To say that just because you can have your wedding outside in March…

How did the wedding go @Forwardthinkingcrayfish ?

What about the events' staff. Will they be in flimsy white blouses/shirts and black trousers/skirts? Poor sods.

Once went to an outdoor March wedding.
The bride threw a major strop because it rained!

I'm imagining the photos with all the guests lined up in puffa jackets and bobble hats 😂

I have reynauds. Walking into a supermarket or getting into a cold car is enough to set it off. Takes ages to get warm again too.

Equally, I can run for an hour in minus temperatures, sleet and rain in just leggings and a top, but I couldn't stand for an hour in 7or 8 layers, because the cold just seeps in. It's quite sunny in my garden this morning, as I'm doing recycling etc. But I'd be cold if I just stood in it.

I hope they don't have any very elderly guests. It's a lot to ask people in their 80s and 90s to be outside for a lengthy period even in quite clement March weather. Where I am today, it's not that cold but the wind would be an issue.

And they don’t even have the option of wearing a beer jacket

Thermals?

Our wedding was a March one. I wouldn't have dreamed of having it outside, which was fortunate as it snowed really heavily on the day!

I'm out in all weathers - but active gardening and walking, wearing appropriate trousers, fleece, goretex jacket, wooly socks and hat, boots, gloves etc as apt.

That's completely different to standing or sitting wearing tolerably nice clothes.

I don't get it - why on earth would anyone in the UK have an outside wedding? Is it for the pictures?.

Yes, but as pp have said, you're not outside momentarily or going for a walk. It's a function, and it's outside. If you're standing around or sitting down, you're going to be uncomfortable.
People shouldn't do that to guests.

Madness. We got married in June and the ceremony was 'outside' but we hired an open sided marquee to provide shelter and shade. Had the weather been atrocious on the day the marquee providers could have added the walls and made it totally rain and wind proof. The rest of the day was inside with an outdoor option.

That sounds miserable. Poor staff and guests. I'd be leaving as early as possible.

I went go an outdoor wedding in May. We usually have lovely weather in May but that year it was horrible. It didn’t rain but it was freezing. The mini patio heaters did nothing and everyone was a bit miserable. The bride and groom loved it but everyone was desperate for the meal indoors to warm up!

That 'bad clothes' thing is only true if you're rich. Clothes that keep you warm in very cold weather cost a lot of money. 'Fashion' gloves don't work for me, for example, I need thermal lined ones and many companies don't make small gloves. A fashion hat the same thing. I have boots from Decathlon that are supposed to keep your feet warm down to-5. They don't always and on top of that they've very heavy and hard work to walk in.

Now, in March it's not VERY cold, but it's weather for walking around. If you're standing or sitting in one place for 3 hours, you'll be pretty cold without big winter clothes. Like I said, I would wear the big winter clothes, but they won't look very nice in the photos.

I think most people get to a point when the relentless bad weather becomes tiresome.

We like walking, but it is just too muddy at the moment, even in the correct clothes and footwear, to enjoy walking anywhere that isn't paved. This reduces our options considerably, and we can't wait for dryer weather so that we can enjoy walking in woods and fields again.

She mentioned suppliers and servers in the OP, so yes reception too. As PP have pointed out the servers and musicians are unlikely to be able to wear coats.

I went to an outdoor wedding in the UK in July, and in a heatwave. That was extremely uncomfortable too. 34c. Not what we are used to in this country 😂
Outdoor weddings are overrated.

I think I'd be making my apologies for this one!

Is this really that big a deal?? Just wear some proper clothes, go and enjoy yourself, and you will be fine. It’s not your wedding!

Considering UK is SO cold and wet, I never understand people’s aversion to the weather here, and think everyone should just be used to it. No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes! Do you stay indoors for the three quarters of the year that it’s cold here?

How come it's 3 hours? Isn't the actual ceremony usually just an hour? Is the reception also outside??
I'd wear warm clothes, coat and hat. Not my fault it's outside, is it?

People will drift inside. You cant stop them . They will drift away

If she has her heart set on outside, why book it for March?

It could well be snowing around this timr of year

I guess the issue that a lot of people have had is it’s not clear on the invite that it’s an outdoor ceremony whatever the weather.

Most venues have an indoor/outdoor option so if it’s raining or cold then the guests assume it’s going to be indoors (because surely the bride and groom are thinking about their guests also having a good day) only to turn up and get an unpleasant surprise.

If it’s clear from the invite then there’s no problem (I got invited to a cave wedding that was very clear it was going to be cold and to dress practically), same for the park weddings a previous poster mentioned, but I’ve also been to venues where nothing was said about indoor/outdoor location, the venue is somewhere with indoor options but the wedding is still set up outside despite the chill.

My friend went to an outdoor wedding (that was in the grounds of a hotel but advertised as being at the hotel so all the guests assumed function room etc). The head table had heaters and blankets but the rest of the marquee didn’t/had sides open to the elements. Surely somebody should have thought when making sure the bridal party was warm that maybe the rest of the guests deserved the same courtesy?

I agree with those saying you should dress for the weather. There's no rule that says wedding guests can't wear thick tights, warm dresses and boots. Why would you dress inappropriately for any outdoor function? It being a wedding doesn't mean you can't be comfortable.