HOW-TO: Set Up a 4th of July-themed Beverage Station at Your Wedding

Planning to go patriotic at your wedding with a 4th of July theme? One of the most striking and simplest ways to make a star-spangled statement is with the reception food and drinks. We’ve already covered how to put together a July 4th-inspired desserts table. Now, we’re presenting great ideas and helpful tips for setting up a July 4th-themed Beverage Station to keep guests refreshed and feeling patriotic! Huge thanks to the talented bloggers and recipe developers whose drinks styling inspiration we showcase here. Cheers to the red, white and blue!

Styling and Serving Tips for a 4th of July Beverage Station

Credits: 1 – Stylish Spoon / 2 – Reluctant Entertainer / 3 – Thirty Handmade Days / 4 – The Sweetest Occasion / 5 – Castleton Farms / 6 – Whipperberry

Tip #1: Stars and Stripes Forever!
Incorporate elements featuring stars and stripes in varied combinations of red, white and blue—and you’re halfway there.

1. This can be as straightforward as tucking actual flags amongst the drinks display (1). Hint: Love the Americana touch of the galvanized iron tub used as a drinks chiller!
2. You can have decorative straws (5)—blue ones with white stars paired with striped red and white ones.
3. Or get creative and present mason jars of colored drinks arranged in the pattern of the flag (2)—with bowls of blueberries as the blue field in the upper left and the rows of jars as the stripes!
4. Striped or star-patterned tablecloths, table runners and napkins are easy ways to allude to the flag as well.

Tip #2: Proudly Display the Patriotic Palette

This one’s easy! If you don’t want to obviously display the flag, simply play around with the old red, white and blue in the beverage table elements.

1. These can be solid-colored linens, glassware, and colored and/or patterned straws (notice the straws in nearly all the photos we’re featuring: 1, 3, 4, 5).
2. Fresh flowers, like bunches of white hydrangeas (1), bold red carnations, geraniums, or roses; or blue cornflowers would add these colors so prettily.
3. Fruits like strawberries, cherries and blueberries can be used as drink garnishes (2, 5), or can be set out in bowls (1) or baskets for guests to enjoy.
4. And of course, the drinks themselves can be tinted red (4) or blue (3), or be refreshingly clear and sparkling!  Hint: See also the drinks recipes we’re sharing at the end of this post

Tip #3: Add Americana Labels, Tags and Signs

To give your beverage display a polished look, be sure to add signs on or alongside the table itself, plus labels and tags on the bottles, glasses, mason jars, pitchers and dispensers. Printables, of course, are the easiest way to go!

1. Circle cutout tags (3) are so versatile. They can be used as drinking straw “collars,” or to present fun July 4th favors like red licorice sticks or sparklers.
2. Little flags and pennants (4) not only look patriotic, they’re ideal for dressing up straws (again!), creating mini bunting for your display, and topping donuts and cupcakes served with the drinks!
3. Think quaint Americana-inspired labels (6) to let guests know what you’re serving—from water to punch to sangria.

PATRIOTIC DRINKS RECIPES YOU CAN TRY!

Alcoholic

1 – Watermelon Shandy – from How Sweet Eats

2 – Blueberry Breeze Cooler – from Ann’s Entitled Life

3 – Red, White and Blue Sangria Spritzer- from So Munch Love

Non-alcoholic

4 – July 4th Layered Drink – from In Katrina’s Kitchen

5 – Razz, White and Blueberry Smoothies – from Five Heart Home

6 – Fruit-infused Sparkling Water – from Oh My Sugar High