WEDDING TRADITIONS
For centuries, brides and grooms alike have included age-old traditions into their wedding day, and we love diving a little deeper into some of the most popular wedding traditions. This month, we’re looking into the history of having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on your wedding day.
We’ve explored the history of the bridal bouquet and the flower girl, but what was the meaning behind these four “lucky” items? Let’s find out!
Where it All Began
The tradition comes from an Old English rhyme that originated in 19th century England.The rhyme describes the items a bride should wear on her wedding day for good luck. The earliest recorded reference is in the 1871 short story “Marriage Superstitions, and the Miseries of a Bride Elect” in St James’ Magazine.
It reads: “On the wedding day I must wear something; new, something; borrowed, something; blue.”
The next recorded version was in an 1876 edition of the Staffordshire Advertiser. It reported a bride “wore, according to ancient custom, something old and something new, something borrowed and blue.”
It later became “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe.”
However, “a sixpence in your shoe” is often dropped today because this British sterling coin is no longer produced. But if you’re into the meaning of prosperity linked to it, I’m sure you could hunt one down!
Meaning Behind It
So now that we know where the saying originated, but what does it all mean?
As with many wedding traditions, like the flower girl and their bouquets of herbs, the items were originally worn to promote fertility and ward off evil. According to William Crooke’s “The Wooing of Penelope” published in an 1898 volume of Folk-lore, “something old” and “something blue” were worn to confuse the evil eye and prevent the bride from being cursed and barren. Similarly, “something borrowed” was supposed to be an undergarment from a woman who had already been blessed with children to encourage fertility.
Over the centuries the meaning behind the rhyme has evolved. “Something old” is a representation of ties to the past, and “something new” is for a hopeful future. It is also thought “something borrowed” should come from a happily married friend or relative to bring good luck for the union. And “something blue” is to, of course, ward off evil, but the color blue also serves as a symbol of purity, calmness, and commitment.
Traditionally, all items are to be given by family and friends of the bride and groom so that each item is given with love and pure intentions. However, “something new” can be given by the groom!
Photo by Molly Peach, Rachelle Baggett, and Details Nashville
How to Incorporate the Tradition
Looking for ways to incorporate this tradition into your own wedding? We’ve got you.
If you’re looking for something old, there are a variety of options, so get creative with this throwback piece. You can do anything from wearing a piece of vintage jewelry, incorporating old fabrics into your dress, wearing your grandmother's original dress like Jenny, or paying tribute to a loved one by placing an old photo in your bouquet.
As for something new, this one is easy! You can justify your dress, florals, rings, or any new item holding importance on your wedding day as your “something new,” but this could also be the wedding gift from your groom or bridal party like a bracelet, your shoes, or even a handkerchief.
Your “something borrowed” usually correlates to your “old” item but ranges anywhere from your friend's wedding veil, a piece of jewelry from your mom or grandmother, a first dance song (in theory), or even a cake topper!
Now for “something blue,” this is where you can add your preferred personal touch. If you want this item to walk the aisle with you, consider jewelry, florals, shoes, or ribbons on your bouquet. But you could also consider a clutch, a getting ready robe, slippers, your bridesmaids dresses, wedding decor, blue embroidery... you name it.
Most of these items can even be combined! For example, borrowing a blue garter from an older relative or receiving an antique blue topaz ring from your groom. The list could go on but we’ll leave room for your imagination!
Photo by Frame Visuals
