Q&A: Wedding Traditions: Meaning of "Something Old, Something New..."?

Q.

What is the meaning of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"?

A.

This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme ("Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe"), and the four objects that the bride adds to her wedding outfit or carries with her on the big day are just good luck charms. Don't stress too much about them -- they are the little tokens of love your mother, sister, other relatives, and attendants will give you at the eleventh hour (although you can give them to yourself, too). Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, although this remains largely a British custom.

See More: Wedding Traditions & Wedding Customs , Wedding Customs

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CourtAndDoug
My best friend got ballet flats to wear on her wedding day and one of her other bridesmaids happened to find a 2007 penny (the year she got married) to put in her shoe. I myself have been trying to find ways to play homage to our various heritages in simple, easy (sometimes coincidental) ways. I wanted my bridal party to wear little black dresses then realized Coco Channel started the trend and she's French. Now thanks to knowing that the "Something Old..." is an English tradition I can cross that off my list too! I asked my dad (who collects coins) to see if he has a silver (my favorite metal, my engagement is white gold as will our wedding rings) sixpence that has significance in my family (like a great-something grand parent who was married that year).

ginnygrace84
A lot of brides tape the penny/sixpence to the underside of their shoe instead of putting it in, especially if they are strappy sandals!

katierocks8884
My mom actually went out and found a real sixpence for me...she really thinks these things are important!

expicalado
hmm....how do you walk around with that penny in your shoe? That cant be comfortable.

kitkat0308
Its funny how I was stressing over this little thing. lol.