How to have a Hygge Wedding
in a Heatwave
Categories: | Wedding Ceremony | Wedding Planning |
Hygge
[hue-ga]: (Noun) is a Danish/Norwegian word
that loosely translates to a feeling of cosiness,
for comfort and celebrating the feeling of warmth,
love, and intimacy. A key feature of hygge is that it revolves round connecting and being with loved ones, nature, and simplicity - getting back to basics, prioritising what is important, and being in the moment.
Typical articles about creating a hygge atmosphere in the home focus on cold weather, fires, hot drinks, and warm throws. Not something you'd normally think about in a heatwave! But if you step away from the way interior decorators have appropriated the term and the concept, and go back to the original definition, hygge creates a feeling of sanctuary, and a hygge wedding is a perfect way to beat the heat and have a cosy and comfortable wedding.
Being comfortable and
warm-weather cosy
out
When it is cold and dark outside, warm fires, cuddly
sweaters, candlelight, comfort food all create and
atmosphere of cosiness. When it is hot outside,
being inside in the cool can do the same. It is no
accident that homes in very hot climates are often
dim inside. So dim the lights, or perhaps schedule
the ceremony for early evening, wear warm-weather
comfortable clothing (no three piece suits), and
turn up the aircon. Hot Tip: Air-conditioned indoor
venues can often be stinking hot simply because
they've been shut up with the air-con turned off
until fairly close to the wedding start time. Make a
plan to cool the space down before the guests
arrive.Gather loved ones
out
A cosy wedding is, by definition, a small affair you
share with close loved ones. Trim the guest list.
Being surrounded by people with whom you have a
close connection is a big feature of a hygge
wedding. And so is dispensing with a wedding party
and choosing parents, grandparents, or other loved
ones for your official witnesses.Bring nature inside
out
Use greenery to decorate. Large vases filled with gum
branches can look amazing. A few candles can up the
feeling of intimate cosiness without increasing the
temperature. Just be fire-aware when choosing the
candles and deciding where to place them.Keep everything simple
out
And that includes the ceremony. Focus on your
connection to one another. Celebrate and acknowledge
your connection to everyone present. Make your vows,
your personal promises that express your vision for
your marriage, the centre of the ceremony. Dispense
with "traditions" that feel awkward and may create
some stress for you. Feel free to go off-script and be
spontaneous (I encourage that!). Keep the menu simple.
There are summer comfort foods that everyone loves,
but don't forget that you can serve hot drinks on a
warm day. As the composer Guiseppe Verdi reminds
us, “Coffee is balm for the heart and spirit.”
Research bears him out. Just the smell of coffee in a
room makes 90% of the people there experience a
feeling of well-being. It stimulates the brain and
generates a sense of pleasure. Exactly what you want
at your wedding.Don't over-schedule
out
Allow everything to flow naturally. Greet people with
a drink and something to nibble on as you would for
any other family gathering. We'll get to the ceremony
when it feels right and everyone is settled, cosy, and
in the mood and the moment.Thanks for reading!
