While it's certainly appropriate to not go with a red, white, and blue color palette despite the holiday, many couples do choose to incorporate at least one of the hues for their celebration as a nod to the 4th of July.
Happy Independence Day! Whether you got married on July 4th weekend surrounded by family and friends or you and your beloved are planning a Fourth of July wedding for 2024, congratulations!
While it's certainly appropriate to not go with a red, white, and blue color palette despite the holiday, many couples do choose to incorporate at least one of the hues for their July 4th wedding celebration as a nod to Americana wedding style. If you'd rather go with a completely different color palette for your ceremony and reception, consider using red, white, and blue for the décor of the welcome party – especially if it falls on the 4th of July itself.
From bright red wedding bouquets, to white-and-blue china patterns, to providing American flags as themed wedding favors or photo booth backdrops, there are many ways to incorporate a red, white, and blue color palette on your wedding – 4th of July also offers a wonderful opportunity to invite guests to play classic lawn games like cornhole at your rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour, offer upscale barbecue-style hors d'oeuvres or food stations at the reception, and even festive ice cream carts to give guests a sense of nostalgia at the event in honor of Independence Day.
We’ve gathered images from the bridal showers, welcome parties, ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions of Inside Weddings couples to provide you with red, white, and blue 4th of July wedding inspiration from real wedding events, below. Click the links below each photo to see more ideas from these celebrations!
Even if your wedding has a completely different color palette, consider incorporating some details in red, white, and blue shades that won't be seen by your guests, so your photo album will have a touch of 4th of July inspiration. Consider ring boxes to display your engagement ring or heirloom jewelry in a royal blue hue, wear "something blue" wedding shoes or a classic Christian Louboutin red sole, or have your photographer photograph your timeless wedding invitation on a blue or red backdrop!
We've seen groomsmen rock American flag-inspired pajamas or onesies while getting ready with the groom, but we also love when the bride and bridesmaids wear white-and-blue dresses or robes. If your group of friends is particularly patriotic, you can even get flag-inspired koozies or straws for mimosas and beer in the bridal suite and groom's suite!
One way to honor Independence Day at your wedding without incorporating red, white, and blue décor is to take your couple's portrait with the stars and stripes of the American flag to honor your patriotism. You can hold it while stealing a kiss like this particular couple, or use the flag as a backdrop!
Photo by JKoe Photography; From Real Wedding: The 4th of July Wedding of Plain White T's Guitarist Tim Lopez
As we mentioned before, if you don't want to have your wedding day showcase Americana themes, it's a great idea to add some themed wedding elements to your bridal shower or welcome party! Keep it simple with china in the color scheme or go all out with themed lawn games!
Ask your mother or bridesmaids to dress in a royal shade of blue or a bold red to give your wedding a 4th of July feel without going overboard with themed décor. Americana, but make it fashion! See more mother-of-the-bride dress ideas in our wedding photo galleries!
Another fun 4th of July wedding idea is to offer your guests red, white, and blue accessories and favors throughout the wedding ceremony. If you're having a Jewish ceremony, provide red and white yarmulkes for attendees to wear or pass out miniature American flags for loved ones to wave as you're pronounced husband and wife.
Your wedding décor doesn't have to be way on the themed scale to be reminiscent of 4th of July weddings! If you love blue and white, for example, incorporate those hues through vases – you can always add red as an accent hue in other elements of the décor!
If you want to go all out, incorporate white, blue, and red flowers in your bridal bouquet; however, if you'd rather just choose two of those colors to use, the effect can be lovely! Just like the ceremony example, above, use the third tone in another way if you really want to include all of the colors of the flag in your décor.
The escort cards are a great place to incorporate your creative ideas! Choose white-and-blue tiles or even miniature beach chairs to get your guests in the spirit of a 4th of July wedding – without leaning too much into the theme.
The options are endless when it comes to wedding table décor ideas! We love sticking to just two of your favorite shades in the patriotic color scheme – or go all out with blue linens, red flowers and charger plates, and crisp white china for a luxurious 4th of July feel.
Photo by Bob & Dawn Davis Photography; Invitations & Calligraphy by Elizabeth Grace; From Real Wedding: Catholic Ceremony & Luxurious Red, Black & White Ballroom Reception
Of course you can create a confection that resembles the flag, but we also love when couples use the Americana colors by way of sweets on a dessert table, an ice-cream sundae station, or even a nostalgic pie.
Photo by Haley Richter Photography; From Event: "Summer in the City" Rooftop Bridal Shower Inspiration in New York
We love a fun grand exit! The popular sparklers choice can be a wonderfully reminiscent of Fourth of July fireworks, and another option is to have loved ones wave miniature flags to celebrate the newlyweds!
What's more American than driving off as husband and wife in a classic red convertible with a "just married" banner on the back or a blue convertible? Have some fun with this element of the big day!
There are so many ideas to incorporate when it comes to hosting a wedding over this patriotic holiday! Sure, you likely chose it so you could have friends and family off on a weekday – or extend the celebrations should it fall on a weekend; however, the date also offers a great opportunity to celebrate your love on America's birthday. Whether you lean entirely into the theme or just incorporate a few blue, white, or red details here and there, it will be an Independence Day you and your loved ones will never forget. Happy planning!!
Did you have a holiday weekend wedding last year? If so, we'd love to see it! You can submit weddings here – we're always on the lookout for gorgeous celebrations, engagement parties, welcome parties, vow renewals, and bridal showers.
For more wedding inspiration, view gorgeous ceiling installations from real weddings and discover 10 ways to make a big impact at your small wedding!