Americana Southern Wedding
We adore the merlot, white and blue colour palette in this inspirational wedding photo shoot. The merlot especially pops out of the bouquet and makes an impact on the dining table. The centrepiece is outstanding!
Details for an Americana Southern Wedding
When individuals think of the Southern United States, they likely picture scenes from Gone with the Wind. Grand antebellum homes, elegant blooming gardens, moss hanging from trees, and either rolling hills or flat Delta land blooming with cotton. While this is what the outside world thinks of the South, not all of this is true.
The South is a cultural smorgasbord. For as many farms as one might see, there are also bustling metropolitan areas. In contrast, there are tiny towns with grand downtown areas and loads of mom-and-pop businesses where people meet for coffee and conversation. In addition, there are beautiful lakes and state parks where nuptials might be held.
There are so many ways to evoke the Americana Southern wedding theme, whether brides prefer a rustic, pastoral scene or a traditional church wedding.
What to Look for in a Venue for an Americana Southern Wedding
The South is chock full of beautiful locations where an American Southern Wedding might be held. State parks throughout the South offer everything from breathtaking bodies of water to chapels nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. Many of these venues offer both indoor and outdoor settings; because inclement weather can move in so quickly in the South, it is important to choose a venue that offers these options.
Many Southern brides opt for a more traditional setting. The South is home to many churches and cathedrals that offer elegant ceremonial opportunities. Some of these venues offer space for both the nuptials themselves as well as a reception area.
When choosing a venue of this type, be sure to ask exactly what is included in the rental of the venue. Many venue reps will offer not only the extra space, but also the ability to utilise on-site A/V equipment, facility furniture and linens as well.
Food for an Americana Southern Wedding
Most Americana Southern Weddings offer more traditional menus that depend upon the time of the ceremony and reception. For instance, tradition holds that couples provide finger foods and appetiser-type snacks at an afternoon reception, while receptions taking place after 5:00 (traditional dinner time) will offer a sit-down meal for guests.
Traditionally, afternoon receptions offer fruit and veggie trays (the charcuterie tray is the trend at the moment) where delicious dips and cheeses accompany fruits such as grapes and strawberries. However, mini tomato sandwiches with bacon mayo or shrimp skewers make tasty additions to an Americana Southern Wedding menu.
For dinner, some brides are following tradition, with a twist. Caterers are offering a chicken and waffle station or a taco bar. Of course, a sit down dinner with roasted chicken and traditional Southern sides such as corn on the cob, baked beans, or even potato salad is always acceptable on the menu.
Table Setting Style for an Americana Southern Wedding
Southerners are all about tradition, but it's always fun to add a bit of a modern or unique touch to time-honored customs.
To really invoke the Southern heritage at an Americana Southern Wedding, replace champagne glasses with mason jars (there are actual glasses made with adorable glass handles, or you can literally pick up canning jars for the reception). You’ll not need a formal table setting for an American Southern wedding reception; simply stick with the breakfast table setting where only essential utensils are presented.
While some brides may want to add a charger with the dinnerware, this is not required for an Americana Southern wedding table setting.
Favours and Gifts for an Americana Southern Wedding
Many brides are forgoing favours and gifts for a welcome bag for the members of the wedding party or guests traveling to the wedding from out of town. The welcome bag is placed ahead of time in the guests’ hotel room, and it is filled with goodies they’ll enjoy as a part of the celebration.
However, some brides are providing edible goodies as a part of the welcome bag (think a “Spread S’more Love” kit that contains mini-marshmallows, packs of graham crackers, and Hershey’s kisses).
Other brides are still offering favours, and many of them are edible as well! Cookie bags embossed with the couple’s name and the nuptial date are sweet, inexpensive, and tasty. Some brides even offered mini-bottles of hot sauce with a label that reads “Thanks for spicing up our special day!”
Ceremony Decor for an Americana Southern Wedding
To be certain, the decor chosen will really depend upon the venue chosen!
