When it comes to planning a wedding, there are many traditions that can be incorporated into the special day.
Southern weddings in particular have their own unique customs and rituals which make them stand out from other celebrations.
From invitations to reception traditions, southern wedding traditions offer something truly magical for couples looking to add an extra bit of flair to their big day.
With this article we’ll explore all the different ways you can incorporate these cherished customs into your ceremony and beyond – so read on if you’re ready to discover what makes a southern wedding truly one-of-a-kind.
Southern Wedding Traditions
Invitations
Invitations are an important part of any wedding. It is the first glimpse your guests will have into what your special day will be like, so it’s important to get them right. Whether you want to go traditional or creative with your invitations, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Mr. and Mrs. John Smith cordially invite you to join them in celebrating the marriage of their daughter Jane Elizabeth Smith to Mr. James Robert Jones on Saturday, June 20th at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at St Mary’s Church in Savannah Georgia. Likewise, Jane Elizabeth Smith and James Robert Jones extend an invitation for you to share in their joy as they exchange vows on that same day at the same time and place.
Creative Invitation Ideas:
If you want something more unique than traditional wording for your invitations there are plenty of creative ideas out there. Consider using fun fonts or adding illustrations that reflect both yours and your partner’s personalities or interests such as animals if one of you loves animals or music notes if one of you plays an instrument etc You can also use puns related to weddings like “Love is Brewing” instead of “Love is Blooming”. Get creative with colors too – try combining two complementary colors together for a bold look that stands out from other invites.
Lastly, don’t forget about postage – most standard sized envelopes require one stamp but some may require two depending on weight, so always double check beforehand just in case.
Rehearsal Dinner
Planning the Rehearsal Dinner:
The rehearsal dinner is an important part of any wedding. It’s a chance for the couple and their families to get together, celebrate, and enjoy each other’s company before the big day. When planning your rehearsal dinner, there are several things to consider. First, decide on a location that will accommodate everyone comfortably. If you’re having a large group or want something more formal than just someone’s home, look into restaurants or banquet halls in your area that can host your event. Next, create a guest list so you know how many people need to be invited and accounted for when making reservations. Finally, plan out all of the details such as food choices (buffet-style meals work well for larger groups), decorations (if desired), music/entertainment (a DJ or live band?), favors (for guests who attend) etc., so everything runs smoothly on the night of the event.
For an extra dose of fun, serve some classic southern favorites such as hush puppies and fried okra. Appetizers like deviled eggs or fried green tomatoes can be followed by entrees like pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and macaroni & cheese casserole. Delicious sides like collard greens cooked with bacon fat will add to the meal, while desserts such as peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. To wash it all down, offer up drinks like sweet tea and lemonade served in mason jars.
To give your southern-style rehearsal dinner an extra special touch, add some decorative accents inspired by this region’s culture. Hang colorful banners featuring popular sayings from down south such as “Y’all Come Back Now Ya Hear” over doorways or use vintage signs displaying old-fashioned recipes along walls throughout the venue space. Place Mason jar centerpieces filled with wildflowers at tables alongside white linen tablecloths adorned with lace doilies – these touches are sure to make it feel like an authentic southern gathering.
Ceremony Traditions
Unity Candle Ceremony:
The unity candle ceremony is a popular wedding tradition in the South. It symbolizes two families coming together as one and can be incorporated into any type of wedding ceremony. During the ceremony, both sets of parents light individual candles that are then used to light a larger “unity” candle. This represents the joining of two families into one and can be done by either set of parents or even both sets at once.
Jumping the Broom Ceremony:
Jumping the broom is an ancient African-American custom that has been passed down through generations as a way to celebrate marriage. In this ritual, couples jump over a broomstick placed on the ground during their wedding ceremony to signify their commitment to each other and their new life together. This symbolic gesture is often accompanied by words spoken by family members or officiants about love, loyalty, and faithfulness in marriage.
Handfasting ceremonies have long been part of Celtic weddings but have recently become more popular among non-Celtic couples looking for unique ways to express their commitment during their special day. In this ritual, couples join hands while binding them with ribbons or cords – usually in three knots – which represent body, mind, and spirit being joined together as one entity for eternity. As they do so, they may recite vows or exchange rings before finally tying off the knot with promises made between them forevermore.
Reception Traditions
The bouquet toss is a classic wedding tradition that dates back centuries. It’s said to bring good luck to the woman who catches it, and symbolizes fertility and love. To make this tradition fun for everyone involved, you can have your bridesmaids line up in a circle with their backs facing the bride. The bride then throws her bouquet over her shoulder into the crowd of ladies waiting behind her. Whoever catches it will be blessed with good luck in finding true love.
The garter toss is another popular reception tradition that’s been around for ages. It’s said to bring good luck to whoever catches it, and symbolizes fidelity and commitment between two people. To make this tradition more exciting, you can have your groomsmen form a line on one side of the dance floor while all of your single male guests stand on the other side facing them. The groom then takes off his garter belt and throws it across the room towards his single friends. Whoever catches it will be blessed with good luck in finding true love too.
Finally, there is also the money dance which has become increasingly popular at weddings lately as well. This traditional activity involves having guests pin money onto either or both of the newlyweds as they slow-dance together, usually accompanied by music from their favorite band or artist playing in the background. Not only does this give couples an opportunity to collect some extra cash for their honeymoon fund but also serves as a way for family members and close friends to show their support through monetary gifts if they wish.
Conclusion
Southern wedding traditions are a great way to make your special day even more memorable. From the invitations to the reception, incorporating southern customs into your wedding can add an extra layer of charm and character. Whether you’re from the south or just looking for a unique twist on traditional nuptials, these southern wedding traditions will help make your big day one that you’ll never forget.
