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
Author: Marissa
I hope y’all enjoyed our first recipe from the Newlywed Kitchen here at Southern Weddings! My Mama’s homemade poundcake is one of my favorite sweet delights!
Up next we’ve got Miss Linda’s Anta Fe soup. Miss Linda is my Godmother, and one of the best people on earth! Like a true Southern home, hers (which is located on an island off the coast of Alabama and might just be my favorite place on earth) is always completely filled with people. Kids playing Wii, friends laughing on the porch and dogs running amok in the yard. It’s a blast, y’all! This recipe is great because it feeds a lot of people with not too much time in the kitchen. Which is perfect when you don’t want to miss a moment of the goodness going on.
What you’ll need:
1 lb ground turkey breast
1 large onion, chopped
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can shoe peg corn (undrained)
1 cup water
Image credit: My iPhone from Miss Linda’s porch
Directions:
Brown the turkey and onions. Stir in ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning. Add in the remaining ingredients and heat through. Let simmer for about 30 minutes. Garnish and serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, jalapenos and corn or tortilla chips. It’s yummy with corn bread also. (Yes, ma’am it is!). Download the recipe card here!
What’s your favorite Southern food? Have a favorite Southern recipe, or recipe from a Southerner? Shoot me an email — we’d love to feature it on the blog!
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You didn’t mention that this serves a mess of people and it’s particularly good if you have unexpected guests. You can get all the ingredients and keep them in the pantry and freezer and just pull them out and throw it together.
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Yes, that is very true! Thanks for reminding me, Mom! I love you!
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[…] for more ideas to get your kitchen started? Damie’s Catsup Miss Linda’s Anta Fe Soup Mama’s Homemade Poundcake VN:F [1.9.6_1107]please wait…Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)VN:F […]
Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post. And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads. We love hearing your kind thoughts!
Today’s tradition is very near to my heart because of the photo of my grandmother below. Due to hurricane damage, we only have a few photos of my grandmother left, and this one is by far my favorite. I’ve always loved how beautiful and happy she looked in her bridal portrait, and how uncanny it is that she somehow looks like my mom, my sister and myself all morphed into one!
My maternal grandmother before her wedding. Isn’t she a gorgeous bride?!
Originating in Europe, bridal portraits (or “bridals”) were historically oil paintings of royalty in their bridal regalia and were traditionally commissioned by the bride’s family to commemorate such a special occasion. It’s unclear how this tradition made its way below the Mason Dixon, but before World War II, it was rare to have a photographer at your wedding, so bridal portraits were taken in the photographer’s studio before or after the couple’s wedding. Not long ago, bridals were a rite of passage for Southern debutantes and a family keepsake that was displayed on an easel near the guest book and then hung in the bride’s parents home for years to come.
The bridal portrait is still a very popular tradition in the South, however, the days of stone-faced studio sessions are long gone. Now brides are opting for a more personalized and natural setting that not only conveys the bride’s beauty, but her personality, as well (see above for one of our favorite examples from Brooke Schwab!). Many brides choose to use this day as a trial run for hair and makeup, as well as a great way to become more comfortable in front of the lens prior to their wedding day.
Did you take bridal portraits? Will they be displayed at your wedding or in your family’s home?
Do you love going through old family weddings photos as much as I do? We’d love to know your family love stories of old!
P.S. In a bridals mood now? Check out past bridal portrait features below:
Crystal
Andrea
Sara
Carolyn
Kindelle
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[…] Let us know in the comments! P.S. Learn more about our crazy Southern traditions in these posts: Bridal Portraits Cake Pulls Groom’s Cake xo Marissa September 26, 2011 | view Marissa's blog 0 […]
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[…] Learn more about our crazy Southern traditions in these posts: Bridal Portraits Cake Pulls Groom’s Cake VN:F [1.9.6_1107]please wait…Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)VN:F […]
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[…] If you do, leave comment in the section below. Want to learn more about Southern traditions? Bridal Portraits Cake Pulls Groom’s Cake P.S. Three years ago today, I married the love of my life. Happy […]
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Yes, she’s gorgeous and what a grand gown!! Of course as a portrait painter I’d love to see the original oil bridal portrait added to the tradition!
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[…] to Southern Weddings post on bridal portraits for the bit of […]
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[…] beyond. Like with most southern traditions, bridal portraits have a history – according to Southern Weddings, bridal portraits likely became commonplace before World War II, when it was rare to have a […]
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[…] absolutely love these portrait sessions! Want to learn more about the history of Bridal Sessions? Check out this interesting article on Southern Weddings! Truthfully though, we simply enjoy spending time with our brides as they take a first look at how […]
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[…] style. With any tradition there is history behind its evolution. According to Southern Weddings, bridal portraits originated in Europe and were commissioned oil paintings of the bride in her […]
Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post. And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads. We love hearing your kind thoughts!
[…] 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.