More About Your Old, New, Borrowed & Blue (partner post with Columbus Weddings Magazine)
Did you catch the debut of our latest web series, Wedding Wisdom Wednesday? In our very first installment, Gilded Social owner Tanya Hartman gives tips for selecting your somethings old, new, borrowed and blue … and reminds us about an oft-forgotten fifth component of the tradition.
Cheers,
Emma Frankart Henterly, Editor of Columbus Weddings Magazine
Wedding Wisdom Wednesday: Local wedding pros share insight and tips for planning your wedding.
PRESENTING THE FIRST IN A NEW WEB SERIES FEATURED ON COLUMBUS WEDDINGS MAGAZINE’S BLOG: WEDDING WISDOM WEDNESDAY, IN WHICH LOCAL WEDDING EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS CORNERS OF THE INDUSTRY SHARE THEIR INSIGHT TO HELP YOU PLAN EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR WEDDING DAY.
by Tanya Hartman
This article first appeared on April 7, 2021 on the “Columbus Weddings” blog. Keep scrolling for some exclusive Gilded Social ONLY content!
Photo Credit: Ashley D Photography
You’ve heard the Old English rhyme for wedding-day luck: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” But did you know that it actually ends with, “and a sixpence in your shoe”?
These five items have been accompanying brides down the aisle for over a century. Meant to bring good luck, fertility, and prosperity to a marriage, they have become one of the wedding world’s most long-standing traditions. What I love about this tradition is it gives the bride an opportunity to be intentional about what might be the most important ensemble she may ever wear. Having real thought behind each part makes it that much more special and memorable.
Brides have been putting their own twist on these treasures more and more in recent years. When you’re thinking about which of these items you will carry with you that day, it can be helpful to know the original meaning behind each one. But, don’t let that constrain you! Let it foster your creativity.
Start thinking about these pieces when you are shopping for your wedding gown. Planning early may help drive your fashion decisions. For example, if you know you are going to wear a particular heirloom necklace or borrow your sister’s veil, having these accessories in mind or with you when you shop will help you choose the perfect gown.
Photo Credit: Style & Story
SOMETHING OLD
Your “something old” is meant to represent continuity. Traditionally, it’s a family heirloom. To give it an updated look, take the piece to a local jeweler to make it your own. Perhaps the stones can be reset into a modern setting or an old ring can be turned into earrings.
Another classic is to incorporate fabric from an older generation’s wedding gown into your own ensemble. This could be as simple as taking a small swatch from the gown and sewing it inside your own or as dramatic as turning the fabric from the dress into a belt or topper.
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By far, the most unique “something old” I’ve seen (albeit it was not carried down the aisle, per say, but I’ll make an exception for this absolutely fabulous idea) was from one of our brides, Hannah. She planned for a beautiful display of the bridal gowns of past family generations on mannequins alongside their real wedding photos. WOW! What an incredible homage and a perfect way to incorporate an old gown without destroying it.
Are you as obsessed with this idea as I am? Book our styling services and we can help you make this dream a reality at your own wedding.
Photo Credits: Jenna Greenawalt
SOMETHING NEW
Your “something new” represents optimism for the future. This one is easy—almost every bride is wearing something new. But if it’s your dress, it can be hard to photograph together with all of your other accessories.
Have a drawing made of your dress, keep a swatch of the fabric when you have it altered, or print a photo from the moment you found the dress. Plan to photograph this with your accessories, instead of trying to fit the gown into the picture. When each of the items are similarly sized, it makes for a perfect shot.
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This photo including a dress illustration by Anne Barge is exactly what I’m talking about! Order one with your Blue Willow gown. More details about that can be found HERE. Another LOCAL option we found for this idea is by JesMarried. Find a link to her custom gown illustration HERE.
Another idea for your “something new” could be personalizing an accessory your new last name.
Anne Barge Photo Credit: Anna and Spencer Photography
Order a drawing of your Anne Barge dress when you purchase with us!
Order a custom gown illustration from local artist, JesMarried.
SOMETHING BORROWED
Your “something borrowed” in olden days was an undergarment from a woman in your family who had been particularly fertile. That may not be the most modern option, so instead use this opportunity to honor someone in your life who isn’t part of the wedding party or participating in the ceremony. Borrow a handkerchief from your fiancée’s dad or wear your grandmother’s bracelet.
