Cover image by the amazing Jose Villa.

Read the BUZZ and take a look inside the magazine:

From Cristen at {W Scott Chester Photography} “… the sw gals have really topped the upper echelons of wedding fabulousness! … be sure to run (not walk) to your nearest book store on january 6th to pick up your copy of the magazine.”

From Jonathan at {Jonathan Canlas Photography} “Thanks to Southern Weddings for having one of the classiest publications around!”

From {Stephanie Williams Photography} “Be sure to check it out on newsstands in January, since it is sure to have tons of inspiring weddings and gorgeous details! Also, anyone looking for wedding ideas and inspiration, definitely head on over to Southern Weddings!“

From {Leo Patrone} “I love the layout of this magazine. Make sure to pick up this issue!”

From {Martha Manning} “Check out their fabulous cover. (I am loving the “Film is Alive” article, by the way!)…”

From {Casey Cunningham Photography} “Check your local retail stores for the new issue, premiering January 6th! Southern Weddings is being so highly reviewed that their publisher has already decided to distribute it nationally! GO GIRLS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!”

From {Sarah K Chen} “The SW Blog features some of the most beautiful weddings ever and showcases so many inspirational ideas for soon to be brides that I know their premier issue is going to be beyond amazing! Be sure to check it out starting January 6th!”

From {Darling Dexter} “Have you heard? Southern Weddings Magazine is launching Jan 6th and I am so honored to be a part of it! … Can’t wait to see the magazine in person :) Be sure to grab a copy next week!”

From Liene at {Blue Orchid Designs} “I was fortunate enough to receive the test issue of the magazine this past June and have also had a few sneak peeks at the new premiere issue, and I can say without hesitation that you are in for a treat! Lara, Kirstin, Laura and Rachel, office manager Abby K Pants, and the rest of the Southern Weddings team have done an incredible job of putting together a magazine that is full of eye-candy and practical information for brides and grooms everywhere.”

From Jamie at {It’s a Jaime Thing} “Even though I’m from Chicago I’m going to try this out…”I dooooo declaaare” this is going to be one breathtakingly beautiful magazine that you’ll surely enjoy! Happy flipping!”

From {Fred Egan} “Southern Weddings is about to debut their premiere issue on newsstands this week. I’m honored Lara, Kirstin and crew chose to feature Chinedu & Evana’s Atlanta wedding in their Real Weddings. One of the most extravagant weddings I photographed this year, pick up an issue to read their story and other beautiful southern weddings.”

From {Altmix Photography} “We really encourage you all to go GRAB the issue off the closest shelf! the inspiration you will find, the images you’ll digest and the advice you’ll read will completely change the way you view your wedding and the wedding industry as a whole.”

From {Our Labor of Love} “this magazine is an explosion in the wedding industry!!! we *heart* SW! thank you all at SW for making it all happen! BRIDES, SOON-TO-BE-BRIDES, FIANCES,MOMS OF BRIDES, PEOPLE WHO LIKE PRETTY PICTURES, PEOPLE WHO LIKE WELL WRITTEN ARTICLES, PEOPLE WHO LIKE GOOD DESIGN, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SUPPORT A FABULOUS GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO MADE A GREAT MAGAZINE- go to the newstands and get a copy of this gem of a publication…go on…do it…now.”

From {Millie Holloman} “If it isn’t apparent by the rocking blog these girls have (loaded with incredible updates and such style) just how amazing they are, then this magazine will confirm that they know what’s hot! … This is the most updated wedding magazine I have seen yet and it’s FULL of great images for brides to enjoy along with fabulous ideas and fun articles. Pick up a copy for yourself when they hit the shelves on January 6th!”

From {Jeremy Harwell} “The Southern Weddings Blog in one of the most prestigious blogs on the web and their first magazine issue continues on in their excellent tradition! Lara Casey the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief and her amazing staff have done an amazing job to deliver the South’s hottest wedding magazine for the modern Southern bride. … I am honored to be a part of their wonderful magazine!”

