DIY Your Red, White, And Blue Wedding
July, 3 2023
Oh summer, you beauty! Our love for summer weddings is hardly a secret. If you are planning a summer wedding too with a flair of patriotism or looking to host a Fourth of July wedding without going overboard, this article is for you. Saying yes to one full day out in the sun, this article revolves around subtle and sweet red, blue, and white wedding ideas that can add the right amount of patriotic flavor along with sprinkling chic vintage aesthetics and playful elements. Read on if you are looking to embrace the vintage Americana wedding aesthetics and give your loved ones a wedding experience to remember. Whether the American flag color combinations are your favorite or not, these patriotic wedding inspirations are not only limited to them. From bringing in comfortable American food to your wedding menu to going for classic naked wedding cakes and celebrating star wedding details to American flag-inspired wedding flowers as a shuttle nod, this article is all about celebrating nuanced hints of patriotism with a dash of nostalgia and sophistication.
Our Favorite Americana-inspired Wedding Ideas:
Wedding in the great outdoors
Always dreamt of hosting an enchanting outdoor wedding ceremony? Summer is the perfect season to do so! The epitome of American culture lies in its vast great outdoors! Whether it's the grandeur of mountains or the gleaming expanse of oceans, or even the cozy confines of your backyard, the possibilities for hosting a picturesque Americana wedding amidst stunning outdoor settings are endless. To add some extra outdoor reception seating, consider using straw bales or tree stumps adorned with vintage American flags and fabrics. Alternatively, for laid-back picnic-style wedding ideas, distribute old quilts and cushions around. Soften the ambiance with string lights and flickering candles, lending a touch of romance to your open-air wedding. Rather than overpowering your outdoor wedding with decorations, allow the natural beauty of your surroundings to serve as the main aesthetic element.
Americana-themed wedding invites
To set the tone for your Americana-inspired wedding, send out elegant wedding invites and Save the Dates. For celebrating truly authentic Americana wedding ideas and a typical "made in the U.S.A." feel, go for DIY wedding stationery. If DIY is not your thing, no worries, as there are plenty of local and online artists who can help you achieve a handmade invite look. To embrace the Americana wedding theme and convey it to your guests, go for a sleek wedding invite suite featuring "burnt" deckled edges that can subtly transport guests back to 1776. For an Americana wedding, you can combine sleek typography, subtle metallic gold accents, and a slightly marbled white background on your invitations. Similarly, if you are going for a timeless, formal wedding style, floral motifs, and letterpressed designs are popular wedding stationery options. Adding an envelope liner featuring an antique map of the wedding location is a personalized touch that can add a unique element to your invitation suite.
Comfort American food
For any Americana-themed wedding, it's essential to have delicious, comforting wedding food ideas that taste homemade! American classics like apple pie and pan-fried chicken are always a crowd-pleaser. To add a fun twist to your American wedding menu, you could also create a menu featuring iconic dishes from various regions around the country, such as Kansas City barbeque and Philly cheesesteaks. Alternatively, you could showcase local favorites from your hometown's best restaurants. This can be an instant hit if you are hosting a beautiful backyard wedding on a budget. Some great summer BBQ wedding menu ideas can also include star-shaped grilled cheeses with cups of tomato soup, sweet potato fries with dipping sauce, mini sliders and homemade potato chips, chicken and waffles, mashed potatoes with chicken and biscuits, and mini chili bowls. What hard-hitting nostalgia! Your guests will surely leave with happy stomachs and memories of delicious comfort food.
Naked wedding cakes
Don't we all love rustic wedding cakes for celebrations around the year? To add a chic flair to your Americana wedding details, you can go for a classic naked wedding cake. For instance, you can opt for a naked red velvet cake with white cream cheese frosting, and add a striped detail to the dessert table without going overboard. With naked reception cakes, you won't need to worry about buttercream or fondant melting off in warmer temperatures. Additionally, the lack of frosting results in a lighter flavor, which is ideal for those who prefer less sugary desserts. Top it off with fresh fruits like strawberries and raspberries, or red and blue flowers, to add your own red and blue wedding colors to the dessert table!
