As the first blog in a series of wedding traditions, I thought we would start out with something fun and possibly one of my favorite things to give my clients are their wedding day-- SOMETHING BLUE!
Something blues come in all shapes and sizes and we are going to break those down later, but first how about some history behind the old saying.
The tradition comes from an old English rhyme that are typically given to the bride by her mother, friends, sister, relatives, bridesmaids, etc. that are carried or worn by the bride on her wedding day. The saying was once thought to give the bride good luck on her wedding day and also guarantee prosperity and fertility.
Now days, it is a fun charming ritual and a way to express personality in your day.
Each part of the saying represents something deeper for the bride.
Blue represent purity, love and fidelity.
It is easy to weave something blue into your wedding day no matter your color palette. Here are a few simple ways to give yourself all the luck you need on your big day!
1. Handkerchief
I love this simple way to add in some blue and a personal touch. You could carry this down the isle with you or tie it around your bouquet. Either way it is a fun/vintage touch to your wedding day look.
Spoiler alert-- I typically make these and gift them to my bride before their big day and of course I am a sucker for something handmade.
Image by b.davis photography
2. Blue Ribbons
Add a little something blue with a simple ribbon around your bouquet. In this case, Crystal used the blue ribbon to tie her "something old" to her bouquet, which happened to be her grandma's wedding ring. So sweet.
Image by b.davis photography
3. Jewelry
If blue matches your wedding colors, you could always jazz up your jewelry with something blue. Be bold or dainty, but a little piece of blue jewelry is an easy way to get your blue in.
Image by b.davis photography
4. Blue Hair Pin
This always makes me think of the movie "Bride Wars" when she gives her bestie a blue hair pin that they used to play with as a kid, but I love this simple idea for your something blue. It could even be strategically placed in your hair so that it isn't really seen, but you would know it was there.
There are also several DIY projects you could do to make your own blue hair pin. I keep a couple in my wedding emergency bag just in case we have to get creative at the last minute!
Image by b.davis photography
5. Shoes
Blue Shoes. Simple enough. But, if you aren't into completely blue shoes, then there are many alternatives. Like painting the bottom of your shoes blue, stitching your wedding date in your canvas shoes with blue thread, or adding a broach to one shoe with blue jewels. The possibilities are endless... or they seem that way anyways.
Image via Pinterst (www.weddingchicks.com)
6. Dress Monogram
As in true southern fashion-- your new married monogram stitched inside your dress where no one can see or tell it is there, but perfect enough to fit nicely into the something blue category. You could also just have your date stitched in the hem or even the name of you and your soon to be husband.
Image via Martha Stewart Weddings
7. Daddy's Tie/Shirt/Hankerchief, etc.
I particularly love this idea. Shown below is a piece of embroidery that was done by the bride's grandma. They cut out the detail and sewed it into the inner lining of Becca's dress. I love that this could be done with so many different things-- like a piece of your dad's tie, old shirt, overalls, small quilt block, etc..
Image by b.davis photography
8. Nail polish
Need something blue in a pinch? Keep it simple and minimalist with a little blue heart on one nail. It keeps the tradition alive, but in a subtle way. You could also do all your nails blue if you were feeling adventurous.
Image via Pinterest
9. Garter
Now this is a very, very common way to get your something blue in and could also double as something borrowed. I didn't do a blue garter at my wedding, but I think it would have been fun to have been able to pass it to a friend on their wedding day as their something blue and something borrowed (or old!) There are SOOOO many beautiful blue garters on ETSY that are typically handmade and custom to your personal style.
Image by b.davis photography
10. Safety Pin Charm
This was my something blue. Okay, not this one particularly, but I made something similar for my day. I loved this idea because there are SO many charms you could use and tailor it exactly to your wedding day! Just pick up a large safety pin (I stole mine from my mom's sewing room) and pick out your charms at Hobby Lobby. I think I used a ring, the letter "L", a blue crystal and a heart! So simple and easy ... And, bonus I went during the jewelry sale so it cost me less than $4!
image via pinterest
If you are a soon-to-be bride, what are you planning for your something blue? Or if you are post-wedding day, what did you use for your something blue?
