We proudly host lots of wedding celebrations across our four country house venues. Whilst our team sees a mixture of modern and classic themes across these ceremonies and receptions, in most cases, one wedding tradition remains. Many brides become consumed by their search for something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (and a silver sixpence in her shoe). Deemed the ultimate good luck charms, we can see why most want to get this wedding tradition right! The Knot explains the thinking behind the Old English rhyme:
“Don’t stress too much about them—they are the little tokens of love your mother, sister, other relatives, and attendants will give you at the eleventh hour (although you can give them to yourself, too). Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, although this remains largely a British custom.”
Trying to find your something borrowed, blue, old and new at the moment? Embrace this wedding tradition in an unconventional way with these creative ideas.
Something old
Your something old doesn’t have to be incorporated into your bridal attire, you can personalise any aspect of your wedding to represent the continuity of your family and the past as the rhyme symbolises. Seen a sweet picture of your parents or grandparents stepping out of their own wedding car? Recreate it by hiring a vintage car lookalike. Add a sweet and sentimental touch to your bouquet courtesy of a locket, and fill this with pictures of the loved ones who can’t be with you to celebrate your special day. Use an old book to carry your wedding bands down the aisle for another vintage inspired accessory.
If you’re tying the knot at one of our country houses, the venue itself could be your something old. From castles to country estates, our hand-picked venue collection is bursting with ancestry and heritage.
Something new
Use your something new to excite all the senses whilst symbolising the optimism and hope for your new life ahead. Accessorise with a new perfume on your wedding day, we’re certain one whiff will bring back those wedding day memories in the months and years that follow. Commemorate your new name with a monogrammed accessory or label inside your gown.
Something borrowed
Your something borrowed should traditionally be an item from a happily married family member or friend, but your something borrowed doesn’t have to be a physical thing. Attended a wedding and been moved by a reading or passage from the couple’s vows? Ask to borrow these words to incorporate them into your own ceremony. It’ll not only be a great addition to your day, but a touching tribute to a friend or family member’s marriage.
Something blue
According to an old wedding myth, if you get “married in blue, your lover is true”. In fact, white wedding gowns only became popular in 1840 when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Going back to tradition and marrying in blue may be a step too far for some looking to find their something blue. There are however a few ways that you add the shade.
Blue shoes, blues flowers in your bouquet or a blue garter are all classic ways to embrace something blue, but why not get more creative? Painting the bottom of your shoes blue or getting a blue handkerchief embroidered with a sweet message from someone close to you are both great, creative ways to add something blue to your wedding ensemble.
