Hello dolls! I hope you enjoyed the wonderful holidays, and I hope they were filled with Southern family traditions. Goodness knows there are a ton of those!

I think I say that I love each tradition I work on, and the truth is, I do! You might recognize the first image from my Dream Southern Wedding, and you might remember that I am completely obsessed with it! SO, without further ado, let’s get started on the Southern wedding tradition of the white Bible. This tradition was originally introduced to us by one of our fabulous readers, and I’m happy to share it with you today.

Image credit from top to bottom and left to right: A Bryan Photo, Ali Harper via this awesome SW feature, and Sherry Hammonds.

Originating in Northern Ireland, brides would carry a white Bible instead of a traditional wedding bouquet. Many Irish families had Bibles that were passed down from generation to generation, and carrying this heirloom was a way for a bride to honor her family. During my research, I was thrilled to find out that Grace Kelly carried a little white Bible covered in flowers down the aisle at her wedding to the Prince of Monaco.

These days, for Christians brides, the white Bible is also an outward representation of their faith. Bibles and small white prayer books can be weaved into your bouquet, or can be embellished with ribbons or cascading flowers. If you decide not to carry a Bible, we also love the idea of weaving paper strips imprinted with a favorite verse into or around your bouquet. One of our past brides, Melissa, did something similar with her bouquet!

What’s your favorite Southern wedding tradition? Have a fun one I haven’t covered yet? Send it my way!

P.S. Here are a few of my faves:
Burying the Bourbon
A Moment of Prayer
The Sorority Sing