Budget Savvy Wedding Planning

Whenever you plan a wedding theme, the first thing to do is pick a key point. For a beach wedding, this might be the color blue, or sea shells. For a 4^th of July or Memorial Day wedding, red, white and blue – and flags, are the obvious choice. So, how do you plan a red, white and blue wedding that is gorgeous and affordable? Well, let’s take a look:

Start with the clothing. For the bride, a stunning red and white wedding gown, like ANNA shown here. For the groom, a white or navy blue suit with a red vest and tie. The flower girl will look beautiful in a red gown with a navy blue sash, to match the navy blue bridesmaid gowns. The groomsmen would be in navy or white tuxedos with navy vest and tie. Personally, I think white would look amazing. Tuxedos with tails and top hats would also be stunning. Finish of the look with red necklaces for the girls, and blue for the bride – and red roses for the bouquets and boutinierres.

For wedding invitations, use a navy blue cardstock, with a frosted vellum overlay printed with your information. Tie the two together with a red ribbon, and seal in an envelope with a flag sticker or a wax seal.

For the ceremony, decorate the center aisle with a white aisle runner. At the edge of each pew or row – place a pew bow of white tulle decorated with red and blue ribbon, ivy and a tiny US flag. If you need to fit into a smaller budget – put them only on the first few rows were immediate family and honored guests will be sitting. If you want an archway at the alter, decorate it with white tulle, red and blue ribbon, ivy and tiny flags to match the pew bows.

There are two unique guest book ideas that come to mind. You could take a large piece of parchment and have your names, date and place written on top in old fashioned calligraphy. Distress the paper, and tie it with a ribbon for a week or so before the wedding – so it has the just unrolled look. Have guests sign – just like the fore fathers did. Of, find a flag that is large, but small enough to still hang on a wall. Have your names and dates embroidered on the center, and then have guests use fabric pens to sign on the flag. This flag can then be framed and hung later on.

Remembrance – You may want to do something to remember those who gave their lives as well. Place a small side table with three candles – red, white and blue somewere were it will be seen. Place a wreath of red, white and blue flowers in front. This could be placed by the guestbook table, or near the entrance to the sanctuary. It could also go in the reception hall near the cake table or in front of the head table if you wanted.

For reception décor, use white table clothes. Decorate the head table with tulle, ribbon, ivy and tiny flags as you did the pew bows. For the guest tables, you can use small flower arrangements of red carnations with blue and white ribbons, and a little flag in the center. Accent the centerpiece with red, white and blue confetti. Oil lanterns with an old fashion look would also make great centerpieces. If they are clear –red and blue oil make a great touch! If you are using table markers – name each table after a founding father or a state. A rose bowl with a floating candle would make a great centerpiece as well – just tie red and blue ribbon around the top.

This is the perfect wedding theme for an All American Bar-B-Que! For an informal wedding, offer a buffet of freshed grilled beef and chicken burgers, fruit salad, potato salad, coleslaw, etc. For a more formal wedding, bar-b-qued chicken with baked potatoes is perfect. A cake or dessert dish decorated with strawberries and blueberries is the perfect end to the meal. We have another article posted on red, blue and white wedding cakes for a 4th of July wedding as well -you can read it here.

And for a finishing touch – don’t forget to leave the wedding in a bang: yes I mean fireworks. Plan for a fireworks display to take place as part of your farewell as you and your new husband leave the wedding! If you are not able to have fireworks, opt for some amazing 36” sparkles for guests to use to see you off!

AFTERTHOUGHT: Eagles would also make a great addition to your decor for a July 4th wedding. Don’t think eagles are romantic? You might change your mind. Eagles are one of the few animals on earth that mate for life. When a pair of eagles meet, they will soar together as high above the clouds – male chasing female. Then, she will allow herself to fall. If the male catches her on his back – they will remain together for the rest of their lives! What a wonderful display of love, trust, and faithfulness. “When you soar, I will soar with you. When you fall, I will catch you.”

FOR MORE 4th of July Wedding Ideas and Wedding Favor Suggestions, Click Here.