Ideas for something old, new, borrowed and blue

Today many brides follow the tradition of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Every wonder why? It's a wedding tradition that comes from an Old English rhyme which originated in England in the late 19th century:

Something olde,

Something new,

Something borrowed,

Something blue,

A sixpence in your shoe.

The four objects commonly added to the bride’s wedding attire or what she carries with her on the big day are historically just good luck charms. Don't stress too much about them. You can easily accomplish this by keeping the items small and hanging them from the bridal bouquet. For instance, you can include an old photograph borrowed from a family member, tied with a blue ribbon and you’ll have old, new, borrowed, and blue all in the bouquet. Or for a really easy option, you can purchase a trinket that can be pinned or clicked into place.

Light Blue Simulated Pearl, Double Heart, Blue Crystal, and Six Pence Bridal Pin

Why do brides wear something old, new, borrowed and blue?

While this practice belongs to wedding traditions thought to bring good luck, it is only fair to point out that each of the items in the popular rhyme has its own meaning or blessing (and only one has anything to do with luck). 

Old represents continuity

New signifies optimism

Borrowed item stands for happiness

Blue symbolizes love, purity, and fidelity

Sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity (largely a British custom)

Most of the time the Maid of Honor is the one responsible for making sure the bride is equipped with these items, but it can be fun to include members of the family too.

Ideas for something old, new, borrowed and blue

Including family or other loved ones in this wedding tradition adds an element of sentiment that will become part of your own wedding lore. For instance, go to your mom or sister for something borrowed. And for something old, have dad pull out an old photo of the two of you or a baby picture of you from his wallet just before you walk down the aisle. And ask a brother or uncle or close male family friend to come up with something blue. In this way, it’s more like a wedding scavenger hunt and a great way to create a special memory unique to your wedding story.

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What did weddings look like the year you were born?

When it comes to weddings, those of us who have been around for a while can look at a photo and guess the era of the wedding based on how the bride, groom, and bridal party is dressed and of course hairstyles.

1960s bride and groom

While on Facebook today, I came across a slideshow that takes a look at bridal fashion starting back in 1916. It's a fun overview that includes interesting tidbits of history and wedding traditions. Enjoy the 100-year journey! And if you're considering a vintage wedding, it's a perfect resource.

Wasp waistlines and billowing skirts of the 50s

Wedding dresses like this one pictured in 1929 represent typical wedding dress style of the era, but by the 1950s designs evolved to include billowing skirts and wasp-waist designs. As an example of a wasp-waste the waistline, Elizabeth Taylor's wedding dress waist measured 20 inches!

Home wedding receptions of the 60s and 70s

By the 1960s, wedding dress designs became sleeker but cakes grew fancier. In the 60s and 70s it was still common to hold a wedding reception at someone's house, but as wedding traditions continued to evolve along with the dresses in the decades following, the wedding ceremony, venue, and reception grew increasingly extravagant...and expensive.

1929 wedding

Even in the 70s it wasn't unusual for a family member or close friend to make a wedding dress as a way to save money. Back then, fabric was way cheaper. To put it into perspective, malls were still a brand-new concept at the time. Another way to save was to order your dress through one of the catalogs like J.C. Penney, Sears, or Montgomery Wards. This was also a great place to order bridesmaids dresses especially when the wedding party lived in different states.

Photo credits: Pixbay, wikipedia

Newer wedding trends and traditions

In my last post, we explored some of today’s most popular wedding traditions. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at new practices that are emerging as traditions in their own right. After all, every tradition starts somewhere! For example, the tradition of wedding flowers began in ancient Rome, when brides carried herbs beneath their veils to ward off evil spirits and ensure fertility and fidelity. Similarly, ancient Greek brides used ivy to symbolize lasting love.

 

The Evolution of Wedding Flowers

Over time, flowers have become an essential part of weddings. Today, we have flower girls, bridal bouquets, pew decorations, corsages for the parents, reception arrangements, and more. Wedding flowers are big business, and each bloom often carries its own meaning. For instance, the rose is a perennial favorite: red for passion, white for purity, yellow for friendship and joy, and pink for admiration.

Modern couples, however, are redefining floral traditions. While classic white remains popular, brides increasingly embrace bold colors, single-flower arrangements, or monochromatic palettes. Bridesmaids’ bouquets no longer need to match the bridal bouquet, and thanks to global flower sourcing, seasonal restrictions no longer limit floral choices. A bride can now have stargazer lilies in a winter wedding, bringing fragrance and elegance year-round.

Other trends include incorporating dried flowers, pampas grass, or even succulents into bouquets and centerpieces, adding texture and a modern, sustainable twist.

Wedding Dances: First Dance and Family Dances

Traditionally, the bride and groom’s first dance, as well as the father-daughter or mother-son dances, were slow and sentimental. Today, couples are putting a modern spin on these moments. Some opt for choreographed routines to upbeat music—think salsa, tango, or even TikTok-inspired dance moves.

Family dances are also evolving. Instead of strictly dancing with their fathers, brides may choose to dance with mothers, stepfathers, siblings, or other significant people. Another fun twist is the “anniversary dance,” where all married couples join the dance floor, and couples are gradually eliminated until the longest-married couple remains.

 

Rethinking Bouquet and Garter Tosses

The classic bouquet toss is slowly being replaced by more meaningful alternatives. Many brides now gift their bouquet to a parent or a loved one as a sentimental keepsake rather than tossing it to single friends.

