Gatlinburg Wedding Tradition: Old, New, Borrowed, Blue
Have you heard of the wedding tradition and saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”? Unless you are living under a rock, you more than likely have! And as a bride-to-be you are probably on the search for something to borrow and a blue accessory. Because even if you are eloping with an intimate Gatlinburg ceremony, this is a fun tradition that most brides enjoy. But other than it being fun, why make all this effort searching for these items? And what is the actual meaning?
A Little History
This darling saying comes from a Victorian era Old English rhyme. Except the rhyme is a little different than what we say today. “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe”. Apparently these items are good luck charms for a bride to carry on her wedding day, warding off bad fortune for her marriage and future children. But what ever happened to the sixpence?
The Sixpence
Although most Gatlinburg brides no longer stick a sixpence coin in their shoes, it is still an interesting part of the tradition. A sixpence is a British coin that brides would stick in one of their shoes to represent prosperity. It is a bit more difficult to find a sixpence these days, since it stopped production in the 1980s. However, if you don’t have the British coin and want to invite all the luck you can, then any coin will do!
Something Old
Traditionally, your something old had to be from family, and be seen as an heirloom. This would often be a gift to the bride from her family before her wedding ceremony. This symbolized continuity and was thought to give luck when it came to the fertility of the bride and the protection of her future children. However, today we see a lot of exceptions to this tradition with bride borrowing items from friends, or even thrifting to find their something old!
Something New
Finding something new is probably the easiest task of them all! Whether it is your shoes, dress, ring or even a new hair cut, you can claim it as your something new! Something new symbolizes the future you have together as a married couple. You are beginning a new journey with your best friend, and with that you deserve a new token of optimism on your wedding day!
Something Borrowed
Today we typically borrow anything from anyone! The shoes you love from your best friend’s wedding, or your sister’s veil. It doesn’t really matter who you borrow from now, but traditionally it did! Brides were to borrow something from a happily married woman who had healthy children. This was in hopes that their good luck would rub off on the bride.
Something Blue
I love this Gatlinburg wedding tradition! It is always so much fun to see how my brides incorporate something blue into their wedding day. Traditionally something blue was meant to represent love, fidelity and purity. This was thought to bless the marriage as these qualities are desirable in any relationship. Typically something blue was a garter worn under the brides gown, but today it can really be anything you would like!
This little Old English Rhyme is a fun tradition to follow, if you have the time to before your Gatlinburg elopement! While you are looking for your “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” remember to find small tokens that are meaningful to you and enjoy the hunt!
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