Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
For many modern-day couples, choosing to say ‘I Do’ is an opportunity to do things their own way. Taking traditions, turning them on their head or doing away with them altogether – your wedding day should be an expression of you as a couple and not something dictated by age-old rules. However, for some, certain traditions can have personal meaning and they may be something you want to find a way of incorporating. For example, the Old English rhyme, ‘Something Old’, offers brides and grooms an opportunity to add in special details throughout their special day that can become very fond memories.
Where Does the Saying Come From?
Dating back to 19th century Lancashire, ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence In Your Shoe’ is a rhyme used to bestow good luck on couples on their wedding day. It is said to describe the items that a bride should have on her while she says I do’.
Each line/item has a traditional meaning to it:
- Something Old – Represents a link to the past.
- Something New – A signal of optimism and hope for the couples’ future.
- Something Borrowed – Said to bring good luck from another happily married individual.
- Something Blue – A colour believed to ward off evil while also being a sign of love and fidelity.
- A Sixpence In Your Shoe – Brings prosperity to the couple.
While none of these things are compulsory when getting married here in the UK, they can form family rituals and hold sentimental meaning. An age-old tradition, it was the married women of the family and friendship group who were responsible for bringing together and presenting these bits to the bride. Today, it is entirely your choice as to whether you decide to incorporate them and how you want to interpret the rhyme. Let’s look at some ways you can bring something old, new, borrowed, blue and a sixpence into your special day.
Something Old
As we mentioned above, the Something Old part of this rhyme is supposed to help you feel connected with your past. This may be a connection with loved ones who are no longer here or a specific style that you have always felt drawn to. It is perhaps one of the easiest of the 5 items to find – all you really need to do is speak to a family member or choose something sentimental.
Some of our favourite ways that brides have interpreted the something old article are:
- Wearing an heirloom family wedding dress.
- Wearing antique jewellery.
- Using vintage fabric in their garter or wrapped around their bouquet stems.
- Opting for a vintage car to transport them to the venue.
- Using brooches as decorations in table decorations or the bouquet.
- Incorporating photographs of cherished memories into the special day.
Something New
Your wedding day is the first step in your brand new lives together. And, that is what the Something New section of the rhyme stands for. And, for many, it is the easiest part to tick off your list. After all, if you’re not keen on the vintage style or don’t have a hoard of family heirlooms waiting to choose from, it’s likely you’ll have to buy much of your wedding attire or decorations. So it’s up to you whether you choose to treat yourself to something new or whether a loved one wants to give you a new keepsake to remember the day.
Some of our suggestions are:
- Wedding dress.
- Wedding band.
- Wedding shoes.
- Wedding hairpiece.
- Wedding jewellery.
Something Borrowed
The idea behind the Something Borrowed item is that it should, traditionally, be presented by a happily married individual. This act is thought to bestow good luck on the new bride, improving the quality of the relationship going forward and promoting fidelity too. Make your mark with this one – you can quite literally borrow anything that fits into your special day or feels sentimental.
Here are some of our favourite ideas:
- First dance song – Choose the same one as your parents, for example.
- Cufflinks.
- An heirloom wedding dress.
- Your grandmother’s famous cake recipe.
- A wedding reading that has sentiment to someone that you love.
- The wedding transport.
Something Blue
The colour blue is thought to be linked to purity and has been intrinsically linked to weddings for centuries. While it may not sit in keeping with your wedding colour theme, there are subtle ways to include it in your big day. And, remember that there are no restrictions on the type of blue you embrace. It could be anything from navy suits for your groom’s party to small Aquamarine stud earrings.
Here are some unique ways to bring blue into your wedding day:
- Wrapping a blue ribbon around your bouquet.
- Having a small blue heart embroidered into the inside of your wedding dress slip.
- Classic blue nail varnish.
- Special blue lingerie.
- Tiffany blue ring box.
A Sixpence In Your Shoe
The final stage of this rhyme talks about a sixpence in your shoe. The silver sixpence refers to an actual coin that should be placed into the bride’s left shoe. It is said to bring good luck and, in tradition, is given to the bride by her father before she walks down the aisle. This one is simple – you can either hunt down a traditional sixpence (which aren’t in production anymore), use a coin from a country that means a lot to you or even get a new coin made. A tradition that we love is to have a coin engraved with the bride and groom’s initials. This then becomes an heirloom and something that can be cherished as part of your memories from the big day.
Whether you choose to follow tradition or interpret the ‘Something New’ rhyme in your own way, here at Carron Marquees, we help couples create marquee weddings to remember for many years to come. Our experienced team is on hand to support you the whole way through so, if you have any questions or need to speak to one of us, please do get in contact here today.
