What's better than a wedding? A military wedding! Walking down the aisle to a man in uniform is inevitably a ceremony full of tradition (and swords), but why stop there? We've rounded up the best of the web to help you deck out your military wedding with the best patriotic accents to make it a red, white, and blue affair to remember.
This plate, for example, got me excited about friends' upcoming nuptials. How great would this be at a military wedding?
Photo by Laura Ivanova Photography, Wedding Menu by A Milestone Paper Co. via Style Me Pretty
I love love love the patriotic plate and the hand-made details on the menu. Unless you're renting plates from a caterer with a super extensive collection, you're probably going to have a hard time finding these plates with a reasonable price tag, so try recreating the look with a glass plate atop a small American flag.
These from party city are a steal. Snip the flag off the rod, place underneath plates, and ta-da! Your table setting will be as snazzy as this one without breaking the bank. At least half the cute comes from that adorable embroidered heart on the ribbon, though, and that's an easy DIY. (In fact, that little heart ribbon would be a cute theme to carry throughout your wedding, and it's the kind of thing that a few hours, a needle, and an Army Wives or NCIS marathon could get done pretty easily. How cute would your invitations be if they were held together by that adorable ribbon covering a paper clip?)
As long as we're at the table, let's talk napkins.
Napkin rings via Martha Stewart Living
These DIY napkin rings are also perfect for your place-settings. Not only can you make them at home, but you can find wonderful ribbon for however dressy your wedding is. This flag grosgrain is cute and casual; these pretty satin ribbons befit a formal affair.
This Army wedding brilliantly incorporated flags into the whole event. The hand-made quality really sets them apart, don't you think?
Photo by 217 Photography, even planning and design by Proud to Plan via Style Me Pretty
I really like using the flags in little galvanized cans to decorate the chairs on the aisle.
Photo by 217 Photography, even planning and design by Proud to Plan via Style Me Pretty
The flags also made for a really gorgeous photograph of the bride. They look homemade, though, and I shutter to think about how much time that consumed.
They also used (now overplayed? Can they ever be overplayed?) mason jars with super cute red, white, and blue straws for drinks at the reception. That's something we can all copy on a budget! Cupcake Social has 100 straws for $16. Happy drinking!
Photo by 217 Photography, event planning and design by Proud to Plan via Style Me Pretty
While we're on drink, shouldn't we all get to toast with this amazing limited edition Chandon? The head table should have some, at least, because holy America, batman! I always knew champagne should be patriotic. I've been toasting America with it for years.
Limited-edition Americana from Chandon via Gizmodiva
I'm also loving the use of a big flag in all these pretty weddings! It's not something you normally think of as wedding paraphernalia, but isn't it just gorgeous? I love this photograph with the light shining through.
Photo by T3 Photography via Facebook
This one is pretty stunning, don't you think?
Fourth of July wedding portrait by Blink of an Eye Photography via GigMasters
And I'm a sucker for this one, with the bridesmaids in red and blue. The flag is the perfect backdrop!
Photo by Kate Osborn via Utah Bride Blog
Meanwhile, some people have taken the sweet military life literally with a military-themed wedding cake.
Photo and cake by Hot Mamas Cakes
What do you think? Better for a groom's cake or just plain fun?
If that wasn't enough icing on the cake, there's nothing better than a little sparkly something blue.
Photography by Broxton Art via The Knot
Tell us: Was your wedding patriotic? Did your servicemember go in uniform? What tips do you have for anyone getting married - should they red, white, and blue it up? Or just go classic and fun?
