Wedding Traditions: 21st Century Brides Add New Twists to Age-Honored Customs

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe. It's a bridal tradition that dates as far back as Victorian times, yet continues to thrive somewhat in the modern world. Bridal surveys show that the majority of 21st century brides choose not to defy tradition, but rather embrace it in their own special way.

The tradition calls for the bride to wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on her wedding day and to place a silver sixpence in her shoe. According to folklore, the "something old" represents the link to the bride's old life and her family, while the something new signifies hope for the future.

The "something borrowed" part reminds the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed. "Something blue" signifies fidelity, purity and love, while the "silver sixpence in the shoe" represents both financial wealth and a wealth of happiness and joy.

"We're seeing many brides starting to go back to traditional weddings, but the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue tradition is more personalized," says Robin Rongione, wedding consultant and owner of Simply Elegant Flowers in Smithfield, R.I. "A lot of brides are following what their mothers or grandmothers did."