Up next in our series of Southern traditions, we have the handkerchief! Many years ago, most dapper men and genteel women carried a handkerchief, which was typically a hemmed square of thin fabric carried in the pocket or purse. Though it was originally intended for the purpose of wiping the sweat off one’s brow or blowing one’s nose (gross!), the handkerchief is also sometimes used as a purely decorative accessory in a suit pocket.
Image credit: See more of this gorgeous Nancy Ray wedding here!
In the South, the wedding handkerchief (or hanky) is often kept and passed down from mother to daughter and from generation to generation. Early farmers thought a bride’s wedding day tears were lucky and would bring rain for their crops. Later, a crying bride meant that she’d never shed another tear about her marriage. Today, we carry a handkerchief to dab away the tears of happiness and joy. Now, wedding hankies are often monogrammed with the bride’s new initials, used as bouquet wraps or given to bridesmaids as gifts. (Seen above in this adorable shot)!
Will you be carrying a handkerchief on your wedding day?
Catch up on all our Southern traditions!
Bridal Portraits
Cake Pulls
Groom’s Cake
[…] romantic about Allie and Noah’s love story that just causes me to immediately reach for my hankie! In my humble opinion, The Notebook is one of the best Southern romance movies of our generation […]
I love creating custom wedding handkerchiefs. Visit my on-line boutique at https://www.lil-inspirations.com to view my entire collection of gorgeous wedding hankys.