Celebrating Southern: Weddings

I'm linking up with Leslie over at A Blonde Ambition today to talk about one of my favorite things...southern weddings.

Leslie has been celebrating southern all week sharing all of her southern belle secrets involving hair and beauty, food and bevies, and (another one of my favorite things) southern game day attire.

With my one year wedding anniversary coming up on Monday, I decided today was the perfect day for me to pipe in with my own southern opinions.

Weddings, especially in the South, are a huge deal.
It's the day every southern belle has been dreaming of since they were a little girl.
And I love everything about them.

I think southern weddings are a perfect blend of two important things:
southern hospitality and southern tradition.

Don't get me wrong, even though we take special note of Emily Post's proper southern etiquette, southern brides love to put their own personal touches on everything!

Cue Save the Dates.

A huge southern trend right now.
My fridge is currently covered with cute save the date magnets. 
Because one invitation announcing your big day is just not enough.
Besides, what southern belle doesn't want another opportunity to show off her cutsie engagement pics.

Southern brides also know that it's all in the details.

Sure the dress has to be ahhhhmazing

the cake needs to be delicious

and the venue (whether outside or in an old church) needs to be perfect.

But it's all the little things that guests will notice that really show off your personality and make your special day truly your own.

Southern brides always try to show off a little sass with their shoes. Cowboy boots are a huge trend in the south! So are colored wedding shoes (it's a great way to incorporate your "something blue").  I stuck with Jack Rogers, another big trend in the south.

Cake toppers are another way for brides to show their personality. The standard bride and groom cake topper are officially a thing of the past. Southern brides are now opting for a more fun alternative such as flowers, a southern staple monogram, or (if you're "raised-in-the-south-football-fanatic" husband gets a say) a playful, sport based topper. 

Southern brides love their flowers. And with so many beautiful styles and colors, how could you not?

Another tradition southern brides swoon over is the "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" tradition. Southern brides are convinced that having one of each of these things will ensure they have a completely magical day. (My something blue was a hanky given to me by my mom. It also served as something old because it was originally a baby bonnet given to my mom when I was born. Too sweet, I know.)

The garter is another piece of southern wedding tradition that brides are having a lot of fun with lately. I found this East Carolina University garter for my big day (my husband has an unhealthy obsessions with ECU Pirate football...see cake topper above to better understand). The garter is another great way to add a splash of color, personality, or a little something special for your sweet, sweet groom. 

Southern brides also know that the reception is almost as important as the wedding itself. Because hey, let's face it, if there's one thing us southern girls know how to do it's have a good time. And our wedding reception (essentially the biggest party we'll ever host) is no exception.

Go see Leslie and link up to talk all things wedding! 

Hugs,

Marianna