Sweet Tea & Lemonade for your Southern Themed Wedding

After recently visiting Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina, I thought it would be fun to share some Southern Wedding traditions with my readers.

Savannah has become a huge destination for weddings, especially with couples from New York who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city for their wedding.  Many couples rent out one of the beautiful “squares” in Savannah for an outdoor ceremony followed by a reception at one of the historic mansions.

One of the mansions that Jay & I visited was The Olde Pink House, which was built in 1771.  We were lucky enough to eat dinner in the Grand Ballroom where most of their wedding receptions take place, but for larger parties, you can rent the entire mansion which holds up to 400 guests! The hospitality we received from the staff was as amazing as the food and we learned that in the south it is bad luck to say “Congratulations” to the bride and groom…instead you say “Best Wishes.”

The city is truly a walking city, but taking a horse drawn carriage ride is the most romantic way to see Savannah and all of its historic sites.  And of course this is a very popular form of transportation for Brides & Grooms.  Carriage Tours of Savannah specializes in weddings and special events, and our horse “Miss April” took great care of us as we toured the city.

Of course a staple in the south is “Sweet Tea,” which is basically the most delicious iced tea I have ever tasted!  In addition to a traditional Cocktail Hour, and since the heat in Savannah can be pretty steamy, many weddings also have a “Sweet Tea & Lemonade” station set up for their guests in addition to the open bar.  What a charming idea for our brides here in Chicago during our hot & humid summers.

And of course we cannot forget that just like me, they love their sweets in the South.  Pecan Pralines, Red Velvet Cake, Peach Cobbler, Banana Pudding and Moon Pies are easy to find.  And of course, during my trip I tried them all!  If you are planning a ‘Southern Themed” wedding reception, pecan pralines or Moon Pies would be a great favor to give to your guests.  Our favorite pralines were found at River Street Sweets in Savannah, where you can watch the pralines being made fresh day or night.  And for a truly unique Southern delicacy, we cannot forget the famous Moon Pie.  For only sixty-eight cents each, your guests will love this yummy graham cracker and marshmallow treat that we enjoyed in Charleston, South Carolina.

Well Y’all, I hope you enjoyed my trip to the South, and hope you found some helpful tips and ideas when planning your Southern Themed Wedding!