Whether you're the mother of the bride in a wedding like Ree Drummond was for her daughter Alex's wedding, a guest, or part of the soon-to-be-married couple, a wedding is an opportunity to partake in all kinds of special traditions. You may have heard, for example, that brides should wear or carry "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" on their wedding day for good luck. But you may also have some unanswered questions about the famous rhyme like where does this very specific list of seemingly unrelated trinkets come from and what's the meaning behind them?
For centuries, brides have included something from each of these categories in their weddings. And while abiding by the list certainly isn't a requirement for a happy marriage, it can be a meaningful way to incorporate cherished people, objects, and memories into your special day in whatever way works for you. Keep reading to learn about how this whole "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" thing got started and to get some fun, creative ideas for honoring the tradition today.
The History of the Rhyme
The tradition is based on an Old English rhyme that dates back to 19th-century Lancashire. It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe." The belief was that if the bride carries each of these items as she walks down the aisle, she will enjoy a successful and happy marriage. They are ingredients meant to ward off the evil eye, which was thought to cause infertility.
Traditionally, these objects are cobbled together from female relatives and friends. But again, there are no hard and fast rules here. "Something old" could be a vintage getaway car, "something blue" could be the bouquet, and "something new" could be a gift from the soon-to-be spouse or the bride herself! And while the exact meaning behind each trinket isn't totally clear, there are some popular theories. Keep reading for an in-depth look at each item a bride is supposed to collect and how you can make it special for your own ceremony.
Something Old
"Something old" is all about continuity. It can be used to represent the best part of a couple's non-married life with the intention of extending that into their marriage. It can also symbolize a bride's connection with her family and the past. Use it as an opportunity to get creative with subtle throwback touches, like wearing a piece of vintage jewelry or incorporating some fabric from the bride's mom's wedding gown into her own. (For inspiration, check out these pics of Paige trying on Ree's wedding gown from 1996!) Many brides also use their "something old" item to pay tribute to lost loved ones, like by tucking an old photo into a locket or bouquet as a reminder of someone who is with them in spirit.
Something New
This one is pretty simple! "Something new" stands for hope and optimism for the future. As the couple enters into their new life together, it makes sense for the bride to walk into her marriage with something new. Any special new item the bride has bought or received as a gift to wear for the first time on the big day can count as "something new." Think: the wedding band, a pair of comfortable wedding shoes, a pretty hairpiece, or even the wedding gown.
Something Borrowed
"Something borrowed" from a happily married friend or relative is believed to bring good luck for the union and even fertility. By borrowing something from a friend or relative in a successful marriage, the hope is that some of their good fortune transfers over. A bride should think about borrowing an accessory from an important woman in her life, such as her grandmother's earrings or the necklace her mom wore on her wedding day. This idea can be taken even less literally and the bride can "borrow" her parents' or grandparents' first-dance song. Having loved ones contribute to the special day will make it all the more meaningful.
Something Blue
The color blue is meant to ward off the evil eye, and also stands for love, purity, and fidelity, which is what the Old English considered to be the three key qualities for a strong marriage. This is the part where brides can really have some fun! Traditionally, a bride's "something blue" was a garter worn beneath a white dress, but many modern brides choose to add a subtle pop of blue with accessories like shoes, bags, and jewelry, or flowers, decor, and more.
A Sixpence in Your Shoe
Though this ingredient is often forgotten, back in Victorian times, the father of the bride would place a sixpence into his daughter's shoe to bring prosperity to the couple. The British coin is no longer produced, but some determined brides still hunt down one to tuck away on the big day! You can also trade the sixpence for a penny and place it on the ring bearer's pillow or incorporate it into any other aspect of your wedding, like a bouquet.
Macie Reynolds
Assistant Editor
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
FAQs
Something new represents optimism for the future. Something borrowed represents borrowed happiness from another happily married couple or bride. Something blue represents purity, love, and fidelity and is also meant to ward off the Evil Eye, a curse that could make the bride infertile.
