Deborah Chan
The tradition of incorporating something blue into wedding ceremonies is a popular one, with many brides finding creative ways to include the colour in their attire. The custom is part of a centuries-old rhyme, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe, which is believed to bring luck and harmony to the marriage. The colour blue is said to symbolise fidelity and love's purity, as well as protection from the evil eye. While the exact origin of the rhyme is unclear, references to it in English literature can be found as far back as the 1870s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of the tradition | The tradition of including "something blue" in a wedding stems from a centuries-old rhyme: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe." |
| Superstition | The colour blue is believed to protect one from the evil eye and bring good luck. |
| Modern interpretations | Today, "something blue" often takes the form of a creative style statement or a personal memento. It can be incorporated into the wedding in various ways, such as through jewellery, shoes, garters, or other accessories. |
| Symbolism | The colour blue represents "fidelity and love's purity." |
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What You'll Learn
The tradition's origins
The tradition of including "something blue" in wedding ceremonies stems from an old rhyme, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe," which first appeared in English literature in the 1870s. The rhyme is believed to bring good luck to the bride and groom and is considered the recipe for a harmonious wedding day and a successful marriage.
"Something blue" specifically symbolises "fidelity and love's purity." It is also believed to protect the couple, especially the bride, from the "evil eye," rendering them safe from its ill effects, such as infertility. This belief is reflected in the Anglo-Norman phrase, "Honi soi qui mal y pense," which translates to "shame on anyone who thinks evil of it."
The tradition of wearing blue at weddings dates back to the time before white wedding dresses became popular. Brides would wear blue to ""baffle the evil eye" and as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Over time, the colour evolved into a creative style statement or a personal memento incorporated into the wedding in various ways.
Today, "something blue" can take many forms, from a subtle touch of blue in the bride's attire, such as a garter, shoes, or monogrammed initials on the dress, to creative additions like blue manicures, blue gemstone jewellery, or even including blue in the bridal party's attire. Some brides choose to honour the tradition by including meaningful nods to family members, such as wearing antique family jewellery heirlooms or stitching a piece of fabric from a special outfit into their veil or dress.
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Blue as a colour of 'fidelity and love's purity'
The colour blue has long been associated with weddings, with "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" being a popular rhyme that brides and grooms follow for luck on their wedding day. The tradition of including "something blue" in a wedding has its origins in the belief that blue represents "fidelity and love's purity". It is also believed to ward off the "evil eye", bringing good luck and protecting the bride from any negative influences or spirits.
The specific shade of blue chosen for a wedding can also hold significance. For example, cobalt blue represents a bold and vibrant choice, while royal blue exudes elegance and sophistication. Couples may also opt for softer, more muted shades of blue, reminiscent of the changing skies in autumn, or choose blue gemstones that hold personal meaning, such as the birthstone of one of the partners.
There are numerous ways to incorporate "something blue" into a wedding. The "something blue" is often a creative style statement or a personal memento. For instance, blue shoes, a blue garter, or blue jewellery are all popular choices. Brides may also choose to wear a piece of antique family jewellery, such as a pendant or earrings with blue gemstones, or start a new tradition by selecting new pieces to be worn and passed down through the generations.
The "something blue" tradition is not limited to the bride's attire. Grooms can join in by wearing cufflinks featuring blue gems, and bridesmaids can be gifted blue gemstone jewellery to wear on the day. In recent times, some brides have chosen to include a "blue crew" in their wedding party, consisting of close friends who wear blue accessories such as ties. This practice, however, has received some criticism for creating tiers among guests, suggesting that certain individuals were not important enough to be included in the bridal party.
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How to incorporate 'something blue'
The tradition of incorporating something blue into your wedding stems from an old English rhyme that describes what a bride needs on her wedding day to bring good luck and happiness to her marriage. Blue is associated with prosperity, fidelity, and purity—all qualities deemed necessary for a successful marriage in England. The colour blue is also believed to ward off the 'evil eye', a popular symbol stemming back to Ancient Greece that refers to a 'malevolent gaze'.
Blue Accessories
Add a pop of colour to your wedding outfit with blue shoes, earrings, or a bold blue clutch. You could even paint your fingernails or toenails a pretty pastel blue shade, like Beyoncé, who reportedly had a cobalt manicure during her wedding ceremony.
Blue Bridesmaids
Ask your bridesmaids to wear chic navy gowns or light blue halter-neck dresses. You could also give them blue gemstone jewellery as gifts to be worn at the wedding.
Blue Flowers
Add periwinkle flowers to your bouquet or floral arrangements. You could also consider other blue blooms, such as delphinium, muscari, and nigella.
Blue Embroidered Details
Incorporate blue into your wedding gown with aqua embroidery or a blue lining. You could even have the date of your wedding embroidered in blue thread and sewn into your dress, like one bride who had her wedding date embroidered in soft blue thread and sewn into her gown.
Blue Cocktails or Favours
Offer your guests a signature blue cocktail or send them home with blue wedding favours.
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'Something blue' as jewellery
"Something blue" is part of a rhyme for an old wedding tradition. The tradition of wearing something blue likely originated as a way to "'baffle the Evil Eye", protecting the bride from evil spirits and rendering her fertile. Blue is also said to stand for love, purity, and fidelity.
Jewellery is an excellent way to incorporate "something blue" into your wedding ensemble. It can add a subtle touch of colour to a white dress and can be worn for years after the wedding, passed down as a family keepsake. There are many options for "something blue" jewellery, from rings and bracelets to earrings and necklaces. You can choose from a variety of blue gemstones, including:
- Blue sapphire
- Aquamarine
- Blue topaz
- Tanzanite
- Turquoise
- Zircon
- Alexandrite
If you're looking for something more subtle, consider a single blue pearl or crystal within a bracelet or anklet, or even a blue manicure like Beyoncé. You can also incorporate something old and something borrowed by wearing antique family jewellery or borrowing a piece of jewellery from a loved one.
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'Something blue' as a garter
The tradition of wearing "something blue" at a wedding dates back to an old rhyme and is often associated with superstition and protecting the bride from evil spirits. Blue is known as a colour that guards against the "evil eye", which is said to render the bride barren.
One way to incorporate "something blue" into your wedding is by wearing a garter in this colour. Garters are a type of undergarment, which is in keeping with the tradition, and they can be a subtle way to include the colour blue in your wedding attire. There are many options available for blue garters, from modern styles in dusty blue satin with ivory lace to unique, handmade designs from London. You can also personalise your garter with hand embroidery, making it a cherished keepsake to be passed down.
Blue garters can be a romantic and delicate accessory, combining something new and old, and are a perfect choice if you are seeking a more discreet way to honour this tradition. You can also choose to gift a blue garter to the bride, with many options available for purchase online.
In addition to garters, there are other ways to incorporate "something blue" into your wedding. You can opt for blue jewellery, such as earrings, pendants, or cufflinks featuring blue gemstones. These can be worn by the bride, groom, or wedding party, adding a special touch to the occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
The colour blue is representative of "fidelity and love's purity". It is also believed to protect one from the evil eye.
Blue can be incorporated into a wedding through jewellery, shoes, garters, or by monogramming one's initials or the wedding date in blue into the wedding dress.
Yes, the rhyme is associated with the tradition of the father of the bride placing a sixpence into his daughter's shoe as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Yes, it is becoming increasingly popular to incorporate the colour blue into weddings, although it is often more of a creative style statement or a personal memento than a superstition.
