Wedding Sayings…Something Old, Something New
April 6th, 2008“Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.”
A simple saying, but this phrase has become a wedding tradition that no bride will give up. It is an old good luck saying which harks back to Victorian times.
For centuries, on her wedding day, the bride has followed the tradition of wearing something old, new, borrowed and blue. These items symbolized more than just good luck for a bride on her wedding day. Each item symbolizes a special link to the past, present and the future.
If she wore something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and carried a silver sixpence on her wedding day, she would be making an auspicious start to her new married life.
The bride traditionally wore something old – maybe an antique piece of family jewellery, or something from her mother’s or grandmother’s wedding gown, or a handkerchief, scarf, piece of lace – this bit of something old represented a link between past and the present, between the bride and her family. It was also a symbol of continuity.
When she wore something new – it represented optimism and hope for her new life ahead. It is a sign that the bride and groom are starting a new life and creating a new union that will last forever. It represents a sign of success and new happiness to come. Usually something new is her wedding gown, or the wedding rings – anything that has been newly bought.
When the bride wears something borrowed, she wears something borrowed from a happily married friend or family member. What she “borrows” is the happiness and good fortune of her friend or family member. This is also symbolic of the support the bride has – from her friends and family – who will be there for her always. It is important to return whatever was borrowed. Anything could be borrowed – jewellery, a necklace, a bracelet.
Wearing something blue connects the bride to the spiritual values she will bring to a marriage. This colour has always stood for purity and modesty. So whether it is a blue ribbon or a blue garter, maybe just blue flowers tucked into her headdress, most brides will make sure they do have that touch of blue.
The silver sixpence is just something to represent wealth and financial security. There are no sixpences that are minted today – there haven’t been any since 1967 so it could well be a penny or dime that is carried, though wedding companies do have them.
It is a beautiful saying, a beautiful tradition and a beautiful way to link the past, present and future on any bride’s wedding day.