From {Joy Marie Photography} “Lara Casey, and her wonderful team already run one of the most popular wedding Blogs in the wedding industry, and now they’ve outdone themselves with the new mag. …I’ve been following the Southern Weddings team every since they featured Emily & Tye’s wedding last summer. I’m so excited to see what 2009 has in store for all of us! For all of you brides out there, be sure to check out the Southern Weddings Daily Blog for ideas & inspiration. Congrats, ladies! The premiere issue is a total reflection of your blog…classy, elegant, and modern! “

From {Jenna Walker Photography} “This very first issue of Southern Weddings is chalk full of beautiful weddings and amazing event detail ideas from around the country. The ladies over at SW have an incredible eye for the trendiest fashions hitting the wedding scene – a treat for any bride, no doubt.”

From Maria at {Ritzy Bee} “If the talented team over at the Southern Weddings blog did not inspire readers enough already with their daily posts on gorgeous wedding inspiration…now all of us can put our hands on the premiere issue of their beautiful new magazine, Southern Weddings, which will be in stores on January 6th and will also be available over at their blog too!”

From Kathryn at {Snippet and Ink} “Southern Weddings magazine has launched (and yes, that’s Chelsea and Tec on the cover), and I’m so flattered that Snippet & Ink made it onto their list of favorite blogs! Pick it up on newsstands, or order your copy HERE starting January 6. Congratulations ladies!”

From Myra at {Twigs and Honey} “The wonderful ladies at Southern Weddings have released their first print edition! … Look for the issue on newsstands beginning January 6th. I can’t wait to receive my hardcopy. From what I can tell, theirs will be a beautiful wedding publication! Thank you Southern Weddings!”

From {Michelle Rago} “Congratulations to Southern Weddings Magazine for launching its very first print issue! We are thrilled to be included!”

From Emily at {Once Wed} “The magazine officially launches tomorrow, so be on the look out for it on newstands all over the US. Have I also mentioned how excited I am to see Tec and Chelsea on the cover…”

From Erin the {Blue-Eyed Bride} “I’ve been so excited about the launch of the Southern Weddings magazine for months now and today is the day! The Southern Weddings blog is the best wedding blog out there and features the most inspiring details and images. I get excited every morning to see what gorgeous weddings they’ll post each day. The premiere issue of their magazine hits stands today and I’ve got to go out to find my copy.”

From Andria at {Andria Lewis Events} “The hard-working ladies atSouthern Weddings Magazinehave given birth to their newest wedding baby. The premier issue of the magazine goes on thenewsstandstoday. How exciting! I am checking my mail religiously, awaiting my preview copy. Lara, Laura, Kirsten, Rachel and Leah have produced one of the juiciest, comprehensive wedding mags out there. And this publication focuses on weddings in the South, our home.“

From Kerrie at {Platinum Weddings by Kerrie} “The premiere issue of Southern Weddings Magazine hits stands today! I am so excited to get my hands on a copy- seeing as it is being brought to us by the fab femmes behind the truly inspirational and one-of-a-kind blog, the magazine will no doubt be utterly amazing. You’ll be guaranteed to find inspiring details and beautiful pictures to get your creativity going, no matter where your wedding will be. So what are you waiting for- go grab your copy now.”

SW on {Weddingbee Pro}

SW on {Weddingbee}

From cover bride, {Chelsea}

From cover groom, {Tec Petaja}

From {Kate Benson} “Southern Weddings Just published their premiere issue and it’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It’s one of those magazines that you just want to sit down by yourself with no distractions and examine every snippet in detail. It’s eye candy to say the least, even my seven year old couldn’t keep her hands off it. It’s now one of my favorite wedding magazines with lot’s and lot’s of photos from my absolute favorite wedding photographers. It caters perfectly to everyone in the wedding industry whether you’re a future bride or simply a photographer like myself. “

From Erik aka {Poser} “southern weddings premiere issue hits the stands today. the ladies over at www.swsmag.net do an amazing job of keeping up with trends and whats going on in southern wedding culture. if you havent gone by the blog, stop by and if you are in basically ANY place that stocks wedding magazines, pick yourself up a copy of this wedding goodness. oh, and the ad on the inside front cover is flippin SWEET!”

