Shade Solutions For Your Wedding: Creative Ways To Stay Cool

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to creating a comfortable space for your guests. If you're looking to host a wedding in your backyard, it's important to consider how you'll keep your guests cool and comfortable, especially during the summer months. Providing shade is crucial to ensuring your guests can enjoy the celebration without the harsh sun ruining their experience. From natural shade options to creative structures, here are some ideas to make your outdoor wedding a success.

Canopies and tents

Tents are a wise investment for any outdoor wedding, protecting you from the weather and providing a blank canvas for decorations. Tents come in various styles, such as white, clear, or colourful, allowing you to choose the best option for your wedding theme. For a unique look, consider a clear-top tent that lets natural light shine through and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. You can decorate the ceiling of a clear-top tent with twinkle lights, ribbons, or drapes to create a magical atmosphere.

When choosing a tent, consider the size and ensure it fits your guest list and venue space. You may also want to leave room for entertainment, such as a live band or a dance floor. Additionally, pay attention to the functionality of the tent by including proper access points for vendors and considering power, lighting, and other necessary amenities.

To make your tent stand out, you can embellish it with florals, greenery, and creative lighting. Add a personal touch with monogrammed accents or choose dramatic uplighting to make a statement. You can also bring the outdoors in by incorporating natural components, such as saplings, branches, or potted plants. For a glamorous touch, integrate soft draping and chandeliers into your tent design.

Whether you choose a canopy or a tent, these structures will provide shade and allow you to get creative with your wedding décor, ensuring a memorable celebration for you and your guests.

Parasols

There are many creative ways to incorporate parasols into your wedding. One way is to give them as gifts to your guests. If you're having an outdoor or garden wedding, parasols can be a thoughtful welcome present. Place them on each guest's seat or in a basket at the back of the aisle for guests to pick up as they find their seats. This way, your guests are free to carry and use them throughout the day. You could also provide parasols at each table to offer shade while your guests enjoy the wedding feast. Choose a design that fits your wedding decor or opt for classic white parasols.

If you're looking for something different, you could have your bridesmaids carry parasols instead of traditional flower bouquets. They will add a dainty charm to your wedding, straight out of a romantic novel. Black parasols are edgy and chic, pink parasols give your wedding photos stunning spots of colour, and lace parasols are perfect for tea party-style weddings.

You can also use parasols as decorations. Use them as centrepieces on long tables, or to shade wedding cakes and cupcakes. Suspending them from the ceiling will create a lovely, light look and give the illusion of a bigger space. You could also scatter them on the lawn for a storybook look or hang them to create a parasol sky ceiling.

Natural shade

Choose a location with trees

The simplest way to achieve natural shade is by selecting a location with a lot of trees. Tall trees with thick leaves and large branches will provide ample shade and a natural, elegant look to your wedding venue.

Plant tall shrubs and fast-growing plants

If your chosen location lacks trees, consider planting tall shrubs and fast-growing plants to create a natural canopy. This option may require some advance planning, but it will create a beautiful, natural setting for your wedding.

Build a simple structure with trees

Another option is to build a simple structure using fast-growing smaller trees. You can create a natural canopy by planting several of these trees close together, providing shade while also blending in with the surrounding environment.

Create a covered deck

If you're looking for an indoor-outdoor vibe, consider a covered deck. You can build a deck around an existing tree, providing shade and also lowering the temperature in the surrounding area.

Strategically place tall plants

Tall plants can also be used to create shade in your yard. Positioning tall, full, and leafy plants like English Ivy and Ferns will provide dappled shade and enhance privacy in your backyard.

By utilising these natural shade options, you can create a beautiful and comfortable setting for your wedding while also protecting your guests from the sun's harmful UV rays.

Ceiling drapes

When choosing ceiling drapes, consider the following:

Fabric

The type of fabric you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your wedding. Popular options include sheer fabrics such as voile, chiffon, tulle, and cheesecloth, which create a soft, romantic, and ethereal atmosphere. These fabrics are often lightweight and airy, enhancing the perceived height of the venue, especially if you have low ceilings. They also allow natural light to filter through, creating a bright and spacious setting.

However, if you want a bolder look, you can opt for premium fabrics like satin or sequined cloth. These fabrics reflect light beautifully and add a touch of glamour to your wedding décor.

Colour

White is a classic choice for wedding ceiling drapes as it goes with any colour scheme and creates a bright, elegant space. Ivory and blush are also popular choices, adding a subtle hint of colour while maintaining a soft, romantic atmosphere. If you want to make a statement, you can opt for bolder colours like dark champagne, silver, gold, or burgundy.

Lighting

To create a truly magical atmosphere, consider incorporating lighting into your ceiling drapes. String lights, fairy lights, or spotlights can be woven through the fabric, adding a sparkling, romantic touch to your décor.

Installation

Maintenance

To keep your ceiling drapes looking their best, regular maintenance is key. Hand wash the fabric with mild detergent and warm water, or use a delicate machine cycle to avoid damage. Hang the fabric to air dry, and use a low-heat iron or steamer to remove any wrinkles and maintain a polished appearance.

Shade sails

When choosing shade sails, it is important to first measure your space to ensure a perfect fit. You should also consider the angle of the sun at different times of the day, as the shade created will shift depending on the sun's orientation.

Frequently asked questions