Article by Peter Boston
The old Victorian wedding custom of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” represent good luck tokens for the bride. According to the tradition if the bride carries all of them on her wedding day the marriage will be lucky, long lasting and happy. Modern styling experts have put a creative spin on this old Victorian tradition for today’s brides.
Something old brings good luck because the bride is maintaining her continuity with the past. Vintage wedding gowns that have been worn by a previous member of the family are gaining in popularity. If your immediate ancestors did not save their wedding gowns then vintage shops and online auctions are a good place to begin your search. Another payoff is that a vintage wedding gown may provide superior workmanship, and it will almost certainly cost less.
If a vintage wedding gown fails to please then a table of wedding photographs from family members close to the bride and groom would add a nice touch to the reception and provide plenty of topics for conversation.
Something new is a token of optimism about the future. The stylist’s spin on this Victorian tradition is to replace the word new with renewable. Doesn’t everybody want to do something green nowadays? Instead of cut flowers make the centerpiece on the dining tables at your reception from live potted plants. The bride and the wedding guests can take these plants home and replant them in the yard. What better token of optimism for the future can there be than a live flowering plant?
Something borrowed refers to an item from a happily married friend or family member. This token reminds the bride that she can depend on friends and family when the need arises. Many borrowed items are punch bowls and wedding knives. Of course it can also include your grandmother’s pearl necklace. If your family does not have a wedding tradition you can start one by saving your wedding cake knife and passing it on to the next member of your family who gets married.
Something blue has been connected with weddings since the days of ancient Rome. In those days brides wore blue to signify their modesty. Did you know that wedding dresses used to be blue instead of white? That may be carrying an old tradition all little too far for most people, but that does not mean that the wedding theme cannot be built around the color blue, or that bridesmaid’s dresses cannot be blue.
You can have some fun and display a good measure of creativity by adopting blue into your wedding palette. For summer weddings pair royal blue with yellow. Pair blue and pink for Spring, and icy blues with silver and white for a winter wedding.
About the Author
Marquise wedding rings are a traditional cut that signify life’s voyage together by the happy bride and groom.
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