With all of the destination weddings I keep hearing about, I can’t help but ask myself how I’d feel if I were a guest forced to sit underneath the hot sun in 90 degree weather while waiting for the ceremony to be over and the refreshments to begin. Darn cranky, that’s how I’d feel. To all the brides- and grooms-to-be planning outdoor weddings in the summertime in hot climes, let me be the first to suggest (again) fans as favors. Your loved ones will thank you.
But you shouldn’t settle for just any old fan. Nostalgic Victorian Paper Memories features an array of unique, beautiful, and utterly sentimental “personal cooling devices” that will help your guests avoid succumbing to heatstroke on your big day.
Hey, fans are neat. Apparently, back when carrying a fan was as mandatory as wearing a hat, ladies in the know employed a full range of fan gestures that allowed them to speak their minds while saying nothing at all. According to Nostalgic Victorian Paper Memories, ” The first ‘Language of the Fan’ was registered with the Patent Office in 1879. Eventually advertising booklets, lovers’ manuals, and playing cards carried “secret” codes.” Codes such as:
The fan placed near the heart: “You have won my love.”
Half-opened fan pressed to the lips: “You may kiss me.”
Hiding the eyes behind an open fan: “I love you.”
Opening and closing the fan several time: “You are cruel.”
Fanning slowly: “I am married.”
Fanning quickly (or carrying the fan closed, hanging in the left hand): “I am engaged.”
Twirling the fan in the left hand: “You are being watched.”
Holding it in the right hand: “Yes”
Holding it in the left hand: “I would like to know you”
Dropping the fan: “I would like to be your friend”
Twirling the fan: “Go away”
Twirling the fan in the left hand: You are being watched.
Opening and shutting it: “You have been unkind”
Tapping it with one finger: “My mother (or chaperone) says no”
Opening it wide: “Shall we meet later?”
Touching the fan to the cheek: “I love you”
If the notion of spending about seven bucks per fan doesn’t phase you, the embossed and laminated fan above will give your guests something to chat about while they wait for you to appear at the start of the aisle. Sure, a simple faux sandalwood fan or paper fan will do the job, why not let friends and family cool off in style?
Gah, I went to an outdoor wedding this summer during the heat wave in LA. They gave us fans, but we were still in direct sunlight. Everyone was squinting and frantically beating the air with their fans. It made for a rather inhospitable crowd when ALL FOUR parents were essentially given open mic time during the ceremony. Yeesh.
I had a February wedding in Saskatchewan – so hot weather wasn’t an issue. HOWEVER, most wedding dances I’ve ever been have been hot, so I had fans as part of the table decorations.
It got rave reviews from all of the older (menopausal) ladies & in the crowd, as well as those who like to boogie. (And those who like to boogie & are menopausal at the same time.)
How Whartonesque! I can picture a thrilling drama being played out through fan signals beneath deceptively light conversation.
“I love you, but I am engaged. You are being watched – shall we meet later?”
Oh, good gravy, fannypie. IMHO, ceremonies performed out of doors are better served up short and sweet. That way, everyone can get under the darn tent where they can liberally douse themselves with champagne.
Also, Kourtney, I cannot stop thinking about the Menopause Boogie!
I’ll definitely look into the fan idea. My ceremony will be outdoors, but there are lots of trees around people could stand under if need be, and we want it kept short!
Ah, the Outdoor Wedding Horror Story. For the Annalucia it occurred perhaps four years ago, when she and the Tedesco were invited to the wedding of one of the Tedesco’s young coworkers. The guests sat in the full sun, on a concrete platform of some sort, and the wedding started ONE HOUR LATE. None of the guests were informed as to the reason; in fact the clergyman on hand to perform the ceremony was pacing in front of the makeshift altar and looking at his watch. Several hours later, during the reception, the Annalucia heard that the delay was due to the non-arrival of some flowers – the young bride was NOT going to walk down the aisle empty-handed, and so it was left to us to sit until the bouquets had been delivered.
Most miraculously, this couple is still married.
The language of the fans, it is most amusing but fraught with danger. The Annalucia is left-handed, and she had not realized that she might be guilty of Inadvertent Flirting by fiddling with her fan.
One wonders how, exactly, you are supposed to communicate “I am warm, and need to fan myself.” Perhaps there is some sort of signal for starting the message, like a third base coach putting on signs.
Hmmm… yes…. outdoor weddings. Here in Australia we were invited to the tres chic wedding of wealthy couple to be held in the farming country resort area. In the middle of summer – during a drought – we found ourselves standing in a paddock – all the trendy girlies heels sinking into the grass – in blazing heat (40C/100F), no shade, no chairs, no fans, no beverages – nothing. The MOTG started to faint so a chair was found for her. Evenutally the wedding occured – late but short enough and we all raced back to our cars to spend the 90 min intervening period before the reception driving around in our cars to cool down in air conditioning.
When we arrive at the reception we discover it is the small country restaurant that can only seat half the guests inside – the other half (which unfortunately included myself) had to sit outside in a marquee. After about 30 mins as we were all sufficating inside our plastic room, some of the men started pulling down the walls of the tent. Eventually our meals arrived – duck confit – along with all flies in a 100km radius (remember the “farming country” bit?). Of course the guests out in the tent couldn’t hear the speeches, the cake cutting, the music etc
But hey! the Bride had a superfanastic designer dress and as long as she is happy that’s all that matters – yes??
Oh how I wish I had seen this 2 years ago. My son got married in July and , although it was indoors, I was at the height of menopausal raging hormones and suffering from hot flashes. The combination of the two plus the prospect of dancing, formal attire and outdoor photos was a nightmare waiting to happen. I searched the Internet high and low for an attractive fan that could be used to compliment my gown, but to no avail. Finally during a business trip to New Orleans I found one while shopping in the French Quarter. I now own several and I am never without them in the summer or when vacationing in warmer climates. It is so much more genteel than reaching for the nearest menu or magazine to provide relief.
Excellent suggestion!!!!!