From {Joyful Weddings and Events} “I love the wonderful ladies over at Southern Weddings and their blog is a daily read. We have been honored to have our weddings featured numerous times and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy today. It is sure to be filled with gorgeous photos, fun details and lots of inspiration.”

From {First Coast Weddings} “It’s finally here – the debut issue of Southern Weddings! I picked up my copy this morning at Barnes and Noble on my way in to the office. While I have only had a chance to flip through the pages, I can tell already that it is on my “faves” list!”

From {Stacy Reeves} “I have gushed about the Southern Weddings blog several times already, as it is hands down no contest my favorite wedding related website of all time. Thus, it should be no surprise that the brand spankin’ new Southern Weddings Magazine is now my favorite wedding mag of all time! Seriously, this magazine is a photogasm of gorgeous weddings. Lara Casey and her team of talented Southern belles have collected some of the coolest wedding details I have ever seen. Normally when I go through wedding mags I rip pages out of things that I love, but I can’t do that with this magazine, because there is something on virtually every page that inspires me. If you’re engaged or hope to be soon, if you’re a wedding planner or vendor, or if you just love weddings, you need to run straight to your closest bookstore and buy one RIGHT NOW. It also makes a great gift for the new bride-to-be in your life.”

From Brenda at {Best Wedding Sites} “I’d like to send out a big congratulations to Lara and her team at Southern Weddings – today is the official launch of the premier issue of their new magazine. While I haven’t seen a printed copy – I have a feeling that it will be nothing short of spectacular. I love the photos they showcase on their daily blog and cannot wait to get a copy of the magazine for myself. I just love that there is a new publication available for brides. And, this is a publication that won’t be just for southern brides – I’m sure all brides are going to enjoy this one. I’ve seen some sneak peaks of the inside pages and WOW – so much eye candy! Anybody get their copy yet?”

From {Heather Forsythe} “I just received my gorgeous premier issue of Southern Weddings Magazine! What an amazing magazine and resource for southern brides. Southern Weddings is full of glamorous design ideas and beautiful imagery.”

From {Lucky Designs} “After many phone calls, no one in my community has the new Southern Wedding magazine. Waiting for it to arrive in the mail is going to be excruciating! I will have to read all the lovely daily posts in the meantime!”

From {Brooklyn Bride} “The new magazine Southern Weddings will be out before you know it, and I’m excited to say that Brooklyn Bride and Bklynpillow both grace its pages! I’ve had a chance to check out the magazine and its got some great stuff, so pick up your copy soon! Congrats ladies!”

From {The Bride’s Cafe} “I’ m so excited to share with you that the beautiful ladies at Southern Weddings are celebrating the release of their gorgeous magazine…Southern Weddings….make sure you pick up a copy…it’s filled with gorgeous “eye candy” to inspire you while planning your special day…and thanks ladies for including TBC on your wonderful list of favorite blogs….much success to you in 2009….YOU LADIES ROCK!!”

More links: {Kate Headley Photography}, {Chewing the Cud}, {Wedding Paper Divas}, {Studio 222}, {Martha Manning}, {Joel Flory}, {Don’t Box Us In}, {Cannelle et Vanille}, {By Your Side Events}, {Outstanding Occasions}, {Kelly Moore Photography}, {Agnes Lopez}

One of our fav posts this week:

From {Scarlett Lillian} “Back in my journalism days, I used to publish a magazine and I remember that EXHILARATING feeling of seeing it for the first time on newstands. All the hard work, all the late nights, all the attention to detail… it truly is like giving birth! So I just want to extend a big CONGRATS to Lara and the girls over at Southern Weddings, the blog where Sarah & Brian’s wedding just got featured! I finally picked up a copy of the magazine tonight at my local Publix, and jumped up and down for them when I saw it! I have to confess, because it was a new magazine, it was in the very back row on the shelf, but to help the girls out, I moved the whole stack to the front where it deserves to be and switched it with Martha Stewart’s placement ! Sorry Martha, but Southern girls rule!

