This iconic saying started as a wedding superstition intended to ward off evil spirits, and potential infertility, as well as protect the bride. Adhering to the “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” tradition is now thought to bring good luck—both to the ceremony and the union.
Who is supposed to give the bride something old New Borrowed blue?
Grandmothers often gift the bride a piece of vintage jewelry for the “something old” segment, and “blue” can be interpreted in many ways— from ribbons to shoes to bridesmaids dresses and so on. Some brides choose to give themselves the objects, but this is less common than receiving small gifts that fit the old rhyme.
What do you use for Old New Borrowed blue?
22 Ideas for Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue!A Vintage Car... Does your Grandpa love fixing up old cars? ... A Lock On The Bouquet... This sentimental idea is so touching. ... Up-cycle A Pearl Necklace... ... An Old Poetry Book/Bible... ... A Family Heirloom... ... New Perfume... ... A New Name... ... Lingerie...More items...•
Do you need something blue wedding?
The traditional something blue was often a blue wedding garter worn beneath the bride's white dress. But you don't have to wear something blue to ward off wicked spirits.
When you get married do you need something borrowed?
“Something borrowed” is a bit more superstitious, pointing to the idea that borrowing items from a happily married woman will transfer that woman's good luck onto the new bride. It can be a hairpin or jewelry, like a bracelet from your mother, which is what bride Dawn wore on her big day.
What are the 4 things a bride needs?
The tradition is based on an Old English rhyme that dates back to 19th-century Lancashire. It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe."
What do you give for old things?
"Something Old"A Family Heirloom. A family heirloom is typically the most popular way to incorporate the "something old" tradition. ... A Locket on Your Bouquet. ... A Poem. ... An Old Swatch of Fabric. ... Your Wedding Dress. ... A New Piece of Jewelry. ... A Fresh Lipstick or Perfume. ... Embroidery of Your New Name.More items...
Do brides still do something old something new something borrowed something blue?
The phrase comes from the English rhyme, “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe.” Although in present day, the first four items are most familiar, some modern brides still maintain the tradition of putting a sixpence or penny in their shoe.
Who gives the bride Something Borrowed?
Something borrowed This item usually comes from a family member or a friend of the bride who is happily married. The reason for this is that the sense of happiness will transfer over to the bride and stay with the happy couple for years to come, and that the bride can always seek support from her family and friends.
What is the tradition something borrowed something blue?
Something borrowed represents borrowed happiness from another happily married couple or bride. Something blue represents purity, love, and fidelity and is also meant to ward off the Evil Eye, a curse that could make the bride infertile.
What do brides use for Something Borrowed?
So, when we talk about 'something borrowed', the most traditional ideas that fall under the category of 'something borrowed' usually include a mother's veil, a pair of wedding shoes, a beautiful clutch, or even your grandparent's handkerchiefs!
Do you wear your engagement ring on your wedding day?
The truth is, like most wedding customs, what you do with your engagement ring on your wedding day is entirely up to you. You can wear it all day, take it off during the ceremony or leave it at home altogether. There is no right or wrong way to go about this, and the decision is entirely up to you.
What does a blue wedding dress mean?
Blue. Traditionally the colour of good luck, blue signifies peace and purity. The bride who wears blue is just like calm water, life giving, and stable and endlessly loyal.
What do brides usually use for Something Borrowed?
So, when we talk about 'something borrowed', the most traditional ideas that fall under the category of 'something borrowed' usually include a mother's veil, a pair of wedding shoes, a beautiful clutch, or even your grandparent's handkerchiefs!
What does a bride need something borrowed something blue?
Something borrowed represents borrowed happiness from another happily married couple or bride. Something blue represents purity, love, and fidelity and is also meant to ward off the Evil Eye, a curse that could make the bride infertile.
Why do brides put a sixpence in her shoe?
A world of tradition ' For many years, the father of the bride would slip a sixpence into his daughter's shoe before she walked down the aisle. The sixpence stood for good luck, and to show that the father wished his daughter prosperity in her marriage. Sweden has its own version of this tradition.
What can I borrow for my wedding?
Traditions: 7 Superb Ideas For Something BorrowedJewellery. Jewellery is the classic borrowed accessory for your wedding day. ... Brooch. ... Dress. ... Veil. ... Hair Pins. ... Shoes. ... Words.
What flowers go well with a blue wedding?
Other blue options include royal blue wedding invitations, blue-tinted gemstone earrings or blue blossoms within your bouquet. You can choose something dainty, like blue baby’s breath, especially if you’d rather it be obscured within a larger arrangement. For something bolder, hydrangeas are another way to go.
What to do with old costume jewelry?
It can be a thrifted item from a secondhand store. There’s loads of older costume jewelry on offer at vintage stores that you can transport from a long-gone era and store shelves into the present. Perhaps a beaded comb to place in your hair and help affix your veil.
What is the meaning of "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue"?
The motivation behind the tradition is to bring good luck. So how can you incorporate the beloved rhyme into your ceremony? We looked into the origins and put together various ideas to help you bring the tradition to life.
