The tradition of a bride carrying “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” comes from the wording of a Victorian rhyme, and each phrase has a particular meaning:
+ Something old is meant to symbolize the bride’s connection with her old life and her family,
+ While something new represents good fortune in her new life,
+ Wearing something borrowed — ideally something worn by a happy bride at her own wedding — is intended to bring good luck to the marriage,
+ And carrying something blue dates back to biblical times, when the color blue represented purity and fidelity.
The original rhyme went on to conclude “…and a sixpence in your shoe“: a bride tucked a sixpence coin into her left shoe as a symbol of wealth in both the financial sense and the more philosophical sense.
Although few modern brides know the origins of the tradition, many still follow the first four parts of the rhyme. (Personally, I can’t say I’ll miss the sixpence tradition — my 4″ heels will be uncomfortable enough even without a coin tucked inside!!) For those who are particularly fond of the concept, here’s a unique twist suggested by Bridalwave a few weeks ago: why not incorporate it into your wedding favors?

The four-part favors and beautifully printed boxes are far outside my own budget (and it might be challenging to find “something borrowed” that you can give away to all your guests!), but I love both the idea and this beautifully elegant presentation.
miss tulip, i would like to say that you are such a great addition to weddingbee! i never knew about the background of “something old, something new.”