Carrying “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” on the big day is a time-honored wedding tradition embraced by almost every bride. It probably became fashionable in the Victorian era, as the idea of weddings as special events became popular with Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert. (Queen Victoria was also the first woman of “modern” times to wear a white wedding dress.)
So what does it all mean? According to tradition, “something old” represents continuity with the past, while “something new” brings optimism and hope for the future. “Something borrowed” reminds you that you can depend on your friends and family to stand by you through rough times. And “something blue”? The color has been connected to love and marriage for centuries: Blue has been associated with purity and fidelity ever since Roman times, and before Queen Victoria and her famous white dress, blue was a popular choice for gowns as shown by proverbs like, “Marry in blue, lover be true.”
Here are wedding traditions both classic and new to make your day complete:

Something Old

• A cameo necklace lends a sweetly old-fashioned touch
  
• A vintage hat pin can be repurposed as a bouquet pin
  
• Wrap a keepsake heirloom handkerchief around the stems of your bouquet to catch any tears of joy
  
  

  Something New
  

• Most of your wedding-day attire and accessories will probably fall into this category. Very special new things can be as grand as your gown or veil or as intimate and personal as diamond earrings from your groom.
  
  

  Something Borrowed
  

• The purse your best friend carried on her own wedding day—great for stashing lipstick and powder for quick touch-ups
  
• Combine pearls from several women in your family for a beautiful layered look
  
  

  Something Blue
  

• Little blue shoes peeking out from under a wedding gown are memorable and photogenic. Choose a pastel shade that won’t be glaringly obvious as you glide down the aisle. If you want something a little less daring, write your names and the date in permanent blue marker on the bottom of your shoe.
  
• Lingerie in any shade of blue—or even white with a bit of blue embellishment (Just make sure it doesn’t show through your gown!)