• Something old (to remember and remain connected to family and the positive aspect of your past, even though you are starting a new life).
• Something new (for optimism and hope for the future).
• Something borrowed (a symbol of cherishing or being able to count on friends and family).
• Something blue (a symbol of fidelity and loyalty).
• And a silver sixpence in her shoe. (a British coin minted until 1967; a symbol of good luck).
In honor of this Hitched issue, we polled some folks to get their suggestions for the modern-day bride on something old, borrowed, new and blue. I was a matron of honor last July, and we all got temporary tattoos, including the bride, as something new.
֖Deanna Graves, JFP freelancer
I wore my godmother’s diamond bracelet as something borrowed, everything I had on that day was new֖wedding dress, under garments, veil, tiara, earrings, necklace, shoes—and I wore a blue garter.
֖Kristen Thigpen, public awareness coordinator at the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence
At my first wedding, my something blue was my grandmother’s wedding ring tied on a blue ribbon. At my second wedding in November, we incorporated a lot of blue in the color scheme—my shoes, fabric flower hairpiece and my lovely aquamarine engagement ring.
֖Anna Kline, Office of Film & Culture
For the traditional shotgun wedding… Something old: grandpappy’s shotgun Something new: a baby bump Something borrowed: Aunt Maylene’s mothball-scented wedding dress Something blue: the groom’s face as he’s being strangled by his future father-in-law, who caught him trying to sneak out the back.
-֖Brent Hearn, JFP freelancer
I attended a wedding a while back, and the young lady had a “killer” pair of blue shoes under her beautiful white gown. Everyone talked about the shoes at the wedding and reception. It was unique and awesome!
֖Pat Chambliss, executive director and one of the founding members of Dress for Success Metro Jackson
We ended up rejecting traditional talismans and just wore items that were symbolic of us and our relationship. My only regret is that my wedding dress was white: My mom wore burgundy, and I’d hoped to find a dress to honor our family tradition.
֖Deirdra Harris Glover, JFP freelancer
Something borrowed could be the wedding dress. The groom gets to rent his tuxedo, so why don’t more brides rent their dresses? Those things are expensive! Something blue could be a big Texas-style turquoise necklace. Those big stones would be a major change from the usual pearls.
֖Latasha Willis, JFP events editor
If you don’t have anything to borrow, how about buying something handmade? I ordered my bridal bolero and my birdcage veil from crafters who sell their work online. I was so pleased with them for their beauty and uniqueness. Also, I chose to wear purple instead of blue. My purple shoes were one of my favorite aspects of my outfit.
֖Katie Stewart, JFP freelancer and English teacher at Canton Academy
