Firefighter themed weddings are a great way to honor a firefighter spouse as well as a fun way to demonstrate how hot your love is for one another. From accessories that reflect the firefighter to incorporating the red, yellow, and orange colors used by many departments, you can incorporate this theme into many aspects of your wedding.
Ideas for Firefighter Weddings
From basic color ideas to fun favors, there are different ways to incorporate a firefighter theme into your special day.
Colors
While numerous colors are appropriate for a "hot" wedding, though the most popular hues are red, brown, white, orange, yellow, black, gray, and dress blue. The colors can be subtly incorporated in any number of decorations, such as the bridal party dresses, accent items, table linens, flowers, and more.
Attire
Classic attire is fine for a firefighter-themed wedding, though the bride may choose to have flame-like lace or rich red accents added to her gown. The groomsmen may wear colored shirts, ties, or vests, while the groom may wear dress blues if he is a firefighter. For a whimsical touch, the men in the bridal party could wear fire helmets or boots.
Location
A wedding's location is a key component of any theme, and weddings for firefighters can be elegant and classy in restored firehouses. Some firehouses can also rent banquet halls to interested couples. If these options are not available, couples can easily decorate any hall with firefighter-themed accents.
Flowers
To highlight the firefighter theme, choose wedding flowers in associated colors. Bouquets and centerpieces could be designed with long, thin blooms reminiscent of flames, or a firefighter boot could be used as a quirky vase.
Transportation
What better transportation to a firefighter celebration than a vintage fire truck? Specialty car rental companies may have one available, or a local fire station may be able to recommend private collections. Some fire stations may even be willing to loan or rent active vehicles for wedding celebrations, particularly if the couple has a connection to the profession. If these options are not possible, couples could investigate renting a red limousine or other vintage or exotic car in a bright, fiery shade.
Firefighter Ceremony Inclusions
Let guests know you're hosting a themed wedding by incorporating flames, a fire truck, or other graphics into your wedding invitations. Then select
Decorations, Accessories, and Special Touches
Decorate with red and yellow accents, keeping the colors at the forefront.
- Decorated hydrants at the front of the ceremony (altar) and at the entrances
- Add red and yellow altar arrangements to match your wedding colors
- Wrap flowers in reflective tape
- Firefighter charms added to bouquets, wedding ring pillows, pew bows, the garter, or other decorative items
After the ceremony, ask your spouse's fellow firefighters to send you off memorably. Have them line up and hold up their axes to create an archway as you exit the building.
Firefighter Wedding Vows and Prayers
In addition to these fun and colorful options, couples may want to add a more sophisticated, solemn air to their event. A prayer for the safety of firefighters may be added to personal wedding vows, or the couple may light a candle for men lost in the line of duty.
Reception Fun for Firefighters
Plan out your reception with the theme in mind. Remember to incorporate small touches throughout the evening.
Decorations
The best way to decorate is to incorporate the colors and theme into your reception using both subtle and overt touches.
- Hang hoses in swag formations around the edge of the reception location
- Use bright red table runners and yellow and orange candles to create a flame-like setting
- Ladders arranged as a wedding arch
- Elegant Maltese cross or shield designs
- Sparklers used in lieu of rice or birdseed
- Fireworks to send off the happy couple on their honeymoon
Menu Suggestions
Flame-kissed, spicy food is perfect for firefighter weddings. Menu options may include grilled steaks or fish, hot salsa and chips, or wood-fired pizza. An open grill is especially suitable if it is available. For winter weddings, the fire house chili staple might be appropriate.
Wedding Cake
The wedding cake can also be coordinated with a firefighter theme. Red velvet cake has a vibrant crimson hue, or the cake could be decorated with colorful flames. Firefighter wedding cake toppers featuring firefighters are not difficult to find, or a cake could simply use a hat or shield motif. For a daring couple, chipotle or hot cinnamon fillings can ignite the flavor of any cake.
The groom's cake, too, can be decorated to match the theme. Specialty bakers can create cakes shaped like shields or fire trucks, or the groom could choose an ignitable dessert such as cherries jubilee to make the fire come to life.
Reception Music
Couples can spark some fun at their wedding reception by choosing music with fiery themes. Songs such as Ring of Fire, Hot Hot Hot, Standing Outside the Fire, or Great Balls of Fire are energetic dance numbers sure to heat up the party.
Favor Ideas
Many couples give wedding favors to their guests as a small token of thanks and appreciation for their love and support, and there are many firefighter-oriented options to choose from, including:
- Cinnamon red hots
- Miniature toy fire trucks
- Small fire hats filled with candy
- Personalized matches or lighters
- Cookies shaped like trucks, flames, or hats
- Candles in the shape of fire hydrants or hats
- Dalmatian figurines
Cooling Off a Hot Theme
It is easy to go overboard with any wedding theme, and too much fire-oriented décor and theming can make a well-planned event go up in smoke. To avoid getting burned by an overdone theme, couples should choose just one or two coordinating elements to weave throughout their wedding decorations rather than inundate guests with too much imagery. Carefully chosen, well-coordinated accents will be more beautiful and memorable than overwhelming choices.