You must check this magazine out! The pages of Southern Weddings are deliciously juicy in vibrant colors and details, and has the same charm and grace as Southern hospitality. It’s definitely the new “it” magazine for every bride, Southern or not!”

So honored to discover this post from the phenomenal {Rebecca Grinnals}. I won’t post it all here, so be sure to click the link.  Thank you, Rebecca!!!

From {Joy and Tyler Thigpen} “Hey hey! Look who’s on the cover of the premiere issue of the awesome new magazine, Southern Weddings! Its Chelsea and Tec with a 4 page spread to boot! Pretty fun. Be sure to look for it on news stands. There’s so much buzz about it right now I’m dying to get my hands on a copy. I think its just the magazine brides are looking for these days. Its new, fresh, and has quality content.“

From {Playing House} “My dynamo sister-in-law, Lara, has outdone herself once again. This week, she and her lovely team launched the premier issue of their magazine, Southern Weddings. If you haven’t seen the SW Blogsite, check it out immediately for unlimited wedding-related eye candy (and their 3-part feature on our wedding here, here, and here).”

From {The Treasured Petal} “Looks like Jill and Harry’s dahlia and tulip bouquets have been featured in the first ever print edition of Southern Weddings. I can’t wait to get my paws on that magazine! I read their fabulous blog everyday, and always oooo and ahhh over the amazing inspiration I find there. …please grab a copy and let the drooling begin! That cover shot is so charming.”

From {Bespoke Stationery} 

From {Regina Holder} “This week, the first issue of Southern Weddings Magazine hit the newsstand! I was so excited to see Jose Villa’s photo on the cover! The magazine is an awesome print version of their very stylish blog. Every day, Southern Weddings features a new incredible Southern style wedding. It is awesome to see a blog that appreciates photographers as much as they do. I actually have a small ad on their website and was featured on their blog in July. See the post here. I need to post more on my blog, so that they can see the awesome weddings I am shooting and feature them. Another 2009 goal! I was thrilled to have one of my images in the magazine, even if it is very tiny.”

From {Perez Photography} “We hope everyone had a great New Year. Things have been crazy hectic here with lots of new and exciting things. A new website is coming really soon! We just flew in from Jamaica last night. We have been to Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Colorado City all within the last 3 weeks. And the Studio will be opening, we hope, in the next two weeks! Lots of stuff to come on the blog! We also just found out that Southern Weddings featured Stephanie + Ulises’ wedding as wedding of the week. Really cool! It was also featured on Dallas Wedding Planner on their Something Blue Blog. Check them out! Also definitely go out and run… don’t walk to go buy the new Southern Weddings magazine . It is BEAUTIFUL!”

From {SJB Weddings and Events} “I blogged about Southern Weddings Blog last May because I simply loved the blog. It was so pretty and full of beautiful photos from real weddings. So I was excited to finally find the magazine today and I must say it is simply stunning! The ladies of SW Magazine have truly produced a beautiful magazine that is sure to inspire any bride, whether they are from the south or not. What is so impressive about this magazine is the number of actual real weddings featured. Unlike any other wedding publication currently accessible, Southern Weddings Magazine is the ultimate wedding inspiration! Today, I bought Southern Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazines. I have not been able to read the other mags yet, because I can not put Southern Weddings down! So listen brides out there, if you are in the planning stages of your wedding and you can not find it in your local bookstore, please order it from the site it is well worth it. The internet is wonderful, but it still does not compare to a great magazine that you can flip and dog ear the pages!! :)”

From {Peach and Pearl} “Have a delightful weekend, lovelies! Any readers who are anywhere near the South should plan to hightail it to the Southern Weddings magazine launch party next Sunday (the 18th). Knowing these ladies, I’m sure it will be a fantastic event. Register here. And look for their premier issue on newstands across the country now! If it’s not offered in a spot near you, you can order one online {which I’ll be doing, as well!}”

From {Next Exit Photography} “Happy is a wedding photographer published in the premiere national issue of the magtastic Southern Weddings Magazine! Their daily blog is to die for. I love the gals over there. They are so kind to us! The first image is of the gorgeous bridesmaids’ wristbands from Bonnie and Ivan’s wedding. The second yellow set “walking on sunshine” is from Dani and Mark’s wedding, shot by Stephanie Williams, Next Exit Rockstar Associate!”

