The Southern Bride: The Derby Wedding Days

While the British have the royal wedding, here in America we have our own royal affair where hats are a must: The Kentucky Derby. Well maybe it isn't technically 'royal', and by America I mean the South. (Lets face it, do you really think Arizona or Montana care about horse racing?) Nothing says southern tradition, other than maybe seersucker suits, than the Derby. It's an event that draws the attention of rich southern men, glamorous southern belles, and gamblers alike. Since this glorious southern tradition is in the month of May, I wanted to share some Derby inspired wedding ideas from Southern Weddings Magazine. When I first saw that Southern Weddings Magazine was doing a Derby inspired series on their blog my first thought was "Are you serious? Other than asking your guests to wear a big fancy hat and serving a strict diet of mint juleps, how can you channel a Kentucky Derby theme?" I didn't have high hopes that it would be something that I would actually be interested in, but I am happy to say I was completely wrong. I'm completely obsessed with this idea! I want to find A. a new groom so I can plan my own Kentucky Derby wedding or B. (the more realistic choice) attend a wedding or event as beautiful as one of these. These photos are beaming with everything I love sophistication, tradition, glamour, luxury, and grace.
Anyone who is planning a wedding with this sort of theme, please, invite me!

Whimsical Derby Inspiration Board

Although you may not associate soft colors with the Kentucky Derby, this champagne and ivory color palette adds a whimsical and feminine touch. Perfect for any spring wedding, this inspiration board is just overflowing with southern sophistication.

Credits, clockwise from top left:
-Encourage your female guests to wear their loveliest hats, and your male guests to wear their most dapper seersucker. I seriously adore this gorgeous number from Gina Foster Millinery.

-A lace-inspired cake in palest pink and white is perfect for a Southern soiree (confection by My Sweet & Saucy).

-Keep the roses but trade out the deep red for white and cream and you have this lovely bouquet (photo by Marisa Holmes).

-If you can swing it, a reception beside a meadow dotted with beautiful horses is almost all the decor you need. (Photo by Jose Villa)

-Don’t be afraid of greenery! Make it the bulk of your arrangement, tuck in a few gorgeous peach and cream roses, and oversized arrangements can be yours. These would be especially lovely on either side of the couple at the ceremony! (Photo by Marisa Holmes)

-A troop of petite flower girls lining up to head down the aisle reminds you a bit of the fillies prancing into place at the starting gate of a race, does it not? (Photo by JAC Photography)

-A darling gold horseshoe makes a sweet photo prop or styling element in a food or escort card display (photo by Samm Blake via Style Me Pretty).

-A display like this at your bar will have your guests drinking mint juleps in no time! Use a beautiful antique glass for the display, but serve guests in plain glasses, which will help cut down on rental costs. (Photo byLisa Lefkowitz via Snippet & Ink)

-A classic open-air tent is the perfect site for a Derby reception, whether or not it’s planted on the grounds of a race track. We love this one, photography by Millie Holloman. See more from this wedding on SW here +here!

Mint Julep, Please?

Mint juleps are delicious served in all sorts of containers. Of course, the aesthetic Southern-ness of the classic silver cup is to die for. You can find them at flea markets, estate sales, even on eBay, or just buy reproductions in bulk from Save on Crafts or Jamali Garden. (Don’t forget a perfectly mint-colored striped straw!)

Photo Credit: Tracy Turpen

Photo Credits (Clockwise from top left): Kate Headley, Justin & Mary Marantz, Lisa Lefkowitz, Patricia Lyons

Want to use this iconic drink as inspiration for decor? No problem! The containers look elegant and timeless as centerpieces.

Photo credits (Clockwise from top left): A Bryan Photo (decor by Calder Clark), Mimmo + Naz via Style Me Pretty, Michael Norwood (decor by the Treasured Petal), Kate Headley via Southern Weddings (decor by A Trendy Wedding), Scott Piner via Southern Weddings (decor by A Beautiful Event), Tim Will via Southern Weddings (decor by A Charleston Bride)

Not a fan of bourbon and mint? Try some mint julep cupcakes! These adorable cupcakes from Hostess with the Mostess and the Cupcake Queen, are adorable!

Still in need of a mint julep recipe? We spotted this one on Food & Wine that looks divine.

Red, Red Rose

The Kentucky Derby isn’t called “The Run for the Roses” for nothing — the blanket of blooms that’s draped over the winning Thoroughbred’s neck is made up of 554 red roses! Souther Weddings Magazine rounded up a few of our favorite red rose inspirations, and though one-bloom, one-color bouquets like these are not as popular as they used to be, there’s something beautiful and classic about them when done right. Red roses can also look beautiful in cakes and table decor.

Photo credits, top to bottom: Amanda Watson, next two Gabriel Ryan (floral design by JL Designs), Melanie Mauer, next two Melanie Mauer (floral design by Best of Flowers), Olivia Griffin, Olivia Griffin (see more from this wedding here!), Sarah K. Chen, Ivy Weddings via The Bride’s Cafe

Perhaps you are looking for a twist on the classic red rose, so included are some of SW Mags favorite updated designs. These bouquets mix roses with other bloom varieties, and often choose garden roses over more traditional “Valentine’s Day” roses.