A wedding day is one of the most special and memorable occasions in a person’s life. It’s a day when you want everything to be perfect, with every detail just the way you imagined it. From the flowers to the dress to the venue, everything needs to be perfect. And one of the most significant details of any wedding celebration is the ‘something borrowed’ tradition.
The tradition of ‘something borrowed’ is an age-old tradition that dates back to the Victorian era in the United Kingdom. It is believed that the practice of borrowing something from a friend or family member is meant to bring good luck and prosperity to the couple.
So, when we talk about ‘something borrowed’, the most traditional ideas that fall under the category of ‘something borrowed’ usually include a mother’s veil, a pair of wedding shoes, a beautiful clutch, or even your grandparent’s handkerchiefs!
History of the Something Borrowed Tradition
As mentioned above, the tradition of ‘something borrowed’ dates back to the Victorian era. In those times, it was believed that owning something that was borrowed would bring good luck and fortune to the bride and groom. It was also believed that if the object that was borrowed belonged to a happily married couple, it would bring extra good fortune to the newlyweds.
Over time, the tradition has evolved and has become a part of modern-day wedding celebrations. Today, brides borrow items from friends and family to add a personal touch to their wedding and to bring in a little bit of luck on their special day.
Examples of Something Borrowed for a Wedding
If you’re getting ready for your wedding day and are looking for inspiration for ‘something borrowed,’ we’ve got you covered! Here are a few examples of ‘something borrowed’ that you can incorporate into your wedding:
Family Heirlooms
Family heirlooms are an excellent choice for ‘something borrowed.’ Think about using a piece of jewelry that was passed down from your grandmother or mother as a part of your wedding attire. It could be a necklace, a pair of earrings, or even a brooch. Not only will this add a sentimental touch to your wedding day look, but it will also be a beautiful way to honor your family traditions.
Wedding Veil
A wedding veil is a traditional accessory that has been a part of weddings for centuries. Using your mother’s veil as your ‘something borrowed’ could be a perfect way to incorporate a meaningful family tradition into your special day. If you don’t prefer a veil, you can also pick a headpiece, like a hairpin, headband, or hair comb.
Wedding Dress
A wedding gown is probably the most expensive dress you’ll ever wear, and most people don’t get to wear it more than once. However, if your mother or grandmother held onto their wedding dress, you might be in luck. Borrowing a wedding gown from a family member and incorporating it into your wedding day can be a beautiful and sentimental gesture.
Wedding Shoes
A pair of special shoes can complete any wedding outfit. If you’re a bride who loves her footwear, why not borrow a pair of shoes? After all, shoes are also said to bring good luck and prosperity to the couple. It could be your sister’s or best friend’s, or even your mother’s wedding shoes – basically, any pretty pair of shoes that you love!
Cake Topper or Serving Set
A cake topper or serving set is a great way to incorporate a borrowed item into your wedding day celebration. Your parents may have a vintage cake topper from their wedding that you could use, or perhaps your sister has a beautiful serving set that you could use to cut your wedding cake. You could even borrow a set of champagne glasses from a close friend or family member for toasting to your big day.
Other options
The possibilities for what you can use as your ‘something borrowed’ are endless. You could also borrow a purse or clutch, shawls, or even a piece of art or decoration to incorporate into your wedding day. Just remember, it’s a tradition that’s meant to bring good fortune and prosperity to the happy couple, so make sure to borrow something that’s special to you and your loved ones.
Conclusion
The practice of incorporating ‘something borrowed’ into your wedding day is a simple way to honor family traditions and add a sentimental touch to your special day. From family heirlooms to vintage cake toppers, borrowing an item from a loved one is a beautiful way to celebrate your wedding and add in a bit of good luck. Whatever you choose to borrow, make sure it’s something special to you and your loved ones, and your wedding day will be all the more special for it.
FAQ
What defines something borrowed?
In the world of wedding traditions, “something borrowed” is a term used to describe an item that a bride wears or carries on her wedding day that was lent to her by another person. This tradition has been around for centuries and is believed to bring good luck to the bride’s marriage. But what exactly constitutes “something borrowed,” and why is it considered lucky?
Firstly, the idea behind something borrowed is that the item being borrowed was previously used by another bride, preferably someone who is happily married. According to old superstitions, the good luck and blessings of the previous bride’s marriage are then transferred to the bride who wears or carries the item. It’s believed that this good fortune will bring the new bride a long and happy marriage.
