Unique Something Old New Borrowed & Blue Wedding Ideas

Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue is an old tradition, but one that’s still definitely being incorporated into today’s weddings. It’s a lovely tradition that gets a couple and their family thinking about how to include sentimental items in a wedding outfit or accessories.

Photo: Bears Collective via 1920s Speakeasy Wedding Shoes: Charlotte Mills

The personality of a bride or groom can really shine through the lovely things they choose.

I have rounded up some simple ideas to get you thinking about your something old, new, borrowed and blue. No matter your budget, style or planning timescale, there will be an idea for you! Plus I’ll share ideas for grooms and the meaning of this historic good luck tradition.

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Something Old
Something New
Something Borrowed
Something Blue
Tradition Meaning
Ideas For Grooms

Something old,

Something new,

Something borrowed,

Something blue,

And a silver sixpence in your shoe

📌 Top Tip - You could have dual-purpose items, which count as more than one element of the tradition too.

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Something Old

Don a vintage outfit
Wear your favourite shoes
Paint your nails in your best varnish
Choose sentimental jewellery from your jewellery box

Photo: Camilla Lucinda via Authentic Mismatched Country Festival Wedding

Wear your glasses
Scour vintage haberdasheries for a vintage ribbon to accessories for your dress or bouquet
Wear antique gloves
Use a family heirloom such as a watch or pocket watch

Photo: Wildflower Photo Co. via California Ranch Wedding

Something New

Your shiny new outfit or accessories
A gift from your loved ones or fiance on the day
Engrave a new message on an old classic
Wear a cheeky garter

Photo: Jessica Hill Photography via Wes Anderson Wedding Ideas Garter: To Be Adorned

A new haircut or colour
New makeup or hair products
Fresh perfume/aftershave bottle
Get a tattoo to mark the day

Photo: Fairclough Studios via Gamekeeper Inn Wedding Tattoo Station: Doris Loves

Something Borrowed

Borrow accessories (veil/ tie/pocket square/shoes/cufflinks etc)
Ask for brooches or lockets to adorn your bouquet/buttonhole
Borrow a fun cover-up such as a jacket, coat or cardigan
Borrow a friend’s cute clutch bag/wallet/purse
Have a friend lend a hip flask

Photo: LJM Photography via Romantic Coral Summer Wedding

Ask a loved one to lend a pretty handkerchief
Wear an heirloom piece of jewellery
Use a borrowed pen to sign your marriage certificate
Borrow a loved one’s car
A ring pillow passed down through the generations

Photo: Katherine and Her Camera via Marie Antoinette Wedding Ideas Ring Pillow: To Be Adorned

Something Blue

Use a blue ribbon to tie your bouquet/buttonhole
Wear a blue outfit or accessories
Use blue flowers

Photo: Photography34 via Powder Blue Country Rustic Wedding

Paint the bottom of your shoes
Wear blue gemstone jewellery
Stitch something beautiful into your dress such as a blue heart patch

Photo: Landon Jacob Productions via Columbia South Carolina Wedding Flowers: MinnieBees

Go daring and wear blue make-up
Wear some blue wellies for those muddy field portraits
Don blue tights or undies

Photo: Wyldbee Photography via Lancashire Country House Wedding Bag: Katie Loxton

Choose blue accessories (bag/tie/pocket square/cufflinks)
Pop a blue crystal or button in your pocket/bag
Carry a blue coloured drink

Photo: Erica Hawkins Photography via Two Part Wedding Cufflinks & Tie Clip: Etsy

Paint your nails blue
Use a blue ring box

Photo: Kim Williams Weddings via Bright Barn Wedding

A la Carrie Bradshaw, wear blue shoes
Or blue socks

Photo: Matt + Lena Photography via Poland Barn Wedding Shoes: Loeffler Randall

And don’t forget the sixpence in your shoe!

Photo: Charlotte Mail Photography via Walled Garden Yurt Wedding Shoes: Carvela

Something Old New Borrowed & Blue Meaning

So what exactly is the meaning behind the tradition “something old, new, borrowed and blue“? It’s a historic English rhyme and tradition that’s been around for hundreds of years. Let’s break it down in detail.

Something Old – represents continuity in the couple’s marriage
Something New – represents optimism for the new marriage
Something Borrowed – is a gift of good luck from another happily married couple
Something Blue – symbolises purity, fidelity and love
Sixpence In Your Shoe – symbolises future prosperity and good fortune

Something Old New Borrowed & Blue Ideas For Grooms

Something old, new, borrowed and blue traditionally was for brides. But seeing as we’re in the 21st Century, it’s imperitive to be inclusive and represent all couples. Of course, grooms can get involved in this good luck tradition and so they should.

Here are some ideas for grooms:

Something Old – watch/ring/bracelet/earrings/necklace/cufflinks/flask/hankie
Something New – accessories/jewellery/outfit/tattoo/aftershave
Something Borrowed – accessories/jewellery/watch/wallet/pen/ring box
Something Blue – tie/pocket square/socks/buttonhole/cufflinks/outfit/shoes
Sixpence In Your Shoe

And that's a wrap! All the ideas you need for your something old, new, borrowed and blue. I wish you all the luck in the world for your future marriage too.