Planning a Summer Wedding for the Fourth of July

Patriotic couples planning a summer wedding around or on July 4 might want to consider incorporating a July 4 theme into the ceremony. There are ways to do this while maintaining class and elegance while still having fun.

July 4 Themed Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations that suggest a patriotic theme, such as those featuring silver falling stars or fireworks are suggestions. While red, white, and blue are the colors of the American flag, you don't have to use all three colors. White invitations with silver embellishments and a dark navy blue font would work well in a patriotic themed wedding. For those who want a more prominent patriotic theme in invitations, look for wedding invitations which feature the American flag or make your own flag wedding invitations with a printable template.

The July 4 Themed Wedding Party
Dress the bridesmaids in dark blue gowns carrying bouquets of red roses tied with a simple white ribbon. Groomsmen could wear boutonnieres of small red rosebuds. While this idea might be considered over-the-top for many people, some might dress the ring bearer as a pint-sized Uncle Sam! If the bride is wearing a white gown, her bouquet could also be red, white, and blue themed. Of course, an offbeat idea would be to wear a red wedding dress.

July 4 Themed Wedding Decorations
Take advantage of the warm summer weather by holding an outdoor ceremony near dusk, when the temperature starts to drop. Use rows of star strand lights or silver paper lanterns for extra lighting. At the reception, make patriotic centerpieces by placing mason jars inside of colored paper lanterns and then adding blooms in the color of your choice. By using white tablecloths, color can be added to the décor in other ways, such as using dark blue napkins, flowers, pillar candles, and dinnerware. Other patriotic elements can be used throughout as well, such as sprinkling a tiny bit of star shaped confetti on the tray around pillar candles.

July 4 Themed Wedding Food
Nothing screams "The 4^th of July" like a good barbeque. Consult a caterer or enlist the help of grill-savvy friends to plan a cook-out style menu. Make sure you have the equipment to accommodate your guests if you're not going to hire a professional caterer. Grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, steak dishes, and kabobs are ideas for main courses. Side dishes could be corn on the cob, gourmet potato salad, grilled mixed vegetables, and garden salads. Depending on the individual taste of the couple and the expected guests, serve craft beers or signature red or blue cocktails in addition to tea, lemonade, and water.

When the party's over and the couple leaves, instead of throwing birdseed, have guests send them off with sparklers like these from My Wedding Favors. (Of course make sure someone is on safety-watch when this is going on-I wouldn't advise small children using sparklers.)

A Fourth of July wedding will be one that your guests will enjoy and won't soon forget!