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I’ve been incredibly lucky to attend several military weddings, including my own. While my husband and I held a traditional ceremony after our 14 month long-distance engagement, many of the couples I attended weddings had been married months earlier through a quick court ceremony. They marry the courthouse so they can take advantage of the financial benefits and promise to celebrate their “real” wedding when he returns from the field. Because of this arrangement, many brides plan their big day single-handedly. This can be a boon to those detail-minded brides who have dreamed of their wedding day since they were five, when they dressed in a pillowcase veil, forced their mother’s healing and little brother to walk hand in hand over the imaginary corridor in her family’s living room. But it can also be an incredibly daunting and stressful event that needs to be planned. If you don’t have a great wedding planner, you’re left with the infinite details that will help bring the vision to life.
With June being the most popular wedding month in many regions of the country, I am full of inspiration for a modern military-themed wedding. That’s why I’ve rounded up 10 of the most amazing military-themed wedding ideas I could find to make this particular event less worrying and quirky.
1.) Insert your story invitation.
In April 2013, I attended a couple’s military wedding, which I and my husband invited with a wonderfully unique invitation. It was a posh Mad Libs-style invitation that allowed us to write words on the RSVP card, such as a song we wanted to hear and how we wanted them to go down the island (I said wagon wheel ). I love David’s Bridal Wedding Invitation Insert, which tells a brief story about how the bride and groom met – a fun way to tell guests who may not know the couple very well.
2.) Love Birds Cake Topper.
Manufactured by Ann Wood at annwood.net, she can customize a bird wedding cake topper to suit your military branch. Put them on your cake to keep your guests and loved one happy as a keepsake long after the cake is cut.
3.) Embellish your favors.
This idea is so fresh. Use a live spruce in a mason jar tied with burlap twine to do the guests a favor. What a wonderful way to incorporate the military color pairing of army green and light brown into your favor.
4.) Anything but boring boutonnieres.
I love attending weddings that stink of personality. For a military twist, pin a soldier, anchor emblem, wing or saber on the lapel of your ushers and groomsmen.
5.) The wedding that gives back.
For the couple who don’t need much, this idea is sure to leave a lasting impression. Instead of making a wedding list, invite guests to donate to a military cause of their choice, such as the Wounded Warrior Project. Include instructions with the invitation and display a reception desk where last minute donations can be made. Remind guests about tax deductions.
6.) Create a photo booth.
It’s a party, why not have some fun with photography? It’s a great way to snap photos of all of the guests enjoying themselves in a non-traditional way.
7.) Go vintage.
If I could repeat my wedding, I would be planning a vintage military-themed wedding. Instead of bright patriotic colors, use vintage blues and muted reds. Use old suitcases and cases to house gifts, and incorporate vintage military aircraft or other industry-specific nostalgia into the centerpieces and favors.
8.) Use pretty postage.
Embellish your invitations with custom postage on the subject of a military wedding from zazzle.com.
9.) Amazing military wedding venues.
I was honored to witness a wedding ceremony in the Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel. It’s a stunning structure both inside and out. As a guest, I will never forget this wedding because it really was a great place. To incorporate the military theme into your environment, do research in local museums, banquet halls, and chapels related to your industry. Many bases are steeped in history and you can usually find structures both old and new that you are sure to like. Most military venues need to be reserved in advance for a fee, much like civil wedding venues.
10.) Free wedding dresses through Brides Across America.
Heidi Janson of BridesAcrossAmerica.com has given away over 5000 wedding dresses to military brides. This remarkable woman and her team are running nationwide wedding dress giveaways in July 2013. Visit their website to check dates and locations, and to pre-register. To qualify, you or your fiancée must have been deployed within the last 5 years – or you must have assignments for an upcoming deployment. You must also provide proof of order, valid ID, and be engaged. If you don’t live near any of the giveaway events or if you don’t qualify, they sell very affordable dresses through their website.
I’ve just scanned the surface of my finds. You can find more great wedding ideas on the topic of the military on my Pinterest pin board: Amazing ideas for a military themed wedding
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