Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

By: Alexine

As the saying has gone for years when it comes to a bride’s luck on her special day;

Something Old, Something New,
Something Borrowed, Something Blue,
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

Have you ever wondered where it came from or what to use? Here is a little history and some ideas to incorporate this Victorian Era marriage tradition into your own wedding.

Something Old

As you can imagine, the “something old” is an item that is old and has been in the bride’s family for many years. Today women use items that are old from family or friends. This item symbolizes permanence and the link of one generation to the next primarily from the grandmother or mother of the bride.

Here are some of the items you may want to use at your wedding;
• Antique pearls
• Mother or Grandmother’s wedding dress and/or veil
• A broche
• Handkerchief
• Piece of silk or lace

Something New

The idea of “something new” represents the good luck and great fortune for the bride’s future. This is where the bride gets to choose an item for her wedding. Shopping around for something unique that suits her style and personality is especially important.

Here are some of the items you may want to purchase;
• Wedding dress
• Shoes
• Undergarments/Lingerie
• Diamond earrings
• Garter Belt

Something Borrowed

This is an item that is borrowed from a special friend or family member with a successful marriage that is sharing part of their happiness with the bride. This symbolizes good luck to their marriage for years to come. While this may seem superstitious, it is done with wonderful intentions for the future of the bride with her groom.

Here are some items someone may lend you;
• Embroidered handkerchief from their wedding
• Wedding dress
• Veil
• Hair clip
• Necklace

Something Blue

This is one of the eldest traditions for the bride dating back from the Virgin Mary who wore blue. It symbolizes love, fidelity and purity. Years ago women would wear blue on the edge of their wedding attire as part of the tradition but now days they have many other ways.

Here are some ways to add blue to the bridal attire;
• Blue undergarments
• Blue embroidered handkerchief
• Blue garter belt
• Blue flowers in the bride’s hair
• Blue sash on the wedding dress

Sixpence in Her Shoe

The last part of the poem is about the “sixpence in her shoe.” The sixpence is a British silver coin worth six pennies that was worn inside the bride’s left shoe to bring them great fortune in their marriage. Since they do not make the sixpence coin anymore you can use a penny or dime instead.

Lucky Bride

Through all five of these items a bride hopes to have good luck and good fortune in the marriage she is entering. Even though we are many years in the future with the way things are these days a marriage can use all the good luck it can get. Enjoy planning the wedding and putting together your special items. In the end you will have several very meaningful items on from important people in your life as you walk down the aisle to say “I do”.