The borrowed item can take many forms, from a piece of jewelry to a veil to a handkerchief. Some brides choose to borrow a special item from a family member or close friend, while others may seek out something from a significant person in their life, such as a grandparent or mentor.
In addition to its symbolic significance, something borrowed also serves as a way to honor family and friends on the wedding day. The item borrowed can hold deep sentimental meaning, whether it has been passed down through generations or is simply a cherished possession of the giver.
It’s worth noting that some couples also incorporate something old, something new, and something blue into their wedding day attire, along with something borrowed. Something old represents continuity; something new symbolizes hope and optimism; something blue is said to bring good luck and fidelity; and something borrowed, as we’ve discussed, is meant to transfer happiness and good fortune.
Something borrowed is a cherished tradition in weddings, dating back centuries. This small gesture holds a great deal of meaning and significance for the bride and groom, and serves as a touching way to incorporate loved ones into the wedding celebration. what defines something borrowed is its sentimental value and the belief that it will bring good fortune and years of happiness to the newlyweds.
What are the 4 things a bride needs?
According to tradition, there are four items that a bride should have on her wedding day which are: “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”. The origin of this custom dates back to a 19th-century Lancashire, England. It is believed to bring good luck, happiness, and prosperity to the bride and groom.
The first item on the list, “something old”, represents the bride’s family and their past. It symbolizes the continuity and strength of the relationship that has been passed down through generations of the bride’s family. It can be a family heirloom, an old piece of jewelry or a piece of clothing that has sentimental value.
The second item, “something new”, represents the bride’s future and the new life that she is beginning with her spouse. It represents hope and optimism for the future and can be something like her wedding dress, shoes, or jewelry.
The third item on the list, “something borrowed,” symbolizes borrowing something from someone who has a happy and successful marriage, wishing that the marriage of the bride will also be successful and happy. It can be something borrowed from a friend, relative, or family member.
Finally, “something blue” is the last item on the list. This symbolizes love, fidelity, and purity. It means that the bride will remain loyal and faithful to her husband in married life. It can be a blue ribbon in her hair, blue shoes or a piece of jewelry.
In addition to these four things, some variations of the tradition include the addition of a “sixpence in your shoe”, which is intended to bring good fortune to the couple in their married life.
The tradition of having “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” on the wedding day is believed to bring good luck, happiness, and prosperity to the bride and groom in their married life. It is a charming and delightful way to honor the past, present, and future of the new couple.
Does something borrowed have to be worn?
The “something borrowed, something blue” tradition has been a part of weddings for centuries. The idea behind including something borrowed is to bring good luck and happiness to the newlyweds. However, many brides-to-be often wonder whether their “something borrowed” has to be something they wear on their wedding day.
The answer is no, the borrowed item does not have to be something that the bride wears. In fact, there are plenty of creative alternatives to wearing a borrowed item. For example, the bride could carry a borrowed purse or clutch as her “something borrowed,” or she could use a borrowed piece of jewelry as a hair accessory.
Furthermore, it’s essential to remember that the “something borrowed” tradition is all about sentimental value and symbolizing the love and support of family and friends. The borrowed item should have personal and emotional significance to the bride, rather than merely being an accessory to her wedding day outfit.
It’S up to the bride to decide how she wants to interpret and honor the “something borrowed” tradition. Whether she chooses to wear a borrowed item or incorporate it in another meaningful way, the sentiment behind the tradition remains the same.
Who gives the bride a sixpence?
For many years, the father of the bride would slip a sixpence into his daughter’s shoe before she walked down the aisle. This tradition dates back to the Victorian era, where brides were often given lucky charms or tokens to help ward off evil spirits and ensure good luck on their wedding day. The sixpence, a coin that was first introduced in the 1500s, was a popular choice for this purpose as well.
In the context of a wedding, the sixpence also represented a symbolic gesture of the father’s wishes for his daughter’s prosperity in her marriage. It was believed that the coin would bring good fortune to the newlyweds, as it was a sign of financial stability and success.
Today, the sixpence tradition is not as common as it once was, and many brides choose to forgo this old tradition. However, for those who still wish to incorporate this sweet gesture into their wedding day, there are several options available. Some couples may choose to use a replica sixpence as a nod to tradition, while others may opt for a more modern approach, such as a lucky penny or a charm bracelet.
The practice of giving the bride a sixpence is a beautiful reminder of the rich history and traditions that have long been associated with weddings. While it may not be as common today as it once was, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many couples who cherish tradition and symbolism.