Ellie and Ollie and a very warm evening

From the start, the heat shaped the night. It was nearly 40 degrees inside the venue, so comfort became the main concern. Although I bring two large fans for the dance floor, they were mostly pushing hot air around. In that moment, it felt more like a fan oven than a party room.

Because of that, the first dance needed to wait. Ellie was overheating, and rightly, there was no sense in forcing the moment. So, we adapted. As much equipment as possible moved outside, and Ellie and Ollie had their first dance al-fresco instead.

Ellie and Ollie chose Happily Ever After

The first dance was Happily Ever After by Jordan Fisher and Angie K. Outside, it felt far more natural. Also, it gave everyone a little breathing space, which mattered on such a hot evening.

Afterwards, the evening stayed outside as much as possible. The requests gave plenty to work with, from ABBA, Avicii and Chappell Roan through to One Direction, Whitney Houston and The Weeknd. Later on, Billy Joel’s Piano Man brought the night towards its close.

Ellie and Ollie and the Reclaimed Pallet Booth

The Reclaimed Pallet Booth suited the rustic feel of the setting. However, the real story of the night was flexibility. Wedding plans are useful, but real rooms, real people and real weather often make the final decision.

This is why guest comfort matters. Marquees can look beautiful, yet they can also become greenhouses during the day. Meanwhile, older barn spaces can struggle without airflow, windows or air conditioning. For an active dance floor, mobile air-con or heating can make a huge difference. Also, dimmed house lights help people relax and step onto the floor.

Despite the heat, Ellie and Ollie still had a good night. Their guests had to work harder than usual, but they did step up. For more planning advice, see my guide to guest creature comforts, or browse more previous weddings. You can also view the Classic evening dj package.