Something Borrowed, Something Blue Ideas

Something borrowed, something blue. . . I’m sure you’ve heard in the old adage, that your marriage will have good luck if you have “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” at it. 

This saying is actually quite clever when you think about it. Each of the “categories” represents an aspect of your wedding. “Something old” is paying homage to your past, while “something new” is looking towards your future. “Something borrowed” symbolizes your community’s blessing and involvement in your marriage, and “something blue” represents fidelity and purity. 

Now, for many weddings, it can be fun to find items that match at least a few of these categories. For others, it can be a bit trickier. Perhaps you know exactly your something borrowed, something blue will be, but not your something old. Or, you want to put a bit more intention into the categories rather than figure it out at the last minute.

Here’s the thing. All of this is for fun. And, the whole “something borrowed, something blue” thing, is nothing that you or anyone else needs to stress about for their wedding. However, if you want to partake (just in case!), you should go for it. And if you need ideas, you’re in the right place.

Something Borrowed, Something Blue Ideas

This post is going to throw lots of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” ideas at you. Hopefully you can use a few of them to aid in your wedding planning. Perhaps they may even inspire you to go in a certain direction with your wedding, or add an element you hadn’t thought about before.

Here we go!

SOMETHING OLD

Items that fall into the “something old” category can bring up images of previous generations, can’t they?

Of course, old items can be found anywhere. It can be as simple as an old photograph that is displayed at your wedding. Or, as elaborate as wearing your grandma’s wedding dress. For my wedding, I had pieces of my mom’s wedding dress double as décor and used to tie my bouquet together.

At the time, my mom had wanted to get rid of her 40 year old wedding dress but was waiting for the right use of it. A few days before my wedding my friend, who also took care of our flowers, came up with the idea of using the dress in the wedding. The result was really cool. My mom’s wedding dress was used on top of tables for décor, and the lace parts of it were subtly there as I said my vows.

IDEAS FOR YOUR SOMETHING OLD

• Old photographs of family members, or their weddings.
• Heirloom jewelry that has been passed down the generations.
• A cool piece of décor that is at least a few decades old.
• An adage or verse that has been meaningful to you and your family, and can be used in your ceremony.
• Lockets with family photos that can be wrapped around your bouquet or used in centerpieces.
• Choosing to get married at an old venue with rich history.
• The groom can wear a relative’s tie, or the tie can be used to wrap the bride’s bouquet.

SOMETHING NEW

I think of all the categories, “something new” is probably the easiest to find an item for. Unless you are having a zero-cost, zero-waste wedding, chances are that you’ve bought at least a few new items for use.

For example, my wedding had lots of new items. Though, looking back, I could have absolutely gotten a few of them second hand. However, it is what it is, and that’s a post for another day.

The new items at my wedding included my dress, shoes, a necklace, my engagement ring and wedding band. My husband had on a new suit as well. We also had some new pieces of décor, including the kits we built centerpieces out of and signs we made.

Chances are, you’ll be able to find something new fairly easily, but just in case, below are some additional ideas.

IDEAS FOR YOUR SOMETHING NEW

• New jewelry (including your rings).
• New clothes or accessories.
• A new tradition. Perhaps you decide to start something on your wedding day, that you plan on continuing throughout each anniversary. This could be a toast to each other, reciting your vows again, or a dance to a certain song.
• Décor that can be used in your home after the wedding, such as a frame or vase.

SOMETHING BORROWED

Deciding on your “something borrowed” can benefit your wedding in a few different ways. First, it’s more affordable to borrow than it is to buy. And, of course, it’s good luck.

When I got married, I borrowed a few items. There were picture frames that we used to showcase signs we made. And, there was a card box that I still need to return – sorry, Jess! The most important item that we borrowed was a pair of earrings that my father had bought my mom about fifteen years prior to the wedding. At the time, I had told him that she deserved some nice jewelry and he actually listened by buying her the earrings. So, it was fitting that I got to wear them to my wedding. And, I did make sure to give those ones back right away.

IDEAS FOR YOUR SOMETHING BORROWED

• Pieces of décor, including vases, centerpiece items, furniture, candle holders, and frames.
• Your veil. Veils are expensive, and you only wear them for a few hours. Chances are you have a friend or family member who is willing to let you use theirs at your wedding.
• Jewelry. Bonus points if it’s an heirloom, and can double as “something old”.
• Choosing a wedding venue that actually belongs to a guest, such as a backyard or property.

SOMETHING BLUE

Of all the categories, this one may be the most difficult for some weddings. I know it was a hard one for mine, because we had “fall colors” as our theme. Blue didn’t exactly fit.

Of course, if your wedding colors include blue, you’re set here.

If your wedding doesn’t inherently have blue as a color, there are still lots of ways to have something blue with you on your wedding day. It doesn’t have to be overpowering or front and center. For my wedding, I actually wore blue underwear. Sorry if that’s TMI! But, it’s true. I also had a blue necklace that I wore for a bit during my wedding, but not the whole time. If you really don’t want to showcase blue, think outside the box. Write your vows on blue paper. Give your mom a blue thank you card. Wear a blue garter. You get the picture.

IDEAS FOR YOUR SOMETHING BLUE

• A single blue flower in a vase or in your bouquet.
• Blue paper for your vows.
• A blue ribbon around your bouquet.
• A blue cocktail or beverage for your guests. It could also be a blue napkins, blue cups, or blue serving trays.
• A blue handkerchief that can be kept in a suit pocket.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Friends, I hope that you have a little fun with this tradition. To be really honest, I don’t believe that your marriage will be doomed if you don’t have something that fits all of the categories. Your marriage will succeed if you choose the right partner and treat them with kindness. However, it can make your wedding a bit more interesting if you play along with “something borrowed, something blue”! Happy wedding planning! 

More From Hummingbird Gives Advice:

Honeymoon Planning: 10 Tips You Should Know

All About Changing Your Name After You Get Married

12 Fun Wedding Planning Tasks To Share With Your Partner

Did you find this post helpful, inspiring?  PIN it to your Wedding Traditions Board on Pinterest! 

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