There's an outdoor, backyard wedding tomorrow.. Update post #45!

[NotUrsula]

Remember that C.Ann isn't as young as most of the other posters on this board. I think that she has every right to make it a policy to stay out of the heat.

 

[arminnie]

I went to an outdoor wedding in Houston. It was in the evening and at night - but it was still hot and humid. Plus it had rained like crazy earlier so all the ladies' heels sunk into the mud. I watched the bride and her two daughters slowly sink during the ceremony.

The bride had originally planned dinner, but then switched it to plates of appetizers passed around. Most of the guests were expecting a meal. They also ran out of champagne.

The place was empty in less than an hour.

 

[sturdypeasantstock]

I personally wouldn't turn down a wedding (or any other) invitation just because it was outside. I would dress less formally if it were hot (and lose the tie) but wouldn't turn down an invitation or choose not to attend just because it might be hot. To each their own though.

For once I agree with you, lol.

IMHO if the bride and groom invited you they wanted you there.

Maybe C.Ann could have said "I'd love to attend, but I have some health issues with the heat" and they would have made accomodations. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to get tents.

Maybe it was the best they could afford. Weddings are expensive. Personally I think brides and grooms should have simple weddings and save the $ for a house, etc. But to each their own, as FD said.

 

[4nana]

Please take into consideration, many seniors have health issues, and to be outside for any length of time in very hot humid weather could be detrimental to their health.

I think C.Ann made a very wise decision not to gamble with her health issues . No doubt, I probably would have done the same!

 

[C.Ann]

Please take into consideration, many seniors have health issues, and to be outside for any length of time in very hot humid weather could be detrimental to their health.

I think C.Ann made a very wise decision not to gamble with her health issues . No doubt, I probably would have done the same!

Remember that C.Ann isn't as young as most of the other posters on this board. I think that she has every right to make it a policy to stay out of the heat.

Yes - being able to breathe is definitely a consideration when determining if one will attend a wedding or not.. No a/c? Best wishes, a nice gift, and a polite decline.. Obviously those who questioned my turning down the invite way back in the spring aren't aware of just what my health issues are.. (Guess they also aren't aware that I'm not on the computer as often as I used to be - thus my committing the ultimate sin of not updating within hours of the event.. LOL..) Anyhow...

Now - for the update.. The ceremony was beautiful - some very touching moments that had everyone in tears.. It was short and to the point, but it got the job done!

As soon as people sat down to eat, it started to rain - buckets - but at that point there were no thunderstorms, so safety wasn't an issue.. The older folks (this is a second marriage, so parents, aunts & uncles, etc. were in their 70's and 80's) were quickly ushered into the garage (where the food was set up) and made do there.. It was so hot and humid, most everyone else just sat right there in the rain and continued to eat.. LOL.. The kids especially got a big kick out of that.. (The dress code - of shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops turned out to be an excellent choice.. )

The rain stopped - the sun came out - and for awhile there were no weather issues to deal with aside from the terrible humidity and lack of shade.. After about 2 hours the older folks left, but the mostly 30-ish thru 40-ish groups stayed.. They poured water all over each other - put lots of ice cubes down peoples backs - and encouraged the kids to join in on their creative "cooling" methods..

This part is awesome - and I really have to give kudos to the groom for this.. I have more respect for him now than I ever did.. There may not have been tents - or bathrooms - or shade - but he took care of something much more important.. He hired 2 limos - that were available from 8 till midnight.. The first "run" the limos made were to take all of the kids for ice cream (with an adult chaperone along for the ride, of course) and then bring them to their homes or wherever they were going to be dropped off at a sitters house so the parents could stay and party later into the evening.. The chaperone escorted each child to the door to be certain that the arranged sitter was in fact there.. Then - when the limos came back to the site of the wedding ceremony and reception (the bride and grooms house), they were on stand-by to drive anyone home from the party that had been drinking!!!! It didn't matter where they lived - or how long it took to get there - every person who had been drinking was driven home in one of the limos!! (Which were also available the next morning to bring people back to the site of the wedding to pick up their cars..) Now is that the greatest idea or what????? As far as I'm concerned, THE most important issue was covered - not one single person got behind the wheel of a car who had been drinking!!! That bride has gotten herself one totally awesome husband!!

Later on - after the kids had all been brought home and it was getting dark, the partying and dancing continued on.. Then came the really big storm and a huge lightning bolt out of the blue that was so close my DD said it literally made the hairs on the back of peoples necks stand up straight! Everyone scattered - some to the house, some to the garage, and some to the neighbors - but thankfully, no one was hurt.. (DD and her DH hadn't even planned on being there by that time, but my DGD was invited to stay over at the MOH's house with her DD and sitter, so she was treated to the ride in the limo and ice cream as well..) As the storm continued on and didn't appear to be letting up any time soon, the party ended and the limos started bringing home those who had been drinking - while those who had not been drinking drove themselves home..

So I guess the reviews are a mixed bag.. The ceremony was great; the rain wasn't so great; the humidity was very difficult to deal with; bathroom issues were an issue - until a good neighbor opened their home to the guests; the kids had a ball with their limo rides and ice cream; the lightning scared the living daylights out of everyone; and the bride & groom were disappointed that the party had to end so early - but the groom really hit a home run with having the limos on stand-by for safe passage of those who had been drinking (as well as all of the innocent families out on the road that night) - so without even being there, I'd say it was well done - and an event that people will remember for a long time to come..