In the opening chapter of Jan Karon’s Come Rain or Come Shine, the Victoria Classics Book Club Spring 2021 selection, characters Dooley and Lace are planning their nuptials. Lace’s parents, Olivia and Hoppy Harper, want to host a grand wedding with all the trimmings. But instead, the young couple wants a simple gathering at their own beloved Meadowgate Farm, and rather than a catered affair, family and friends bringing sides to share. Although Lace fears that turning down her parents’ generous offer might hurt their feelings, she needn’t worry. Jan writes, “Olivia thought a country wedding would be ‘the best idea in the whole world,’ and the idea of a potluck wedding was hilarious, but in a good way.” Here are some of our favorite dishes, just perfect for a casually elegant celebration.
