Something Old, Something New...

If you have ever been in an bridal suite hours before a wedding then you have probably heard some variation of the saying "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." Since this is a older tradition very few people these days realize that there is actually another sentence at the end of this saying. The whole saying is "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. And a silver sixpense in her shoe."

The Something Old is meant to symbolize the bride's link to her family. Generally the "old" item is a piece of family jewelry or a piece of a family garment. Any bride would be luck to receive this pair of antique earrings.

The Something New is meant to symbolize good luck and success in their new marriage. Generally the "new" item is the wedding dress but can also be a wedding band or new jewelry that was purchased for the wedding. I adore this Anne Barge dress...

The Something Borrowed should be "given" to the bride by a happily married friend which will symbolize the friend giving some of their marital bliss to the bride to carry into their new marriage. It can be a piece of jewelry, a sorority pin to be pinned into the lining of the gown or a hankerchief that all of your friends have carried on their wedding day. I was a Kappa Delta at the College of Charleston so if I had "borrowed" a sorority pin it would have looked like this.

The Something Blue is meant to symbolize faithfulness and loyalty towards your husband. Traditionally the garter has the blue detailing but these days it can be found on shoes and under garments too!


The Sixpence in her shoe is meant to symbolize wealth and finicial security in the future. It is said that for the sixpence to bring the most luck it should be in the left shoe!

Have fun putting your "somethings" together!