In the South, there are a lot of traditions, including with weddings! One of the most notable southern wedding traditions being the cake pull. Now, what on earth does that even mean? Let’s dive in – you may even want to have one at your wedding!

Popular in the South, especially New Orleans and the surrounding area, is the Cake Pull. This Victorian-era tradition simply means, “ribbon pulling” charms of good luck and fortune out of a wedding cake. This is usually a separate cake made for the bride’s single friends, not the main wedding cake for the newly weds & their guests.

Traditionally, the bride makes this cake for her friends but nowadays most hire a baker to do the cake-making for them. The baker will place sterling silver charms with specific meanings inside the bottom layer of the cake. Then at the wedding all of the single ladies pull the charm-attached ribbons to pull a charm from inside the cake, just before the cake is cut. 

All of these charms have their own meaning, and revolve around good luck and good fortune, as previously stated. Some popular charms include:

Butterfly: Eternal beauty

Star: Your deepest wish will come true

Camera: You will have a picture-perfect life

Ring: Next to get married

Airplane, Hot Air Balloon or Eiffel Tower: A life full of adventure and travel

Anchor: Adventure is around the corner

Four Leaf Clover: Good luck

Cross: You will have a blessed life

Crown: You will be queen for a lifetime

Wishbone: Success

Flower: Blossoming love

Heart: New love

Kite: Something fun is about to happen

Key: You will have a happy home

Mardi Gras Mask: Your life will be a party

Fleur-de-Lis: Love & prosperity

Mirror: You will have a life of beauty

Alligator: You will have a long, happy life

Oyster: You will have a wish soon be granted

Hurricane: You will have a wild & crazy life

Owl: You will have a life of wisdom

Pelican: You will have a life of plenty

Rocking Chair: You will live a long & healthy life

Riverboat: Your life will be full of nostalgic memories

Telephone: Good news will be coming your way

Treasure Chest: Your hopes and dreams will come true

If the baker chosen doesn’t have charms for you to add to the cake, or you want to make your own, you can find a beautiful set of cake pull charms easily on Etsy. Just make sure you have enough for all of your single ladies! Here are some of our favorites: 

Cake pulls are one of many sweet traditions you can incorporate into your wedding to give it that charming Southern feel! Looking for more? Check out the Southern House Party tradition.