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Something Old, Something New

February 23, 2010


Wondering where the saying came from?

The often unquoted last line of the traditional bridal saying gives a hint at its origin. The complete phrase is: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”

A sixpence is a coin made of silver and worth six pennies that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967, indicating that the wedding tradition of the bride wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue is English. Many sources say that it began in the Victorian era.

Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. “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. Blue 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 purity was associated with the color. 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. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny is sometimes substituted, and many companies sell keepsake sixpences for weddings.

Looking for ideas for something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Try these.

 

Something Old

  • A locket containing a picture of your great-grandparents
  • A family Rosary for the ceremony
  • Antique combs, pins, or barrettes
  • A baby bracelet from a family member used around the base of your bouquet
     

Something New

  • A key to your new home, if you’re moving in together for the first time, hidden in your bouquet wrap
  • A lucky penny minted in the year of your wedding
  • Everything else!
     

Something Borrowed

  • A flower from a loved one’s garden, “borrowed” for your bouquet
  • Dad’s handkerchief, tucked under your bodice
  • A fur stole, for a winter wedding
  • Any jewelry you’ve been eyeing on a friend or a family member
     

Something Blue

  • The sash on your dress
  • A bouquet of blue blooms
  • A blue garter or undergarment
  • Sapphire jewelry
  • A blue pen, for signing the marriage certificate

Thanks go to Martha Stewart and Real Simple



Filed Under traditions
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3 Comments
 

Comments

3 Responses to “Something Old, Something New”

  1. Sandra on February 23rd, 2010 10:47 pm

    These are all wonderful ideas for such an old tradition. I had been given a bracelet from some former coworkers that had blue topaz stones, so I used that for my something old and something blue. Also, it was hard finding a silver sixpence from 1967, which is my birth year, locally so I had my local card/party outlet order one for me.

  2. Reba on February 23rd, 2010 11:16 pm

    I am sure that bracelet has great memories for you everytime you see it. I am sure it something you will cherish forever and will most likely hand down.

  3. Reba on February 24th, 2010 12:32 pm

    One thing I am seeing alot is people find older coins from coin dealers, I thought that route might be expensive but they are not. Then afterwards you can get the coin turned into a charm for bracelet or necklace.

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