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When I first started blogging on Weddingbee, I mentioned a few New Orleans traditions that I wanted to bring to the wedding. Well, I kept to my word! These are a couple of last minute DIY projects that I think will add some fun to the party!
For our second line dance, I decided to save a little money and glam up our umbrellas myself. They are pretty pricey if you have someone else to do them, and it’s amazing what some hot glue and a little bit of feathers can do! I’m pretty sure I’m leaving them as is, but who knows, I might add some sparkle and more flair to them later!
I found these white and black umbrellas at Accent Annex, which is a pretty popular Mardi Gras throws store in the New Orleans area. They were a steal for $4, vs. the $30+ completed umbrellas at local bridal shops! I also purchased white and black boas to glue to the edges of the umbrellas with hot glue. At the most, this project took me 15 minutes. Easy peasy!
Mr. Ballet Flat had a problem with the boa on his at first, but I mentioned that this was just for 3-4 minutes and it’s New Orleans… just let it happen! 
Doesn’t this make you want to dance? 
Another New Orleans tradition is the cake pulls. Of course, I could have just bought a set, but why not make it even MORE New Orleans. So, I went uptown to Magazine Street (a popular shopping district in New Orleans) and bought New Orleans charms at the Bead Shop (they do not have a website to order from, sorry!).
Check out my stash!
Since my charms were unique, that would mean there were NO meanings for them whatsoever. So, I improvised with meanings I found on the internet. (Who really knows what the charms are supposed to mean, anyway?)
I basically took these charms and put a jump ring on them myself. Then, I strung some satin thin ribbon on them. The total cost for 10 cake pulls? About $15. Not too shabby, right?
How are you incorporating your hometown traditions in your wedding?
@Miss Burgundy: From wiki: A Cake Pull is a Victorian tradition at weddings in the Southern United States where tiny silver charms attached to satin ribbons are placed inside part of the wedding cake. At some point during the wedding reception, female attendants (typically the single ones) gather around the wedding cake and simultaneously pull the ribbons which are attached to the charms from the cake.
I love it! Of the Texan traditions,I think I’ll have sweet tea, Dr. Pepper, some sort of pecan candies. Oh… and the Mr. is definitely having a Dallas Cowboys cake. 
Maybe you can get some inexpensive chains to put the charms on so they can keep them as necklaces. That might be fun.
I love those charms and the boas on the umbrellas are so awesome!
Love it! Since I am from Ohio, our wedding favors are going to be Buckeyes, a delicious peanut butter and chocolate candy that is formed to look like … what else … a buckeye! (If anyone has watched an Ohio State game and is familiar with their mascot, just think about a candy that looks like Brutus the Buckeye’s head … only, without the face )
Your charm meanings are so clever and I looove the parasols. Everything is so cleverly representative of your hometown–that’s great!
I don’t think there are any wedding traditions for St. Louis. Any STL brides out there, let me know!
I love the meainings yougave the charms. Who will pull the charms? I’ve heard of the BM’s doing it, but it looks like you have many (unless you have that many BMs).
BAHAHHA, I love that there is a drunk guy on a pole….
@IA_Snowflake: I only have 4 in my bridal party, but I’m inviting close friends as well to have fun!
I love those cake charms so much! I can’t believe you found such perfectly New Orleans-themed charms. I hope the guests get to see them, I’m sure they’ll get a kick out of them too.
@TheEditrix totally from OHIO and totally doing an OSU themed wedding so Im with you on the Buckeye candies!!
@MissBalletFlat : Funny story about cake pulls, my cousin is from Nawlins and had us girls in the bridal party do the cake pull. All the girls grabbed the ribbons and pulled at the same time. I was sooo excited! It looked like a race car to me when I pulled it out and I need a new car so hey, I thought it was the “you will be the next to have a new car” charm.
Then the MOH goes, “Who got the baby carriage???!!” I immediately wiped off the rest of the icing and low and behold, it was ME!! Baby carriage= next to have a baby! Which was funny because my FI was overseas at the time and everyone started laughing.
As a tip: my cousin wrote out what charms were in the cake and what they meant in the programs so when people watched us pull they knew what it meant. It was really neat. (note to your bridesmaids…read the program!!)
thanks for posting this, i was wanting to do the same thing but didn’t know where to get the material.
Your wedding looks like it will be so fun! We are trying include lots of nautical inspiration from our Newport setting. We are also including elements of our alma mater, shich our venue overlooks.
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Mrs. Ballet Flat, New Orleans Age and Occupation: 24, Geographic Information Systems Analyst Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, IT Analyst Engagement Date: March 16, 2008 Wedding Date: May, 2009 Blogging Since: September 25, 2008 Venue: St. Charles Borromeo Church/Jefferson-Orleans North About Me: I absolutely love wedding planning, spending time with Mr. Ballet Flat, various crafts, watching football, baking, pop music, bargain hunting and ice cream. My idea of a great date night is dinner and clearance shopping with Mr. Ballet Flat! I currently live below sea level in the suburbs near New Orleans, where I make maps all day, everyday for my job. I'm slowly becoming more and more obsessed with anything New Orleans related for our wedding, and I can't wait for the big day!
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