A Summer Military Wedding at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ashley Mathisen (26 and a nursing student) and Ryan Wichman's (25 and a US Air Force pilot) summer military wedding was a true patriotic affair. Because it's where Ryan graduated, the couple tied the knot in the chapel at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The color palette of red, white and blue (the day after the Fourth of July) was seen throughout each floral arrangement created by Pretty Petals located in Littleton, Colorado. With red roses carried by the bridesmaids dressed in knee-length blue gowns and a bouquet of white roses with blue accents held by the bride, the rest of the floral arrangements in the reception space at Doolittle Hall blended perfectly. Because Ryan is in the Air Force, he dressed in his mess dress. So did his groomsmen who are also in military. Commonly known as dress blues, military officers in the wedding party wore their formal dress uniform. To follow tradition, as Ashley and Ryan recessed up the aisle, the groomsmen formed a saber arch around them. As they reached the last two groomsmen, the sabers are lowered, detaining the couple momentarily for a kiss or two. Then the bride was welcomed into the military family. "Something fun the Air Force guys do is change out their white sleeves and backs of their shirts with different fabric. Ryan got a special one made for the wedding, with American-flag sleeves and PBR (yes the beer) on the back," Ashley says.