The old English rhyme “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” isn’t just a cherished tradition for the British royals, although Catherine Middleton even had a piece of blue ribbon sewn into her Alexander McQueen gown. Today’s brides can follow the old tradition with these new takes.
1. Something Old
Not up for wearing your mother’s bridal gown? How about using her veil? Or wear the necklace your grandmother wore when saying her vows, either around your neck or use it as a beautiful embellishment around your bouquet. Is the minister of the ceremony using a Bible? Perhaps the bride could carry the family’s heirloom Bible down the aisle for use in the service.
2. Something New
Not going to use the typical wedding vows? Couples who are writing their own vows may want to have them specially printed, or even handwritten on homemade paper. Then they can have the vows framed as a keepsake after the wedding. It’s also customary for grooms to give the bride a pre-wedding gift. Why not let him choose a new pair of earrings for you to don as you walk the aisle?
3. Something Borrowed
Have a sister or best friend with the same shoe size? Why not make use of their gently used wedding shoes and start your own “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”-esque tradition. Want to include something from your family tree? Why not take a piece of lace from grandma’s wedding dress and an heirloom locket with a family photo in it for around the bridal bouquet?
4. Something Blue
An easy way to include blue in the ceremony is to add a blue hem in the bridal gown. You could also wear a blue-studded gem in your hair or paint your toe nails a dazzling Iceland blue. For a more subtle approach, sneak in blue-tinted statice flowers into the bridal bouquet.
