I think everyone has heard of this phrase, but does anyone really know what it means or where it came from? I think it’s so interesting and exciting to find out where sayings and traditions stem from. I never knew that there was one more line in this phrase. It really goes “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe”.

A sixpence is a coin that was made in britian from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and it was worth six pennies. So this wedding tradition is english and it began in the victorian era. Each item in this phrase represents a good luck token for the bride. If the bride carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. “Something old” symbolizes continuity with her family and the past. “Something new” means optimism and hope for her life ahead. “Something borrowed” is an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage will carry over to the new bride. “Something blue” has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty and fidelity. A silver sixpence in the brides shoe represents wealth and financial security for the couple in their life together.

I will definetly follow this tradition for my wedding. I believe in traditions and anything that could bring me some good luck. Also, I love that you will have something special with you on your day that is sentimental to your family. Is there a way to get one item with all these qualities?  Something that is old, borrowed, new to you, blue, and could fit in your shoe. hmmmm… probably not.