American Flags

RhiMarieC

itzMS

RhiMarieC said:

Hi! My FI and I have decided on June 14, 2014 as our wedding date for a few reasons, one of which being because it is Flag Day. For me, having our special day on Flag Day is a tribute to my grandfather, who is no longer with us. I would love some ideas on how to incorporate the American flag into our wedding without it feeling like it is a patriotic theme, or to somehow explain why the day is important to us while honoring my grandpa.

Our reception has a literary, or "love story" feel to it (with vintage love stories as center pieces, card catalogue cards as the escort cards, STDs and invitations book themed, etc) and I don't want it to feel like there are competing ideas between that and the flag. Our colors are jewel tones (sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red, deep purple, gold) so I think the red and blue of the flag will at least flow with the rest of the decor. I just don't want to be throwing random flags into the decor because that will be way too much going on. 

I've thought about adding mini-flags to the ceremony flowers, using a flag print ribbon to wrap around my bouquet, giving small yard flags as favors, or something simpler like a picture of a flag in the program with a short explanation. 

Lastly, my FI also has 2 grandmothers who are no longer with us that we'd like to honor also (by adding something in the program possibly) will it be unsympathetic to have the flag for my grandpa, and nothing tangible for his grandmothers? Should I think of something to do for each of them also?

Any ideas? Thank you in advance for any help

Your wedding is the marriage of you and FI. You don't need to have a "theme" in the first place, and patriotic decor on top of your already established theme will start to look kitschy. While it's certainly sweet that you're trying to do outward memorials to your deceased relatives, it's unnecessary.

You and your FI know in your hearts why you chose your wedding date, and that's enough.

Could you pin a small flag pin and/or locket with your grandfather's picture in it to your bouquet versus doing a full ribbon?

Also, skip the flags as favors. They likely won't get appreciated as much as you would like.

RhiMarieC

You are right. Even re-reading what I wrote I started wondering "what was I thinking!?" Thank you

s-aries8990

Yeah, don't do flags as favors. Do something small and personal to recognize your grandpa and he can do something small and personal to recognize his grandmas if he wants. It doesn't need to permeate your event.

Dreamergirl8812

And don't DD!