Here's Why Brides Wear Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue on Their Wedding Day
Whether you're the mother of the bride in a wedding like Ree Drummond was for her daughter Alex's wedding, a guest, or part of the soon-to-be-married couple, a wedding is an opportunity to partake in all kinds of special traditions. You may have heard, for example, that brides should wear or carry "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" on their wedding day for good luck. But you may also have some unanswered questions about the famous rhyme like where does this very specific list of seemingly unrelated trinkets come from and what's the meaning behind them?
For centuries, brides have included something from each of these categories in their weddings. And while abiding by the list certainly isn't a requirement for a happy marriage, it can be a meaningful way to incorporate cherished people, objects, and memories into your special day in whatever way works for you. Keep reading to learn about how this whole "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" thing got started and to get some fun, creative ideas for honoring the tradition today.
The History of the Rhyme
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." The belief was that if the bride carries each of these items as she walks down the aisle, she will enjoy a successful and happy marriage. They are ingredients meant to ward off the evil eye, which was thought to cause infertility.
Traditionally, these objects are cobbled together from female relatives and friends. But again, there are no hard and fast rules here. "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! And while the exact meaning behind each trinket isn't totally clear, there are some popular theories. Keep reading for an in-depth look at each item a bride is supposed to collect and how you can make it special for your own ceremony.
Something Old
"Something old" is all about continuity. It can be used to represent the best part of a couple's non-married life with the intention of extending that into their marriage. It can also symbolize a bride's connection with her family and the past. Use it as an opportunity to get creative with subtle throwback touches, like wearing a piece of vintage jewelry or incorporating some fabric from the bride's mom's wedding gown into her own. (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.
Something New
This one is pretty simple! "Something new" stands for hope and optimism for the future. As the couple enters into their new life together, it makes sense for the bride to walk into her marriage with something new. 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.
Something Borrowed
"Something borrowed" from a happily married friend or relative is believed to bring good luck for the union and even fertility. By borrowing something from a friend or relative in a successful marriage, the hope is that some of their good fortune transfers over. 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. 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.
Something Blue
The color blue is meant to ward off the evil eye, and also stands for love, purity, and fidelity, which is what the Old English considered to be the three key qualities for a strong marriage. This is the part where brides can really have some fun! Traditionally, a bride's "something blue" was a garter worn beneath a white dress, but many modern brides choose to add a subtle pop of blue with accessories like shoes, bags, and jewelry, or flowers, decor, and more.
A Sixpence in Your Shoe
Though this ingredient is often forgotten, back in Victorian times, the father of the bride would place a sixpence into his daughter's shoe to bring prosperity to the couple. The British coin is no longer produced, but some determined brides still hunt down one to tuck away on the big day! You can also trade the sixpence for a penny and place it on the ring bearer's pillow or incorporate it into any other aspect of your wedding, like a bouquet.
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