Something Blue

November 7th, 2006 Posted in Wedding Planning and Ideas

You have heard the saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” It is a traditional saying that outlines several lucky items that a bride should carry with her on her wedding day. But what makes blue such a special color? 

Blue has traditionally been associated with weddings across several cultures for centuries. In ancient Israel, blue ribbons decorated the bride’s dress to represent purity, modesty and fidelity. Roman brides actually wore blue dresses. Christian brides followed this tradition as well. A blue dress represented purity, for the Virgin Mary was often in paintings and statues dressed in blue. “Marry in blue, lover be true” was a common saying for this era.

Today, blue is not a common color for wedding dresses. White has replaced blue attire. However, brides still incorporate blue into their attire, but in not so obvious ways, such as on the garter or within her jewelry. These are two of the most usual ways to include blue. Yet, a bride can use her imagination to think up fun unique ways include blue on her wedding day. Blue flowers within the bouquet, blue toenail polish, blue shoes and blue panties are just some ideas for a bride who wants to attract good luck into her marriage.

As for the other lines of this saying, “something old” maintains the bride’s bond with her family and the past. This item is often taken from a couple that has been married for many years, spreading their luck to the newlyweds. “Something new” symbolizes the new life that the bride will enter as a married woman. This item provides her with optimism and hope. “Something borrowed” often comes from a happily married friend or family member. When using this item, the bride is actually borrowing her happiness. Finally, “a silver sixpence in her shoe” refers to the coin minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. Worth six cents, this coin was placed in the bride’s shoe in hopes of wealth and financial security. Today six pence are rare to find, although some companies sell them exclusively to brides. Many brides instead use a penny or dime. All parts of this poem come together to bestow optimum fortune upon the bride and her marriage.

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