Heather Chesky Photography
If you believe the Southern folklore (and we here at Historic Rosemont just might), burying a bottle of bourbon at the site where you plan to get married keeps the rain clouds at bay. We don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but we’ve seen it work time and time again for many of our wedding couples.
With so much beautiful weather in our area, especially in the spring and fall, many ceremonies, and even some receptions, take place outdoors. The last thing couples want is to resort to Plan B or C because of bad weather. If you want to take measures into your own hands to keep gray skies away, you might want to bury bourbon at your wedding site.
It should be no surprise that southerners have incorporated bourbon into a wedding tradition, and we fully embrace it. The leading bourbon-producing states in the U.S. are Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana. The type of bourbon you bury can be any variety you prefer. Select one of your favorite brands, or splurge on a vintage reserve.
You don’t have to be southern to include this tradition in your wedding. Maybe you simply want to add a fun element to your special day, or maybe you just like bourbon. Either way, we’ve put together some things you need to know if you want to bury a bottle of bourbon at your venue.
Liz Fogarty Photography
Bourbon Burying How-To
The tradition states there are three things you need to do to ensure a sunny wedding day:
Burry your bourbon one month before your wedding at the site you plan to have your event.
Burry the bottle upside down.
It must be a full bottle.
Organize with your venue before you dig a hole on the property. Don’t just show up with a shovel and decide on your own where to dig. There may be a designated place set up for you to bury the bourbon. If your venue is not OK with you adding a hole to their landscaping, ask if you can bring your bottle pre-buried in a pot that you can place inconspicuously on site.
Pop Shots Photography
Plan for Photos
Unearthing the bourbon on your wedding day makes for a great photo opportunity. Let your photographer know about this ahead of time and add it to your itinerary. Get photos as you dig up the bottle, then show it off to get a few up close pictures. Capturing the moment you raise a toast with your groomsmen or bridesmaids with your bourbon also makes for a fun photo.
Pop Shots Photography
Enjoy Your Bourbon Rain or Shine
Despite your best efforts, it might rain on your wedding day. Drink your bourbon anyway! Dig the bottle out of the ground and enjoy it with your wedding party. You can enjoy a sip together, or separately with your attendants if you and your future spouse don’t want to see each other before the ceremony. Make sure to save enough so everyone in the wedding party gets a sample.
You can also save your bourbon to enjoy together later. Some couples opt to open the bottle on their one-year wedding anniversary. You can also toast with it to celebrate milestones like buying a house and job promotions.
Don’t be discouraged if burying your bourbon doesn’t ensure a cloud-free day for your wedding. Whether you have rain or sunshine, your wedding will still be one of the best days of your life.