What is something blue?
Something Blue. Your something blue can be as simple as a blue ribbon pinned to the hem of your dress somewhere within the layers of the gown’s skirt. And that bow can be created out of store-bought ribbon or even a thin piece of fabric from a blue item of clothing that holds sentimental value to you.
What is a blue ribbon?
Your something blue can be as simple as a blue ribbon pinned to the hem of your dress somewhere within the layers of the gown’s skirt. And that bow can be created out of store-bought ribbon or even a thin piece of fabric from a blue item of clothing that holds sentimental value to you. If you’re looking for something equally discreet, but an item that will play a practical role, you could opt for a blue garter.
What does the color blue mean in the wedding dress?
Photo by Justin Lee. The color blue is representative of “fidelity and love’s purity.”. It was also a popular color to wear prior to the white wedding dress trend. Tavares says it's meant to represent an item to “baffle the evil eye.”. Bride Lucy used the rhyme as a way to honor those that love her.
Why did Lucy write the blue dress?
Bride Lucy used the rhyme as a way to honor those that love her. For something blue, she invited friends to write sweet messages on the bottom of her shoes with a blue marker. Other options include a blue garter or blue shoes. "We still see a lot of brides monogram their initials or date into the bottom of the dress in blue," Tavares shares.
What is a hairpin borrowed?
“Something borrowed” is a bit more superstitious, pointing to the idea that borrowing items from a happily married woman will transfer that woman’s good luck onto the new bride. It can be a hairpin or jewelry, like a bracelet from your mother, which is what bride Dawn wore on her big day.
What does blue mean in weddings?
While wearing or carrying " something blue " was also meant to deflect that pesky Evil Eye, the color blue stands for love, purity and fidelity —three key qualities for a solid marriage. The traditional "something blue" was often a blue garter worn beneath the bride's white dress. But you don't have to wear "something blue" to ward off wicked spirits: Sprinkle blue clematis into the bouquet, pick out a gorgeous pair of blue pumps, find a powder-blue bow tie or use blue ribbon to tie your invitation suites together—just because you feel like it.
What does borrowing something from a friend bring?
Incorporating "something borrowed" brings the couple good luck. By borrowing something from a happily married friend or relative, the bride or couple ensures a little of their good fortune rubs off on them. The old-fashioned superstition urged the bride to borrow the undergarments of a female friend or relative with a happy marriage and healthy kids (again with the fertility thing). But, of course, today it's all about honoring a loved one or holding onto something of sentimental value—like your grandmother's wedding hair comb or your mother's diamond earrings—for a touch of good luck as you say your "I dos."
What is the wedding recipe?
The famous wedding recipe derives from the Old English rhyme, "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe"— which names the four good-luck objects (plus a sixpence) a bride should include somewhere in her wedding outfit or carry with her on her wedding day. According to Reader's Digest, the rhyme came about in the Victorian era from Lancashire, a county in England. Most of the ingredients in the rhyme are meant to ward off the Evil Eye, which, according to Reader's Digest, was "a curse passed through a malicious glare that could make a bride infertile."
What do bridesmaids wear?
Bridesmaids can wear blue and act as the bride's "something blue.". We've seen blue hair and blue manicures, a display of old family photographs as an escort card backdrop, new jewelry or a beautiful new getaway car for the couple—you name it. Now that you know the history of something old, something new, rhyme, ...
What does the color blue mean?
While wearing or carrying " something blue " was also meant to deflect that pesky Evil Eye, the color blue stands for love, purity and fidelity —three key qualities for a solid marriage. The traditional "something blue" was often a blue garter worn beneath the bride's white dress.
Why do people wear something old?
Back in the day, including "something old" was a sure 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 generally, and on a more lighthearted note, "something old" represents continuity, and contemporary 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 her an heirloom before the ceremony.
Who usually gives the bride something old, new, borrowed, and blue?
"Something old" could be a vintage getaway car, "something blue" could be the bouquet, and "something new" could be a gift from the soon-to-be spouse or the bride herself!
What should a bride think about when borrowing an accessory from an important woman in her life?
A bride should think about borrowing an accessory from an important woman in her life, such as her grandmother's earrings or the necklace her mom wore on her wedding day. Does the bride have a bridesmaid who is happily married? She can save money on a veil by borrowing her bridesmaid's. This idea can be taken even less literally and the bride can "borrow" her parents' or grandparents' first-dance song. Having loved ones contribute to the special day will make it all the more meaningful.
What to do with an old photo from a bride's mom's wedding?
(For inspiration, check out these pics of Paige trying on Ree's wedding gown from 1996!) Many brides also use their "something old" item to pay tribute to lost loved ones, like by tucking an old photo into a locket or bouquet as a reminder of someone who is with them in spirit.
What is the origin of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"?
What's the origin of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue? The tradition is based on an Old English rhyme that dates back to 19th-century Lancashire. It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe.".
What is something blue?
