Weddings are always a special affair filled with traditions and rituals that have been around for centuries. These traditions are an essential part of the wedding ceremony, and many couples choose to follow them religiously. One such tradition is the practice of ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.’ This tradition has been an integral part of weddings for years, and it is said to bring good luck to the bride on her wedding day. So, who gives the bride something borrowed something blue? In this blog, we will discuss everything about this tradition and its significance.
What is the meaning behind something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?
This tradition dates back to the Victorian era and is said to bring good luck to the new bride. According to custom, each of these specific items must be included in the bride’s attire on her wedding day to symbolize different aspects of her life:
1. Something Old: This represents continuity and the bride’s connection to her family and past. The bride can wear her mother’s or grandmother’s jewelry or a classic piece to commemorate the occasion.
2. Something New: This represents hope, optimism, and the bride’s future with her husband.
3. Something Borrowed: This symbolizes borrowing something from a loved one, friend, or family member who has had a happy marriage, in the hopes that some of that good luck will pass on to the newlyweds.
4. Something Blue: This tradition represents purity, love, and fidelity. In some cultures, blue represents good fortune and loyalty. It comes from the Christian tradition of the Virgin Mary, who was often seen wearing blue robes.
Who gives the bride something borrowed and something blue?
The bride is given something borrowed and something blue as a gift from a family member, friend, or loved one. It is usually a surprise for the bride, and the gift-giver may choose to include both ‘something borrowed and something blue’ as a single gift or two separate items. Often, the bride’s mother or grandmother will gift something old, and the bride’s friends or family members will provide the other items.
Something borrowed and something blue gifts can come in many forms, such as jewelry, handkerchief, shoes, garter, or a blue ribbon. As long as it embodies the meaning behind the tradition, any item can be gifted as something borrowed something blue.
How to incorporate something borrowed and something blue into your wedding?
Incorporating ‘something borrowed, something blue’ into your wedding is a great way to honor tradition and add a personal touch to your big day. Here are few ideas:
– Borrow a family member’s veil, jewelry, or handkerchief as your something borrowed.
– Wear something blue, such as blue shoes, a necklace, or a garter.
– Incorporate blue flowers into your bouquet or bridesmaid’s dresses.
– Use a blue handkerchief to wrap your wedding bands.
– Sew a blue heart onto the inside of your wedding dress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue’ is a beautiful tradition that has been followed for generations. The practice of receiving something borrowed and something blue as a gift is a symbol of love and good fortune, and it is an excellent way to involve your loved ones in the wedding ceremony. So, if you’re planning your wedding, make sure you follow this tradition and add a personal touch to your big day.
FAQ
What is the old new borrowed blue tradition for weddings?
The old new borrowed blue wedding tradition is an age-old custom that has been practiced for centuries and is still popular in many cultures around the world. It is said to bring good luck and fortune to the happy couple on their wedding day and throughout their married life.
The tradition involves the bride having four items with her on her wedding day, each representing something specific. These items are often referred to as the “four somethings.” The first is “something old,” which represents the bride’s past and her family. This item is usually a family heirloom, such as a piece of jewelry or a veil that has been passed down from mother to daughter for generations.
The second is “something new,” which represents the bride’s future and the life she is about to start with her husband. This item is often the wedding dress itself or a new piece of jewelry given to her by the groom or family members.
The third is “something borrowed,” which represents the bride’s connection to her friends and family. This item is usually borrowed from a close friend or family member and symbolizes their support for the bride on her special day. It could be anything from a piece of jewelry to a handkerchief.
Finally, “something blue” is said to represent fidelity and loyalty in marriage. This item can be anything blue, such as a piece of jewelry, a hair accessory, or even the bride’s shoes or garter.
While the tradition of having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue may seem old-fashioned, it is still widely practiced today and has become a timeless tradition in many parts of the world. Not only does it add a touch of superstition to the wedding day, but it also serves as a way to honor family and friends and to create a special connection between past, present, and future.
What does it mean when a bride wears blue?
In many cultures, the bride’s dress is an important element of the wedding ceremony. It represents the bride’s personality, style, and the message she wishes to send on her special day. Traditionally, brides wore white to symbolize purity and innocence. However, over time, other colors have emerged as popular wedding dress choices.
One such color is blue. When a bride wears blue on her wedding day, it can have many meanings and symbolisms. The color blue has been associated with good luck and prosperity, which may be why brides choose it as a color for their wedding dress. Blue is also a calm and peaceful color and is thought to represent stability, loyalty, and trust. Wearing blue on the wedding day can imply that the bride is someone who is steadfast and reliable, just like a calm body of water.
In some cultures, blue is also believed to symbolize fertility and motherhood. This idea stems from ancient times when the sky was considered a symbol of fertility and abundance. By wearing blue, the bride may be expressing her desire to start a family in the future or to honor her mother’s nurturing and caring qualities.
Another tradition is the “something blue” saying, which comes from an old English rhyme: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in your shoe.” The “something blue” in the rhyme symbolizes love, fidelity, and good fortune. By carrying or wearing something blue, brides are thought to ward off evil spirits and ensure a happy and prosperous marriage.
For a bride, the color blue on her wedding day can have a vast array of significance and importance. It can represent peace, purity, prosperity, fertility, motherhood, and good luck. By wearing blue, a bride can make a statement about her personality, values, and hopes for the future, making her wedding day a meaningful and unforgettable experience.
What is the tradition of the six pence at a wedding?
The sixpence is a long-standing tradition that has been around for centuries. It is believed that the tradition originated in England and it involves the father of the bride slipping a sixpence into his daughter’s shoe before she walks down the aisle. The sixpence is a silver coin that was minted in the United Kingdom from 1551 until 1967 when the country switched to decimalization.
There are different versions of the meaning behind the sixpence tradition. One popular belief is that the sixpence is meant to bring good luck to the bride on her wedding day and to her marriage. It is also a sign of the father’s blessings and wishes that the couple will have a prosperous life together. The sixpence is supposed to be firmly placed in the bride’s left shoe, which is believed to bring extra good fortune, as the left side of the body is associated with femininity and receiving.
Another theory behind the sixpence is that it represents something old, new, borrowed, and blue, which are four of the essential items that the bride should have on her wedding day according to a popular saying. The sixpence represents the “something old” part of the saying, which symbolizes continuity with the bride’s family and her past.
While the tradition of the sixpence is not as prevalent in modern weddings, many brides still incorporate it into their wedding attire as a nod to tradition. Some brides choose to wear the coin as a necklace or a bracelet, or they may have it sewn into their wedding gown or veil. In recent years, some jewelers have started creating special sixpence coins that are designed to be worn as wedding jewelry.
The sixpence tradition is a beautiful and meaningful way for a father to show his love, support, and blessings to his daughter on her wedding day. It also serves as a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the happy couple. Whether it is worn in a shoe or as jewelry, the sixpence remains a unique and timeless addition to any wedding ceremony.