Traditionally the bride would collect or be given items/charms to represent each line of the verse. They would often be heirlooms or family treasures handed down through the generations. In order for the bride to receive the full fortune she would need to wear these charms on her wedding day.

Each line of the rhyme had a different representation.

Something Old – Represented family continuity and protection for the baby to come.

Something New - Represented the union of new family members and the optimism of a fresh life.

Something Borrowed – Symbolized another happy bride and offered optimism and good luck for the couple’s future.

Something Blue – Stood for purity, love and fidelity.

A Silver Sixpence In Your Shoe – (an old silver English coin) was a wish for good fortune and prosperity. It would also ward off any evil from any frustrated suitors.

 Nowadays this has mostly become a charming ritual that many people from around the world have incorporated into their wedding day. Most of original meanings/representation are still there, but the full superstition behind them is not as strong. The Silver Sixpence has now mostly been dropped and is generally more of a British or other Commonwealth custom.

BUT WHY THE COLOR BLUE?

Blue has always be a color connected to weddings for centuries. In Christianity blue is the color of purity, and the Virgin Mary is often shown wearing blue robes. Traditionally back in the day, brides never wore white, mostly blue hence the old proverb “Marry in Blue, lover be true”…

INCORPORATE BLUE INTO YOUR SPECIAL DAY BY WEARING JEWELRY.

It is becoming increasingly popular to a the color blue into weddings by wearing jewelry.

It is also a very clever way to incorporate other parts of the tradition too - by wearing some old, new or borrowed blue jewelry.  You could wear some antique family jewelry heirlooms or start your own new traditions with some stunning new pieces that you know you would like to pass down.

Engagement Rings Colored gemstone engagement rings are now becoming increasingly popular.

Mothers and fathers of the bride and groom can also be incorporated into this too, by wearing blue gemstone pieces.

Jewelry Gifts
The groom could give his new bride a stunning new pendant and/or earrings featuring blue gems to wear on the day.

The bride could give her husband to be some new cufflinks featuring blue gems. 

Bridesmaids could be given blue gemstone jewelry as gifts from the bride to be worn at the wedding.

Grooms men could be give blue gemstone cufflinks as gifts from the groom to be worn at the wedding.

Prince Harry gave Meghan Merkal this beautiful Aquamarine Ring as a wedding gift. 

 

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There are a number of beautiful blue colored gemstones that would work wonderfully in wedding jewelry.  Tanzanite, Aquamarine and Sapphire are the more know blue gems. On their own or combined with Diamonds they make sensational wedding jewelry.

 
BLUE GEMSTONE ENGAGEMENT RINGS

 Image Source: Tom Donoghue 

BLUE GEMSTONE WEDDING JEWELRY 

Earrings, Pendants and Cufflinks can all feature gorgeous blue gemstones. Given as gifts or worn by the main wedding party will add that extra special “something blue” to your magical day.

From classic studs to something more …

 From elegant solitaire pendants to something more dramatic…

Gemstone cufflinks ...

 Whether you believe in the lore behind the rhyme or you just want to follow the tradition, make your day yours, create wonderful memories and most of all enjoy every moment!