Something blue

Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed
Something blue,
A silver sixpence in her shoe.




I was the maid of honor at a friend's wedding in New York. The bride-to-be told me she must have these four items ready on her Big Day. It's a wedding tradition and each one was supposed to be a good-luck charm for the bride. It's believed the bride would be married happily ever after if she had all these items on her wedding day.

"Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past.
"Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead.
"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.
As for the colorful item, blue has been connected to weddings for centuries.

In the old days, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true."

And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny is sometimes substituted.

I think the poem itself is sweet enough, but after looking up the meaning behind it, it adds to the blessings bestowed on the bride.
(excerpts : http://ask.yahoo.com/20031027.html)
(photo : http://gardendogs.blogspot.com/2007/12/winter-garden-color.html)