Something old, something new: we love it, do you?

We've all heard the age-old bridal adage "something old, something new, something borrowed and blue," but have you ever wondered where it started and whether it's still relevant? 

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This old English rhyme originates from the Victorian era in Lancashire, England. Incorporating one item from each category is meant to ward off evil eye from jealous wedding guests that can cause infertility in the bride. 

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Today we mostly look at it as a good luck tradition and tend to bypass the more sinister history of this wedding tradition. We've gathered a few ways that modern brides can incorporate these keepsakes into their big day because who couldn't use a little extra good fortune, right!?

Your Something Old

Something old is meant to represent the continuation of tradition. It is often a family heirloom provided to the bride from their mother, mother-in-law, or another senior family member. Between something old, something new, it helps connect the couple's future with their roots and history.

We love these ideas:

A locket with the photo of a relative who has passed

An antique car

A vintage wedding veil

Your Something New

Something new is meant to be an item to represent the couple's new life together, which can pretty much be anything. It can be a gift from the bride's family, a bridesmaid, or even the wedding shoes that you picked out yourself.

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There are no rules, so even if you have friends and family offering you your "something new," make sure it's something you really want since it will always remind you of your wedding day. Here are two cool ideas:

A customized moto jacket to add some fun to your wedding gown

Fresh Tattoos for the wedding day

A new perfume to commemorate the moment

Your Something Borrowed

This keepsake is meant to bring the good luck of your married loved ones into your special day. Of all of the items on the list, this one might take some extra thought. In the Victorian days, this was meant to be the undergarments of a female friend with kids for that fertility luck, but today it's really about sharing joy. If borrowing your friend's underpants isn't in the cards, you can consider these items:

Your mom's diamond earrings

Or

The wedding dress your sister also wore

Shoes from your most stylish bestie

Or

Your Something Blue

Something blue represents warding off that evil eye business again. Since ceremonies have gone micro and virtual these days, we don't think you have to worry too much about catching that bad juju. 

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Before Queen Victoria made white wedding gowns the trend, most brides wore blue. The poem goes, "marry in blue, lover be true" since the color symbolizes purity, fidelity, communication, and truth. It became famous for this item to be a blue garter in the recent past, but if you're not into garters (there's a whole weird history with those too), there are plenty of ways to include blue:

A blue-ribbon wrapped around or blue flowers in your bridal bouquet

Blue shoes

A blue suited groom

Something old, something new, something borrowed and blue: it's all about you

While the good luck aspect of this tradition is alluring, always remember that your wedding day is about your wishes. If collecting keepsakes seems like a fun way to incorporate a bit of tradition with your friends and family, go for it!

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If it starts to become stressful, your something new can be a whole other tradition altogether. We don't judge, and your family won't either. For more tips to interpret traditions in modern ways, read up on the Lovecast Blog.