by: The 140th Kentucky Derby is tomorrow--the first Saturday in May. It's always fun to watch this annual race deemed "the most exciting two minutes in sports" but really, it's the hours of people-watching beforehand that's really fun and exciting! Churchill Downs is an extravaganza of ornamental hats and souvenir glasses brimming with mint juleps. It's also full of fashionable wedding ideas. Today's wedding inspiration is in honor of the Kentucky Derby--featuring a soft and simple look, with a hint of vintage. How to marry your wedding stationery with Kentucky Derby style? We went for the iconic florals and chose Botanical Cascade Wedding Stationery Suite to represent the event and the whimsy that accompanies it.
Floral Motif
Run for the roses! Did you know that there are over 500 red roses in the winner's blanket? Florals are a must in a Kentucky Derby-inspired event. And a southern wedding like this is sure to be hot--so a wedding program fan is another must have. Useful and pretty, the roomy rectangle size fan serves the dual purpose of offering plenty of space for your order of events and the functional shape and size keeps guests refreshed on warm days.
Other motifs: horseshoe, ribbons, stripes,
Tip: freeze heads of roses in ice cubes and put them in your wine or champagne bucket for your reception tables.
Lavish Accessories and Southern Style
Okay ya’ll, have fun with your wedding invitation and RSVP wording. Get your southern creative on to match the whimsy of your event. Scripted fonts and fun wording will help set the tone for a Kentucky Derby influence.
RSVP idea:
Will You Join Us?
__Yes, if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise.
__Shoot, busier than a moth in a mitten that day.
Tip: Use your wedding website to encourage guests to wear their most fanciful hat or hair adornment.
Kentucky Derby Hat by Amy Ward, Etsy designer, Award Design
Traditional Fare
You can really have a lot of fun with your Kentucky Derby-inspired reception tablescapes. Use your Menu Card to translate your traditional fare--be it family style country ham and biscuits to anything marinated in Kentucky Bourbon! Extravagant centerpieces brimming with fulsome florals and eucalyptus would be an iconic and aromatic touch. You could also name your tables after famous horses that won in the past: Orb, I'll Have Another, Secretariat, etc. You'll have a blast naming your tables, too!
Tip: Add a recipe/directions for concocting the *perfect* Mint Julep to your Menu Cards. Guests would love that!
4 fresh mint sprigs
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water
Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw. {DrinkMixer.com}
Perhaps with hat on head and julep in hand, will you be cheering on the winner of the Kentucky Derby tomorrow?
