How to Prepare for a Woodland Wedding in a Heatwave

What to Expect and How to Prepare for Your Woodland Wedding at The Woods at Oakley During a Heatwave

Woodland weddings are enchanting, romantic and deeply connected to nature—and few venues capture that magic quite like The Woods at Oakley. Nestled amongst the trees outside Salisbury in Wiltshire, UK, our unique and exclusive woodland wedding venue offers couples the chance to exchange their legal vows surrounded by whispering leaves, dappled sunlight, and the soothing sounds of nature. But, as any British summer has taught us, weather is unpredictable, and as we adjust to soaring summer temperatures and more frequent heatwaves in the UK, couples now need to be prepared for the possibility of an extremely hot wedding day!

If you’re planning or attending a wedding at The Woods at Oakley during high temperatures, preparation is key. With the right mindset and practical tips, you can ensure the day remains as magical as intended, even under the blazing sun. This guide will walk you through what to expect and how to prepare for a woodland wedding in a heatwave, covering everything from attire and hydration to guest comfort and photography.

How Can We Prepare for Our Woodland Wedding in a Heatwave?

We always advise our couples to have a ‘wet weather plan’ (blog pending on this topic…) but it’s now equally as important to have a ‘hot weather plan’ so you are prepared for the eventuality of extremely hot weather on your wedding day. The below points will help you feel ready to embrace the heat!

1. Cover

Luckily, our beautiful woodland gives you and your guests a lot of natural cover which will help keep everyone cooler. The natural canopy of trees over the Hazel Bower ceremony area will protect you and your guests, but you may want to consider providing parasols, or asking guests to bring parasols with them, for extra protection. Check out Dea and Stu’s wedding on our Instagram here to see the canopy of trees in our ceremony area (and to get some extra woodland wedding inspiration!).

In our reception area, the Bluebell Glade, it’s important to have a stretch canvas or marquee that can protect everyone come rain or shine. We provide a stretch canvas for up to 50 guests in our Weekday and Weekend Wooding packages, but if you have bigger numbers you will need to bring in a larger structure so you and your guests can celebrate comfortably in the shade. We have several companies we can recommend for this – take a look at our ‘Friends of the Woods at Oakley’ brochure here.  Whatever structure you choose, keep the sides up to allow a breeze through – this will help keep it cool under cover.

2. Guest Comfort Stations

Provide covered rest areas under your stretch canvas with paper fans and plenty of seating. You could even have personalised paper fans or small sun cream bottles as wedding favours for your guests! A hydration station (think glass dispensers filled with fruit-infused water, iced tea, or elderflower cordial) is a must – make sure you have someone responsible for keeping it topped up and consider asking your catering staff to bring drinks to your guests as they relax in shady spots.

As we are an animal friendly wedding venue, if you have guests bringing dogs, do make sure there is accessible drinking water for them too (all of our water is pure spring water from the ancient Stonehenge aquifer)!

You may have some more vulnerable guests or children who need a bit of extra care and attention – for this, having an event manager is a great idea. They can keep an eye on those guests, as well as helping to ensure your day runs smoothly and that your ‘hot weather plan’ is implemented. We provide an event management service as an add-on: you can read more about our event manager Rachel and what she can offer here.

You could consider offering your accommodation, our beautifully restored WW2 Nissen Hut, to your more vulnerable guests as a place to go and lie down if they are suffering in the heat. Our Nissen Hut is included in our Weekday and Weekend Woodings, but you can also add on extra nights – take a virtual tour of the woods here and explore inside the Nissen Hut, as well as our 5 luxurious bell tents that your guests can stay in.

3. Attire Choices

For the happy couple, make sure you have an outfit option that will help you feel cool and comfortable all day. For brides, lightweight fabrics like chiffon, organza, or crepe will breathe better than heavy satin. If your wedding dress is made of heavier materials, you could consider a second, lighter reception dress for after the ceremony (read our blog on Woodland Wedding Dresses here for more inspiration).  For grooms, linen suits or mix-and-match separates keep things breathable. Forgo waistcoats in favour of suspenders or lighter accessories. You can both have an extra layer for the evening just in case it gets chilly.

For the bridesmaids and groomsmen, consider asking them to wear similar light materials and choose pastels and lighter tones for their colour scheme (they can always have an extra layer for the evening as well). You may want to consider matching parasols for the bride and the bridal party to keep everyone shaded as much as possible.

For your guests, you might consider providing a basket of flip flops for them to wear, in case their shoes aren’t suitable for the heat and the woodland setting.

4. Beauty Prep

For brides and bridal parties, heat-resistant makeup and setting sprays are invaluable. Consider up-dos to keep cool (a professional stylist experienced with outdoor weddings will know how to prep hair, so it lasts despite humidity). Make sure you all wear either a moisturiser or foundation with SPF in it – this goes for everyone!

