r
As I've grown older, my tastes have matured—but apparently not that much. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy steak, shellfish (I generalize because I'm allergic to lobster), chicken, and pasta just as much as the next girl. And oh, do I enjoy pasta. But when my fiancé asked me what I wanted to serve at our wedding, I didn't skip a beat when I responded: barbecue. And hush puppies. Family style.
r
You'd never know I grew up so close to the Mason-Dixon Line, but what can I say. Even for a South County (or SoCo, as we call it) girl—with all its country qualities—I was definitively a sundress and boots, sweet iced tea, and biscuits, kind of girl. I wouldn't necessarily say it was the way I was raised—my other sisters don't share the affinity, and unlike many of my peers growing up, we didn't have farmland. I've never even been on a horse—but I will say that my friends came to our house for biscuits and moon pies, (courtesy of my dad) and homemade peach ice cream, (courtesy of my mom). My relocation to Tennessee pretty much only nurtured what was already there.
r
Now that we're planning a menu of barbecue, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, green beans, and hush puppies, I get a lot of perplexed looks. When we were scouting caterers, they all asked the same questions when I explained that hush puppies were a must, and the lack thereof was an absolute deal eaker. Am I from the south, people ask? Did I acquire that love as a Volunteer? Every time, my fiancé shakes his head and replies, “I asked the same questions when I first met her; it’s complicated. But basically, the answer is no. I’m not even sure it’s a southern thing. I think she’s always been this way.”
r
“This way.” I don't know what that means, but he says it so endearingly—and he loves my cooking—that I assume it suits him fine. But for the record, I think he's right. I've been to a lot of southern weddings. And I've not had barbecue at one. It's a southern specialty for sure, but it's certainly not typical southern wedding fare.
r
I just like what I like, okay? Besides, I like to think of it as homestyle. Good for the soul, if you will.
r
So imagine my surprise when an email rolled into our Wedding Editor's inbox showcasing barbecue on wedding menus. More and more wedding blogs highlight mason jars and lawn games, like corn hole, to add a “southern” touch to weddings, (and to be fair, we'll have them too) but I imagine that this is yet another example of that theme being doled out to perpetuate the trend.
r
I'm not sure whether or not it will stick. I'm not even sure how Beefalo Bob's is going to be received at our wedding. (I’ll give you a second to take that in…) But I imagine the response will be the same as the one to the groom-to-be and groomsmen wearing Nantucket Red pants. “I can’t imagine it any other way.” And, “Of course you are.” At least, that's what it's been so far. It suits us.
r
I, for one, wouldn't mind at all to see pulled pork popping up at a few more special occasions.
r
To that, I say, don't mind if I do.
