Wedding ceremonies are rich in various formal and sometimes traditional symbols that can be important to married individuals and their families. Some of the most easily recognized and long-standing traditions include the rhyme that the bride must have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue as symbols of good fortune. Each of these items has its spiritual connotations, however many brides never even consider them before acquiring those goods.
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Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue—3 novel ideas for each
One of the most popular wedding traditions that many brides go with even today, is to have Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue at their weddings. Including things that fit this description is believed to bring a bride good luck, and this is something that every bride would love in abundance.
Wouldn’t you like to know more about the history behind this tradition? Here it is.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
With 86% of brides wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue, it could be fun to see a variety of ways brides fulfill this wedding tradition. One of the most common ways to incorporate old, new, borrowed, and blue items into the mix is to wear jewelry that fits those descriptions. However, many brides have found creative ways to embrace the old, new, borrowed, and blue.
The wedding tradition started with a nineteenth-century British rhyme that described what a bride should wear for good luck. The rhyme includes a sixpence in the shoe. A sixpence was kept in the bride’s left shoe. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” has been included in weddings occurring on television shows such as How I Met Your Mother and Friends.
Old
Although antique jewelry can be a beautiful way to wear something old, you might want to consider the ingenious ways some brides have included the old in their wedding day garb. One bride added pearl beads from on old dress. If you want to honor a deceased friend or family member with something old, you could use a locket with an old photograph of the loved one. A locket can dangle from the bouquet or be worn on a necklace.
New
Having a new item is probably the easiest part of the rhyme to accomplish. The wedding dress is often considered the new item for a bride. The bouquet typically could be considered the new item as well.
Borrowed
Some families have a tradition of borrowing veils from past brides in the family. Sisters, mothers, even grandmothers may be willing to share their veils with a new bride. Other creative options are to add a charm or cufflink from a family member to the wedding bouquet, borrow a purse or hair comb, or wrap a family member’s handkerchief around the bottom of the bouquet.
Blue
Before the Victorian era, blue was a popular color for wedding dresses. Blue signified constancy, faithfulness, and was considered good luck. There is an old rhyme about wearing blue: ” Marry in blue, always be true.” Though a blue wedding dress is not a popular way to wear something blue, some brides add blue ribbon to their gowns. A blue temporary tattoo is an unconventional way a bride can wear blue.
If blue doesn’t exactly blend with your wedding colors, you may want a hidden blue item such as a blue stitched monogram inside the dress. One fun option for women with floor-length dresses with full skirts is to wear blue shoes. One bride wore bold, blue sneakers hidden under her gown. Blue on the bride’s lingerie is another hidden option.
These are just some of the numerous ways brides can carry the old, new, borrowed, and blue items on their day. As with any wedding traditions, you choose whether you want to follow it and how you want to include it in your wedding. Choosing something personal can make this a special part of preparing for the wedding. For more tips on making the wedding truly special, visit the Best for Bride blog for helpful articles.
Wedding Expert Minute Tip 15 – How a Bride Can Follow Old Traditions
Some old traditions are also superstitions and for the bride that is following the “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue,” mantra, there are ways that she can customize to suit her personality …