The tradition of burying a bourbon bottle before a wedding is a popular Southern folklore practice, especially among couples getting married in the South. The belief is that burying a full bottle of bourbon at the wedding venue can prevent rain and ensure good weather on the wedding day.
Here’s a deeper look into the history and meaning behind this charming custom:
photo - @amyephoto | coordinator - @georgiadollevents
Origins of the Bourbon Bottle Tradition
The origins of this tradition are somewhat unclear, but it’s widely believed to have its roots in Southern superstition and hospitality. Bourbon, a distinctly American whiskey with deep ties to Kentucky and the South, plays a significant role in Southern culture. Many believe the act of burying bourbon stems from an old folk belief that making an offering to the spirits of the land could grant good weather and good fortune.
How the Tradition Works
The Timing: According to the tradition, the bourbon bottle must be buried exactly one month before the wedding date. This is said to give the spirits enough time to ensure clear skies for the big day.
The Placement: The full bottle of bourbon is buried upside-down at the couple’s wedding venue. Burying the bottle upside-down is believed to prevent rain from falling.
The Celebration: After the wedding, if the couple enjoyed a rain-free ceremony, they dig up the bottle and share it with their wedding party and guests as a celebratory drink.
Don't bury it too deep, you'll be wearing a suit when you dig it up! photo - @amyephoto | coordinator - @georgiadollevents
Why Bourbon?
Bourbon has long been a symbol of Southern hospitality, craftsmanship, and celebration. It is often associated with important life events such as weddings and toasts. Since bourbon is a spirit native to the American South, it makes sense that it would be the drink of choice for this ritual, making it uniquely tied to Southern wedding traditions.
photo - @amyephoto | coordinator - @georgiadollevents
Modern Popularity
In recent years, the tradition has become a fun, lighthearted way for couples to connect with Southern heritage and add a whimsical element to their wedding planning. Many couples embrace the bourbon burying ritual not just for the superstition but also as a way to honor local traditions and involve friends and family in the pre-wedding excitement.
photo - @amyephoto | coordinator - @georgiadollevents
Whether it works or not is up for debate, but couples who embrace the tradition often say it adds a meaningful, nostalgic, or simply fun element to their wedding. Even if it rains, many see digging up the bottle and sharing it with loved ones as a symbolic way of handling any unexpected bumps along the way with good spirits (both literally and figuratively).
photo - @amyephoto | coordinator - @georgiadollevents
At venues like Chapman Hill, with its expansive outdoor and indoor options, couples often enjoy adding traditions like this to their wedding journey, blending cultural heritage with the personal meaning of their celebration.
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