Outdoor Fall Wedding...in Minnesota

Girl! I'm getting married next weekend in southern mn and I've been stressing too! The weather report changes hourly and I'm only a week away. Yesterday it said 71 no rain and now it's saying 62 with showers all day. Prepare as much as you can for your guests but in the end people will come out to celebrate and have fun and the weather will take a back seat

Congrats on your wedding next week! At first I was so sure everything was going to be fine but the closer I get, the more I keep watching that ever changing weather prediction! And hearing in my head, over and over, the people who tried to caution me about this decision... nothing we can do this late in the game, I guess, , but it is stressful, lol!

Oh, I'm from MN, hi!

MN weather can be unpredictable for sure! I've been to outdoor weddings in MN in July that were colder than that haha. I think it'll be ok because there isn't usually a lot of rain or snow in October. Hopefully at that time of day you'll get help from the sunshine Good luck!

Your Minnesota guests will know how to dress and the others will figure it out. Three hours in a park in the fall sounds great to me. With the bonfire and blankets your guests will have a great time. Wish I could be there!

Thank you! That is what I am praying for too! So true about MN weather, never know what you will get- one day to the next can be polar opposites!

Only rain plan is moving everything under the small pavillion on site. Rain would also complicate the plans for a bonfire, too.

I'm from Minnesota too and if I were invited to your wedding, knowing it would be outside, I would be able to dress appropriately! And I would be very thankful for the fleece blankets, hot cocoa, and bonfires. It sounds fun and amazing! Don't worry!

OP's guests have the option to attend or not. No one is forcing them to participate. If they feel like @OliviaP then they probably won't come and OP will have her nearest and dearest and heartiest to celebrate with. Sounds fun to me!

Thanks for the feedback, ladies. Half the time I am thinking that we are Minnesotans and know how to handle a little cold, lol. Keep in mind, even in today’s weather of 55, people are running around in capris, jeans and t-shirts! Then the other half of me says, nope, Tish, not gonna work! (Yea, this late in the planning stages, I talk to myself!) only problem is the backup plan would be in my heated garage, or maybe I could see about going to a restaurant?? So much to change in less than 2 weeks though, has anyone have to make venue change so close to the date?

No one knows cold like a Canadian and even we know an outdoor wedding past September is a gamble. You should have had a plan B in place. Just because I’m used to the cold doesn’t mean I want to sit in in it for 30-40 min. And what about your poor bridal party, are you buying them shawls? I would be pissed if I had to stand outside in the cold wearing a strapless gown cause my friend wanted pretty pictures.

Yep, ladies have nice warm shawls to wear

As a Minnesotan I think it will be fine. We're all used to the crazy weather!

I appreciate the feed back, both constructive and positive. It has helped in realizing that it is most likely that my guest are probably in the same boat, some don’t care, some think it will be fun and others are concerned about it.

To be honest, you need a backup plan, or you need to expect people to leave very early.

Coming from northern MN (damn near Canada), I've been to outdoor weddings when its -20. You dress appropriately and stick some booze in your hot chocolate.

When you live in MN, you understand the need to plan multiple outfits and bringing extra layers. Girl, don't listen to these people. Do what you want. People have the same thoughts about if it will rain in the middle of a summer wedding. You do you.

You need to look into renting those tall outdoor heaters that you see at restaurants with outdoor seating (idk if there's a formal term for them). Do that asap.

ETA: For the record, 68 is fine IMO but if it's lower than that, you need something to keep the guests warm. 50s is too cold.

As a fellow Minnesotan I would think most people would dress appropriately and it will be fine! I have been to plenty of "outdoor" gatherings when it's been colder than that and I was fine. Maybe you could rent those portable propane heaters for people warm up with? If it's on the higher end of the 60s you'll definitely be fine! Especially since it's a daytime wedding I think as long as it doesn't rain it won't feel as cold as it says

Without an indoor plan b, definitely get those heaters.

Definitely some heaters, and maybe some camping tents for the elderly with some seats? I have never been to MN, but this would have me worried. Is it too late to rent a nice heated tent? Also are you providing food? I would serve some chili/hot soup too, tomato soup and grilled cheese? This just sounds a little chilly.

Do you have any outdoor heaters and a tent?