Stars and stripes wedding details
Incorporate stars and stripes wedding details into your decor to pay tribute to the American flag. You can display tiny American flags in various containers such as old vases, tin cans, mason jars, or soda bottles for a vintage wedding touch. To enhance the down-home feel, you can introduce different textures like lace, burlap, and gingham fabrics. You can also go for an oversized flag as the ultimate Americana wedding ceremony, cake table, bar, or photo booth backdrop. This is a great way to create a stunning focal point and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Red, white, and blue color scheme
Although the classic red, white, and blue color palette may seem like an obvious choice for an Americana-inspired wedding, it's worthwhile to explore other patriotic wedding color options for a distinctive look. Incorporating deeper shades such as navy and burgundy can create a moody and sophisticated tone, while bright colors like Tiffany blue and red-orange can evoke a fun and retro vibe. For a more airy summer wedding feel, consider using muted wedding color tones such as pale pinks and baby blues. It's possible to infuse a festive ambiance without relying heavily on the traditional red, white, and blue color schemes.
Red and blue wedding flowers
When planning for your wedding flowers, you can take inspiration from the colors of the American flag for your floral arrangements! Flowers like roses, hydrangeas, and anemones are available in patriotic colors. You can create a gradient effect by combining different shades of red, white, and blue. Alternatively, you can opt for wildflower wedding floral arrangements for a more rustic feel. If you prefer understated and sophisticated DIY wedding floral decor ideas, keep the color scheme simple and add touches of red, white, and blue through ribbon accents on your bouquet. Place floral arrangements in high-traffic areas such as the reception entrance, cocktail bar, and dessert table to bring in pops of color. A combination of white hydrangeas, red Gerbera daisies, roses, and eucalyptus with cotton boll accents can create a country-chic vibe. Moreover, you can add silk ribbons to your bouquet to give it a romantic touch and deep reds and blues can create a sensual look. Using ultra-deep red flowers can coordinate with a red, white, and blue floral scheme without being too overwhelming.
Americana-inspired wedding party attire
You can't forget to dress up your wedding party- the bridesmaids and the groomsmen! For your bridal party attire, stick to classic bridesmaid dress styles by incorporating red or blue accents through accessories such as shoes, hairpieces, jewelry, and even lipstick. For a bold and eye-catching look, choose patterns like gingham, polka dots, or large floral prints. Tea-length bridesmaid dresses work well for a casual and vintage wedding vibe. If you are planning a casual summer wedding, you can also mix prints and dress silhouettes for the bridal party. Don't forget about the groomsmen! A classic blue suit can be paired with vibrant red wedding accessories for a sharp and polished appearance. Moreover, a linen suit can provide a more relaxed and breezy feel. Lighter color palettes are a popular choice for summer weddings, and this also applies to suits. Choosing a tan suit instead of blue or gray options is an excellent option that looks festive when combined with a red tie. You can add pops of color with accessories such as socks, suspenders, ties, and pocket squares to complete the all-American look.
American wedding accessories
There are several ways to incorporate patriotic wedding accessories if you want to stick to a particular theme. For a 4th of July wedding, it's a good idea to get American flag-inspired groomsmen socks to wear as they are a great photo-op! Another way to add red, white, and blue to your wedding ensemble is through your wedding footwear, whether you go for shoes in one solid color or a pair that combines all three. You can also add a blue and white polka dot tie for a classic preppy style. If you prefer a more subtle nod to Americana, add a flag pin to your suit jacket, bouquet wrap, or the underside of your wedding dress skirt.
Vintage chinoiserie
Looking for romantic vintage wedding details? Vintage chinoiserie featuring intricate motifs and patterns can be incorporated into wedding decor to add a unique and elegant touch. Vintage chinoiserie wedding details can include porcelain vases, lanterns, silk fans, and ornate screens. These elements can be used to create a romantic and exotic atmosphere at a wedding venue. You can use vibrant colors such as red, white, and blue to enhance the vintage Americana theme. You can also use oversized chinoiserie vessels with hints of blue or red and fill them with Queen Anne's lace to deck up the wedding aisle for your garden ceremony.
