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Yesterday I was having a conversation with a friend who is from Idaho. She asked me what a “buggy” was. I, of course, told her it was a shopping cart and much to her confusion, that was exactly what the kind man in the grocery store parking lot was offering her. It reminded me exactly of this post! When someone visits your home, it’s customary to offer them something to drink. Here in the South, we would ask, “Do you want a Coke?” If you replied with yes, we would ask, “what kind?” Here in the South, everything is a “Coke!” Not a “pop” or a “soda”, but a “Coke.” Maybe it’s a tribute to the roots of Coca Cola or maybe it’s just tradition.

Michelle March

The roots of Coca Cola run deep in the South, as the prototype for the Coca Cola recipe was originated in a drugstore in Columbus, Georgia. But it might appear that the drink’s roots trace all the way to Europe. In 1886, the prohibition legislation was passed in Georgia, so John Pemberton, Coke’s inventor responded by creating a non-alcoholic version of French Wine Coca.

On April 23, 1985, Coca-Cola, amid much publicity, attempted to change the formula of the drink with “New Coke.” Follow-up taste tests revealed that most consumers preferred the taste of New Coke to both Coke and Pepsi, but Coca-Cola management was unprepared for the public’s nostalgia for the old drink, leading to a backlash. The company gave in to protests and returned to a variation of the old formula, under the name Coca-Cola Classic on July 10, 1985. As for the that famous Coca-Cola logo, it was created by John Pemberton’s bookkeeper, Frank Mason Robinson, in 1885. Robinson came up with the name and chose the logo’s distinctive cursive script.

Top to bottom: 13:13 Photography via Southern Weddings, Melissa Schollaert via Southern Weddings, and Adam Barnes via Southern Weddings

A few fun facts about our beloved Coke:

– Due to the belief that carbonated water was good for the health, “Coke” was initially sold as a patent medicine for five cents.
– The company did not incorporate into the Coca Cola Company until 1888.
– Coca Cola was sold in those fabulous classic glass bottles for the first time on March 12, 1894.
– Coca Cola’s first outdoor wall advertisement was painted in 1894 in Cartersville, Georgia.

Erich McVey via Style Me Pretty and Sarah Ashley Peters Photography

As a former Diet Coke addict, I love seeing Coke at weddings! Whether it’s the classic Coke in a bottle or Coke floats, the nostalgia is still completely there. Not too mention it’s quite the refreshing treat!

We took an office poll to see which would win, Coke or Pepsi. Apparently we’re a mixed bag! Lara prefers her Smartwater, Emily is all over Coke Zero, Nicole is a Classic Coke gal (unless it’s up against Orange Soda — duh!), and I must admit I cannot resist a good ol’ ice cold Coke in a bottle!

Which do you prefer? Are you a Classic Coke gal or is Pepsi more your style?

Michelle March, Melissa Schollaert, and Adam Barnes are fabulous members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
8 Comments
  1. avatar Katie O’Keefe reply

    My husband (from Oklahoma) and I (from Alabama) rarely fight, but one thing we do dispute over quite often is my referring to all sodas as Coke. You’re right, it’s just a Southern thing. I personally like Coke Zero, but nothing beats an ice cold glass bottle of Classic Coke. I may have to buy some for our Memorial Day weekend. :-)

  2. avatar Madelynne Moulton reply

    Classic Coke all the way! Coke in Europe actually tastes better to me and I think it’s because it’s made with pure cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. I was a Coke addict when I studied abroad in Italy :)

  3. avatar Kelsey reply

    I’m a Coke girl all the way! If I order a Coke and they ask if Pepsi is okay, the answer is always, “Oh, I’ll just a have sweet tea then.” My fiance likes the pretend that he likes Pepsi better because it’s made in North Carolina, but he’s a Coke fan too!

  4. avatar Kelly reply

    There is no substitution for Coke products!!!! Give me Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or Sprite ANYDAY over a Pepsi. I’m right with Kelsey — if they ask me about a Pepsi, I’ll request a lemon water! :)

  5. avatar Sarah @ Belle on Heels reply

    Gah, Pepsi is the WORST! I’m a Coke girl all the way….well, Diet Coke. But we did serve classic Coke in glass bottles at our wedding. They were a huge hit!

  6. avatar Friday Favorites | Elizabeth Ashleigh reply

    […] It’s true that everything in the south is a “Coke!” And I (of course!) loved this post devoted to Classic Coca Cola. […]

  7. avatar Southern Weddings Magazine Feature: Classic Coca Cola – Michelle March Photography reply

    […] It’s always an honor to have my work featured, but it’s oh so special when it’s Southern Weddings Magazine. They wrote a fun blog about Coca-Cola and included the bottles I shot at Marian + Steven’s wedding. Yay! You can read all about this southern delicacy by clicking here. […]

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