Similarly, the garter toss is evolving. Couples are creating kid-friendly alternatives, such as tossing a soft teddy bear or wrapped candies so younger guests can participate safely and enjoyably.

 

Personalized Touches

Personalized escort cards are becoming increasingly popular. Couples write a small thank-you note to each guest on their place card, combining a warm gesture with a practical function—and giving guests a keepsake to remember the day.

Signature Drinks

A modern wedding trend is offering a signature drink during cocktail hour. It’s a fun way to reflect the couple’s personality, and creative names add a playful touch. Non-alcoholic options are also trending, ensuring everyone can join in the fun.

Slideshow and Interactive Media

Couples are increasingly using slideshows to entertain guests. These often start with childhood photos and follow the couple’s journey to their engagement. Some modern couples even include short video clips or interactive elements, turning the slideshow into a storytelling experience rather than just a photo montage.

Modern Wedding Mantra: Anything Goes

The newest wedding “tradition” is that there are no strict rules. Couples are personalizing every element of their wedding, from flowers to dances, gifts, and décor. The focus is on creating a day that reflects their personalities and shared journey, rather than adhering strictly to tradition.

Whether you’re planning a classic ceremony or a completely unconventional celebration, today’s weddings are all about creativity, connection, and fun.

(updated Aug. 2025) 

Photo credits: Pixbay, piqsels, Viemo

Wedding traditions most practiced today

Every bride and groom wants their wedding day to be special and memorable. And many want it to stand out from the rest by doing something different or unique. But it gets harder and harder to find the new and different because word spreads fast. For instance, I remember the first time I had carrot wedding cake. What a delicious difference. That might have been twenty years ago. Now it is common place to have wedding cakes comprised of different flavors for each layer, or even wedding cupcakes. So the traditional wedding cake is gradually becoming an obsolete tradition. 

The Evolution and Meaning of Wedding Traditions

Some wedding traditions are so ingrained in culture that they often feel like rules rather than options. How you respond to that depends on whether you’re someone who prefers to honor tradition or someone who believes traditions are meant to be reimagined. Many are followed without an understanding of their origins, while others are embraced for the personal meanings and symbolism couples attach to them. With that in mind, this post explores some of the most commonly practiced wedding traditions today.

Father giving the bride away

According to a recent Easy Wedding poll most people still think the father of the bride should give the bride away. However, people aren't so sure about sticking him with the bill for the wedding anymore.

Night before the wedding spent apart

The UK's four-star Hallmark Hotels also polled people in the UK regarding wedding traditions and 54 percent of them believe couples should spend the night before the wedding apart. In the U.S. we are even more traditional with 74 percent of us following this tradition.

 

Something old, new, borrowed, and blue

This tradition of the bride wearing something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue is a tradition that originates from an Old English rhyme but is still widely practiced today. 

Adding these items to what the bride wears is among wedding traditions thought to bring good luck, but each item has its own meaning. The old represents continuity, the new signifies optimism, the borrowed item stands for happiness, and the blue symbolizes love, purity, and fidelity.

Throwing the Bouquet

Throwing the bridal bouquet is another popular tradition which stems from a time when other women tried to rip pieces of the bride's dress and flowers to steal some of her good luck for themselves. Back then, the bride tossed her flowers into the air in order to make her get away while the guests were distracted. Today, the belief tied to this practice has morphed into whoever catches it will be the next to be married.

In my next blog we'll take a look at new practices that are quickly becoming traditions in their own rite.

 

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Related article: Wedding Traditions Origins: Newer Wedding Trends and Traditions

Photo credits: John Mayer, Timothy Marsee

Why brides carried a bouquet

We've seen the surprising origins of many wedding traditions on this site, and the origins of the bridal bouquet is no different. This is another ancient tradition that can be traced back to Rome. At that time, brides carried or wore flower garlands because they believed flowers signified new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility.

Original purposes of the bridal bouquet

Like many wedding traditions, the origin of the bridal bouquet tradition can be traced back to ancient Rome. For them, like I said, it signified new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility. By the Middle Ages bouquets of strong-smelling herbs and spices were carried by the bride for their magical effects to ward off evil spirits, bad luck, and sickness. 

Today, the bouquet represents happiness and satisfaction in marriage and the wedding flowers making up the bouquet are thought to have their own special meanings.

In the Middle Ages, the wedding bouquet also became a way to distract female guests who were eager to tear off a piece of the wedding dress for good luck. The bride tossed the flowers to the wedding guests who believed it would be be a talisman for good luck for the one who caught it. And so why while they were distracted as they scrambled to get their hands on the bouquet, the bride ran away with her dress in one piece. Tossing the bouquet is a tradition that is still practiced today! 

 

 

Vintage wedding bouquet ideas for the modern bride

• Consider wearing a flower garland like the ancient Romans who believed flowers signified new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility.
• Make up a bouquet of your favorite wild flowers, herbs and aromatic spices.
  

I'd love to hear from you. If you have a wedding story, a tradition you'd like me to blog about, a question, or have something to say, feel free to contact me. And if you enjoy reading my blog, click "follow" and you'll be notified when a new post is added to this blog. Thanks for reading.

Photo credits: wikimedia, Victorian Magazine, wikimedia, wikimedia, widimedia