Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Blue: A Photographer’s Guide

It’s one of the most famous wedding traditions out there, but let’s be honest-figuring out your something old something new something borrowed something blue can feel a little overwhelming. If you’re worried about finding items that don’t feel cheesy or trying to make an old tradition feel personal to you and your partner, you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like you’re just following a script instead of telling your own story.

But I’m here to tell you it can be one of the most beautiful parts of your day. As a photographer, I see how these small details hold so much emotion and history. They’re not just for good luck; they’re threads connecting you to your family, your future, and your own unique journey. So, let’s explore the lovely meaning behind it all and get you inspired with creative, stylish ideas that will make for gorgeous photos you’ll treasure forever.

The Story Behind ‘Something Old, Something New’: More Than Just a Rhyme

Chances are, you’ve heard the famous wedding rhyme a million times. But the tradition of something old something new something borrowed something blue is so much more than a simple checklist. Think of it less as a rule and more as a beautiful, relaxed way to weave your personal story into your wedding day. It’s a gorgeous recipe for good luck that connects your past, celebrates your present, and looks forward to your amazing future together.

At its heart, this tradition is about carrying meaningful tokens with you as you start a new chapter. Each item serves a purpose, creating a quiet narrative that’s just for you. It’s a chance to honour family, embrace your future, and feel surrounded by love-and honestly, what could be better than that?

Where Did the Tradition Come From?

This lovely tradition traces its roots back to 19th-century England. The full story of the rhyme shows it began as a piece of folklore, with each item believed to offer the bride protection and good fortune for her marriage. The original version even included a final line: ‘and a sixpence in her shoe’, which was a wish for wealth and prosperity. It was a heartfelt superstition designed to set a couple up for a happy, successful life together.

Making the Tradition Your Own in a Modern Wedding

Today, it’s all about making this tradition feel authentic to you. Forget obligation! This isn’t about ticking boxes or finding cheesy props. Instead, focus on choosing items that tell a genuine story about you, your partner, and your families. Whether it’s a tiny, simple detail or an elaborate family heirloom, what matters is that it feels honest. The best traditions are the ones filled with real emotion, helping to capture not just how your day looks, but how it truly feels.

Something Old: Honouring Your Family and Your Past

The first part of the classic rhyme, ‘something old something new something borrowed something blue’, is perhaps the most sentimental. Your ‘something old’ is a beautiful, tangible link to your family, your heritage, and your own story. It symbolises the life you had before you met your partner, honouring your roots as you step forward into a new chapter. More than just an object, it brings a profound sense of history and continuity to your wedding day.

This tradition is all about connecting with your past in a meaningful way. As industry experts at The Knot highlight in their guide to Something Old: Honouring Your Family and Your Past, these items provide a link to your family’s heritage. For me, these details are pure magic. They create incredibly emotional and timeless photographs, capturing a story that goes back generations and adding a rich layer of meaning to your wedding gallery.

Creative Ideas for Your ‘Something Old’

Looking for a gorgeous way to incorporate a piece of your history? These ideas are always so beautiful to capture and add a deeply personal touch to your day.

• Family Fabric: Weave a piece of lace from your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress into your bouquet handle or have it discreetly sewn into your own gown.
• Heirloom Jewellery: Wear a piece of jewellery that has been passed down, like a locket with a family photo, a vintage brooch pinned to your dress, or a special ring worn on your right hand.
• A Sentimental Charm: Attach a small photo charm of a loved one who can’t be with you to your bouquet. It’s a quiet, beautiful way to keep them close.
• Reception Details: Use your parents’ or grandparents’ cake knife or champagne flutes for your own celebration.

A Photographer’s Tip: Capturing the Legacy

Heirloom items tell a story that words simply can’t. As a photographer, I absolutely love capturing the quiet, unscripted moments that involve these special details-a gentle touch of a family ring, or a glance at a locket holding a treasured photo. These aren’t just pictures of things; they are photos filled with emotion and history. They add a whole other dimension to your wedding story. So, a quick tip: always let your photographer know about any special items you have. We want to make sure we capture their story beautifully for you to treasure forever.

Something New: A Symbol of Your Future Together

Of all the elements in the classic something old something new something borrowed something blue rhyme, ‘something new’ is often the most exciting. It’s all about looking forward, filled with optimism for the amazing new life you’re about to build together. While the full history of the tradition is rooted in folklore, this part is purely focused on your future. It represents a clean slate and your shared commitment to creating a beautiful story, starting from this day forward. And let’s be honest, it’s usually the easiest one to tick off the list!