Ribbon chandeliers
The ribbon chandelier is a simple and playful wedding detail that can be replicated for all types of wedding events. To create it, one needs 4-5 ribbons of various types within the same color family, which should be hot glued to a quilting ring and embellished with some small Manila rope. To incorporate the vintage Americana wedding elements, you can include vintage paper with flag designs.
Kaleidoscopic wedding drinks
Add a special touch to your signature wedding cocktails with printed straws that are affordable and easy to use. For a refreshing summer drink, you can try a strawberry-infused recipe. For a classic summertime drink with a twist, add fresh blueberries and paper straws decorated with festive gold stars to your spiked lemonade cocktails.
Multicolored snacks and desserts
You can also get creative with fresh fruits to freshen up your menu with warm-weather wedding dessert ideas. For example, go for miniature baskets filled with plums that can be used as escort cards and also serve as creative wedding favors that guests will love. Gourmet sliders also make a perfect addition to any Memorial Day wedding or 4th of July cookout. You can serve them during cocktail hour or as a late-night snack to keep the party going. Individual cobblers served in skillets also make an adorable and delicious snack for guests who want something sweet aside from the cake. You can also go for Caprese salad as a tasty and healthy option that can also complement a red, white, and blue color scheme, especially when served on a decorative platter. Add individually wrapped chocolate-covered pretzels to your wedding dessert spread or give them to guests as favors, tying in your patriotic theme with colorful sprinkles. If you are not a big fan of wedding cake or if you have a sweet tooth and can't choose just one dessert, custom cookies are always a great option. Choose a design that reflects your color palette, such as a blue and white wedding color scheme.
Mason jars wedding favors
Mason jars can make for a charming and versatile wedding favor! Fill them with candies, homemade jam, or small succulents for a memorable and personalized touch. Tie a ribbon or twine around the jar with a thank you tag to show your appreciation to your guests. Mason jars can also be used as drinking glasses during the reception or as centerpieces when filled with flowers. Tie them up with a twine bow and a vintage thank you label – the perfect wedding takeaway.
Sparkler or fireworks wedding exit
We are fans of exciting grand exits! To conclude a patriotic celebration, what could be more perfect than having fireworks? Picture yourself driving away from an old-fashioned reception while being surrounded by fireworks and waving to your guests. Fireworks wedding exits are certainly a memorable way to end the festivities. If setting off fireworks isn't feasible, there are still plenty of other fun wedding exit options. You can also use sparklers wedding exit as it is another popular choice that can remind you of Fourth of July fireworks. These grand wedding exit ideas can serve as great party favors and photo props. You can also have your loved ones wave small flags to celebrate the newlyweds as an eco-friendly alternative!
Getaway car
Your guests will be present to celebrate and bid farewell as you and your partner start a new chapter in life, so it's important to have a memorable exit from the reception! Plus, it's an opportunity for your photographer to capture some stunning cinematic shots of the event's conclusion. What can be a better idea than to exit in a stylish vintage car getaway, decorated beautifully for an impressive exit? This works particularly well when driving towards a sunset or a sky filled with stars, making it an unforgettable moment.
These ideas are an amalgamation of festive Americana wedding must-haves! If you want to infuse your big day with a patriotic vibe, whether it falls on the actual holiday or not, drawing inspiration from the above wedding ideas is always a good choice. You can use the holiday's vibrant color scheme, integrate stars and stripes into your decor, or finish off the night with a stunning fireworks show. With so many possibilities, there's no limit to how you can incorporate the spirit of vintage Americana into your wedding. You might not choose to go all stars and stripes for your wedding decor. The choice is yours! You can go for subtle touches or choose to go for an all-out patriotic bash with these vintage and nostalgic Americana wedding ideas. These easy-to-follow and incorporate wedding ideas take on the holiday’s iconic decor, food, drinks, and installations. Select one or all of these endless options that are perfect for your special day.