Ajanta Roy

Ever thought about a Fourth of July celebration? Talk about fireworks! As the ceremony ends and the officiant pronounces you husband and wife, what is more appropriate than to have a fireworks display go off overhead? Here are some Fourth of July theme ideas:

• Since it’s July, why not plan for an outdoor reception?

• Keep it simple. Crisp, white linens and plates are the perfect backdrop for a patriotic wedding. You don’t want to go overboard with the red and blue. Plus, food always looks best on bright white plates. If you want to add red and blue to the tables, consider using white linen napkins, with navy or bright red trim. (Polka-dot ribbon would be adorable used this way.)

• Consider using red flowers in the centerpieces, mixed with greenery. You can also consider decorating the surrounding area with few blue and white petals.

• Serve red, white and blue cocktails during the cocktail hour.

• For entertainment consider finding a band to play classic American songs. Using a fiddler during the ceremony is also a great idea - its music is both fun and classic.

• As for the food? Go picnic-style with fried chicken and potato salad. Grill out fancy steaks and spicy corn on the cob. An ice-cream sundae bar would be a thing to remember if it’s a hot July day. Just go classic whatever you do! And while a red, white and blue cake may sound garish it doesn’t have to be. Just edit the details, but use the classic American colors. And if cake isn’t your thing? You can never go wrong with apple and blueberry pie and vanilla ice cream!

• Top off the cake with sparklers, and give children some sparklers to enjoy (with adult supervision).

• And it goes without saying that a patriotic wedding has to go out with a bang - literally! Fireworks are the cynosure for a Fourth of July wedding. Right before you and your groom exit, gather the entire reception out on the lawn and have a fireworks display to bring your wonderful day to a dramatic end. The photos of a bride and groom standing beneath a dark sky lit up with red, white and blue will be a memory they’ll carry with them forever!

It’s a great idea to bring Independence Day into the ceremony. And if you are worried about making the décor look too hokey, just don’t go overboard! A bit of red, white and blue goes a long way.