The tradition of incorporating the color blue into weddings has been around for centuries, thanks to the Old English tradition of the bride having “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” on her big day. Having these items as she walks down the aisle is believed to bring good luck and, with a wedding being such a stressful and momentous occasion, the tradition has withstood the test of time.
It is believed that wearing or carrying something blue wards off the Evil Eye. The color also symbolizes love, fidelity, and purity—three things that are commonly associated with a strong marriage. Traditionally, the bride wore a blue garter under her wedding dress. Modern brides, however, have come up with all sorts of unique ways to incorporate the color into their wedding days. Whether you want to keep it hidden away—much like a garter—or you want to make it the star of the show, here are a few creative ways to add something blue to your big day.
1. In Your Bouquet
Adding blue to your bouquet is an easy and beautiful way of making it a part of your day. For a springtime wedding, a bouquet of baby-blue hydrangeas checks that “something blue” box in a sweet and subtle way. You could also add forget-me-nots. Other blue blooms include nigella, muscari, and delphinium. Talk to your florist and let her know about your dreams of carrying a blue bouquet down the aisle. She’ll help pick out some seasonal blooms.
If blue flowers aren’t quite the look you are going for, consider wrapping your bouquet in blue satin ribbon. Stitching a few blue beads onto a ribbon of a different color works well, too.
2. Your Dress
While white is still the traditional color for wedding gowns, many brides are opting to wear a variety of different colors instead. If you want to show off your “something blue” in a big way, a light blue dress is certainly an option. If wearing white is important to you, you could have blue gemstone beads or freshwater pearls added to your gown by a seamstress. A sweet blue sash would work, well, too. Plus, adding a sash to your gown is a great way to highlight your waist!
3. Bridesmaid Dresses
Have your best friends help you honor the “something blue” tradition by wearing blue dresses. Blue is a universally flattering color, and it is one that most people like, so you aren’t likely to hear any complaints. If having them don blue from head to toe isn’t quite the look you are going for, consider blue accessories or shoes.
4. Your Jewelry
Regardless of what your wedding colors may be, incorporating blue into your jewelry is easy. When you want to show off your blue, a beautiful gemstone like sapphire or lapis lazuli works well. If you want to go with a more subtle approach, aquamarine, blue lace agate, and natural blue chalcedony stones are all suitable options.
While your wedding band will be your hand’s most important adornment of the day, consider wearing a sapphire cocktail ring on your right hand. If your birthday happens to fall in one of the months with a blue birthstone, a delicate ring featuring the stone for your month is a dainty and personal way of adding something blue to your big day.
You could also wear a necklace, earrings, bracelet, or even a tiara that features blue stones. For blue jewelry that won’t show with your outfit, an ankle bracelet is an excellent option. If you have a navel piercing, you could even go with a belly button ring with a blue gemstone! When it comes to blue jewelry, the options are virtually limitless. Choose a piece that you love.
5. Your Shoes
Go big with a pair of royal blue shoes or take a subtler approach by wearing white or off-white shoes with blue accents. You could even get creative and add a thin strip of blue ribbon to the back of your shoes or paint the soles or heels blue.
6. Your Nails
When you head to the salon to get a manicure and pedicure for the big day, consider opting for blue polish. A soft baby blue on your fingers and/or toes is an excellent, subtle way to embrace tradition in a new way. If you don’t want to go all blue, you could have your nail technician affix a tiny blue gemstone to one of your nails. This option is very subtle and won’t detract from the rest of your look for the day in any way, so it’s a great option if you want to embrace tradition when blue isn’t your favorite color.
7. Lingerie
What you wear under your wedding dress doesn’t have to be white, black, or beige. When you want to wear something blue but don’t want to show it off to all of your wedding guests, consider blue lingerie. Light blue won’t show through most dresses and wearing it as lingerie is a good way to keep the symbolic color close to your body throughout your day.
Conclusion
Marriage is a celebration that is steeped in tradition. If you plan on making the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” tradition a part of your big day, there are all sorts of ways to wear or carry the last part of the rhyme. Whether you want to show off your “something blue” or keep it hidden, the options listed above should give you the inspiration you need to find the perfect way to incorporate it into your wedding.