From {Drew B Photography} “Well, duh. You already knew that, right? But, no really he is. Brayden just won a FLIP video camera from the awesome girls at Southern Weddings! I entered a picture of Brayden showing off his holiday spirit and we won! Woohoo! I already loved Southern Weddings and now I love them even more! Thanks girls! And did you know that the very first edition of Southern Weddings Magazine is on newsstands now??? Yep, that’s right. I haven’t had any luck locating it in California yet, but I’m on the lookout and when I do I will let you all know. If you see it be sure to grab a copy. I’m sure it’s full of beautiful wedding goodness!”

From {Beau Coup} “I’d also love to join the loads of other bloggers in congratulating the ladies over at Southern Weddings Magazine over the launch of their new bridal magazine yesterday. This has been coming for a long time and they have worked very long and hard. It sounds like a fantastic read and well, the cover features one of my favorite weddings of 2008. So if you live in one of the locations that sells it, head on over and pick yourself up a copy!”

From {Christine Farah} “Not only that I got my copies of the totally awesome Southern Weddings magazine premier issue! One of my ringshots made it into this gorgeous magazine, and of course one of my favorite photographers Jose Villa had his image on the cover. So far this year is starting off on a great foot, and there are many more things I will share with you all as soon as I get word.  Love Jose’s cover image!”

From cover photographer, {Jose Villa} “Im thrilled to have my image of Tec and Chelsea’s wedding on the cover of SW Magazine, plus there is a fun thing about film in there as well…”

From {Weddings with Tara} “In Southern Weddings Magazine‘s premier issue, Melissa and Ryan’s wedding was featured in a two-page article. I just love the new magazine…packed full of lots of real and gorgeous weddings! I’m so happy for you, Melissa and Ryan!”

From the lovely ladies at {Elizabeth Anne Designs} “Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick up your copy of the new Southern Weddings Magazine! There’s almost too much gorgeousness to handle.”

From {Style Me Pretty} “A huge congratulations to Southern Weddings for launching their first (absolutely, positively gorgeous) print edition! If you haven’t already, you really HAVE to go pick up a copy of this stunning magazine. If not for the pages upon pages of wedding eye candy, you can also read a little blurb about Style Me Pretty!”

From {Rae Leytham Photography} “Well, we’re going to be in Atlanta Sunday night for the premiere of Southern Weddings Magazine at the Dogwood Restaurant in downtown Hotlanta.. If you’re in the Atlanta area (or not), click HERE for all of the details and find out how to RSVP! We’d love to meet you while you mingle with some of the South’s best wedding vendors. Be sure to see our photos throughout the magazine at a store near you!”

From {Punam Bean} “I’m a little late posting this, but so super excited about it! As most of you probably know, I’ve only been in this business a little over a year (feels like 5!), and I’m so excited to announce my very first publication, in the very first publication of Southern Weddings Magazine! That’s my little old picture of Tiffany and Jared’s fabulous rings, atop a fabulous mushroom I found growing on the patio of their hotel room (bottom left!). I suppose Jamaica’s pretty far south!  Congratulations to the lovelies over at Southern Weddings Magazine! It’s so exciting! And if you haven’t yet, be sure to check out their blog. It’s one of my most favorite wedding blogs!”

From {Amy Atlas} “Southern Weddings just launched their first printed edition, available at newsstands now or at http://www.swsmag.net/, and I’m so excited to share the feature with you. View the whole article at http://amyatlas.com/index.php/main/press. We have so many exciting events coming up and we’ll be sure to include you in all of our fun!”

