Wedding Traditions Explained: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue - Danversport Weddings (2024)

And a Sixpence in her Shoe

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” You’ve most likely heard this rhyme before. But what does it actually mean, and where does it come from? It’s a fact that western weddings have a lot of tradition tied into them. Let’s unpack this wedding tradition, explaining its history and its relevance today:

History – The original rhyme went like this:

Something old,

something new,

something borrowed,

something blue,

and a sixpence in her shoe.

This rhyme originated in England during the Victorian Era and symbolized luck for a bride on her wedding day. Specifically, each “something” represents an item to be given to the lucky bride before she walks down the aisle.

Something old

This item represents the tie between the bride’s past and her family. It can be anything that has ties to the bride’s past, such as a locket with a picture of a loved one inside or a small article of clothing belonging to a loved one or relative cut into the shape of a heart and sewn into the dress.

Something new

This represents the new chapter in the bride’s life and the future she will spend with her spouse. It is used as a token of hope for the happy couple’s long future together. Something new can be an exchange of rings between the husband and bride, or it can be the bride’s dress itself.

Something borrowed

This item usually comes from a family member or a friend of the bride who is happily married. The reason for this is that the sense of happiness will transfer over to the bride and stay with the happy couple for years to come, and that the bride can always seek support from her family and friends. Common items include jewelry, a garter, or even the dress.

Something blue

Blue is the color of love, purity, faithfulness, and modesty. To keep with tradition, the bride can wear a blue piece of jewelry. But for a modern take, you can write a little note or other small message in blue on the bottom of her shoes.

And a sixpence in her shoe

Lastly, a sixpence was a coin in Victorian England. Nowadays, it symbolizes lasting wealth for the couple which, if we’re being honest, everyone can use. Sixpence coins can often be found in wedding shops.

Wedding traditions arebest celebrated in gorgeous venues, surrounded by your loving family and friends. At Danversport, we make sure that these traditions turn into lasting memories that are cherished for a lifetime. Please contact our office today torequest more informationor schedule anin-person venue tour.

Wedding Traditions Explained: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue - Danversport Weddings (2024)

FAQs

Wedding Traditions Explained: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue - Danversport Weddings? ›

Something New - Represented the union of new family members and the optimism of a fresh life. Something Borrowed – Symbolized another happy bride and offered optimism and good luck for the couple's future. Something Blue – Stood for purity, love and fidelity.

What are the traditions of something old, new, borrowed, and blue? ›

The tradition of the bride wearing something borrowed and something blue comes from the Victorian-era poem that in full reads: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” A sixpence is a British coin worth six pennies that was minted from 1551 to 1967.

What is the wedding saying about something borrowed something blue? ›

What is the Saying Something Borrowed Something Blue? “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe.” This is the full Old English rhyme, each “something” representing well wishes offered by friends and family on a couple's wedding day.

What is the poem for the bride something borrowed? ›

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe" is the famous rhyme that superstitious brides and grooms follow in the name of luck on their wedding days.

What does it mean to be someone's something blue in a wedding? ›

This person would bring you luck on your special day and would wear blue. You'd probably single them out in the program, make them a corsage, have a special picture taken with them, but they are not part of the wedding party.

Who gives the bride something old? ›

“Something old” is thought to symbolize continuity, meaning the object of choice is a link between the past and present. The most common way brides incorporate this into their wedding day is by dawning a piece of vintage jewelry, often given to them by an older family member.

What does a bride wear for something borrowed? ›

Something Borrowed

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.

Do brides still do something old, something new? ›

The Meaning of "Something Old"

Contemporary couples use this as a chance to wear a sentimental piece of jewelry or item of clothing belonging to an older relative. Often the parents of the bride will gift her an heirloom before the ceremony. It's a lovely way to feel connected to your loved ones on your wedding day.

What is something blue in a wedding? ›

Blue is the color of love, purity, faithfulness, and modesty. To keep with tradition, the bride can wear a blue piece of jewelry. But for a modern take, you can write a little note or other small message in blue on the bottom of her shoes.

How old is something old for a wedding? ›

The phrase is an Old English rhyme that lists 4 items that are promised to bring brides good luck on their wedding day. Let's review: Something Old – Is an item that is 5 years or older. Having something old on your wedding day is a symbol connecting your old life (before marriage) with your new.

When the bride wears something borrowed? ›

Something borrowed refers to something another bride wore on her wedding day as a transference of luck to the new relationship. This easily becomes a way to honor a loved so you can carry something with sentimental value with you on your wedding day.

What is the something bride tradition? ›

The "something old" represents continuity with the bride's family and past, "something new" represents the hope for a happy future, "something borrowed" symbolises good luck and happiness, while "something blue" represents love, purity, and fidelity.

What does the color blue mean in a wedding dress? ›

Blue. Traditionally the colour of good luck, blue signifies peace and purity. The bride who wears blue is just like calm water, life giving, and stable and endlessly loyal.

Why do brides wear something old, new, borrowed, and blue? ›

The Old English rhyme is all about good luck charms, "Something Olde (symbolizes continuity), Something New (offers optimism for the future), Something Borrowed (represents borrowed happiness), Something Blue (purity, love and fidelity), and a Sixpence (maybe a 5 cent piece) in your Shoe (prosperity)”.

What are the four things a bride needs for good luck? ›

One of the many popular wedding traditions celebrated around the world in different ways is the concept of having (or wearing) something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on your wedding day as a sign of good luck.

Can something old and borrowed be the same thing? ›

Something borrowed can also be something old, such as a veil, wedding dress, bow tie or even earrings worn by family.

What do brides usually use for something blue? ›

Garter. The garter was the traditional way that brides incorporated their something blue into their look, and it's certainly a fun and somewhat discrete way to do it.

Why does the groom throw the garter? ›

What is the Garter Toss? In a nutshell, the garter toss is a wedding tradition where the bride's garter is removed and thrown out to a crowd of single men. It's the groom's equivalent of the bouquet toss and is meant to symbolize good luck to the eligible bachelors in attendance.

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