments in the shade."

For further information or to explore The Gilchrist Collection of 11 unique wedding venues across the UK visit gilchristcollection.co.uk