"Blossom by blossom the spring begins," wrote English poet Algernon Swinburne. That rings true of Macon, Georgia, where each spring the city celebrates the season's arrival with the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

In honor of spring and hope and weddings, too, we've prepared a romantic Dixie-style menu for this very occasion. Be advised, though, that the cherry blossoms needn't be in triumphant bloom when you serve it. It's enough that you are.