Wedding Favors

The Wedding Rhyme

Remember the age-old wedding rhyme? "Something old, something new; something borrowed, something blue; and a silver sixpence in her shoe." Ever wondered what this popular rhyme means? Read on so you'll know how this wedding rhyme came about and what each part signifies.

This wedding rhyme came from England (some said it originated during the Victorian era) since sixpence is a coin used in Britain from mid-16th century up to mid-20th century. Each item that makes up the rhyme is a good luck charm for a bride.

The "something old" is usually interpreted by letting the bride use a family heirloom like the family wedding veil. It is hoped that by wearing this old item, the bride will be reminded of her roots and her family and bring this awareness of her family's love to her marriage. The "something new" part is carried out by letting the bride use an item that she has specifically bought for the occasion. This new item signifies the bride's new life.

Brides usually borrow an item from a friend who is happily married for the "something new." This signifies the bride's hope that her friend's happiness in marriage could be hers in her own marriage. It is also a reminder to the bride that she has friends to help her go through the rough patches of married life.

The bride is also told to wear "something blue" because this color has been widely used by the ancient Romans to symbolize love, faithfulness and humility. Lastly, the phrase "sixpence in her shoe" expresses the hope that the bride will achieve financial security.