10 Amazing Ideas for a Military Themed Wedding

I have been incredibly lucky to attend several military weddings, including my own. While my husband and I did a traditional ceremony after our 14-month long-distance engagement, many of the couples whose weddings I attended were, in fact, already married through a quick court ceremony months or even years before. They make the marriage in court so they can reap the financial benefits, promising to have his “royal” wedding when he returns from deployment. Due to this arrangement, many brides are left planning their big day without help. That can be a blessing for those detail-oriented brides who have been dreaming about their wedding day since age 5, when she dressed in a pillowcase veil her mother was healed and forced her little brother to walk. hand in hand for the imaginary. hallway in your family’s living room. But it can also be an incredibly overwhelming and exhausting event to plan. Unless you have a great wedding planner, you’ll be left with the infinite details needed to bring the vision to life.

Since June is the most popular wedding month in many areas of the country, I am full of inspiration for a modern military-themed wedding. So, I’ve collected 10 of the most incredible military-themed wedding ideas I could find to help make this special event less worrisome and more whimsical.

1.) The invitation insert to your story.
In April 2013 I attended a military wedding for a couple who invited me and my husband with a delightfully unique invitation. It was an elegant Mad Libs-style invite that allowed us to handwrite words on the RSVP card, like a song we wanted to hear and how we wanted them delayed on the island (I said cartwheel). I love the wedding invitation. insert featured through David’s Bridal that tells a quick story of how the bride and groom met, a fun way to tell guests they might not know the couple very well.

2.) Love Birds Cake Topper.
Made by Ann Wood at annwood.net, you can customize a bird wedding cake topper for your branch of the military. Sit them on top of your cake to surprise your guests and treasure them as souvenirs long after the cake is cut.

3.) Arrange your favors.
This idea is so cool. Use a live fir in a mason jar tied with burlap string to give to guests as favors. What a wonderful way to incorporate the military green and tan military wedding color scheme into your favors.

4.) Anything but boring boutonnieres.
I love attending weddings that reek of personality. For a military touch, attach a military, anchor emblem, wings or sabers to the lapels of your ushers and groomsmen.

5.) The wedding that returns.
For the couple who don’t need much, this idea is sure to leave a lasting impression. Instead of creating a wedding registry, 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 table where last minute donations can be made. Remind guests of tax deductions.

6.) Create a photo booth.
It’s a party, why not have a little fun with photography? It’s a great way to take photos of all the guests having fun in a non-traditional way.

7.) Go vintage.
If I could remake my wedding, I would plan a vintage military-themed wedding. Instead of bright patriotic colors, go for vintage blues and muted reds. Use old suitcases and trunks to store gifts, and incorporate vintage military planes or other branch-specific nostalgia into centerpieces and gifts.

8.) Use a pretty postage.
Dress your invitations with personalized military themed wedding postage from zazzle.com.

9.) Incredible military wedding venues.
I was honored to witness a wedding ceremony in the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel. It is an impressive structure both inside and out. As a guest, I will never forget that wedding because it was truly an amazing place. To incorporate the military theme into your environment, research local museums, banquet halls, and chapels related to your branch. Many bases are rich in history and you can usually find new and old structures that are sure to please. Most military venues must be reserved in advance for a fee, as do civil wedding venues.

10.) Free wedding dresses through Brides Across America.
Heidi Janson of BridesAcrossAmerica.com has gifted more than 5,000 wedding dresses to military brides. This remarkable woman and her team are hosting wedding dress giveaway events nationwide in July 2013. Visit her site to verify dates and locations, and to pre-register. To qualify, you or your fiancée must have been deployed in the last 5 years, or you must have orders for an upcoming deployment. You must also show proof of orders, have a valid ID, and be committed. If you don’t live near one of the giveaway events, or if you don’t qualify, they sell very affordable dresses through their site.

I just took a look at the surface of my finds. For many more awesome military-themed wedding ideas, check out my Pinterest board: Amazing Military-Themed Wedding Ideas