Something old Something new Something borrowed Something blue And a lucky sixpense in your shoe
How old is something old? What if I have to borrow something old? If I buy something blue, isn't that also something new? How new is something new? What are all of these somethings, are they accessories? Does my dress count as something new? We had promise rings about three years ago, if I wear mine on a chain, would that be something old? Does my engagement ring count? If so.. would that be something new or old? If my something old is older, is it luckier? Where on earth do I find a sixpense?!
To be completely honest, I'm ignoring most of the other superstitions... It's unlucky to make your own dress, which I'm doing.. It's unlucky to travel the day of the wedding and we're leaving for our Honeymoon after our reception... The veil is supposed to protect me from jealous spirits, but I'm not wearing a veil... However! I'll play along with this little poem because it's like a puzzle, or a game.. and I like that.
I actually thought, since we're not following the other "rules" we need all the luck we can get!! As a wedding gift to each other.. He can find my something old something new something borrowed something blue, and I can do the same for him and then wrap them up together as a gift to be sent to each other before the wedding... I thought that'd be really sweet, because then when we see each other next, we'll be wearing the things we bought for each other. But what old, new, borrowed, and blue can a man wear?
Here is an excerpt from one of my wedding planning booklets,
Wedding Customs: This stems from tradition and superstition. It originated from an Old English nursery rhyme, “Something olde, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe…” Something old and new symbolizes continuity and optimism for the future. Something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness. Blue symbolizes fidelity. The sixpence will bring good fortune. Something blue?
Ancient Israeli brides wore a blue ribbon on the border of their fringed robes symbolizing modesty, fidelity and love. Christians wore blue symbolizing the innocence of the Virgin Mary. Coin in bride’s shoe?
A coin in the bride’s shoe is considered good luck. In England, gentlemen carved initials of his love into a brushed side of a coin and gave it to his love as a love token.
To ensure that the bride would never lack luxuries, the Swedish father placed a piece of silver in her left shoe and mom placed gold in the right. Furthermore, royals would sew tiny silver horseshoes in the hem of their gowns.
You can choose to follow any of this or not. Your old item can be as old as you wish. Typically each item is a different item, such as a slip borrowed from your mother, a necklace that is a family heirloom, your new bridal gown, a blue thread in your veil, and a coin in your shoe. A sixpense can be any silver coin.
Your idea about presenting this as a gift to each other is sweet. Finding the items for your fiance will take time and will be great fun. The only ideas I have so far is perhaps a pocket watch either borrowed or old, a blue handkerchief, and a new watch or money clip.
Something Old, Something New...
