Most people have heard the saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Even if you are not superstitious, you might be wondering what this saying means and how you can incorporate it into your own wedding day. Each part of the poem has a special meaning for the bride’s wedding day. “Something old” symbolizes continuity or a connection to your past. “Something new” symbolizes the hope and optimism for the bride’s future. “Something borrowed” is a symbol of borrowed happiness. Finally, “something blue” symbolizes fidelity, purity, and love. The original poem adds, “a silver sixpence in your shoe,” which is a symbol of wealth and good fortune. Even if you do not have the sixpence, though, you can incorporate the other elements into your wedding. If you are unsure what items to use, consider these suggestions:
Something Old
A friend or relative’s wedding apparel is one great place to incorporate your “something old.” For example, if your mother’s or grandmother’s veil is still around, use it for your own wedding day. While many brides like to have their own unique dress, you may also want to use your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress. In some families, a tradition has been established of the women in the family wearing a particular wedding dress, which is passed down to each woman as she gets married. In some cases, you may be able to make alterations to the dress to make it your own. If you are planning on using a relative’s wedding dress as your “something old,” consider these tips for making it your own. Of course, family jewelry or other vintage items also work well as your “something old.”
Something New
This is often the easiest category to fulfill since most brides buy at least one new item to wear on their wedding day. If you have already purchased a new dress, you can check this off your list. New earrings or a new necklace also work well for this. If you get your nails done specifically for your wedding day, that also works well as your “something new.” Even a new clutch to go with your dress could fit this category.
Something Borrowed
Many of the same items that work well for the “something old” also fits well with “something borrowed.” One key difference is that the “something borrowed” needs to be returned after the wedding while the bride may not need to return her “something old.” Along with that, the “something old” is generally several decades old, but your “something borrowed” can be fairly new. This is the perfect opportunity to convince your college roommate to let you borrow those awesome high-heels you’ve been admiring all summer or to borrow the earrings your older sister wore at her wedding.
Something Blue
This can be something small or something a lot bigger. Jewelry, such a sapphire necklace or sapphire earrings are a good pick for this. Blue nail polish also works well. Some brides choose to wear a blue ribbon around their waist to add a little color to their wedding look. If those small bits of color are not enough, you may want to make your wedding dress your “something blue.” This company, Wedding Dress Fantasy, which ships worldwide, has a whole section of blue wedding dresses in just about every shade of blue. Even places like David’s Bridal and have at least a few options for brides who want a blue wedding dress. While navy blue wedding dresses are available, a light blue dress might be a good option for a bride who wants to be a bit more subtle with the color.
Of course, these are just a few suggestions for how you can incorporate these four items into your wedding day. You can always come up with your own ideas. The important thing to remember is that you are marrying the person that you love. Never allow the stress of planning your perfect wedding day overshadow the great experience of making a wonderful commitment to this person.
