Google+ Kentucky Derby inspiration Archives - Southern Weddings

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Tag: Kentucky Derby inspiration

We have a special place in our hearts for the Kentucky Derby, but all horse races/excuses to wear seersucker and fabulous hats are okay by us! With the Belmont Stakes, and the possibility of the first horse to win a Triple Crown since 1978, coming up this weekend, we jumped at the chance to share one more piece of horse race inspiration. This dinner was actually a supper club party, but so many of the elements (hello, navy striped linens and playfully named tables!) could translate easily at a wedding, or even a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower.

Thanks so much to our delightful Blue Ribbon Vendor, Michelle Boyd, for sharing these lovely photos with us!

Photographer: Michelle Boyd / Coordinator: Christina Lewis of The Wedding Warriors / Venue: Sacred Oaks at Camp Lucy / Chef: Rob McMahon / Florals: Whim Studio of Camp Lucy / Tent: Sperry Tents

lisa Written with love by Lisa
2 Comments
  1. avatar We’re on Southern Weddings! | Sperry Tents by Whim reply

    […] excited to see our Sperry Tents on Southern Weddings today for a Kentucky Derby-inspired supper club event we did in Dripping Springs in May with Whim […]

  2. avatar Occasions In Print reply

    So fun! Love the blue and white stripes with the red flowers! And of course, the hats are fabulous!

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We’ve taken a bit of hiatus from our Southern Delicacy features, but in honor of Derby Week, we think the mint julep is a great one to jump back in with!

Photo by The Studio B from Anne + Eric’s wedding

There is just something about those shiny silver mint julep glasses–we love them filled with fresh mint or flowing with flowers. There is no question that that these glasses are the epitome of classic and Southern! How to make a true mint julep remains a hotly debated topic in the world of bar tending and mixology, but the classic version of a mint julep is served in silver julep cups, filled to the brim with a refreshing concoction of the finest bourbon, simple syrup, fresh mint, and crushed ice. These classic silver cups should be chilled before being served.

Fun fact: if you want to fit in at the Derby, be sure to hold the glass properly! Only by the bottom and rim of the glass, so one’s hand does not transfer heat to the drink. I imagine Rhett Butler made a mean mint julep, AND knew how to hold the glass!

On left: photo by Elaine Palladino from Baylor + Daniel’s wedding; on right: photo by Ashley Seawell from Sarah + Gabe’s wedding

I was unable to track down the exact origin of the julep, but it is said that the mint julep originated in the Southern United States around the eighteenth century, and can be traced back to a British novel from 1803, in which a traveler wrote about drinking a mint julep at a northern Virginia plantation. It was described as “a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning.” It has also been said that farmers in the South drank mint juleps in the morning, using the mint to jumpstart their days! Yikes, I bet that’d put a pep in your step!

Photos by Katie Stoops from Love in the Commonwealth

The term “julep” is generally defined as a “sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine.” The word itself is derived from the Persian word Golâb, meaning “rose water.”

While earlier recipes included many other spirits, such as rum or gin, bourbon-based juleps have decisively eclipsed all others. As a champagne celebration kind of gal myself, I love the twist of a champagne julep! And if you didn’t think the MJ could get any more Southern, there’s the mint julep sweet tea recipe!

On left: photo by Justin DeMutiis from Jessica + Derek’s wedding; on right: photo by Laura Gordon from Ellie + Breck’s wedding

Nowadays, the mint julep is synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, and rightly so! The mint julep first became the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938 when they were served them in collectable glasses and sold them for 75 cents apiece. Since then, almost 120,000 mint juleps are served over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs Racetrack. This feat requires more than 10,000 bottles of Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint, and 60,000 pounds of ice! Woah!

Now if only I could don some Lilly and my Jacks, and have a silver glass in my hand, I’d be sure to enjoy the Derby! Cheers, y’all!

P.S. Check out our past Delicacies for some yummy treats to accompany your drink!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
5 Comments
  1. avatar Kathryn reply

    I am growing mint for the first time this year, and it’s grown like crazy this week! I will have to use it for derby drinks. Thank you for this history.

  2. avatar Veronica reply

    Hey Marisaa,
    Great post.Thanks for sharing.Mint is really beneficial in summers.I love its smell :)

  3. avatar Lisa Hays reply

    Where can I purchase the silver cups? Do they have to be of sterling? And while I’m asking – does anyone know where to get copper cups that Moscow Mules are served in?

    • avatar Marissa reply

      Hi Lisa! We love these monogrammed ones from Three Hip Chicks! http://www.threehipchicks.com/products/monogrammed-silver-mint-julep-cup And these Moscow Mule ones from Sur La Tables: http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1398882/Moscow+Mule+Copper+Mug

  4. avatar Matt reply

    Nice summary Marissa…the photography make me thirsty :)

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We couldn’t think of a better way to end Derby Week on Southern Weddings than with a Derby-inspired brunch!

Photographer Sarah E. Evans and planner Tamara of Whimsical Creations by Tamara teamed up to bring us this shoot, filled with our favorite Southern things–mint juleps, biscuits and honey! The shoot took place at the Haley Farm in San Augustine, Texas, where, appropriately, 13 horses reside. We can’t think of a more bucolic place to host a bridesmaids’ lunch or bridal shower!

Thank you, Tamara and Sarah!

Will y’all be watching the Derby this Saturday? I’m hoping “Pants on Fire” wins — what a name! See the horse line-up here, then comment below with your favorite!

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
12 Comments
  1. avatar Sarah e. Evans Photography reply

    Thank you for sharing our work! Hope y’all have a Fabulous “Derby Weekend”!

  2. avatar Erin reply

    Mucho Macho Man! What a name! Is it just me or have the horse’s names gotten more and more awesome??

  3. avatar Tamara Menges- Whimsical Creations by Tamara reply

    AHHH!!! Thank you sooo much for featuring our work today! We love all things Southern!

  4. avatar Marian reply

    These are awesome photos and the layout by Tamara is amazing!! So appropriate! Great work and great ideas!

  5. avatar Sarah e. Evans Photography reply

    Thank you so much for sharing our work! Hope y’all have a Fabulous “Derby” weekend! ; )

  6. avatar Lara reply

    So fun! Makes me want to sport a big Derby hat at my desk right now!

  7. avatar Tasha reply

    very fun and unique look:)

  8. avatar [email protected] reply

    Love it!! I really loved all those hats…and all the different types flowers. And of course, the photography was perfect!! Good jobs ladies!

  9. avatar Links da Semana : Noiva Novata reply

    […] Está pensando em alguma coisa para reunir as madrinhas (ou bridesmaids)? Oha a inspiração linda para um almoço ou chá da tarde que a Derby do IloveSWMag postou. […]

  10. avatar Weekly Round-Up « Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] we were invited to a Derby brunch. Save Facebook it Tweet […]

  11. avatar Coretta’s Elegant Events reply

    Oh – love this! Especially the big flowered hat and the purple and green sheaths. Great minds and all… I did a Sunday Hat Birthday Brunch where I asked my guests to wear their best hats based on the book “Crowns.” I found an awesome purple hat at Bolling AFB that I wore with a kelly green dress and eggplant purple wrap. *sigh* That was one of my best birthdays. :)
    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/set=a.1247131745403.2039518.1442720132&l=d6cc8ffa51

  12. avatar Winner :: Marley Lilly + Spark Letterpress « Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] y’all see our Derby Week posts last week? (Here, here, here, here, here, and here, in case you missed ‘em!) I hope you all took our friendly pointers and sipped on scrumptious […]

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!

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