Orange Weddings

Continuing on from last month and our discussion of using Tennessee orange as the main color for your wedding, here are some more ideas and resources to show your loyalty to the Vols, even on your big day.

Luckily, orange being the bright, cheery color that it is, it makes an ideal color for weddings in spring, summer, or even fall. Mixed with golds and warm browns, it conjures up thoughts of autumn. Put it with white, a little greenery, and even some pink, and you have a color match suitable from spring through summer.

Your devotion to orange can start with the invitations. You can find an array of stylish choices at InviteSite.

The biggest way to incorporate Tennessee orange is in the outfits worn on the day. I have spoken to dressmakers who have made everything from tuxedos to bridesmaids gowns and even wedding dresses in orange. It could be as simple as the men wearing orange ties and the bridesmaids having an orange sash, all the way up to a full on explosion of Vols support. (Be forewarned though that not everyone in the wedding may share your love of Tennessee sports).

Alternatively, you could have orange décor. Your caterer and reception host will be able to help with this. A simple table decoration can look stylish and be the perfect offset to your orange wedding cocktail (see last month’s entry on orange cocktails).

The key thing to remember when planning a wedding theme around a certain color is to have fun. Sometimes less is more. A small posey of orange roses against a white dress can be elegant and stunning. On the other hand, match your personalities. If you are both loud and proud Tennessee fans, and it suits your style to be decked out from top to toe, go for it!

A shot of orange

When planning your wedding, it can be fun to coordinate with your bar caterer to come up with a cocktail or two that match the colors or something specific to your wedding. Since BarBop is based in Tennessee, this month we’ll be looking at a few ideas for showing your love of the Volunteer State, starting with a few cocktail suggestions. Ask your bar staff if they can whip up one of the following for you to enjoy:

Think of Tennessee and alcohol, and you think of Jack Daniels, so what better way to celebrate matrimonial bliss than with a little Southern Harmony for the wedding party:

Mix 1 ¼ oz Jack Daniels with ¾ oz Southern Comfort and 4 oz of sweet and sour mix. Add a splash of 7Up and pour over ice. Serve with a lemon wedge.

Or how about a Tennessee Julep for those hot summer evenings:

Cover about 12 mint leaves with 1 tsp powdered sugar and a few drops of water. Smash the mint up a bit and put half of the mint in a julep cup. Half fill the cup with crushed ice. Add 1 jigger Tennessee Whisky and 1 jigger Apricot Schnapps. Add the rest of the crushed mint and some more ice.

You’ll notice one more thing these have in common. That’s right. A Tennessee cocktail has to have something orange in it if you’re a Vols fan.

One drink that looks bright and sunny and would be perfect on a sunny day is a Tennessee Peach:

Blend 5 oz canned peaches in syrup. Add the juice of 2 limes, 3 oz Tennessee Whiskey, 2 tbs sugar and some ice. Blend together and pour into 2 tall glasses. Top with whipped cream.

Finally, if you want something orange, not featuring whisky, but still a little different, try a Red Surf:

Shake together the juice of 1 orange, 1 measure Vodka, ½ measure Noilly Prat Red, a dash of lime juice and 1 tsp Grenadine. Serve over ice with a cherry.

Of course, these are just a few ideas. Talk to your bar caterer before your special event and they will be able to work with you to come up with something different for your celebration.

Fiona Young-Brown