Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Sound familiar? But what does it ACTUALLY mean? Below are a few of the wedding traditions you know, but with the back stories that we’ve heard:
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
Each item in this phrase represents a good-luck symbol for the bride, which if she has on her special day, will bring her luck and prosperity! “Something old” represents continuity with the bride’s family and the past. “Something new” is the beginning of the bride’s new life, signifying hopefulness and optimism for the future. “Something borrowed” is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. “Something Blue” has been linked to Ancient Rome with brides during this time wearing blue to symbolise love, humility, and faithfulness.
The white wedding dress
Fun fact of the day – bridesmaids once wore dresses very much like the bride’s (and the best men dressed like the groom). This was done to confuse evil spirits or anyone who meant harm to the bride and groom. White only came into the picture when Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert in 1840. She had more influence on weddings than any other monarch and set the trend for the white gown!
The shower
Legend has it that many years ago in Holland, a young girl gave her heart to a poor but well-liked miller. Her father did not approve and refused to give her the dowry. Word spread throughout the small town and the townsfolk decided to pool their resources. In a procession, they came to her, each one offering a modest gift for her new home. In the end, the young woman and her beloved miller had more than the father could have ever provided. This kind gesture has become today’s modern bridal shower.
The toast
In England, the gin that was drunk was so oily that a piece of toast was placed on top to absorb the oil. The term “raise a toast to you” came to be, because you would literally raise a piece of toast in your drink to honour the person.
The bouquet
The bouquet from centuries ago was traditionally made up of scented bunches of garlic, fruit blossoms, and herbs. The bride would carry a bundle of these items to ward off evil spirits and impurities. Over the years, the herbs and grains were replaced by flowers, because it represented a sign of happiness and helped promote fertility.
