Weddingbee Blog

Even though our wedding will be taking place in central Illinois, Mr. Pony and I want to incorporate some good ol’ Southern charm into our event. Mr. Pony is from Tennessee and we got engaged while visiting Savannah (what I consider to be the epitome of Southern culture), so Southern elements are a necessity for our wedding day. But, I am having trouble coming up with uniquely Southern ideas to make this happen.

Here’s what I’ve go so far:

Via Al.com

FOOD. The easiest way to a Southern man’s heart is some down-home country cookin’. Evoke the spirit of the South by piling your plate full of okra, barbecue, and cornbread. Wash it all down with some sweet tea before finishing the night with some pecan or sweet-potato pie. Unfortunately for Mr. Pony, I don’t share his devotion to Southern food, so this homage to his roots will be limited.

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn / Food Styling: Norman King / Via Southern Living (I totally picked this picture for the napkin.)

Mint juleps. This iconic beverage is just as famous as Southern cuisine. I had my first (and only, so far) mint julep during our engagement trip in Savannah, and it was just how you would expect it to taste—refreshing, slightly sweet, and very strong. I would love to include mint juleps as a signature cocktail as a nod to our engagement, but I think I love the next idea even more…

Yum via Hostess with the Mostess

Even better than a refreshing minty drink? Mint Julep CUPCAKES! My taste buds died of excitement and have gone to dessert-table heaven. I am definitely hoping we can incorporate these into our wedding somehow.

Yessss…image via Amazon

Music. Oddly, I didn’t think about this when first coming up with ideas to give our wedding a more Southern feel, perhaps because there was no question in my mind that some country music will be played at our reception (including songs by those mustachioed guys above). Sadly, Mr. Pony does not share my enthusiasm for country music, so it will probably play a limited role in our event. That is, until “Friends In Low Places” comes on and Mr. Pony starts crooning.

Photos by Jasmine Star / Florals by Lauryl Lane / Event Planning by Red Velvet Occasions / Via Green Wedding Shoes

Cotton décor is such a beautiful and innovative idea. Cotton is prevalent in the Southern United States but is seldom grown in Illinois. Using raw cotton at our wedding would certainly bring a huge element of Southern summers to the north. The above wedding proves that the look of raw cotton is organic yet sophisticated, and I am hoping to find a way to use cotton somewhere in our wedding. Although I am not ready to give up all floral aspirations yet, I think cotton would be an inexpensive alternative or addition to expensive floral arrangements.

(A small tangent—the first time I visited Tennessee with Mr. Pony in the summer, he asked me what I thought these huge white objects were on the side of the Interstate. Puzzled, I said I didn’t know.

The unknown object, via Bigbonton

But Mr. Pony wouldn’t just tell me what they were—he made me guess. I finally guessed they were giant salt licks for deer or other critters. After fits of giggles from Mr. Pony, he finally explained that they were bales of cotton. Whoops. Just a little off. [Southern gals, feel free to make fun of me.])

My dream cake by Urban Sweets

Mr. Pony’s dream cake by Simon Lee Bakery

Groom’s cakes, although a Southern tradition, have been embraced throughout the country, and for good reason—it means more cake! Typically, the groom’s cake is a fun cake that reflects the groom’s interests or hobbies. We are 100% taking part in this tradition since it means more cake for all. Mr. Pony has already been cooking up ideas of what he wants his groom’s cake to look like.

Photo by Mark Eric

Cake-charm pulls are another Southern tradition; they have their roots in the Victorian era. Traditionally, charms are placed into the bottom layer of the wedding cake with a ribbon sticking out for the “ladies in waiting” to pull out for their fortunes. The charms symbolize many things, such as: who will be married next, who will have great fortune, who will become an old maid (yikes!), etc. At modern weddings, the bride has all the women in attendance pull out a charm (hopefully after eliminating the old-maid charm). I like this idea, but I don’t want to decimate our beautiful cake either. I am hoping to incorporate this tradition into a bridal-shower game or translate it into a different, non-cake-destroying event.

And finally…

Image via My Lifetime

This idea is so great it needs its own post.

I know, I’m mean.

What other Southern elements or traditions you would add to a wedding? Any guesses on the mystery Southern element?