On any given year as a Washington, DC wedding photographer, I would estimate that I shoot approximately 75% of my weddings between the months of May through September. Anyone who lives on the East Coast can attest to the fact that while the foliage is stunning that time of year (lush greens! blooming trees! blue skies!), it can also be unbearably hot outside. So in this two-part series, I’m sharing tips to make the day more enjoyable for the bride and groom, as well as their guests! 

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
It pretty much goes without saying that wedding days are crazy — they go by in a flash and, let’s be honest, you’re probably celebrating (as you should) and enjoying some champagne! Water is often the last thing on your mind, but I’d encourage you to stay hydrated throughout the day. It will keep your body temperature down because, trust me, the last thing anyone wants is the bride or groom passing out at the altar! Feel free to even ask your BM and MOH to be designated water suppliers throughout the day. 

Stay Outdoors
This may seem counter-intuitive, but hopping from extreme heat to extreme cold can actually make the weather seem worse than it really is. Once you’re outside, I recommend staying outdoors to give your body time to adjust. 9/10, we will be shooting the shade and can take breaks as often as you’d like!  

Break Me Off a Piece of That…
I generally maintain a very fast-paced shooting style to ensure my clients are staying in the moment. On hot days, however, we will slow down a bit and frequently take breaks, so it’s important to work with your photographer/coordinator to account for this additional time. 

Airbrush or Bust!
Professional airbrush makeup for you and your bridesmaids is an absolute must for summer weddings. It’s waterproof, which means it will stay put all day long even if you tend to “glisten” in the heat. Liquid and powder varieties will be diminished before your ceremony even begins. And remember, always dab — never wipe! 

Everybody Put Your Hair In the Air!
Alright brides, if you’re looking for a style that will hold all day, an updo is a must. Anything down will lose volume and fall flat within a few hours of being out in the humidity we suffer here on the East Cost.  I know this is a tough one — especially if you’re like me and never wear your hair up! So if you’re looking for a compromise, see if you can find a stylist who doesn’t mind sticking around post-ceremony to throw your hair up for the rest of the night! I actually did this on my big day and was so happy to have two completely different looks!

Just Between Us Girls…
A little-known secret throughout the wedding photography community is that we almost ALL wear bike shorts under our dresses on wedding days! The reason is two-fold; first, we do lots of squatting and want to maintain our modesty when we drop down to get the shot! But secondly, and more importantly for this post, because it’s AMAZING for that inevitable thigh sweat! I realize not all gowns are accommodating to shorts underneath, but if yours is, I buy THESE from Jockey in nude and swear by them! Goodbye, chafing! 

Part 2 will be hitting the blog next week, so head back to learn a few tips and tricks on how to ensure your guests have an equally wonderful summer wedding experience!