From carrying a bouquet down the aisle to serving cake at the reception, there are many time-honored traditions you might include in your wedding. Many brides know the old Victorian rhyme “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe” when assembling their outfit for the big day. Although modern brides don’t put coins in their footwear, here are the origins of the four other tokens of good luck. 

Why Brides Wear Something Old, New, Borrowed, & Blue

Something Old Averts the Evil Eye 

Many Victorians believed in superstitions, which is why certain funeral and wedding rituals were designed to stop misfortune. Wearing something old is meant to prevent the evil eye, a curse that would make it difficult for the new couple to conceive and grow their family.

From a modern perspective, wearing a grandmother’s pearl necklace, a piece of lace from Mom’s wedding dress, or something else old is a way to pay tribute to past generations.

Something New Evokes Hope

When a couple gets married, they make a pact to embark on the next phase of life together, whatever the journey might bring. Wearing something new is meant to fill the adventure ahead with happiness and blessings. If you don a previously worn bridal gown, wear a new piece of jewelry, shoes, or a hair accessory. 

Something Borrowed Transfers Good Luck

Traditionally, the bride is meant to borrow a small token from a married friend or relative with healthy kids. In doing so, some of the good luck from that person’s union is supposed to transfer to the new couple. Although this token was often an undergarment covered by the dress, veils, brooches, clutch purses, and other visible items are used today to check the “borrowed” requirement off the list.

Something Blue Symbolizes a Good Marriage 

In color psychology, blue symbolizes many traits that help a union last, such as love, purity, and fidelity. Similar to wearing something old, donning a blue hue is supposed to stop misfortune. For a bit of whimsy, many brides sport blue footwear or eye-catching jewelry. If the hue doesn’t go with the color scheme, though, you could wear a blue garter belt or another item that’s concealed. 

If you plan to get married in the Franklin County, OH, area, booking a wedding venue as soon as possible should come well before arranging the old, new, borrowed, and blue. Makoy Center in Hilliard can accommodate more than 400 guests. The beautiful event spaces and commitment to client satisfaction have earned the center Best of Weddings by The Knot® for seven consecutive years. To start planning your wedding, call (614) 777-1211. See pictures of the event rooms on the center’s website and Facebook page.