How to Plan a Southern Wedding

If you are getting married in the South or are from the South you may want to incorporate Southern traditions into a wedding held in a different part of the country. Whatever your situation, ya'll have come to the right place. Here are some tips to help you plan a Southern wedding.

Instructions

1. Think big. Southern weddings tend to be larger, more over-the-top affairs than their Northern counterparts. Guest lists can easily run into the hundreds. Small armies of bridesmaids and groomsmen are commonly encountered. To plan your own wedding Southern-style, don't be afraid of shooting for a big, unabashed, detailed and joyous extravaganza.

2. Honor tradition. Southern weddings are generally very traditional and the rules of etiquette adhered to strictly. To plan a Southern wedding, you should consider a church ceremony. The usual traditions of the bride wearing white and being given away by her father are followed, as well as are the bouquet and garter toss.

3. Incorporate Southern touches into your wedding theme. To plan a wedding evoking a pure Southern feel, use traditional Southern flowers in your bridal bouquet and decorations. Magnolia, gardenia and freesias are flowers commonly found in the South. Southern weddings also typically feature a groom's cake which is a cake designed and decorated to represent one of the groom's hobbies or interests.

4. Be inspired. The beauty and elegance of the South can provide lots of inspiration for a uniquely Southern event. Consider using an antebellum inn or mansion for a reception venue. Serve Southern food such as fried okra, fried green tomatoes, catfish, or gumbo. Greet guests with a mint julep or sweet tea. Watch the movie "Steel Magnolias" or even "Gone with the Wind" for inspiration.