Modern Ideas for Your ‘Something New’

Your ‘something new’ can be a major part of your day or a subtle, personal touch. It’s completely up to you! Here are a few gorgeous ideas to get you inspired:

• Your Wedding Attire: This is the most classic choice! Your beautiful dress, veil, or a killer pair of shoes are perfect symbols of your new beginning.
• A Gift from Your Partner: A new piece of jewellery, like earrings or a bracelet, gifted on the morning of the wedding is an incredibly romantic and emotional touch.
• A Signature Scent: Choosing a new perfume to wear for the first time on your wedding day creates a powerful scent memory that you’ll both treasure for years to come.
• Personalised Details: Think about custom stationery for your vows, a unique cake topper, or even a bespoke garter. These small details make your story feel completely your own.

A Photographer’s Tip: Documenting the Fresh Start

As a photographer, I absolutely love capturing the ‘something new’ because it’s all about the feeling of a fresh start. It’s less about one single object and more about documenting the beginning of your story. We can do this by focusing on:

• The Quiet Moments: Getting those beautiful, crisp shots of your dress hanging up or your shoes perfectly placed before the day truly begins. These details set the scene for the story ahead.
• The Ring Exchange: This is the ultimate ‘something new’ moment! The exchange of brand-new wedding rings is a powerful symbol of your promises. It’s a moment packed with honest emotion.
• Capturing the ‘Firsts’: These are the photos that capture not just how your day looks, but how it feels to start your journey together. Every fresh detail contributes to the narrative of your day.

Something Borrowed: Sharing in Another’s Happiness

Of all the elements in the classic rhyme, something old something new something borrowed something blue, this one is all about connection. The tradition is beautifully simple: you borrow an item from a happily married friend or family member. The lovely superstition is that their good fortune and strong marriage will be passed on to you, setting you up for your own lifetime of happiness.

But it’s more than just luck. It’s a heartfelt way to honour someone special in your life, making them a tangible part of your day. That borrowed item becomes a symbol of the incredible love and support system you have cheering you on as you start your new chapter together.

Meaningful Ideas for Your ‘Something Borrowed’

Your ‘something borrowed’ doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; often, the most personal items carry the most emotion. It’s about finding something that tells a story. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• A piece of jewellery: Perhaps your mum’s pearl earrings or your nan’s favourite bracelet that she wore on her own wedding day.
• A wedding veil: Wearing the same veil your sister or best friend wore is an incredibly powerful link between your stories.
• An intangible treasure: Why not borrow your parents’ first dance song for your own? It’s a gorgeous, emotional nod to their lasting love.
• A stylish accessory: A beautiful hair comb from a friend, a vintage clutch from your aunt, or even a pair of cufflinks from a happily married groomsman can be the perfect touch.

A Photographer’s Tip: The Power of Connection

From a photographer’s point of view, the ‘something borrowed’ is pure magic. It’s not just an object; it’s a physical link to another person’s love story, weaving their happiness into your own. The moments we capture-your best friend helping you put on her veil, or you sharing a smile with your mum as she fastens her necklace on you-are absolutely priceless.

These are the photos that tell the real, honest story of your day. They’re about more than just how you look; they’re about how it feels to be surrounded by so much love. This one small item becomes a beautiful, tangible representation of your support system, a memory you’ll treasure forever. Let’s talk about capturing your unique wedding story.

Something Blue: A Touch of Love, Purity, and Fidelity

Of all the elements in the classic “something old something new something borrowed something blue” rhyme, this is often where couples have the most fun. The colour blue has long been a symbol of love, purity, and fidelity – powerful sentiments for your wedding day. In ancient times, it was also believed to ward off the ‘Evil Eye’ and protect the couple’s happiness.

Today, it’s a gorgeous tradition that lets you inject a secret splash of colour and personality into your day. It’s a nod to the past that feels completely modern and personal.

Fun & Stylish Ideas for Your ‘Something Blue’

There are no rules here, so feel free to get creative! It can be a bold statement or a hidden detail that only you know about. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• A Classic Garter: A traditional and fun choice, the blue garter is a classic for a reason. It’s a little secret hidden away just for you.
• Statement Shoes: Why not walk down the aisle in a gorgeous pair of blue heels or flats? It’s a fantastic pop of colour that looks amazing in photos.
• Secret Embroidery: Have your wedding date or initials stitched in blue thread on the inside of your dress or suit jacket. It’s a beautiful, personal touch you’ll treasure forever.
• Beautiful Blooms: Incorporate blue flowers like hydrangeas, delphiniums, or thistles into your bouquet or buttonhole for a natural, elegant look.

