Some Things New

Etiquette & Traditions >

They’re the Big Four of weddings: the somethings old, new, borrowed and blue.

It’s an old tradition believed to provide good luck for the bride. And the longevity of this tradition proves a major tenet of wedding ceremonies: Trends may come and go, but some traditions never go out of style.

But how do you follow the tradition while still being unique to your own style? Follow the tips below to add some good luck and good style to your wedding.

Something Old

Many brides sew their grandmother’s ring inside their dress, says Marcia Hemphill, owner of An Urban Affair in Chicago. Incorporate other smaller important pieces of jewelry or small keepsakes into your dress. “I’ve had people take their grandfather’s war pins and that pin that to the inside or their dress or even to the outside,” Hemphill says.

You can also take a family handkerchief or a piece of lace from your mother’s wedding dress and wrap it around the bottom of your bouquet.

“I had a string of my grandmother’s glass beads, but I only had a few beads left of it,” says Kerra Breum, owner of “I Do” Weddings and Events in Seattle. “My mom beaded it onto a pretty ribbon and tied it on to my bouquet.”

Something New

This one’s probably the easiest category to cover. For many brides, the dress falls into this category, Hemphill says. But it doesn’t mean you can’t still have some fun with it. Want to hit both old and new in one fell swoop? Put a charm from a family member onto a new anklet.

Something Borrowed

You know how the stars borrow thousands of dollars worth of jewelry to wear at the Emmys or the Oscars? You can add some star power to your wedding ceremony through the same idea. Adorn.com offers brides the opportunity to rent genuine diamond jewelry – like chokers, bracelets and necklaces – for the big day and simply return it when you’re done. Or borrow a veil. There’s less individuality to them than dresses, Hemphill says. Plus, it’s a great way to cut down on the cost of your wedding day fashions.

Something Blue

Slip into a pair of blue shoes. Whether Converse or pumps, blue shoes add some spunk to your outfit and also are easily hidden underneath long wedding gowns. But if you want your shoes to peek underneath your dress, go for it! “For blue I always love going with unique shoes – and they look adorable when peeping out underneath your dress,” says Amy Nichols or Amy Nichols Special Events in San Francisco.

Looking for some other ideas? Look for a cool piece of jewelry that will add some color to your ensemble. You can also try tucking in a blue flower into your bouquet. Brides also go for a sexier option and wear blue underwear from Hanky Panky. For $31, Hanky Panky makes blue panties specifically for weddings, adorned with Swarovski crystals that spell out “I do.”

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