Something Old, Something New
The union of two lovers has understandably been steeped in
tradition for centuries. Over time, some wonderful and
interesting customs have sprung up around this important rite of
passage.
One of the nicest may be the tradition of the bride's gathering
"something old, something new, something borrowed and something
blue." These four items each represent a special symbol, and the
very act of carrying on this tradition provides a real
connection with past and future brides and the people close to
them at the time of the wedding.
The meaning of the item for "something old" has to do with the
bride's heritage. Usually, a treasured family heirloom will be
chosen, often a piece of jewelry.
Almost anything can be designated as "something new," including
the bride's wedding dress. But to make it meaningful, many
mothers or fathers give their marrying daughters a new piece of
jewelry or another special gift, such as a brand-new Bible in
which to record the family's names.
The significance of the "something borrowed" is usually
interpreted to symbolize the support the bride can count on in
her new life from her family. A very nice borrowed token can be
as simple as a pair of lace gloves, worn by the bride's own
grandmother at her wedding, especially if that lady was
happily-married.
For "something blue," the hands-down favorite choice of most
brides is still a blue garter or a pretty blue ribbon tied
around her thigh and hidden under her wedding dress.
There is another part to the old rhyme, which is fast becoming
history these days:
"And a silver sixpence in her shoe."
The sixpence symbolizes good fortune with money and a prosperous
life together. One could substitute a penny.
This wonderful four-part "something" wedding tradition is often
a last-minute scramble, which--far from diluting the
significance of the wedding ritual--only adds to the fun and
provides a lighthearted way to deal with the high emotion of the
moment.
We're of the opinion that every little bit of luck helps, and it
certainly couldn't hurt!