How To Pull Off A Patriotic Wedding Without Being Tacky?

missfirstlady · April 2011

My fiance has always been a very driven, authoritative [but not in a bad way], take charge kind of dude. So he's had the nickname "The President" for years. He really loves the nickname and so do I, and it's become like a running joke with his family and friends. That said, I've now become "The First Lady". So... we've mutually decided that we LOVE the idea of a red/white/blue/patriotic wedding.

However, what we're trying to figure out, is how to do it without it seeming super tacky.

We have a few small ideas so far, for example, the colors won't be straight red, white and blue, they'll be navy blue, a darker, richer red, and a pure white.

We don't intend on having any flags around [except perhaps to top the cake, not sure about that yet.]

Any ideas on how to do this in a classy, understated way?

brit_bell90 · April 2011

You should google "4th of July weddings" you get back so many pictures and information! I think you can make this theme really pretty.

The one detail I would definitely have are sparklers exit, maybe even a fireworks show (depending on location of course). I'm silly, and go all out with things..so I would make the GM look like secret service agents; black suits, white shirts, skinny black ties, and of course black sunglasses. I would probably do WP entrance song to either something that has to do with the President, or something like Mission Impossible, with the Secret Service GM darting around and pretending to protect you.

Sorry if my suggestions are completely out of the box, but I would soooo do something like that! lol

abbyful · April 2011

As you said about not having a lot of flags, I'd personally stay away from "stars and stripes" for any of the decorating, stick to along the lines of swirls, flowers, etc. And not mix red, white, & blue everywhere (i.e., have a centerpeice of flowers of one of those colors, not a mix).

Grau · April 2011

I like the colors that you have chosen. That will help in not making it to over the top.

You could always decorate your cake with raspberries and blueberries. Or have that type of filling.

Overall, I would go very simplistic with any designs. If you use the colors, it should be able to speak for itself.

Also, I love the idea of using sparklers.

NIKIC1204 · April 2011

THIS BOUQ IS UR COLORS BUT NOT TO OVER THE TOP AND TACKY, I WOLD STICK WITH A WHITE RIBBON WRAP ON STEMS

beckster5551 · April 2011

I really like this insperation board.

You could do a sort of sparkler send off and other small things like that. You could have the table name be presidents names, serve "all American" food and apple pie.

missfirstlady · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-theme-boards_offbeat-weddings_pull-off-patriotic-wedding-being-tacky?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Theme%20BoardsForum:43453af6-2ee4-412a-99fb-cbb447240911Discussion:c82492b9-91e4-4ca4-998e-f76f2f520b4fPost:dd836ad7-3c94-4d81-aeec-a22a34b9f987">Re: How To Pull Off A Patriotic Wedding Without Being Tacky?</a>:
[QUOTE]As you said about not having a lot of flags, I'd personally stay away from "stars and stripes" for any of the decorating, stick to along the lines of swirls, flowers, etc. And not mix red, white, & blue everywhere (i.e., have a centerpeice of flowers of one of those colors, not a mix).
Posted by abbyful[/QUOTE]

I agree, I don't want any stars or stripes or anything like that. I want it to all be very simple.

missfirstlady · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-theme-boards_offbeat-weddings_pull-off-patriotic-wedding-being-tacky?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Theme%20BoardsForum:43453af6-2ee4-412a-99fb-cbb447240911Discussion:c82492b9-91e4-4ca4-998e-f76f2f520b4fPost:ef3455c9-802e-4ea0-9ba0-f738d15684a7">Re: How To Pull Off A Patriotic Wedding Without Being Tacky?</a>:
[QUOTE]I like the colors that you have chosen. That will help in not making it to over the top. You could always decorate your cake with raspberries and blueberries. Or have that type of filling. Overall, I would go very simplistic with any designs. If you use the colors, it should be able to speak for itself. Also, I love the idea of using sparklers.
Posted by Grau[/QUOTE]

I like the idea about raspberries and blueberries for a cake. And I had intended on using sparklers no matter what the color scheme because they seem like a MUCH better alternative to rice/glitter/confetti/etc.

missfirstlady · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-theme-boards_offbeat-weddings_pull-off-patriotic-wedding-being-tacky?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Theme%20BoardsForum:43453af6-2ee4-412a-99fb-cbb447240911Discussion:c82492b9-91e4-4ca4-998e-f76f2f520b4fPost:3ae2cd6d-0bf1-4506-b3c4-51874049d36a">Re: How To Pull Off A Patriotic Wedding Without Being Tacky?</a>:
[QUOTE]I really like this insperation board. You could do a sort of sparkler send off and other small things like that. You could have the table name be presidents names, serve "all American" food and apple pie.
Posted by beckster5551[/QUOTE]

That inspiration board is helpful but I feel like all of that would be a little too gimicky. However I like the sparkler and the table names being president's names!

sloanaw · April 2011

you could do a mix of tables at reception too, like each table have white on it, then one have red flowers, the next could have blue petals, or vice versa. You could have the girls wear red dresses and the guys have blue vests and such as well, or have the whole party have on blue and white, with red flowers or something. Yeah, as long as no or very few flags are involved it shouldn't look bad at all. I think that could be really fun!

JessieR933 · April 2011

There was a cute picture on here of a girl in a short white wedding dress, with blue shoes and a deep red bouquet. I thought that was cute, but not tacky or in your face.

sessionswedding · April 2011

You could get married at the beginning of July, which would make blueberries and strawberries in season and more available for your wedding. You could give out white chocolate covered strawberries as favors, put solid blue floral centerpieces on tables with a white tablecloth and a red overlay, have the BMs wear blue dresses with a white sash and red flowers (or vice versa). There are so many ideas! My good friend is having a red, white, and blue wedding, and she is having the 10 BMs alternate dress colors. So I am wearing blue, but the girl next to me is wearing red, and so on.

cmalchow · April 2011

i googled cake and LOVED this one...

i think this is very understated (and it's cherry blossom's - very DC)

i like the idea of secret service GM too

here is a cool invite...the right colors, without being patriotic...

here's a better one (seems to match your colors) from zazzle...

and a nice understated dress...

(kidding)

but some decor...that could go with the circle invites...

HTH!

Armywife12688 · January 2012

I'm also trying to pull off a Patriotic wedding. My Fiance is a Soldier, and we are die hard Patriots so being in New England, in the Military and sharing this interest we really want the theme. We definitely don't want tacky. I'm a very simple girl, and for me I want to look very classic 40's with a lace dress, red lips...the whole attire with Daisies. I want an even mix of everything, without the tackiness. It's already a lot of work, but my brides maids are fantastic as they have done all this themselves.

How To Pull Off A Patriotic Wedding Without Being Tacky?

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