Now here are a few, but they are not all tried and true, especially since we've been a more mobile society in the last century, but you'll find some traditions that more frequent in one area that another.
For example:
South: The groom's cake got its start here. Many couples in the north have never heard of a groom's cake. Sometimes the groom's cake is eaten at the rehearsal dinner and sometimes at the reception. Some weddings in the South may be held in the church, followed by a short reception of cake, mints and nuts - no meal, drinks or dancing. Also, wedding showers are never held by the mother of the bride, but rather friends of the MOB or bride. There also may be several showers.
The Grand March is also a Midwest traditions,where the bridal party and guests form a tunnel that the couple go through at their reception.
North: The Dollar Dance is very popular where guests pay to dance with the bride and groom. In some areas of the county, if you pay to dance, you get a shot of whiskey to drink before the dance. And typically all weddings include a grand reception with a meal, drinks and dancing.
California: More often the not the wedding and reception will be at the same venue, and usually not a church.
New Orleans: They're going to have a wedding cake with cake pulls or the Ribbon Pulling Ceremony. Charms are baked into the bottom layer of the wedding cake with thin ribbons sticking out of the cake at the bottom. Single gals get to pull the charm out. Each of the charms has some meaning to predict the future of that single gal. An anchor means adventure awaits; a star means your wish will come true; a ring means you're the next to get married, and so on. In New Orleans they also have something called the Second Line signifying the newlyweds beginning their life together. It's a walk from the wedding ceremony to the reception venue. The groom holds a black umbrella and the bride holds a white umbrella. Guests wave white handkerchiefs and the couple, typically following a jazz band, will walk to the reception.
Pennsylvania: This state gets it's own designation for the cookie table. Relatives of the couple are asked to bring a few dozen cookies, which are all put on one table at the reception. You won't go to a reception in PA and not see the famous cookie table. New York City: Most weddings will have a Cocktail Hour at the beginning of the wedding and a Viennese Hour at the end. The Cocktail Hour is hors d'oeuvres and specialty drinks, and the Viennese Hour is desserts and after dinner drinks.
Northeast: Usually one bridal shower is held for the bride combining both families and all friends and co-workers. So a bridal shower may have 30-60 guests. Usually the bride's family hosts this.
Texas: Three letters ... BBQ.
Southwest: Expect to see some western elements like cowboy boots or a cowboy hat at some point in the ceremony.
Northwest: Only saw one piece of information on this, but apparently Northwest weddings are very laid back and oftentimes the reception is potluck.
Again, these traditions have blended a bit and may not be strictly to region now, but for many this is where they got their start. You can mix and match and pick and choose whatever you like!
Discussion: Are there any traditions above you've never heard of? Are there any you'd like to try?
Prayer: Lord God, what interesting traditions are found within our own country. Father, we thank you for the uniqueness of these traditions, and pray each ceremony will be unique to our couples. In Christ, Amen.
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