WeddingGuideUK.com - Something Old, Something New...

Wedding stationery guide

Something Old, Something New...

What is it with us brides? Why do we start avoiding ladders and get confused about whether a black cat is luck or not just because we are getting married? Why do we turn into these superstitious maniacs suddenly wanting to check our star sign compatibility to see if the man we have already agreed to marry is the man for us?

Let’s be honest, what would you really do if some newspaper astrologist told you to discount everything you have shared for the past three years because your groom is actually more suited to your sister? Hopefully you would laugh, but if you are worried then you would be wiser to take our Mensa compatibility test than go by a tabloid astrologer.

But whatever your astrological persuasion, the one thing most brides think of for their wedding day is that classic good luck rhyme...

Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a silver sixpence in your shoe.

When it came to my wedding, I had to know every last superstition and lucky charm. I turned into a wedding fiend. There was no way I could have walked down that aisle without the full works. I wanted something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. I was worse than Veruca Salts in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because I wanted it NOW. So much so that my husband threatened to swear all day about my wedding obsessions so I could have something very, very blue on our big day. Hmmm, time to calm down and think of something a little cleverer.

So here are just a few ideas to make your wedding as lucky as possible. I would love to hear any of your suggestions so email me and I will update the lists.

Something Old
The time to continue a family tradition, incorporate an heirloom, scour markets and shops for antiques or treasure something special from your own relationship:

To wear...

Family heirloom or antique jewellery
Once-worn wedding dress
Your Mum’s favourite earrings
A dress watch
Sew a small piece of an antique or family wedding gown into your dress hem or onto your bra…
…or, make an underskirt out of the same fabric…
…or use a piece of your christening gown
The first piece of jewellery given to you by your fiancé
Antique lace veil
A brooch or button sewn into your dress
Your engagement ring worn on your right hand
Locket containing a picture of anyone special who cannot be with you on the day

To carry...

Antique ribbon or a piece of your baby comfort blanket tied around or tucked into your bouquet
A dried flower from your mum’s bouquet tucked into your bouquet
An antique purse or bag filled with…
A lock of your baby hair or first tooth
Your hospital birth bracelet
A family bible
Old love letters to each other or ones between older relatives
Baby photos of the two of you
First edition of your favourite book
Front page of a newspaper from the day you were born.

Something New
The easiest for most brides who will walk down the aisle wearing something new:

To wear...

Your gown
Lingerie
Veil
Headdress
Shoes
Hosiery
Wedding day jewellery gift from your fiancé
A custom-blend fragrance or foundation designed especially for you
Surprise tattoo for your groom to discover on your wedding night – henna is best for a temporary effect!
False nails.

To carry...

A little purse or bag
Your bouquet
A Welsh wooden love spoon
Silver or gold lighter

Something Borrowed
Say thank you to someone special by borrowing a treasured item for the day:

To wear...

Necklace
String of pearls
Ring
Earrings
Brooch or jewelled pin
Headdress
Dress
Veil
Headdress
Garter
Watch
Dress wrap or shawl for the evening

To carry...

Wedding photos of your parents or grandparents
A handkerchief
Purse or bag
Someone else’s lucky sixpence
Gloves
Compact mirror
Lipstick

Something Blue
Forget blue rinses and adult comedy, be inventive with a splash of colour:

To wear...

Belly button ring with a blue stone
Blue stone earrings, necklace and/or bracelet
Sapphire, topaz, turquoise or aquamarine engagement ring
Blue-rimmed glasses or tinted contact lenses
Blue nail polish (best for your toes!)
Blue stitch or ribbon inside your dress
Blue lingerie
Blue make-up (eyeshadow, glitter, eyeliner or mascara)
Blue crystals in your hair
Blue crystals stitched onto the edge of your veil
Ice or baby-blue dress
Garter with blue trim

To carry...

Blue flowers for your bouquet or table centres (irises, cornflowers, hocks)
Blue ribbon tied around your bouquet
Blue confetti
A Biro pen (with blue ink) for your unmarried female guests to sign the base of your shoe. The person whose name is least faded at the end of a night of dancing is the next to marry!
Blue velvet-covered guest book
And... A silver sixpence in your shoe! Why not treat yourself to a real silver sixpence from our online Wedding Store