Wedding Symbolism

What does 'something old' mean in the old English wedding verse?

Something old in that wedding verse - "Something old, something new, etc." - is something that has been around. A family heirloom, for example. Most of the time, it might be your mother's pearls. It might be a handkerchief of your mother. Perhaps it's a bible that you've had in your family. Your something old for your wedding could be almost anything, but it's nice to carry something that has belonged to someone in your family and something that has some special meaning for you.

What does 'something new' mean in the old English wedding verse?

When we talk about something new in that old wedding verse, perhaps it's jewelry, or perhaps it's your wedding gift from your groom. You might have a beautiful necklace or something of that nature. You could consider your wedding dress to be something new. The whole point is wearing something new, something that's special for you, that's yours, and it's new to you. This also symbolizes the start of your new life, so it's something that's special to you as you start this new era of your life.

What does 'something borrowed' mean in the old English wedding verse?

In the old English wedding verse, something borrowed is something that you have borrowed from someone else, so that means you're going to give it back. Because they've given it to you to use for that wedding day, it's from their heart, and because they love you. You might borrow a piece of jewelry from someone. You might borrow a special token. It could be a good luck charm, or anything of that nature, to carry with you as you walk down the aisle.

What does 'something blue' mean in the old English wedding verse?

Something blue is exactly that: a blue item. Blue is symbolic of loyalty and love so you want to carry that little bit of a spot with you in your heart as you walk down the aisle. When I got married, I bought my wedding gown at Saks Fifth Avenue and they pinned a little nosegay of blue silk flowers underneath the skirt of the dress, and it was there when I walked down the aisle. When I took that dress out - I hate to tell you how many years later - and my daughter got married, I took that same little blue nosegay and pinned it into her dress so she had the opportunity to wear that down the aisle as well.

What does a 'penny in your shoe' mean in the old English wedding verse?

The actual version, the original, is and a sixpence for your shoe. A sixpence, of course, is money, and money symbolizes wealth. You always take that with you at your wedding because you're hoping for a life not just of health and happiness, but you'd like to have wealth as well.

Is it OK to read my wedding vows?

I think trying to memorize your wedding vows will end up making you so nervous that you are going to worry that you forget a word or forget what you wanted to say. If you are familiar with what you are going to read, you don't have to be holding it in front of your face reading word for word, but I think having it written out on a 3 x 5 card or piece of paper is just fine. Your officiate can have a copy of it for you and it's fine to stand and to read it to your groom or to your bride at your wedding.