How to Beat the Heat: Summer Wedding Tips for Couples

Planning a Summer Wedding in Missouri? Here’s how to keep cool and celebrate in style at Pebble Creek Farm.

Summer weddings at Pebble Creek Farm in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri are full of natural beauty, golden sunsets, and charming countryside backdrops. But Missouri summers can also bring high temperatures and intense humidity. Don’t worry— we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re exchanging vows beneath the open sky or dancing the night away inside the beautiful, white barn, these expert tips will help you and your guests stay cool, comfortable, and focused on the joy of your big day.

Time Your Ceremony Wisely

Avoid the peak heat of the day by scheduling your outdoor ceremony in the late afternoon or early evening. At Pebble Creek Farm, many couples opt for golden hour ceremonies in the open field or down near the water at our pond ceremony location, where there’s normally a great breeze, to take advantage of both cooler temps and dreamy natural light.

Pro Tip: Allow your guests to come inside the building rather than heading straight to the ceremony site upon their arrival. The venue’s event manager, your day-of coordinator, or your DJ can make an announcement just before the ceremony starts for guests to make their way outside to the ceremony location. This keeps them from spending long periods of time in the heat, allowing them to focus more on the sweet sentiments of your ceremony..

Field Ceremony Location - Photo Credit: PureSonic

Provide Guest Comfort Stations

Pebble Creek Farm’s spacious outdoor areas offer plenty of room for creative guest comfort stations, especially near the patios or ceremony spots.

Offer your guests essentials to beat the heat! Setup a welcome table with items like:

-Personalized hand fans

-Chilled bottle water

-Sunglasses

-Sunscreen

-Cold towels

Don’t forget to encourage your bridal party and vendors to take advantage of the cool down stations as well.

Pro Tip: Pencil in a few cool down breaks within your timeline during the outdoor photos to allow yourselves, your bridal party, and your vendors the chance to cool down, hydrate, and refresh before heading back outside again.

offer frozen and refreshing drink options

Upgrade your cocktail hour with summer-inspired refreshments like:

- Signature frozen cocktail or mocktail

- A lemonade or iced tea drink station

- Infused water station

Our venue team can help you customize a refreshing drink menu perfect for a summer wedding in Ste. Genevieve.

Opt for Heat-friendly attire

Encourage your bridal party and guests to dress for the season. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon, cotton, and linen are breathable and photo-friendly. Groomsmen may consider ditching the jackets or wearing vests instead.

Brides, consider an airy gown with breathable lining, or even an outfit change— and don’t forget about comfortable shoes for walking our scenic property!

Lastly, recommend guests dress for the occasion as well. Go for a garden party dress code, rather than black tie. Guests will be cool and comfortable, which will then lead to a fun evening with a packed dance floor.

Pro-Tip: Don’t forget the hair and make-up! Ask your hairstylist about a humidity proof up-do and a face that stays put from your make-up artist. The pros know all the great hacks that keep you looking photo-ready all day long. Many will even stick around a bit longer for touch-ups after outdoor photos.

Real Couple Morgan and Griffin - Photo Credit: PureSonic

cool down the reception space

Our modern, white barn at Pebble Creek Farm is equipped to help manage the summer heat. We are climate-controlled year-round, and keep things very cool inside. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the heat as an excuse to offer fun desserts and/or late night snacks to keep your guests chill like personalized popsicles, snow cones, and ice cream cart, or ice cream sandwiches.

Private or condensed ceremony

When temperatures rise, consider adjusting the length or structure of your ceremony to keep everyone comfortable. One option couples love at Pebble Creek Farm is exchanging private vows before the official ceremony. This intimate moment— perhaps shared under the shade tree near our swing, or in quiet spot by the pond, complete with cute umbrellas for shielding the sun. Bring your videographer along to capture everything for your full wedding film!

Alternatively, you can condense your ceremony by trimming down the readings, shortening the processional, or moving key moments into the reception space. With the natural beauty of our outdoor venue as your backdrop, a short ceremony can still be meaningful, elegant, and memorable— without overexposing you or your guests to the heat.

have a weather backup plan

While the sun is usually shining in Missouri during the summer, having a plan for rain or extreme heat is key. Pebble Creek Farm offers you the ability to host your ceremony outside, but also has an amazing Plan B option to move your ceremony plans indoors where you’re protected from the elements. The grand picture window backdrop allows you to still have the look and feel of outside in the backdrop of your ceremony photos, but also protects you and your guests from the melting heat.

Indoor Ceremony Option

final thoughts: celebrate the season with confidence

Summer weddings at Pebble Creek Farm are equal parts romantic and memorable— with a little planning, the heat doesn’t have to be a problem. You can certainly embrace it! Keep your guests comfortable, your timeline smart, and your drinks chilled, and your day will be everything you dreamed of, and more!

Planning your summer wedding?

Contact us today to schedule a tour and see how we bring country charm and modern comfort together for your big day!