Something Old
Choosing a Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue
An Old English rhyme tells brides that on their wedding day, they need “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, [and] Something Blue.” For years brides everywhere have taken this expression quite seriously, usually including one item from each category on their big day. What many brides don’t know, however, what each of those items symbolizes.
Something Old represents the ties to the bride’s family and life before she gets married. It is symbolic of her past, because that is what paves her way to the future. Many brides choose to use symbolic family heirlooms for their Something Old. For example, a locket or a pin to attach to your bouquet, a piece of lace from your mother’s wedding dress to wrap your bouquet, or even having old pictures of loved ones attached to your bouquet on charms. No matter what you choose, you’ll want to pick something that reminds you of your family and the people that raised you into the person that you have become.
When choosing your Something New, it is traditional that it is representative of your life to come now that you’re married, your new life so to speak. There are many items that fall into this category. Some brides choose vanity items, such as new makeup or new perfume for their wedding day. Others might purchase new jewelry or even new lingerie for underneath their dress. Some might even consider their wedding dress to be the new item. When you choose your something new, make sure that you pick something that you’re excited to use. After all, you should be excited for your new life as a married woman.
Something Borrowed symbolizes good luck on your wedding day. Your Something Borrowed is supposed to be borrowed from someone who has had a successful marriage, so they can share that success and good luck with you on your wedding day. Many brides choose things such as veils, earrings, shoes, or cake toppers to borrow from loved ones who have had successful marriages. When you pick the person you’d like to borrow from, you should pick someone who you feel close to and who you see as an example of happiness and success in married life. After all, legend has it that their luck that they had on their wedding day will be rubbed off on you and your married life. Just be sure to give it back after you use it!
Finally, the Something Blue. Something Blue stands for faithfulness, loyalty, purity, and prosperity. For this item, you can choose from so many different things. Some brides do something simple, like wearing blue nail polish or blue shoes. Others get more elaborate, sewing blue ribbon in their dress or embroidering the inside of their dress with their name and their future husband’s name. The best part is that you can choose any shade of blue you’d like for this item!
Whatever you choose for your Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue, make sure it is symbolic for you. While there is symbolism rooted in the tradition, you want the items to highlight you as a person and your journey through marriage. Who knows? Maybe someone will want to borrow items from you one day because of how much success you’ve had with your marriage!