20 Tips for Planning a Kentucky Derby Themed Wedding
Posted: June 7, 2025
20 Tips for Planning a Kentucky Derby Themed Wedding at Lady Jean Ranch
Planning a wedding is an exciting adventure, but choosing the perfect theme can make it truly unforgettable. If you’ve always dreamed of a wedding that combines Southern elegance, vibrant hats, and good ol’ fashioned charm, a Kentucky Derby-themed wedding might be the perfect fit. And where better to host such a celebration than Lady Jean Ranch near Palm Beach? With its breathtaking equestrian ranch setting and rustic luxury, this venue brings your Kentucky Derby vision to life.
Here’s your ultimate guide to planning a flawless Kentucky Derby-themed wedding, plus five reasons why Lady Jean Ranch is the venue for your big day.
Welcome to Lady Jean Ranch! Before we begin, we’d like to take a moment to introduce ourselves and warmly welcome you to our family-owned wedding and event venue. Built on the foundation of our parents’ timeless love story, our ranch embodies a legacy of love that has been passed down through generations and continues to flourish today. Family is at the heart of everything we do, and we take immense pride in treating our couples—and their guests—as part of our extended family. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that prioritizes you and makes you feel truly at home, you’ve found the perfect place.
While you’re here, we encourage you to explore our wedding information pages, browse our wedding venue map, and request our pricing. At Lady Jean Ranch, we believe in complete transparency—there are no hidden fees or unexpected surprises. We want every couple to have a clear understanding of our pricing from the very beginning, ensuring a stress-free experience throughout your journey with us.
We look forward to being part of your love story.
Why Choose Lady Jean Ranch for Your Kentucky Derby-Themed Wedding
Lady Jean Ranch not only offers the perfect backdrop for a Kentucky Derby wedding, but its authentic character and amenities elevate your celebration. Here’s why it stands out as the ultimate venue for your special day.
- Authentic Equestrian Atmosphere
Lady Jean Ranch captures the spirit of the Derby with its stunning equestrian setting. With rolling grounds, horse stables, and beautiful ranch decor, the ambiance is perfect for your theme. Horses can even be incorporated into your wedding photos for an authentic touch.
Sarah Kenney Photography
- Rustic Elegance Meets Sophistication
The venue blends rustic charm with luxury, ideal for a Kentucky Derby wedding where bold tradition meets an upscale twist. Think rustic barns decorated with lush florals, wooden beams paired with sparkling string lights, and sprawling grounds that boast timeless beauty.
- Flexible Event Spaces
The ranch provides indoor and outdoor options for hosting ceremonies and receptions, allowing you to customize your event to fit your ideal Derby style. Whether you envision an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Lady Jean Ranch can make it happen.
- Stunning Photography Backdrops
The picturesque setting at Lady Jean Ranch adds a magical touch to your wedding photos. With horses grazing nearby, grand oak trees, and a rustic barn in the distance, every shot exudes Southern charm.
- Unforgettable Guest Experience
For your friends and family, Lady Jean Ranch creates an immersive experience they’ll never forget. Guests can enjoy the ambiance of the ranch while sipping mint juleps and marveling at their surroundings. Your Kentucky Derby wedding will be a story they’ll tell for years.
20 Tips for Planning Your Kentucky Derby Wedding
1. Set the Tone with Invites
Use invitations that reflect the Derby theme. Think elegant script fonts, horse illustrations, or motifs like roses or jockey silks.
2. Dress Code Guidelines
Encourage guests to wear their finest Derby attire. Eye-catching hats, vibrant dresses, and colorful suits will add to the festive atmosphere.
3. Bold Color Palettes
Kentucky Derby weddings call for bold, vibrant colors. Consider pairing deep reds, blues, and greens with metallic or neutral tones for an elegant touch.
Danielle Love Photography
4. Signature Cocktails
No Kentucky Derby-themed wedding is complete without signature Southern drinks. Offer mint juleps and bourbon-inspired cocktails to impress your guests.
5. Horses as a Focal Point
At Lady Jean Ranch, horses aren’t just part of the scenery. Consider incorporating them into your wedding photos or having a horse-drawn carriage for memorable entrances or exits.
6. Floral Decorations
The Derby’s iconic red roses are a must! Incorporate roses into your bouquets, centerpieces, or even as accents on your wedding cake.
7. Creative Table Numbers
Name your reception tables after famous horses or iconic race tracks to tie the theme together.
8. Themed Centerpieces
Get creative with your table centerpieces. Incorporate elements like jockey hats, horseshoes, mini horse figurines, or bouquets of roses.
9. Offer Southern-Inspired Cuisine
Celebrate the Derby theme with a Southern-inspired menu. Serve dishes like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, cornbread, and a bourbon-infused dessert.
10. Provide Fans or Parasols
Help your guests stay cool with decorative fans or parasols that match your theme, especially for outdoor ceremonies.
11. Photo Booth with Derby Props
Set up a photo booth with fun props like oversized hats, fake mustaches, and mini trophies.
12. Entertainment Options
Consider hiring a bluegrass band or a live violinist to capture the Southern spirit of the Kentucky Derby. Add lawn games like horseshoes or cornhole for extra fun.
Danielle Love Photography
13. Derby-Themed Wedding Favors
Send guests home with playful mementos like mini bourbon bottles, derby pins, or horse-shaped cookies.
14. Upscale Hat Station
Set up a hat or fascinator station where guests can pick their perfect accessory to match the theme.
15. Custom Signage
Use rustic wooden signs to point guests toward different areas of your venue, incorporating fun Derby-inspired phrasing.
16. Make a Grand Entrance
Arrive in style on horseback, by a horse-drawn carriage, or even in a vintage car for a memorable statement.
17. The Perfect Cake
Design a statement wedding cake that incorporates equestrian motifs, roses, or silhouettes of horses.
18. Play A “Race” During the Reception
Run clips from previous Derbies or host a playful game where guests bet on a mock race for fun prizes.
19. Themed Save the Dates
Get everyone excited early by designing your save-the-dates to resemble horse race tickets.
20. Bride and Groom Derby Style
Complete the theme by dressing the bride in a classic lace dress and the groom in a tailored suit with a nod to Derby fashion (perhaps a bow tie or suspenders).
Danielle Love Photography
Start Planning Your Dream Wedding
A Kentucky Derby-themed wedding at Lady Jean Ranch is the perfect combination of charm, festivity, and elegance. From horses grazing in the background to bold floral arrangements and vibrant colors, every detail brings the magic of the Derby to life.
Lady Jean Ranch’s unique charm and versatility make it the perfect place to host your big day. With expert guidance and careful planning, your Kentucky Derby wedding will be an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
Are you planning your wedding and in search of the perfect wedding venue in Florida? Let us help you create a magical event that exceeds your expectations and sets the stage for your wedding journey ahead. Find more gorgeous images and videos on our Facebook and Instagram. You can learn more about our dedication to excellence by checking out our Google reviews.
At Lady Jean Ranch, we’re here to make planning effortless. Schedule a tour today by filling out our contact form, and explore what makes our wedding venue truly unforgettable in our wedding venue information page. Perfectly situated for couples in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Southern Florida and Jupiter, Florida, our equestrian-inspired wedding ranch offers everything you could want: stunning outdoor ceremony spaces, luxurious indoor reception areas, waterfront features, luxurious green landscapes, palm trees, wooded areas, and a breathtaking setting ideal for your wedding photos.
Discover Lady Jean Ranch, a stunning wedding venue near you, perfect for creating unforgettable memories on your special day.
Danielle Love Photography
