Title: Climate Change Impacts Summer Weddings, Forcing Couples Indoors
Extreme weather conditions associated with climate change have wreaked havoc on summer weddings, forcing couples to adapt their plans and find indoor venues, as reported by The New York Times. From record-breaking heat waves to flooding and poor air quality, couples have faced numerous challenges while trying to celebrate their special day.
The rise in extreme summer weather is expected to worsen in the future, potentially leading to fall and spring replacing the traditional summer wedding season. Couples have been compelled to either stay indoors or reschedule their weddings to months with cooler temperatures or outside wildfire seasons. The impact of climate change on weddings has become so acute that it has become a significant consideration in wedding planning.
The Times interviewed several couples who shared their experiences with the adverse effects of climate change on their weddings. Coy Boggler and Annie Wall had planned an intimate backyard wedding in Phoenix, but a 31-day-long record-breaking heatwave hit the city in July. Despite using three air conditioning units inside a tent, the temperature wouldn’t dip below 93 degrees, making it unbearable for the couple and leading them to move their wedding indoors.
In Atlanta, Georgia, Emma and Tyler Young exclusively looked for indoor venues for their July wedding due to the extreme weather conditions in the area. They didn’t want to risk having their plans disrupted by heatwaves, storms, or unhealthy air quality. Sheila and Evan Styduhar decided to postpone their wedding in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, from August to October 2022 after reading about the wildfires in the region the previous summer. They didn’t want to strain local resources or bring tourists to the area during a time of recovery.
As extreme weather events become increasingly common, event planners have implemented mitigation practices for outdoor weddings. These practices include providing hand-held water spritzers, paper fans, and parasols to keep attendees cool. Wedding planners and couples are also making strategic choices, such as selecting flowers that won’t wilt under the heat and opting for cake frosting that won’t melt.
Some regions, like Palm Springs, California, have become less popular for summer weddings due to the intensifying heat. Wedding planner Jamie Chang noted that clients have been avoiding summer weddings in such areas. In Atlanta, Tiffany Boykins shared that none of her clients opted for an outdoor wedding this year.
Climate scientists predict that the trend of increasingly warm summers and extreme weather will continue. According to Marshall Shepherd, director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at the University of Georgia, broken records for warmest summers and years will likely become the norm.
In conclusion, couples planning summer weddings are facing the challenges posed by climate change head-on. They are increasingly choosing indoor venues, avoiding regions prone to extreme weather, and implementing measures to ensure the comfort of their guests. As climate change continues to worsen, the impact on wedding planning and traditional summer ceremonies is expected to persist.