**ONLINE ORDERING IS OPEN**

If I tried to explain to you what the next week holds for us, your head would fall right off.  And we really don’t want that. We like you : )  I will tell you that we are sending our print issue to the printer this week.  WOW.  I have to admit tearing up as I type this.  Tears of joy that the 2+ years we’ve been working on this magazine is about to reach another milestone.  It has been a looong road and I couldn’t be more proud, grateful, and just in awe of what the SW gals have done together during this time.  Danielle and I started this crazy project many moons ago and never thought it would blossom into what it has today.  It’s all because of YOU.  You, dear readers, are why we are able to even go through this crazy week we are about to experience.  And it’s just the beginning…. 

So, in honor of our week ahead, we are having a long-overdue photo contest.  OK, TWO contests, because that’s just how we roll.  You know we like to give a lot of stuff away and you know we love surprises!  So, we’re not telling you the prize this time.  Yeah, that’s right.  Don’t even try to sweet talk us.  (unless you have dots (my fav), chocolate covered anything (rach’s fav), peppermint patties (Laura’s fav), or mac n’ cheese (kirstin’s fav))

Photo contest 1: Send us a pic of you having fun, happy, joyous, bubbling over with laughter…  whatever floats your boat.

Photo contest 2: In the spirit of Thanksgiving, send us a pic of what you are thankful for… could be anything… person, place, thing.  Get creative.

Rules: These must be your pics.  Don’t steal someone else’s unless you have express permission to do so.  Extra points for iPhone pics, camera phone pics and anything that isn’t edited.  But, feel free to get creative and do whatever you want to the pics.

Contest ends next Tuesday the 25th. email {win at swsmag dot com} with your entries.  Max of 5 per person.  Try not to send us too high res files.  Our mailboxes don’t like it.

Is anyone else as excited about the Mammoth Men trip as I am?  Some of our favorite photographers are getting on a bus in about 24hours for the ultimate man trip.  And you can be a part of it!  Last time, the Mammoth Men let blog readers vote on their activities.  We love these guys and can’t wait to follow their goofy crazy travels next week.  You can follow along on twitter too. Mark Brooke and Michael Chan will also be joining this wildly talented group…

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already seen this video.  But, I have to admit watching it about 10 times.  It never ceases to make me laugh until my sides hurt.  We are so thankful for all of the blog love we have gotten lately and can’t tell you how much it means to us!  One very special post this week from the A Bryan Photo guys caught our attention so we just had to share the laughs…  Enjoy!

The SW IT LIST Scooter Tricks from A Bryan Photo on Vimeo.

Have a fun weekend!

The Southern Weddings team will be heading down to sunny Orlando on Monday for the event of the season, engage!08: the encore and we couldn’t be more excited!

For
those of you who aren’t familiar with engage!08, it is a high impact
wedding business symposium. The event gives wedding
professionals the opportunity to learn the secrets behind the
business successes of some of the wedding industry’s most celebrated
innovators. The symposium will be featuring Carley Roney & David
Liu of The Knot, Sylvia Weinstock, Bee Kim of WeddingBee, Sean Low,
President of Preston Bailey Designs, Rebecca Grinnals and other well
known and respected leaders in the wedding industry – with special
guest inspiration from Simon T. Bailey - renowned author of “Release
Your Brilliance”!  As much as we are excited about the syposium’s presentors, we are moreso excited about finally meeting so many of our new blog, twitter and wedding industry friends!  The wedding world is such a wonderful community of professionals and we can’t wait to toast with them at next week’s event.  To learn more visit the engage!08 {Blog}.

Special thanks to Maria at one of my personal favorite wedding blogs, {Ritzy Bee}, for posting several highlights from Southern Weddings today.  Be sure to check out all three features:

Susanna + Justin from {Gandy Photographers}
Katrina + Matt from {Our Labor of Love}
Melissa + Ryan from {TM Photography}

Spend some time getting to know {Ritzy Bee}.  You have a three day weekend coming up… get inspired! Thanks again, Maria!

