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.
That’s incredibly sweet, Shana, thank you so much!
I never knew either. And I guess the last part is still a bigger deal in Britain — I’ve been checking out their wedding sites lately, and many still offer to sell you a “lucky sixpence” for the big day.
You can borrow a recipe!
I was given a quarter by my uncle to put in my shoe, but the shoe wouldn’t hold it, so it went in my pocket (yes, my dress had a pocket). Not a sixpence, but it worked. I love the idea of a borrowed recipe.
Ah, a borrowed recipe — how smart! Now that you’ve got me thinking down that (non-material) path, I like the idea of “borrowed wisdom” too. I may ask my grandmother, who has been happily married for over 60 years (yay!) to write a small note of wisdom for the big day. 
my grandmother saved a bunch of sixpence from her trip to europe for all the many grandchildren. while i doubt i’ll put it in my shoe, i may sew a little pocket on the inside of my gown or find some other way to incorporate the sixpence.
heh - I’ll be taping a lucky sixpence to part of my sandals. FIML is getting me the one her grandmother, aunts, mother, sisters and daughters all put in their shoes. I won’t be wearing those sandals all night so I don’t mind one bit!
Mrs. Tulip, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Retired
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't Contractor
Engagement Date: August 8, 2007
Wedding Date: March, 2008
Venue: Still Looking!
About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
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.”