Franklin Dean
The something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue rhyme is a wedding tradition that has inspired many brides and some grooms over the decades. The rhyme, which first appeared in the 1870s, is said to bring luck to the betrothed couple on their wedding day and foster a harmonious marriage. The something blue is meant to represent fidelity and love's purity and protect the wearer from the evil eye. While the tradition usually involves the bride wearing a blue garter, there are many creative ways to incorporate the colour blue into your wedding, from blue shoes to blue hair.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The tradition of including "something blue" in a wedding stems from an Old English rhyme, "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe." The rhyme first appeared in formal English literature in the 1870s. |
| Meaning | The color blue is said to represent "fidelity and love's purity" and protect against the "evil eye." It is believed to bring good luck and ward off wicked spirits. |
| Examples | Blue wedding attire (e.g., garter, shoes, tie, bridesmaid dresses), jewelry (e.g., earrings, pendants, cufflinks with blue gemstones), manicure, bouquet with blue flowers, blue ribbon on the wedding invitation. |
| Modern Interpretations | The tradition is no longer limited to the bride's attire. Couples can incorporate "something blue" in creative ways, such as including it in their wedding decor or having a "blue crew" of friends wear blue. |
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What You'll Learn
The rhyme's origins
The rhyme "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe" is a centuries-old tradition that has been followed by brides and grooms alike. The first printed reference to the rhyme appeared in Mary Greenleaf Darling's 1870 novel, "Battles at Home", which was serialized in the children's magazine "Merry's Museum". However, the rhyme's true origins are unknown.
The "something blue" in the rhyme typically refers to the colour blue, which is considered to ward off the "evil eye" and bring good luck. Blue is also symbolic of "fidelity and love's purity", three key qualities that the Old English believed were essential for a strong marriage. In the past, brides often included something blue in their attire, such as a blue garter or blue shoes. Today, there are many creative ways to incorporate blue into a wedding, such as through jewellery, flowers, or even a blue wedding dress.
The "something borrowed" in the rhyme is also meant to bring good luck and protect against the "evil eye". By borrowing an item from a happily married friend or relative, the bride or couple hopes to inherit some of their good fortune. In the past, this often took the form of borrowing undergarments, but today it is more common to borrow something of sentimental value, such as a family heirloom.
The final ingredient in the rhyme, "a sixpence in your shoe", represents prosperity for the couple as they begin their life together. While the sixpence is no longer in circulation, couples who wish to follow the tradition can substitute it with a penny.
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Blue wedding ideas
Blue has been connected to weddings for centuries, thanks to the Old English tradition of the bride having "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" to bring good luck. The "something blue" is meant to symbolise fidelity and purity.
Clothing and Accessories
- Blue shoes, such as point-toe slingbacks or pumps, or blue wedding trainers
- Blue earrings, a necklace, bracelet, or hairpiece
- Blue garter
- Blue bow tie, pocket square, or ribbon-wrapped boutonnière for the groom
- Blue bridesmaids' dresses or soft blue velvet capes and jackets for the bridal party
- Blue wedding dress
- Blue hair or manicures
Decorations and Details
- Blue flowers or a bouquet with blue accents
- Blue tablecloths, napkins, or other tabletop decor
- Blue guest book
- Blue wedding cake, or a cake topped with blue and white bride and groom figurines
- Blue wedding favours, such as cookies or gifts wrapped in blue ribbon
- Blue ribbons tied to wedding invitation suites
- Blue canopy over the altar space
- Blue freestanding escort display with cards tied in dark teal ribbons
Other Ideas
- Blue signature cocktail, such as an acai-blueberry vodka
- Blue engagement ring or ring box
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Blue in bouquet
The "something blue" tradition comes from the Old English rhyme, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe". The rhyme refers to items a bride is meant to wear on her wedding day to bring good luck and a successful marriage. The blue is meant to symbolise "love, purity and fidelity".
Blue is a versatile wedding colour, pairing well with a range of other colours, from neutrals to bright shades like yellow and fuchsia. There are a limited number of naturally blue wedding flowers, but some of the most popular blooms come in shades of blue, such as hydrangeas and delphiniums. For a rustic theme, a small posy of blue flowers and greenery works well. For a classic, romantic look, pair blue flowers with pastel tones like blush pink roses, sage green eucalyptus and white ranunculus.
If you're looking for blue flowers to add to your bouquet, you could choose from:
- Muscari (also known as grape hyacinth), which has a pastel blue to bright violet colour and is perfect for boutonnieres, bouquets and centrepieces
- Blue thistle, which has a silvery, dusty blue colour and pairs well with eucalyptus and other greenery
- Blue hydrangeas, which can be used as pops of blue throughout your bouquet or as a single stem in a bridal bouquet
- Delphiniums, which can be paired with white flowers and greenery for a bouquet that works all year round
- Anemones, which have white petals and dark blue centres, perfect for a chic, modern aesthetic
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Blue for bridesmaids
Blue is a versatile colour that can complement weddings in any season. It is also a powerful colour that symbolises confidence, sensitivity, trust, unity, loyalty, and faith—qualities that are often associated with weddings. It is no wonder that blue is a popular choice for bridesmaids' dresses.
Blue is also representative of "fidelity and love's purity", making it a suitable choice for bridesmaids' dresses if you are looking to incorporate the "something blue" tradition into your wedding. This Old English rhyme, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe", has been considered a recipe to follow for a harmonious wedding day and marriage. The "something blue" was often a blue garter worn beneath the bride's dress, but bridesmaids' dresses in shades of blue, from light blue to navy, can also serve as the bride's "something blue".
Blue bridesmaids' dresses can be styled to suit the season. In summer, gemstone blues can help contrast with bright flowers, while sky blues can complement a summer wedding theme. In winter, pale blues can evoke a "winter wonderland" feel, and darker shades of blue, like navy, can create a lovely seaside or nautical theme.
If you are looking for creative ways to incorporate blue into your bridesmaids' outfits, consider blue hair or a blue manicure. You can also add blue accessories, such as shoes, bows, or ribbons, to your bridesmaids' attire.
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Blue for grooms
The colour blue is representative of "fidelity and love's purity". It is also meant to symbolise an item to ward off wicked spirits and the evil eye. While the rhyme "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" is traditionally associated with the bride's attire and accessories, grooms can also incorporate blue into their wedding outfits in several ways.
Grooms can sport a blue bow tie or a powder blue suit. They can also wear blue cufflinks, which can be borrowed from a grandfather or another older male relative. This is a great way to include something borrowed and something blue in one item. Grooms can also wear a blue pocket square or a blue tie, which can add a pop of colour to a more neutral outfit.
The wedding party can also contribute to the "something blue" tradition. Groomsmen can wear blue suits or tuxedos, or the couple can arrive in a blue getaway car. The bride's bouquet can also include blue flowers or ribbons, which can tie in with the groom's blue accessories.
While not specifically related to the groom, it is also worth noting that blue can be incorporated in other ways, such as through the bride's shoes, garter, or manicure, as well as through decorations and other small details.
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Frequently asked questions
The colour blue is representative of "'fidelity and love's purity". It is also meant to ward off the evil eye.
Something blue can be a garter, shoes, a bouquet, a bow tie, a wedding dress, a handkerchief, a necklace, or a pair of earrings.
No, abiding by the rhyme is not a requirement for a happy marriage. However, it can be a meaningful way to incorporate cherished people, objects, and memories into the wedding.
The tradition comes from an Old English rhyme from 19th-century Lancashire.
The full rhyme is "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe."