Something blue ideas: This is the part where brides can really have some fun. Traditionally, a bride's "something blue" was a garter, but many modern brides choose to add a subtle pop of blue with accessories like shoes, bags, and jewelry, or flowers, decor, and more. Check out these beautiful blue finds!
What is considered a new item for a bride?
Now for the easy part! Any special new item the bride has bought or received as a gift to wear for the first time on the big day can count as "something new." Think: the wedding band, a pair of comfortable wedding shoes, a pretty hairpiece, or even the wedding gown.
What does the blue color mean?
The color blue was meant to ward off the evil eye, and it also stood for love, purity, and fidelity. And the sixpence was intended to bring prosperity to the couple. (The British coin is no longer produced, but some determined brides still hunt down one to tuck into a shoe!) Bushturkey StudioGetty Images.
Why do people wear blue on their wedding day?
One of the many popular wedding traditions celebrated around the world in different ways is the concept of having (or wearing) something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on your wedding day as a sign of good luck.
What to wear to your mother's wedding?
With so many bridal jewelry pieces to choose from, you can easily double one of your nuptial accessories as your something borrowed. Wear earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet that belongs to someone close to you. If there's ever a good reason to raid your mother's jewelry cabinet, this is it.
What to wear to a wedding to stay warm?
Layer up with a cool white jacket or a chic cape to keep the look bridal and stay warm in style. As a bonus, every time you pull your warm and cozy cover-up out of the closet, you'll be reminded of all the happy memories from your wedding day.
What to do with a blue handkerchief?
Have a little fun with the something-blue tradition and remind yourselves not to shed any (wink, wink) ugly tears on the big day with a blue handkerchief. These can also serve as a super-sweet embroidered letter or wedding-day note. And hey, if it's anything especially heart-felt, you've already got the means to wipe away your happy tears!
What to do with a ring bearer dog?
If your pooch is lucky enough to earn ring-bearer status, celebrate your something old with a one-of-a-kind dog collar. For their Colorado elopement, country musician Shelly Fairchild and her partner, Deborah, took fabric and buttons from one of their late grandmother's collections to customize their border terrier's ring-bearing neckwear. Your pup will never be more proud.
What does "something borrowed" mean?
Meanwhile, "something borrowed" typically means incorporating an item belonging to a family member or dear friend for good luck, and "something blue" symbolizes fidelity and purity.
Can you wear a tie to a wedding?
Wearing your father or grandfather's tie is certainly one way to bring it into the wedding. However, if you're not planning to actually wear a tie to your nuptials, there are other options to incorporate the sentiment. One bride's father passed away after she graduated college, so she honored his memory by tying one of his ties around the stems of her wedding bouquet.
What is an old object gifted to the bride?
Something Old. Back in the Victorian era, an old object gifted to the bride was meant to ward off the Evil Eye of past suitors who wished her ill. It also acted as a talisman to guard her unborn children.
Why do brides wear a penny?
A British coin from 1551-1980, the sixpence represents prosperity for the new couple. The sixpence was commonly placed in the bride’s shoe by her father just before she walked down the aisle—his way of wishing her good luck and wealth in the years to come. Brides today often substitute a sixpence for a penny from the year they were born or the year they met their love.
Why do women borrow garters?
In the old days, borrowing something from another happily married woman ensured that the bride would experience similar luck in her marriage. For extra good fortune, the bride borrowed undergarments from a female friend or family member with an abundance of strapping, healthy children. These days, it’s not uncommon for a woman to pass down a garter as a way to honor this custom.
What to put in a bouquet with a picture of someone who is no longer with us?
This sentimental idea is so touching. Carry around a photo of loved ones who are no longer with us in a pretty locket attached to your bouquet.
What is the modern wedding poem?
The romantic old English poem is a list of sentimental items that supposedly create good fortune for a bride on her wedding day. Either the bride will choose a piece to symbolise each part of the rhyme or (more traditionally) she may enlist the help of five family members and close friends to contribute ...
Why did Tan wear her mum's wedding dress?
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, why not honour a special woman in your life by wearing her gown down the aisle? Bride Tan wore her mum's wedding dress after making a slight alteration. She had a billowy skirt added so it would suit her personal style.
What is the silver penny in a bride's shoe?
A Silver Sixpence In Her Shoe... A token of love from Dad. A coin in the bride's shoe is traditionally gifted by the father of the bride. It is a symbol of him wishing her prosperity, love and happiness in her marriage.
What does the bride's ring represent?
This symbolises optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. It should really represent who she is as an individual.
Do couples send each other presents?
Couples often send each other presents and letters on the morning of their wedding and we think this is the greatest. Whether it's jewellery, a letter, a hair clip or lipstick, walk down the aisle with something he's picked out especially for you. Psst! You may need a bridesmaid to drop a hint.
Is a veil a timeless piece?
A good veil is a timeless piece so you really can't go wrong borrowing this from a friend. Also, against a different dress, it won't look too matchy-matchy to your friend's wedding. "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Veil" has a good ring to it, don't you think?