Many Southern brides choosing an outdoor venue simply don’t add a great deal of decor to the venue itself. One thing that is commonly present in these weddings is a ceremonial backdrop. Here’s where Southern brides may get a little creative. Some brides will forgo an arch or trellis for a large, wooden cross. The cross is typically adorned with some floral arrangement suited to the bride’s taste. Lights may also be wrapped around the cross.
The arch or trellis is often decorated quite similar to the cross with a floral arrangement and fairy lights. Brides who choose a church or similar indoor venue will also tend to focus on the ceremonial backdrop. However, they may have floral arrangements for the aisle-side of each pew.
Reception Decor for an Americana Southern Wedding
The reception of an Americana Southern wedding is where brides can really add fun decor. In addition to more Southern food and table settings, brides can use mason jars or even cheese graters as centrepieces holding simple yet elegant floral arrangements.
A variation of this is to utilise glass and wooden lanterns as centrepieces. Some will place flowers and candles (tea light to regular size, depending upon the size of the lantern) inside, while others will use an antique oil lamp as a vase for simple yet beautiful sunflowers or hydrangea blooms. One adorable idea is to provide wooden coasters embossed with the name of the bride and groom and the nuptial date.
Outdoor Wedding Ideas for an Americana Southern Wedding
The elegance and class of an Americana Southern wedding can transcend any time and place. Therefore, an Americana Southern wedding can take place at a state park (the rustic cabins adjoining most of the parks in the South are absolutely darling!), on the shores of a local lake or even the grounds of a local lodge are perfect for an Americana Southern Wedding. Many of these lodges and parks offer wooded areas perfect for an outdoor wedding in the American Southern wedding.
Of course, the Gulf Coast is home to some beautiful beaches as well from Galveston, Texas to Pensacola, Florida. Any of these sites would be perfect for an Americana Southern wedding. Weddings taking place in Europe or at a sunny destination can also have fun with this theme.
Wedding Cake Ideas for an Americana Southern Wedding
Rustic wedding cakes are one of the top trends for an Americana Southern Wedding cake. These often vary in the number of tiers (typically three) and in height (some tiers are three layers per tier while others are four layers or more), and they have more icing than the naked cake. Often, the icing looks as if layers have been chipped away; some even have the initials of the couple inside a heart. Add faux deer antlers as a topper or flowers and greenery at each tier.
One very neat wedding cake idea involved a three tiered cake fashioned after a leather belt. The bottom tier appears to have a belt around it with a beautiful buckle; tiers two and three appear to have horseshoes and faux leather boots. The cake is topped with a bronze figurine of a cowboy and cowgirl.
Wedding Reception Music and Entertainment for an Americana Southern Wedding
A Southern wedding often features a mixture of country love songs, rock ballads, and a few fun songs too! The father of the bride might dance with his daughter to “I Loved Her First” or “Butterfly Kisses.”
The couple’s first dance may be to George Strait’s “I Cross my Heart,” or the couple could choose “I Thought I Loved You Then” by Brad Paisley. No party is complete without a line dance. Fire up an oldie but goodie, “Mustang Sally” for the electric slide.
Americana-themed Wedding with Antlers
Titled Southern Manor, this editorial wedding inspiration shoot from Christa Elyce Photography and To Be Wed is filled with Americana-style details. The subtle Merlot, white and blue colour palette (such a fabulous trio for fall weddings!), checkered shirt on the groom, antlers, Spanish moss and rich wood tones all work together beauteously to create a luxurious, yet distinctly Southern feeling!
From Natalie at Two Be Wed – “Southern Manor reminds us that chivalry is not dead. Romance can be found in a loving glance or gentle touch on the cheek. For this wedding inspiration shoot we used a muted Americana colour palette with a balance of sweet, simple, and sophisticated details throughout.”
Credits: Photography: Christa Elyce // Planning: Two Be Wed // Rentals & Design: Bourbon and Bloom Vintage Rentals // Floral Design: Tamara Menges Designs // Cake: Sugary and Chic Cake Boutique // Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Nib and Pixel // Linens: Over The Top Linen // Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige from Now and Forever Bridal Boutique // Artist: Jamie Lewis Artistry // Location: Brazos Bend State Park near Houston, Texas.