We’ve all heard the rhyme “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and A Sixpence in your Shoe.” The Old English rhyme identifies the four objects a bride should add to her outfit or carry down the aisle with her on her big day for good luck.
Since this seemingly innocent tradition can send some brides into a superstitious-frenzy as they scramble to find all four elements at the last moment, we thought it would be fun to share a few ideas that might help you meet this wedding day custom head-on in a fun and modern way.
Wedding Traditions: Ways to Wear Blue
Wearing ‘something blue’ is one of the most traditional ways to meet the requirements of the rhyme. For a new twist on this one, consider putting something on the inside of your dress.
Take a small scrap from one of your mom or grandmother’s old dresses and turn it into a small heart that you can sew into the inside of your corset. This way, you’ll have ‘something old’ and ‘something blue’, and a little piece of the strong women that came before you, right next to your heart the entire way down the aisle.
One of the coolest trends we’ve seen is to have your wedding date embroidered on the inside hem of your dress. If you do it in blue, you’ll have ‘something blue’ that also marks the date for you. Put a twist on this one by including your new Mr. & Mrs. names as well.
Want to have a little fun? Then bring in your ‘something blue’ to the bottom of your shoes! Using special paint, you can paint the soles of your shoes bright blue, dark blue or even sparkly blue.
You can also create a fun message on the soles of your shoes with blue stickers. Put your name, your wedding date, or even the message of “I DO” that you can flash at your groom while cutting a rug on the dance floor during your reception. You can find special paint and pre-cut stickers to help you create your own DIY version for your wedding slippers on Amazon.com or Michaels.com.
Ready to really think outside of the wedding gift box? Then why not wear a flowing silk or chiffon pale blue wedding dress? Or go a little more old school and simply choose a white or off-white fabric that has blue embroidery etched into the fabric design?
No one said your underskirt or petticoat has to match your dress exactly. Why not bring in ‘something blue’ underneath your dress? It will be your little secret until you hop on the dance floor and break into a can-can with your bridal party!
Modern wedding edict gives today’s brides more flexibility, so have some fun! You can still maintain a more traditional or formal appearance while having fun with a unique wedding dress.
Wedding Traditions: Ways to Carry Blue
Another way to bring in ‘something blue’ is to simply carry it with you down the aisle. Your options here are seemingly endless. Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- a stunning floral arrangement full of blue flowers (or even just one blue flower that is hidden in the mix)
- blue ribbons tied around your flowers
- a blue handkerchief
- a blue rosary (could also be counted as ‘something new’, ‘something borrowed’, or even ‘something old’ depending on where it comes from)
- a blue card or note with wishes and hopes for your future spouse that you tie to your bouquet and carry down the aisle with you and deliver in a private moment later in the evening
Wedding Traditions: Ways to Share Blue
While the rhyme itself traditionally focuses on the bride, why not share the fun and include other members or your bridal party?
Write a special note on a blue card and include it with a blue piece of jewelry, like earrings or a necklace, for your bridesmaids. You can also get stickers for the bottoms of their shoes or blue ribbons for them to add to their shoes.
Want to include your mom? Give her an aquamarine necklace she can wear to the wedding or a beautiful blue piece of art she can display in her house to remember the day.
Bring the Old English tradition into the modern era by including your soon-to-be! Fill a blue bag or blue box with gifts that will help them take part in the custom. You can include a number of items such as:
- blue socks, a tie, or a pocket square
- a blue coin to put in their shoe
- paint or stickers for the bottom of their shoes
- a blue picture frame with a photo of just the two of you
- a bag of blue Jolly Ranchers
- a CD full of romantic blues music (see what we did there?)
Why not carry your ‘something blue’ with you off into the sunset? Think about how much fun it would be for you and your new spouse to ride away from the reception on blue Vespas? Not only would it make for a radically cool exit, you would also be left with a couple of amazingly unique souvenirs from your big day that you can ride around town together for years to come.
Looking for more inspiring ideas and wedding traditions for your big day? Our wedding planners are some of the best in the business and know a thing or two about making weddings fun and unique. Contact the EBE Event Planners today and let them help you create a day of magical memories.
