Fourth Of July Summer Wedding

With summer in full swing, it seemed only fitting to share Sarah and Christian's Fourth Of July Summer Wedding. Even though their wedding was over July 4th weekend - it was not a red, white and blue bonanza. Of course, they could not help draw a little inspiration from this fun loving holiday. Using light blues, navy, with accents of pinks and reds. So tastefully done that this color palette would work beautifully for any season. Spring, summer or fall.
Read on to hear more from the bride, especially the part about the groom's father watching the ceremony via skype. Grab your hankies, it's a real tear jerker. There are so many for more beautiful photographs from Christina Diane Weddings in the full gallery.

We were married over July 4th weekend and while we didn't necessarily want our wedding to be patriotic, we couldn't help but draw some inspiration from the summer holiday. We used light blues and navy, with accents of pinks and reds. Our venue was very rustic, including an old barn and tons of flowers, so we didn't have to do much decor-wise. We wanted our guests to feel like they were in someone's backyard, so we used some of the furniture found on the property (an old wheelbarrow, a gardener's bench, wooden wine racks) to hold our favors, programs, and guest book. We really wanted the whole event to feel less like a ceremony and more like a backyard party, just like the one's you went to when you were a kid over the 4th of July. We also wanted it be about who we are as a couple and where we came from, so we included old wedding photos from both sides that we put in mason jars that were spread all over the property. It felt like a celebration of who we were and who we would become, together.

Fourth Of July Summer Wedding

Advice From The Bride

Rely on your family and friends. Not only do they want to help, their participation will add substance and depth to your special day. One of my friends spent months collecting over 100 vintage hankies for us to give as favors. My mom stayed up well into the morning hours on the days leading up to the wedding to help me get everything crafted and sorted. My stepsister tied over 150 bows on the bags of popcorn we gave as favors. Several family members delved deep into family archives to get me old wedding photos. 80% of our guests drove or flew hundreds of miles to spend the weekend with us. These are the things you will remember and cherish the most. You will not recall if the food was cold, or if the cake melted, or if the music skipped. One of the most amazing things about our day was sitting back after it was over - And it's over quick! Too quick! - and just reveling in how loved we felt. We are still humbled and breathless over the love our friends and family showered on us that day by helping with something, creating something, reading something, toasting something, and just by being there. Just breathe and focus on the moment because the whole act of getting married and everything that leads up to it truly is spectacular!

Fourth Of July Summer Wedding

There were so many special moments at our wedding, but the sweetest memory has to be the first few moments we spent as husband and wife. My groom's father had to miss the trip out to California for the wedding due to some pretty serious health issues so after the ceremony, we walked right down the aisle and into a cottage on the property where a laptop had been set up so we could have a quick skype session. For those who have been married, you probably know just how giddy and full of adrenaline you are after saying your vows in front of your nearest and dearest. We got to share those incredibly precious first moments with his wonderful dad, even though he couldn't be there in person. He got to witness firsthand our delirious happiness, and we didn't have to miss out on seeing the delight on his face when he saw his first son in his wedding clothes, standing next to his new bride. Along with the wedding itself, this gem will live vividly in my heart forever.

Fourth Of July Summer Wedding

We had several criteria for our wedding venue. It had to be somewhere outdoors with a rustic vibe, somewhere with a barn and hopefully a vineyard view, and somewhere our guests would feel at home and comfortable. With HCG, we got all of that plus immaculately cared for grounds, beautiful flower gardens, and gracious property owners who place themselves at your beckon call. The venue was such an integral part of what made our wedding a success, and it also became the inspiration for our attire, decor, and overall vibe. My advice to any couple about to tie the knot would be to find the location of your dreams and everything else will fall into place.

Fourth Of July Summer Wedding