Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue! What does this mean?  Where did this saying come from?  Actually, it is an old English saying from the Victorian era that ended with “And a silver sixpence in her shoe”.  It was said that if a bride followed this saying on her wedding day it would bring her good luck. 

Each saying has its own meaning.  “Something old” is meant to signify continuity with the brides’ family.  “Something new” means optimism and hope.  “Something borrowed” is typically from a happily married family member and is meant to carry that happiness into your marriage.  “Something blue” has been used as far back as ancient Rome to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity.

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Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

The “something new” is an easy one.  Usually, the wedding dress itself will cover that.  If you are wearing your mother’s wedding dress, then there are plenty of other things at your wedding that will cover the “something new”.

“Something old” can be a little harder to incorporate.  In this case, if you are wearing your mother’s wedding dress, you have it covered.  Including antique jewelry is another way to incorporate something old into your wedding.  If you are keeping with tradition, in order for the bride to have good luck she has to carry these components with her on the wedding day.

“Something borrowed” can fit in just about anywhere within the wedding attire.  Moms’ wedding dress, grandmas pearl necklace or earrings, Aunt Sophies’ diamond bracelet.  Just use your imagination.

“Something blue” is where you can have a little fun.  Why is it that the first thing people think of for something blue in their wedding is the garter?  There are plenty of other things that can be blue that do not affect your wedding theme.  Have you thought about fancy blue shoes or converse tennis shoes?  What a great way to add a touch of color, fun, and whimsy into your wedding.

If you cannot find that perfect shoe to suit your fancy, then what about a hairpiece that has blue in it.  This doesn’t mean that your hair has to be done up in all blue, but you could consider adding a fancy blue comb at the top of a beautiful bun.  Brides could also use a bejeweled bobby pin in blue crystals.  Wearing your hair down? What about blue sapphire earrings, necklaces, or rings?  Want to kill two birds with one stone? Consider borrowing sapphire earrings from a friend or relative.  That will take care of something borrowed, something blue.

Find a friend or relative with an antique blue sapphire necklace that you can borrow and you have now covered something old, something borrowed and something blue.  You can also add a touch of blue to your bouquet.  The main theme doesn’t have to be blue but you can always sneak in a blue flower or blue ribbon if you want.  You may also consider painting your fingernails blue.  You can do a French manicure with just the tips blue, or you may decide to paint the whole nail shade of blue.  You can also wear some fancy blue lingerie if you choose.

The best advice we can offer is to have fun with it! For the superstitious bride, what items will you have at your wedding to have “extra” luck? Comment below.

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