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We’ve covered the tradition of carrying a white Bible instead of a bouquet, but I still thought y’all would love this twist! Haley Sheffield, the photographer who sent in this Southern Spotting, tells me that her bride tied the rings with beautiful vintage velvet ribbon to her grandmother’s bible, and then had her ring bearer carry this pretty (and meaningful) package down the aisle instead of a ring pillow. I love it!

Catch up with past traditions here:
Burying bourbon
A moment of prayer
The sorority sing

Haley Sheffield is a fabulous member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

emily Written with love by Emily
1 Comment
  1. avatar Amanda B reply

    That is such a sweet idea! And the ribbon is absolutely stunning – what a great shade. I wrote an article about alternative ring pillow options as well if you’re interested http://www.theringbearer.ca/wedding_style.php?aid=10139 – it’s such a great place to do something unique :)

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Every year, my family spends new years on Dauphin Island. Since there’s a fireworks ban, we bang pots and pans at midnight, and everyone must eat at least a spoonful of black-eyed peas and collard greens. On New Year’s Day, we have a big ol’ park football game (and not tag football, either – it’s violent!). I love these traditions, which is why I was so sad that BDK and I weren’t able to make it to the Island this year. We stayed home and drank champagne in our pajamas, but we STILL each ate a spoonful of black-eyed peas and collard greens.

Tasty Kitchen

Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day (or shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve) is thought to bring prosperity and good luck to those who partake. The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. Today, the tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations, including serving them with greens (for good luck with money) or with cornbread (no word on what that’s supposed to do for you).

For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. That’s a lot of peas! Some Southerners add a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving, and the person whose bowl contains the coin receives the best luck for the New Year. Reminds me of my husbands crazy meemaw, who used to put a horseshoe in the dog’s water for extra iron!

We love that some Southern brides have chosen to incorporate black-eyed peas into their wedding days, whether using them as a mason jar or vase filler, or tossing them for good luck instead of confetti or petals!

Credits from top to bottom and left to right: Melissa Schollaert via this awesome V4 wedding, next two images Millie Holloman via SMP, Morgan Trinker, and Studio 56 Photography

Does your family have any crazy New Year’s traditions? How many of y’all eat black-eyed peas and/or collard greens at the New Year? Will you or have you incorporated black-eyed peas into your wedding decor?

Hungry for more? Dig into our other Southern Delicacies:
Grits
King Cake
Benne Wafers

marissa Written with love by Marissa
8 Comments
  1. avatar Heather reply

    My family and I have always had “health, wealth, and happiness” on New Year’s Day for dinner – black eyed peas for health (or if we really want to get Southern, we have pinkeye purple hull peas), collard greens for wealth, and ham for happiness for the upcoming year!

  2. avatar Laura reply

    Yes! My family always has black-eyed peas and collards for New Years. You have to, it’s tradition. Have you ever tried the black-eyed pea dip? I’ve heard some people call in “Carolina Caviar,” it’s delicious!

  3. avatar Southern Weddings Feature « Ashley Morgan Arts reply

    […] I opened up Google Reader yesterday morning to skim through my blog subscriptions and saw this SW post on black-eyed peas… […]

  4. avatar Vanessa reply

    I love this idea! I’ve seen other beans used and spray painted before but I love the natural look of these!

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Hello dolls! I hope you enjoyed the wonderful holidays, and I hope they were filled with Southern family traditions. Goodness knows there are a ton of those!

I think I say that I love each tradition I work on, and the truth is, I do! You might recognize the first image from my Dream Southern Wedding, and you might remember that I am completely obsessed with it! SO, without further ado, let’s get started on the Southern wedding tradition of the white Bible. This tradition was originally introduced to us by one of our fabulous readers, and I’m happy to share it with you today.

Image credit from top to bottom and left to right: A Bryan Photo, Ali Harper via this awesome SW feature, and Sherry Hammonds.

Originating in Northern Ireland, brides would carry a white Bible instead of a traditional wedding bouquet. Many Irish families had Bibles that were passed down from generation to generation, and carrying this heirloom was a way for a bride to honor her family. During my research, I was thrilled to find out that Grace Kelly carried a little white Bible covered in flowers down the aisle at her wedding to the Prince of Monaco.

These days, for Christians brides, the white Bible is also an outward representation of their faith. Bibles and small white prayer books can be weaved into your bouquet, or can be embellished with ribbons or cascading flowers. If you decide not to carry a Bible, we also love the idea of weaving paper strips imprinted with a favorite verse into or around your bouquet. One of our past brides, Melissa, did something similar with her bouquet!

What’s your favorite Southern wedding tradition? Have a fun one I haven’t covered yet? Send it my way!

P.S. Here are a few of my faves:
Burying the Bourbon
A Moment of Prayer
The Sorority Sing

marissa Written with love by Marissa
8 Comments
  1. avatar Pam Parker reply

    A very long time ago *laugh* in the olden days I carried a white lace covered brides Bible and three yellow roses (Yes I’m from Texas).

  2. avatar Kate reply

    So surprised (and happy) when I saw this- we refer to it as a “prayer book” in my family : ). My wedding was a few months ago and I carried the prayer book that both my mother and grandmother carried at their weddings.

  3. avatar Joyce reply

    One of the best pictures from my sister`s wedding was the signing of the marriage certifcate. Another tradition from “the good ole days”. Thanks for using the white Bible tradition!

  4. avatar happy new(ish) year – Monday montage – Ashton Events reply

    […] traditional. […]

  5. avatar Fredrica reply

    I found your website while looking for a very small gift bible for a bride. I have crocheted the cover and cannot find the bible. Even we as southerns are losing those wonderful traditions. I used to give ingraved bibles for births (pink for girls and blue for boys) and you cannot find those anymore. I love our traditions and we need to keep them alive.

  6. avatar Shirin Friel reply

    I am marrying into the Snyder family on Jan 16, 2013. I have chosen a black bible with red roses and white daffodils with a red and white bow for my bouquet. I cant wait to get married.

  7. avatar Laura reply

    I love this idea and I had no idea it was a Southern tradition – or even an Irish tradition! My Philadelphia born and bred mother of English descent carried a white bible ( New Testament actually) decorated with flowers at her wedding in 1947.
    My non- Church wedding was 30 years ago. This month we are renewing our vows in church and I will be carrying her bible!

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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