Something Old, Something New

….something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for her shoe! Folks routinely forget about the final part- and we just love the lore:

Each item in this wee poem represents a good luck token for the bride.  Legend says that if she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be a super sweet one. “Something old” symbolizes continuity with the bride’s family and the past. “Something new” means optimism and hope for the bride’s new life ahead. “Something borrowed” is usually an item from a happily- married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family.

As for the blue … the fabled color has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so it is associated with purity and love. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, “Marry in blue, lover be true.”

And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride’s shoe represents wealth and financial security. It may date back to a Scottish custom of a groom putting a silver coin under his foot for good luck. The coin was traditionally minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967 and was made of silver and worth about six pennies. You can still get them today at Silver Sixpence, among other places. These days, our brides still wear one in their shoes, sewn into the hem of their gowns, or simply carried with their bouquets or in their clutches for that spot of good luck!

Some ideas:

Nothing better than a vintage hanky from the matriarch of the fam! Talk about your old and your borrowed. Spend some QT on ebay or etsy for fabulous finds.

Dare we say this little gem could be both your something “blue” and your something “old” from your groom? This little gem is from one of our favorite jewelers, Southern Classic.

Thought: find a graphic artist or calligrapher to pen your new married monogram and translate it into embroidery on a simple handkerchief or on the inside hem of your gown for that heirloom touch.

Ok, dream a little dream…but what if you borrowed a vintage blue car from a good friend? How fun!

For your something “new”, does it get any better than this stunning Lela Rose confection? Wethinks not.

Don’t forget this little guy!

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