This is quickly becoming one of my favorite wedding activities! Small charms attached to ribbons are baked into the cake. During the cake cutting, a party of pullers is brought up to the cake and pull the ribbons to reveal their charm!
Where does it come from? My initial research focused on the southern roots of the tradition - southern charm, get it ?? Anyways, turns out it is also commonly practiced in Andean weddings in South America. Both trace back to Victorian times when it was called "ribbon pulling."
Who pulls? Traditionally, the brides single bridesmaids would be included in the pulling party. One charm is a ring symbolizing the next girl to get married. BUT we love breaking the rules, so considering including the boys from the wedding party too or maybe incorporate your parents or grandparents.
Want folks to get a specific charm? Ask your baker to provide a cheat sheet that you can hand off to your planner to make sure everyone pulls the right prophecy!
Here are a few charm examples:
Coin: Prosperity. (traditional)
Ring: You will find your true love or be the next to marry (traditional)
Button: Your days of bachelorhood are over or will have children soon (traditional)
Wishbone: You will have a wish come true (traditional)
Boot: You will travel (traditional)
Thimble: You will remain a bachelor OR The thimble of blessedness (traditional)
Bell: Betrothal (traditional)
Baby Booties or Footprints: a child soon
Anchor: You will find (or have) love that is steady and true
Key: You will have a secure life
Crown: You will live happily ever after
Star: You will be famous
Four Leaf Clover: Good luck will find you soon
Bird: A new opportunity will soon present itself
Guitar: Your home will be in harmony (mostly anyways)
Butterfly: Eternal beauty
Dog: You will always have at least one loyal friend
Dolphin: You have a playful soul
Frog Prince: You will have your fairytale (live happily ever after)
Boat: An adventure awaits you
Ladies Shoe: Always at that peak of fashion
Pig: An abundance of the finer things
Music Note: Harmony
Arrow or Heart with Arrow: Romance
Fleur-de-lis: You will live a life of prosperity
Lion: You will conquer any problem that you face
Wine Glass: You will get even better with age
Teddy Bear: You will always be a child at heart
Watering Can: You are a blessing to others
Wishbone: Your greatest wish will come true
Garden trowel: Your work will provide a bountiful harvest
Teapot: You make others feel warm inside
Cross: You will have a life of peace and tranquility
Castle: You will have your happily ever after
Seashell: You will have a life of timeless beauty
Flower: Romance
Airplane: Traveling awaits
Heart: Blessed with a life full of love
Hammer: Will find a job you enjoy
Mask: Something fun and unexpected will happen
Horse: Free spirited
Motorcycle: Adventure
Cat: You will exhibit extreme cleverness
Owl: You will gain wisdom
ASK YOUR PLANNER for more ideas.
Need a planner? We are here to help!