I got an email from a reporter today letting me know that an article we contributed to has been syndicated.  Very exciting… “there are over 200 runs, both online and in print, reaching over 2 million households in the U.S. and Canada.”  Thanks so much for including us, Anna! (And congrats on your engagement!!)

“The Anatomy of a Southern Wedding”

From groom’s cakes to a deep commitment to family tradition, Southern weddings have a charm all their own.

By Anna T. Hirsh
CTW Features

The groom’s cake! It’s awful … it’s in the shape of a giant armadillo. Worse, the cake part is red velvet. People are going to be hacking into this poor animal that looks like it’s bleedin’ to death!

So goes one of the more infamous quotes from “Steel Magnolias,” the 1989 film that served up a hearty portion of Southern charm and familiarized the rest of the nation with the Southern tradition of oddball wedding cakes for the groom. Although modern Southern weddings can vary as widely as any region in the United States, says Danielle Flowers, executive editor of Southern Weddings magazine, there are definitely a few elements that characterize a true Southern soirée, and the always personal, often outrageous – think football mascots or stadiums, golf bags, boats and duck hunting scenes – groom’s cakes are just the icing on the, well, cake.

First and foremost for a Southern wedding are family traditions, and the rituals begin well before the big day.

“It’s customary to have a number of showers for the bride thrown by her cousins, bridesmaids and every female friend of the family, who will then expect your mother to throw their daughter a shower when it’s her trip down the aisle,” says Flowers. As for the gentlemen, they tend to forgo the stereotypical bachelor party in exchange for a day of golf or deep-sea fishing. But come the weekend of the wedding, the party once again belongs to the bride, with a bridesmaids’ luncheon, usually given by the bride’s aunts or the closest friends of the bride’s mother.

A deep connection with family, especially symbolically, then continues through the wedding. The classic Southern bride wants to honor her family with special remembrances, says Flowers, such as incorporating flowers that her grandmother had chosen for her own bouquet.

“The bride’s shoulders are covered when she goes to the church (where no one is wearing a baseball hat), the bride is married and then the couple is out the door to a big reception at the parish hall, the country club, or the property of a family member or friend,” says Gayden Metcalfe, a lifelong Southerner and co-author with Charlotte Hays of “Somebody is Going to Die if Lilly Beth Doesn’t Catch That Bouquet: The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Hosting the Perfect Wedding” (Hyperion, 2007).

Wherever the location, the Southern wedding reception also has a flavor all its own. According to Flowers, it may be stereotypical, but it’s also typically true that Southern couples will have an extremely long guest list, including cousins, cousins’ friends, all the members of their church and anyone they went to elementary school with. “I’ve seen couples put their wedding invitation info in the church bulletin as an open invite,” says Flowers.

And what do you serve those numerous guests? “In the South, you can hardly have a thing without cheese straws or salted nuts,” says Metcalfe. “It’s almost as if the wedding isn’t consummated without a salted pecan.”

In addition, brides tend to opt for good, old-fashioned Southern comfort food, featuring family favorites and Southern classics, says Flowers, incorporating their deep-fried favorites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp & grits, corn fritters and crab cakes, by serving them in small bites. In fact, small bites are often the way to go for most of the meal. Rather than the plated dinners that are so popular in other parts of the country, festive Southern receptions usually are buffets or stations.

The band will usually start off playing old favorites and then progress to a more modern feel throughout the night. But first the bride will almost always dance with her father to a very touching song, and the entire room will have teary eyes, says Flowers.

At the end of the night, expect to see the bride and groom depart the reception in a different clothing ensemble than they were sporting earlier in the night. “The honeymoon has begun,” says Flowers, “and it’s time to be comfortable – and cute!”

Focus on family, etiquette and beauty, as Metcalfe defines it, and you too can have a little Southern charm when you celebrate your big day.