And a Sixpence in Your Shoe…

This is the often-forgotten final line of the rhyme! A bride would traditionally place a silver sixpence in her left shoe to wish the couple a future of wealth and prosperity. While the sixpence is no longer in circulation, you can easily find vintage ones online or in antique shops. A lovely modern alternative is to use a penny from the year you met – a sweet nod to the start of your story.

A Photographer’s Tip: The Playful Detail

From a photographer’s perspective, the ‘something blue’ often creates the most relaxed and fun photos. That fleeting glimpse of a blue shoe as you walk, or a quiet moment showing off the secret embroidery to your partner – these are the unposed, honest moments that tell the story of your day. It’s a detail that captures your style and personality, helping to show not just how your day looks, but how it feels. These are the kinds of beautiful, natural moments I absolutely love to capture. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to hear about your plans.

Bringing Your Traditions to Life

As we’ve seen, this beautiful tradition is so much more than a simple rhyme. Each element is a chance to weave your personal story into your wedding day, from honouring your family’s past to celebrating the future you’re about to build. Choosing your something old something new something borrowed something blue is a way to add incredible depth and emotion to your celebration, creating moments that are truly meaningful.

With over 14 years of wedding photography experience, my passion is capturing not just how these details look, but how they feel. My approach is all about relaxed, natural, and timeless storytelling. I focus on the real emotion behind that borrowed locket or the joyful tear when you see your ‘something new’. It’s these tiny, honest moments that tell the biggest stories and create images you’ll treasure forever.

Your wedding is a collection of these beautiful moments, and I’d be honoured to help you capture them. I’d love to hear your story and chat about capturing your day! Whatever you choose, make it yours, and enjoy every single second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to follow the ‘something old, something new’ tradition?

Absolutely not! Your wedding day is all about what feels right for you and your partner. Think of these traditions as a fun, optional starting point, not a strict set of rules. If incorporating something old something new something borrowed something blue adds joy and meaning to your story, that’s wonderful. But if it feels like just another thing on the to-do list, feel free to skip it and create your own unique traditions instead.

Can one item count for more than one category?

Yes, definitely! There’s no rulebook for this, so feel free to get creative and make it easy for yourself. For example, if your grandmother gives you her vintage sapphire earrings to wear, they could tick the boxes for ‘something old’, ‘something borrowed’, and ‘something blue’ all in one go. It’s a beautiful way to simplify the tradition while making it even more meaningful and personal to your story.

Can the groom or other partner participate in this tradition too?

Of course! This tradition is for everyone. It’s a gorgeous way for any partner to add a personal touch and a nod to their own family and future. A groom could wear his grandfather’s watch (‘something old’), a brand new tie (‘something new’), his best mate’s cufflinks (‘something borrowed’), and a pair of fun blue socks. It’s all about including meaningful tokens that tell your story as a couple, together.

What is the complete ‘Something Old, Something New’ rhyme?

It’s a lovely little rhyme that originates from Victorian England. The full saying is: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.” Each element was meant to bring the bride good fortune. The ‘old’ connects her to her past, the ‘new’ looks to the future, ‘borrowed’ brings happiness from another, ‘blue’ symbolises love, and the sixpence was for wealth and prosperity.

What if I’m not superstitious? Is there still a point?

Even if you don’t believe in luck or superstitions, this tradition is a beautiful way to add emotion and narrative to your day. Instead of good luck charms, think of them as sentimental symbols. ‘Something old’ can honour a beloved family member, ‘something new’ can represent your hopes for the future, and ‘something borrowed’ connects you to a cherished friend. It becomes less about superstition and more about telling your personal story.

Where can I find a traditional sixpence for my shoe?

Finding a sixpence in the UK is quite straightforward and a lovely touch. You can often find genuine, circulated coins on websites like Etsy, eBay, or directly from The Royal Mint’s website for collectible editions. Many local jewellers or antique shops also carry them. Some bridal boutiques even sell them as part of a small keepsake gift set, making it an easy and charming find.

How do I choose which items to include without feeling overwhelmed?

The key is to keep it simple and meaningful. Don’t feel pressured to find the ‘perfect’ items. Start with what feels natural. Is there a piece of family jewellery you’ve always loved? That’s your ‘something old’. The goal is to add a layer of personal emotion, not stress. Choose items that make you smile and feel connected to your past, your future, and the people you love. It should feel honest and true to you.