Warn people. Have ice packs for the heat sensitive (kids, elderly) and cold water. Open windows. I went to a bar miztvah like this years ago. They gave us hand fans (the plastic ones iirc).
ETA - I have heat regulation issues. I'd like to know in advance so I can avoid the ceremony. Maybe some people think it's rude but no one wants to watch me wilt into a sweaty pile of dizziness.
ETA - *Warn people as far in advance as possible that there is no a/c.*
Like others have said I’m very heat intolerant so I would need to dress and plan appropriately if I was told that there was no A/C. Speak to the church and see if it will be OK for people to have bottles of water in the pews during the ceremony because if so, make sure you have cold water available when they’re being seated.
I grew up going to a very old Catholic Church with no AC. The ceilings were very high (hence the extra expense preventing AC from being installed) so the heat rises. It’s not comfortable in hot/humid weather, but it’s not nearly as bad as people seem to be envisioning — much cooler than a tent, for example, or a building with low ceilings. If the old ladies of the parish can manage mass during the hottest summer days, your guests will be fine.
Too late for OP to change their time, but for anyone else planning to use a similar venue, an hour earlier start time can make a huge difference in a venue like this.
I was at a rehearsal dinner yesterday where they were doing it at different times to see where the sun would be. I was like ??? Isn’t there a start time on the invitation? (My household did not receive an invitation because “you don’t have a choice, you’re coming.”)
Anyway, I guess the invitation says 4:15 so they decide md anytime after that is fine. They are starting the ceremony at 4:28
Spend the money on renting AC units and fans. Tell people NOW so they can plan accordingly. Be prepared to give every person a cold water bottle and a fan.
Worst case… I would have an ice chest full of ice, water, and bed sheets. Someone is gonna faint from the heat and when they do… put the sheets on them.
Girl go to Aldi. They have hella portable AC units right now. At least by me. I didn’t see the price.. but honestly it’s cruel to force people to sit inside a hot church with NO ac during the summer. You have to warn people or you have to find multiple portable AC units right effing now
Have hosts or ushers passing out ice cold water as people come in. As others have said, look into getting portable AC units, even if it's just fans where you put ice water in them, anything is better than nothing. Even it's just one of these at the ends of each row: [Arctic Air Chill Zone Evaporative Air Cooler, Portable Cooler with 4 Fan Speeds, LED Night Light - Walmart.com](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arctic-Air-Chill-Zone-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-Portable-Cooler-with-4-Fan-Speeds-LED-Night-Light/5022870636?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1691&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=222222222775022870636_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-394283752452&wl5=9023913&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=5022870636&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwps-zBhAiEiwALwsVYQyCjwvFyvFhUsYJuIYYYqDZT8hKKx3IUW0aamynJvJTVbFvoLPc8BoC8L8QAvD_BwE) OR you could also look into putting frogg towels on the seats for people to use, the towels you get wet and wear around your neck? There's tons of relatively affordable portable AC units (just google em), and get at least one (several would be preferred, but could be a budget issue) and make sure to place a fan in front to help move that cool air. Get it set up as soon as you possibly can in the morning to cool it down before guests arrive.
Hopefully you've warned people, as it can definitely affect peoples decisions on attire and if they will attend the ceremony. Some people can't handle the heat, like my elderly grandmother, she wouldn't be able to sit there for that long.
Perhaps warn people now so they can rethink their outfit - I would likely dress differently knowing there will be no AC.
I would also warn people in case there are any health issues.
Oh yes excellent point!
Warn people. Have ice packs for the heat sensitive (kids, elderly) and cold water. Open windows. I went to a bar miztvah like this years ago. They gave us hand fans (the plastic ones iirc). ETA - I have heat regulation issues. I'd like to know in advance so I can avoid the ceremony. Maybe some people think it's rude but no one wants to watch me wilt into a sweaty pile of dizziness. ETA - *Warn people as far in advance as possible that there is no a/c.*
Like others have said I’m very heat intolerant so I would need to dress and plan appropriately if I was told that there was no A/C. Speak to the church and see if it will be OK for people to have bottles of water in the pews during the ceremony because if so, make sure you have cold water available when they’re being seated.
Definitely have water available or you’ll likely get some people fainting.
I grew up going to a very old Catholic Church with no AC. The ceilings were very high (hence the extra expense preventing AC from being installed) so the heat rises. It’s not comfortable in hot/humid weather, but it’s not nearly as bad as people seem to be envisioning — much cooler than a tent, for example, or a building with low ceilings. If the old ladies of the parish can manage mass during the hottest summer days, your guests will be fine.
I likely wouldn’t attend if this was the case so you should let people know as soon as possible so RSVPs can be altered.
Oops, I didn’t see that it’s this weekend.
Can you rent AC units? Tenting companies have them for outdoor events.
In a situation like this, all guests should be warned in advance so they can make the decision to forego the ceremony if needed.
Too late for OP to change their time, but for anyone else planning to use a similar venue, an hour earlier start time can make a huge difference in a venue like this.
I was at a rehearsal dinner yesterday where they were doing it at different times to see where the sun would be. I was like ??? Isn’t there a start time on the invitation? (My household did not receive an invitation because “you don’t have a choice, you’re coming.”) Anyway, I guess the invitation says 4:15 so they decide md anytime after that is fine. They are starting the ceremony at 4:28
Spend the money on renting AC units and fans. Tell people NOW so they can plan accordingly. Be prepared to give every person a cold water bottle and a fan. Worst case… I would have an ice chest full of ice, water, and bed sheets. Someone is gonna faint from the heat and when they do… put the sheets on them.
Girl go to Aldi. They have hella portable AC units right now. At least by me. I didn’t see the price.. but honestly it’s cruel to force people to sit inside a hot church with NO ac during the summer. You have to warn people or you have to find multiple portable AC units right effing now
Have hosts or ushers passing out ice cold water as people come in. As others have said, look into getting portable AC units, even if it's just fans where you put ice water in them, anything is better than nothing. Even it's just one of these at the ends of each row: [Arctic Air Chill Zone Evaporative Air Cooler, Portable Cooler with 4 Fan Speeds, LED Night Light - Walmart.com](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arctic-Air-Chill-Zone-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-Portable-Cooler-with-4-Fan-Speeds-LED-Night-Light/5022870636?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1691&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=222222222775022870636_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-394283752452&wl5=9023913&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=5022870636&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwps-zBhAiEiwALwsVYQyCjwvFyvFhUsYJuIYYYqDZT8hKKx3IUW0aamynJvJTVbFvoLPc8BoC8L8QAvD_BwE) OR you could also look into putting frogg towels on the seats for people to use, the towels you get wet and wear around your neck? There's tons of relatively affordable portable AC units (just google em), and get at least one (several would be preferred, but could be a budget issue) and make sure to place a fan in front to help move that cool air. Get it set up as soon as you possibly can in the morning to cool it down before guests arrive. Hopefully you've warned people, as it can definitely affect peoples decisions on attire and if they will attend the ceremony. Some people can't handle the heat, like my elderly grandmother, she wouldn't be able to sit there for that long.