5. Heat-Smart Decorations

When decorating the woods, consider sticking to all natural decorations instead of plastic, which can become hot in direct sunlight (as an eco-friendly wedding venue, we encourage sustainability wherever possible). You may want to ask your florist to choose hardy blooms that can withstand heat – dried flowers, eucalyptus, and succulents can be great additions.

Consider using less lighting during the day to keep temperatures down and opt for fake LED candles to add ambiance as the evening cools. We have lanterns and LED tealights you can borrow as well as lots of other items previous couples have gifted us – check out our ‘Something Extra’ brochure here, which details all of the items you can borrow or hire from us.

6. Catering Adjustments

Hot summer days call for fresh, seasonal menus. Speak to your caterer about lighter options—seasonal salads, grilled vegetables, seafood, and chilled desserts. Ice cream or sorbet carts are always a crowd-pleaser! Have your meal under cover so guests are protected from the heat when eating.

Ask your caterers or cake maker to bring your cake out at the last minute, and make sure it’s in a shady spot, so it looks it’s best when it comes to cutting the cake.

Lastly, ask your catering team or drinks providers to keep drinks in the fridge for as long as possible and to provide lots of ice in buckets to keep drinks cool. In the Bluebell Glade, we have a large fridge trailer for storing all of your food and drinks, and a covered woodland kitchen for your caterers to use. Check it out on our virtual tour here.

7. Prepare your guests!

We have a guest information sheet you can send out, but you may want to give your guests more detailed information nearer the time once you know the weather forecast. If your guests are prepared and know what to expect, they will feel happy and ready to enjoy your day, no matter the weather. More information below on preparing your guests…

How Can We Prepare Our Guests?

When sending out information to your guests, make sure you include the following essential advice:

1. Dress Wisely

Advise your guests to wear breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or silk blends. Think flowy dresses, smart-casual trousers, and lightweight shirts. Although all our woodland paths are accessible, they are gravel tracks and can make heels more challenging, so recommending flat and comfortable shoes is a good idea. You could also consider a more relaxed dress code, so gents can skip the tie and heavy jacket.

2. Bring Sun Protection and Bug Defence

Sunscreen is a must for your guests, even with the added protection of the trees. You could also recommend they bring hats, sunglasses, fans and parasols. Ask your guests to pack insect repellent (natural, citronella-based sprays work well and don’t clash with perfume).

3. Stay Hydrated

Remind your guests to drink water regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty (this goes for the couple too!). If any of them are bringing dogs, consider asking them to bring a water bowl if you don’t have one you can provide.

4. Be Practical

Remind your guests that a woodland wedding at The Woods at Oakley will involve walking between spaces, so comfortable shoes and a light bag will make the day much easier. You can send them a link to our virtual tour here, so they can understand the layout of the venue.

What Will Our Photos Look Like?

The Woods at Oakley lends itself to stunning woodland wedding photos and we have some amazing photographers in our ‘Friends of the Woods at Oakley’ brochure who are experts at capturing the beauty of the woods and your day, no matter the weather!

Make sure you visit the woods with your photographer before the big day, so you can discuss your plans (a lot of our recommended photographers are local to Salisbury). They will be able to advise when’s best for photos on a hot, sunny day and you can work that into your schedule.

During Heatwaves:

• Plan a space to have your group photos done that isn’t in direct sunlight – perhaps all head back to the Hazel Bower for these.
• When having your couple’s photos, aim for spots where the trees provide dappled light and natural shading – our Wishing Tree is a great spot for beautiful, shaded photos (there’s even a tree swing and a willow arch perfect for woodland wedding photos).
• Time your photoshoots to get the best light – our amazing views of Cranbourne Chase in the Oak Grove make for fantastic photos in the late afternoon or at sunset. The twinkling fairy lights in the Bluebell Glade look great at night. Short photo sessions spaced throughout the day might also help keep you from overheating and provide you with a variety of shots.
• Ask your photographer to prioritise lots of lovely candid photos if you’re feeling too hot for a formal shoot and want to stay cool under your marquee.

Final Thoughts

A woodland wedding at The Woods at Oakley is an unforgettable experience—one that blends romance, rustic charm, and natural beauty. A heatwave adds a layer of consideration, but it also brings with it the warmth, brightness, and celebratory feeling of summer.

The key to success lies in preparation: thoughtful choices about timing, attire, and guest comfort. With plenty of hydration, shade solutions, and an adaptable mindset, your woodland wedding will thrive in the sunshine.

Ready to start planning your dream woodland wedding? Read our brochure here and email enquiries@thewoodsatoakley.co.uk to book a viewing.