This is also a great place to save money. Plan to borrow something that you may otherwise have to purchase to complete your look. A veil or jewelry can be easy pieces to borrow. That said, resist the urge to combine your “something old” and “something borrowed.” Make sure that you’re giving each item its due!
Photo Credit: Nicole Dixon Photographic
SOMETHING BLUE
Your “something blue” stands for purity, fidelity and love. Admittedly, this can be tricky if blue is not one of your wedding colors. Think of a way to wear something under or inside your gown, like a silk flower, ribbon or other small detail. Embroider your wedding date in blue on your lining, or wear a blue garter (the most traditional something blue). Ask your bridesmaids to sign the bottom of your shoes in blue paint marker, or have your florist tuck one small blue flower into your bouquet.
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In a sign of the times, certainly a mask could be an easy way to add your “something blue” that doesn’t get worn the whole day - if you’re looking for another way to wear blue in an inconspicuous way. Many of our designers offer masks made from their luxe bridal fabrics! We also have great accessories available in the prettiest shades of blue.
Masks are available from Amsale, Jenny Yoo, Dessy + Katie May!
A SIXPENCE IN YOUR SHOE
The “sixpence in your shoe” (or penny for us Americans) represents prosperity and is often forgotten! Though the British sixpence hasn’t been produced since 1980, one is easier to find than you would think. The most traditional brides can purchase sixpence coins on eBay or at many resale shops.
Another way would be to find a coin with some significance. Ask to go through the coin jar on your grandpa’s dresser to find one from the year you and your fiancée met or the year you were born. It doesn’t have to be a sixpence or a penny, just a small coin that goes with you down the aisle. PRO TIP: Tape it inside your shoe before the wedding day so you don’t forget.
Photo Credit: Pen Carlson Photography
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ilded Social ONLY Content
Another coin you could carry could be from an international trip you took together! Was your first trip together to Mexico? Did you get engaged in Paris? If you kept any coins from these trips - they could serve as your “sixpence.” Or how about a lucky penny that you picked up on the street when you were on a date together?
PS, since posting this article, our friends at Augusta Jones Bride told us that the coin is traditionally worn in the LEFT shoe.
If you’re a styling client of ours, we would be happy to help you locate either a traditional sixpence or brainstorm other ideas for this accessory if you’d like us to! Inquire about our Styling Services below.
SOME FINAL TIPS
Tell your photographer about all these items! Together, they’ll make a beautiful, artistic photo. And, after giving them so much thought, you’ll want to cherish their memory for years to come.
Tell your guests, too! This is a fun little tidbit to include on your ceremony program, especially if you’re honoring VIPs by carrying these items.
Sweet traditions like this one bind us together as a culture. They’re a way for us each to show our individual style while carrying on the same ritual that’s been done for generations.
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A unique and surprising detail at my own wedding was revealed to guests only once the pre-set salads were taken away. At each seat, one of twelve different stories lay underneath of the glass chargers. Stories included how we met, how we got engaged, why we picked certain songs to be played, how we honored classic wedding traditions, details about our outfits (like my old, new, borrowed, blue, and sixpence, of course!), and other fun facts about the wedding guests may have missed otherwise! It was so fun to watch guests faces as they realized everyone had something different! They got guests chatting, sharing, and laughing between salads and entrees and really kept the evening moving.
Tanya Hartman is the owner of Gilded Social. The Columbus-based boutique styles brides, bridesmaids, mothers, flower girls and fancy occasion guests from Ohio to Wyoming to the comfort of your own living room. Their designer, special order dress shop carries over 1,500 styles from top international designers such as Amsale, Jenny Yoo, Anne Barge, Rosa Clara, Dessy Group and Watters, with bridal collections showing exclusively at pop-up locations in Granville and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Gilded Social also provides wedding day styling and detailing, space rental, and garment care services for brides, bridal parties, and their families.
Share how you carried out this time-honored tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe on your wedding day by emailing Tanya. Your photo may be featured on this post or our social media!
Tanya on her wedding day showing off her something blue. Photo Credit: Pen Carlson