Why does a bride need something old, new, borrowed, and blue? ›
The Old English rhyme is all about good luck charms, "Something Olde (symbolizes continuity), Something New (offers optimism for the future), Something Borrowed (represents borrowed happiness), Something Blue (purity, love and fidelity), and a Sixpence (maybe a 5 cent piece) in your Shoe (prosperity)”.
What is the wedding saying about something borrowed something blue? ›
What is the Saying Something Borrowed Something Blue? “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe.” This is the full Old English rhyme, each “something” representing well wishes offered by friends and family on a couple's wedding day.
What is the superstition about something old, something new at a wedding? ›
The History of the Rhyme
It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe." The belief was that if the bride carries each of these items as she walks down the aisle, she will enjoy a successful and happy marriage.
What are the four things a bride needs for good luck? ›
You have probably heard of the saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. The actual reasonings behind the ideas are a little less known. These four things a bride is “supposed to” wear on her wedding day is thought to make the marriage successful.
Who gives the bride something old? ›
“Something old" is meant to represent the best of a couple's non-married life and the intention to bring that into their marriage. This often includes a piece of jewelry worn by the bride's mother, grandmother, or aunt.
What are the rules for something borrowed something blue? ›
The meaning of each line is unique unto itself, with something old being a tie to the past, something new being a hopeful optimism for the future, something borrowed being an item borrowed from a happily married relation in order to procure luck for the brides soon to be marriage, and finally, something blue relating ...
Why do brides wear a garter? ›
Traditionally, the wedding garter most often symbolizes love and luck. In the Middle Ages it was more tied up with notions of virginity and the consummation of marriage; these days it's more of a fun, lighthearted wedding way to show off the couple's chemistry and interact with their guests.
What does a bride wear for something borrowed? ›
Ideas for “Something Borrowed”: Wedding dress, veil or tie from a parent or grandparent. Heirloom accessories such as a necklace, earrings, hair comb, or tiara.
What is the penny in the shoe at a wedding? ›
A silver sixpence represents luck and prosperity in marriage! A Silver sixpence in her shoe is something traditionally the father will gift to the bride on her wedding day. It is custom for the father to slip the silver sixpence into the bride's heel before she is walked down the aisle.
The Garter Toss
To pacify the crowd and ease the bride's mind, the groom began tossing out a piece of the bride's wedding attire to distract the guests as the newlyweds made a quick escape from the reception. The garter toss is one way to rally all of the gentlemen to the dance floor.
Is it bad luck to give a clock as a wedding gift? ›
Bad Luck: Clocks
Naturally, a clock is a symbol of time—and, according to Feng Shui, gifting one can imply that time is running out.
Why do brides wear a veil? ›
The practice of wearing veils dates back to ancient Rome and Greece, where they were believed to protect brides from evil spirits. Over time, veils became emblematic of modesty and purity, evolving as a symbol of innocence and reverence in various cultures.
Do brides still do something old something new? ›
While the evil eye is a thing of the past, "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" can be an entertaining tradition to follow at your wedding in whatever way works for you. Have fun with it as you put the finishing touches on your special day.
Where did Old New Borrowed Blue come from? ›
The tradition of the bride wearing something borrowed and something blue comes from the Victorian-era poem that in full reads: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” A sixpence is a British coin worth six pennies that was minted from 1551 to 1967.
What is the wedding rhyme for something old? ›
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” You've most likely heard this rhyme before.
What is the point of something old, something new? ›
Something old is symbolic of a bride's relationship with her family. Something new is a wish for a bride's good fortune in her new life. Something borrowed is a reminder that family and friends will be there for the bride if she needs help.
Why does the flower girl drop petals? ›
Throwing rose petals
Rose petals, which are traditionally red, represent fertility, and because they're thrown by the flower girl, they are also a symbol of the transition the bride is making from an innocent girl to a woman and, soon, mother.
What do brides usually use for something blue? ›
“As long as you choose something personal and unique to you, your something blue will be special,” Jessica says, adding: “Something blue can be anything from a sapphire ring passed down from your Grandma to blue knickers. I once had a bride who had blue shoelaces in her evening shoes!”
