Wedding Tips: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue

Wedding preparation can be overwhelming, and you can find yourself looking into common traditions that have stemmed from your family, a variety of countries and different cultures.

Some of these traditions are often are said to bring good luck and a happy marriage. One common ritual is ‘something old’, ‘something new’, ‘something borrowed’, and ‘something blue’, with the bride having these four components on her, specifically as she goes down the aisle.

However, you want these to be special and meaningful. Here, we will explore unique ways to make this tradition your own.

Something old

As the old wives’ tale starts, ‘something old’ on the wedding day could protect the bride’s eventual baby, as the story goes. Some brides are now keeping the dried petals of the flowers their partner has given them throughout their relationship and learning how to create confetti for their wedding. You could use this beautiful trend as your own ‘something old’. This sentimental moment can remind you of all the happiness you and your partner have enjoyed over the past years while your guests throw the confetti upon your leaving.

Something new

Your ‘something new’ is meant to make you feel special on this day, and perhaps it can signify new things coming into your life. This is for hope. There are probably many new items for your big day, from shoes and dresses to jewellery and flowers; some could be passed on to people in your life. If you plan on having children, your ‘something new’ could be their ‘something borrowed’.

Something borrowed

This idea of ‘something borrowed’ refers to something another happy bride had, bringing good luck to your marriage. And ‘something borrowed’ might include your venue – whether this is a wedding venue in Cumbria, a penthouse in London, or even a church in Gretna green, you could borrow the location of your wedding.

If you want to carry ‘something borrowed’, you could use a piece of your venue in your wedding attire or bouquet. Some venues might be willing to offer you an old key to wrap around your bouquet stems, for example. While this borrowed item will have to be returned, you can capture the special moment with your photographer – and keep the memory of your wedding venue alive.

Something blue

Blue can be found in many forms around your wedding, with the significance of this in the rhyme being to confuse and ward off the evil eye. One way you can incorporate this into your big day is by sewing an inscription into the hemline of your dress using blue thread. You can use this sewing to mark your dress with something special to you, whether this is the date of your wedding or a special quote specific to you and your loved one.

You might also opt for beautiful blue flowers to accent your bouquet. Why not use the beautiful bluebell, whose meaning signifies everlasting love and gratitude – the perfect flower to add to your wedding décor.

A sixpence in your shoe

Did you know the rhyme doesn’t end with something blue? It goes on to say you should have a sixpence in your shoe on your wedding day – but doesn’t that sound uncomfortable? One trend which could help alleviate this discomfort is wearing trainers to your reception – yes, custom-made converse shoes. These can help your feet from getting tired while also bringing more personality to your outfit. If you choose to have the sixpence, it can be tied into your laces so you won’t lose it, and the luck can still rub off!

Or even bring luck to your guests by giving the lucky sixpence as one of your favours!

Although you may not want to believe the superstitions of traditions, taking part in them can mean following in the footsteps of happy brides and grooms before you. And who doesn’t want just a little bit of extra luck on their big day? You don’t need to carry your grandma’s broach down the aisle to keep in line with this tradition. Alternatively, you can make traditions unique to you and have fun with them!