Something Old ~ Something New ~ Something Borrowed ~ Something Blue
and a Sixpence in your Shoe!
pc: Kimberly Brooke Photography
This sweet tradition has been around for years and I’ve always thought it was lovely! Taken from a few different posts (The Knot and Brides.com), here is some of the history behind the tradition, and some ideas on how to incorporate those elements!
“Something Old”
Folklore says that including something old was a way to ward off the Evil Eye and protect any future children the couple might have (the Evil Eye was thought to cause infertility in the bride—yikes). But more traditionally, your “something old” represents continuity, and today’s couples use this as a chance to wear a sentimental piece of jewelry or item of clothing belonging to an older relative. Often the parents of the bride will gift the bride with an heirloom piece of jewelry before the ceremony – such as Great-Grandmother’s jeweled necklace/earrings or a broach that can be attached to the bouquet. Material from mom’s and/or grandmas’ dresses can be woven into your wedding gown! Or some couples opt to have a vintage car whisk them away at the end of the reception or take them from the ceremony location to the reception.
“Something New”
This offers optimism for the future. The couple is about to enter into a new chapter in life, so walking into marriage with “something new” makes total sense and it can really be anything — including the wedding attire, veil, jewelry and shoes. Couples often tick this box first (possibly, before they even learn this rhyme exists)! It’s up to you whether your “something new” is a gift from someone else (like your partner or your family) or the result of a treat-yourself moment (a new perfume to wear on the wedding day!). What about new, matching tattoos for you and your soon-to-be spouse!?!
“Something Borrowed”
Incorporating “something borrowed” brings the couple good luck. By borrowing something from a happily married friend or relative, the couple ensures a little of their good fortune rubs off on them. These days, it’s all about honoring a loved one or holding onto something of sentimental value—like grandmother’s wedding hair comb or mother’s diamond earrings, or grandfather’s cuff links, etc. — for a touch of good luck as you say your “I dos.” A fun option could be to borrow your friend’s very comfy shoes or the veil your best friend wore for her wedding!
“Something Blue”
The color blue stands for love, purity and fidelity—three key qualities for a solid marriage. Most often, the “something blue” has been a blue garter worn beneath a bride’s white dress, but that’s not something that couples seem to be incorporating in to their wedding day festivities in recent years. Sprinkle blue clematis into the bouquet or boutonniere’s, pick out a gorgeous pair of blue pumps, blue socks, or embroider your wedding date in wedding day attire using blue thread or on a hanky you will have with you, or purchase a nice piece of blue lingerie for your spouse (only) to see after the wedding festivities!!
“& a Sixpence in your shoe”!
A silver sixpence in your wedding day shoe is a traditional good luck wedding gesture, and customarily, it is the father of a bride who places the sixpence as a token of him wishing her prosperity, love and happiness in her marriage.
When I got married, many years ago (!), my something old was an old Bible that my mother and my grandmother carried in their weddings (and I think some of my cousins used it too!); at the time I got married, the Bible was around 75 years old. I then had various colors of ribbon (that matched the bridesmaids’ dresses) in it that draped down the front of the Bible as I carried it down the aisle.
Comment below with what you have seen (or used) as “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue”!
