Now, I’ve already shared with you all what I’m planning on using as my “something borrowed,” so I feel it’s only appropriate that I reveal what I plan to have with me on my wedding day as my “something old.” And, luckily for you, it comes with a history lesson!
First of all, know this: my “something old” is at least 124 years old, dating back to on or around 1888.
Around that time (i.e., the Victorian Era), there was something of a tradition surrounding the concept of “wedding bracelets.” Basically, the tradition holds that a bride was given a pair of bracelets by her husband-to-be. She wore one while she was engaged, and then wore the other on her wedding day. For this reason, it’s rare to find a pair of Victorian wedding bracelets in similar condition, because the bride would almost always wear one more than the other.
Luckily for me, my Great-Great-Grandma Kate’s wedding bracelets are in fantastic condition.
(All upcoming images are family photos.)
A closeup of the bracelets’ detail
My Great-Great-Grandma Kate (my paternal grandpa’s grandma) was married on December 19, 1888 in Lebanon, Missouri, to my great-great-grandpa, the Rev. Alonzo Pearson. We know the bracelets, at the very least, date back to her, but they could have even belonged to someone before that. FYI, this is Great-Great-Grandma Kate:
My Great-Grandma Betty also wore the bracelets at her wedding to my Great-Grandpa Allen:
Great-Grandma Betty’s and Great-Grandpa Allen’s engagement portraits! Don’t they look sophisticated?
Because my Great-Grandma Betty only had one child (my Grandpop) she also let my Gramma wear them on their wedding day:
My dad’s parents (my Grandpop and Gramma) on their wedding day!
And my dad’s sister ALSO wore the bracelets on HER wedding day!
So, seeing as how “the wedding bracelets” have become something of a tradition for the ladies on my dad’s side of the family, I feel like it’s only appropriate that I include them in my ensemble somehow, also. However, these bracelets are TINY, and while they do close around my wrists, there’s absolutely no wiggle room around them. Plus, wearing them kind of makes me feel like the genie from Aladdin. Or Wonder Woman. And that’s cool and all, but not exactly how I pictured myself feeling on my wedding day.
So, what’s a girl to do? I’m thinking about maybe slipping them around the base of my wedding bouquet. Whatever I end up doing with them, I’m so excited to have my Great-Great-Grandma Kate’s wedding bracelets with me on my wedding day! I think it’s the perfect “something old” to have with me when I walk down the aisle.
Do you have any other ideas of ways I can incorporate the wedding bracelets into my wedding attire? What are you using as your “something old”?
Tha is the ultimate something old. It’s amazing and sweet so many women in your family have wear them.
Wow, that’s just lovely. My family isn’t one for traditions and heirlooms sadly…
I can’t really tell how big they are, but could you maybe work one into your hair? I’ve seen people use heirloom earrings as pseudo-hair clips, and if your ‘do can handle it, I think this would be a cool (and unexpected!) twist. But I could also see it looking really weird. I would just bring one to vendor meetings and see if any of the pros have ideas…
@Miss Toadstool: I’m so excited to be able to contribute to the tradition!
@MzJynxie: Sounds like the perfect opportunity for you to be the launching pad for a new family tradition! 
@WoodenShoes: Ooooh…interesting suggestion! Now you have the wheels in my mind a spinnin’! Could be very cool!
@Mrs. Treasure: I was so excited when my aunt sent them to me and told me about the history of them–I’m super psyched to be able to carry on the tradition!
How very interesting. I’ve never heard of this tradition before.
I think you should just wear them. Everyone wants to be so unique and modern these days. Those bracelets have been worn by four generations of women. Just wear them. You can always take them off at the reception.
@Mrs. Bracelet: I never have either! And it actually took some searching to find any validity in it on the internet, but I did come across a couple of sites that mentioned the Victorian wedding bracelets tradition.
@nire120: I’m still considering just wearing them, of course, but they are reeeeeally tight around my wrists. When I put them on, my wrists won’t even bend! I AM on a weight-loss journey, though, so they might fit more comfortably come March.
I’ve never heard of these bracelets, but I love the idea, especially since yours have so much family history!
wow, those are stunning!!!
I love this! I would totally wear them, even if they didn’t quite ‘go’ with the rest of my look, because I am a sucker for all things heirloom and heritage.
I AM SO JEALOUS! A lot of my great-grandmother’s jewelry was stolen, so I have NOTHING from before my grandparents. It’s sad.
That sounds like a wonderful tradition! You’re so lucky to have a family heirloom like that to carry with you on your wedding day!
these are awesome, and it’s cool you took the time to research the history of the tradition itself too – makes it more meaningful. maybe you could wear them for the ceremony only or something? doing something with your bouquet could work…or maybe even incorporating them into the ceremony somehow. such a great detail!
Definitely wear them!!
Could you just wear one, or maybe wear both on the same wrist, so that you wouldn’t look like Wonder Woman? Or tie a ribbon or something to match your dress?
@Mrs. Archer:@Miss Gray Wolf: @Myra: If they weren’t so tight around my wrists, I probably would consider wearing at least one of them. But they’re uncomfortably snug and I can’t bend my wrists at ALL with them on! I am on a weight-loss journey right now so they might fit a bit different come March, but I don’t think I could manage with them on for the duration of the ceremony!
@love108: OMG, that’s terrible! A lot of heirloom jewelry also went missing on my mom’s side after my Gaga’s house was broken into. 
Thankfully, she had most of her more precious pieces tucked away into her safe deposit box!
@ScottishMrs: I am so super psyched about including them in my wedding day ensemble!
Wow, what an amazing “something old” to carry with you on your wedding day! I really enjoyed the photographs of your family, especially your great-grandma’s hairstyle.
wow, those are such great shape considering how old they are. I am always insanely jealous of people who have heirlooms from so far back. The ultimate something old!
This is such an awesome story! What a lovely thing to have with you. I would have said to use them around your bouquet too, especially if they are rather small.
Mrs. Armadillo, Houston, Texas Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Armed Security Officer Engagement Date: September 28, 2011 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: First Presbyterian Church/Bay City Civic Center About Me: I’m an oldies-loving, board game-playing, coffee addicted fine arts junkie from Southeast Texas in pursuit of her master’s degree in communication studies who met the goofy, strong, artistic, and unexpected love of her life in the beautiful piney woods of East Texas. Serendipity threw us together again and again (and again) on our college campus before we eventually stuck, but when we finally did submit to destiny, we hit the ground running and never looked back! We’re planning a religious, small town, budget-friendly, DIY-infused “winter becomes springtime” ceremony and reception to celebrate the beginning of our lives together with the people we love the most, and are pouring our hearts and souls into making sure our wedding represents us as a couple down to the nitty gritty details and balances tradition with the quirky individuality that is uniquely and unequivocally “us”!
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