Something old, new, borrowed and of course… blue
Many of us may be familiar with the old English rhyme: "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe." This tradition, dating back to the Victorian era in the late 19th century, is meant to bring good luck to the bride as she embarks on her newly married life. Today, we can incorporate elements of this rhyme into our modern weddings, not only as a nod to tradition but also as inspiration for creative touches. To help you include this tradition in your own wedding, we've gathered 25 of our most-loved customer projects from our Gallery incorporating “something blue” to inspire you.
25 “something blue” wedding ideas
1. A blue wedding dress
2. Vintage cars
3. Wedding stationery
4. Bridesmaids dresses
5. Bouquet accessories
6. Table settings
7. Bridal shoes
8. Hair bows
9. Mother of the bride
10. Custom favors
11. Bridal party robes
12. Guest books
13. Floral centerpieces
14. Backdrops in blue
15. Wedding rings
16. Reception outfits
17. Personalized invitations
18. Flower girl dresses
19. Pre-wedding pamper slippers
20. Accessories for the groom
21. Boutonnières for the groomsmen
22. A hidden pop of blue
23. Ceremonial arches
24. Photos by the pool
25. Sweet treats
1. A blue wedding dress
Depart from tradition and make your “something blue” your wedding dress. Whether it’s a soft pastel hue or a deep, elegant navy, a blue wedding dress is not only unique, but a wonderful way to inject your personal style and creativity into your wedding day’s finery. A statement like this is sure to make you stand out as a bold, creative bride.
Arrive at your nuptials in incomparable style with vintage cars to chauffeur the bridal party. Tick off the tradition and find one that’s blue, like this baby blue Ford Mustang that transported beautiful bride Molly to her big day.
Incorporate your “something blue” via wedding stationery; think save the dates, welcome signs, menu cards and more. Much like Blake and Taylor did for their wedding, you can greet your guests with large boards with intricate blue theming details, perhaps to match the rest of your wedding stationery choices.
Choosing bridesmaids dresses as your “something blue” is a stylish way to incorporate this tradition into your big day. With endless shades available, not only will you have plenty of options to choose from but it’ll be easy to find a collection of dresses that your bridesmaids will love. Opt for mismatched patterns and textures to add an extra element of visual excitement and individuality.
5. Bouquet accessories
Adding personal or cultural accessories to your bouquet can make it more than just a beautiful arrangement of flowers. Consider adding a locket with a photo of a loved one, a piece of fabric from a meaningful garment, or even small charms that represent significant memories in your relationship. These little additions infuse your special day with extra sentimental value.
Table settings at your wedding reception are an opportunity to express your creative flair and style. Adding custom-designed table linens, chair bows, or unique cutlery and plating can create a cohesive and visually stunning look. Incorporate elements that reflect your personality, such as vintage glassware, handwritten menus, or decorative chargers, to elevate the dining experience for your guests.
Your bridal shoes are more than just footwear; they can even serve as your "something blue". Whether you opt for elegant robin-egg blue heels, minimalistic navy flats, or blue-colored embellishments, choose a pair that complements your wedding attire and adds a creative touch to your overall bridal look.
Let your bridal hairstyle offer a playful, sweet angle with a chic bow. Whether you're going for a classic updo, romantic curls, or a sleek ponytail, a well-placed bow can truly elevate your wedding hair. Choose a fabric that matches your dress or add a pop of color for a fun twist.
The mother of the bride deserves a moment to shine and a bold blue dress can help her do just that. Consider helping her choose a dress that complements the overall wedding theme, in a shade of blue that adds the right amount of brightness to your special day. You can even offer a thoughtful wearable gift or keepsake, such as a personalized handkerchief or a piece of jewelry.
Wedding favors are a great way to thank your guests for celebrating with you. Incorporate shades of blue in custom wedding favors, such as blue monogrammed candles, mini bottles of champagne with blue ribbons on the neck, embroidered tambourines, or personalized cookies with blue icing. If you need more favor inspiration, read our blog full of custom wedding favor ideas you can use on your wedding day.
Matching blue robes for your bridal party not only make for great pre-wedding photos but also serve as a lovely memento for your bridesmaids. Choose robes in shades like baby blue, dark navy, aquamarine or cobalt, or take it a step further by adding custom embroidery for each bridesmaid. Being both comfortable and stylish has never looked better in this versatile color.
Traditional wedding guest books are always a fantastic, elegant choice, but why not add a fun twist? Consider alternatives like a guest book quilt, where guests can sign fabric squares that are later sewn together, or a photo booth guest book filled with Polaroids and messages. Our own Wedding Guest Book even comes of two beautiful fabric shades of blue; Steel Blue Linen or Deep Blue Premium Coated Cloth.
Incorporating blue-hued flora into your wedding day bouquets and displays is a wonderful way to give a subtle nod to the “something blue” tradition. From hydrangeas and hyacinths to delphiniums and forget me nots, there’s a plethora of options to consider. A touch of blue flowers will not only add timeless elegance to your big day, but with varying shades to choose from, you’ll find it will lend itself perfectly to all sorts of color palettes.
Blue wedding décor can bring a calmness or a touch of class, depending on the hue. Whether it's a painted canvas or draped fabric, your backdrop serves as a beautiful focal point for photos and tie in the tradition of "something blue" in a subtle yet stylish way.
Your wedding rings are a symbol of your commitment and love for each other. A colored gemstone in your engagement or wedding ring could be a great way to incorporate something blue into your wedding. Blue is known as one of the rarest colors in nature, and gemstones in this color are always high in demand and valuable.
There are many beautiful blue gemstones you can include in your ring, such as aquamarines, tourmalines, sapphires, alexandrites or tanzanites. Be sure to do extra research into their specific hues and softness, so the durability and shade suits your lifestyle best. Your rings will be a daily reminder of your vows, so choose a wedding stone that holds significant meaning, but also makes you feel beautiful.
After the ceremony, of course you’ll want to dance the night away in a gorgeous blue outfit! Whether it's a dainty short dress, a sophisticated jumpsuit, or a modern two-piece set, your reception outfit should be something that lets you enjoy the festivities while still looking fabulous. Depending on your choice of shade, the dress can fit any wedding reception theme and mood of your desire.
Personalized invitations that incorporate your wedding theme and personality as a couple can make a lasting impression on your guests. You could use the color blue in custom illustrations in ink, hand-lettered calligraphy, or have blue writing against unique materials like vellum or wood to create invitations that stand out.
A wedding procession is all the more sweet with a line of flower girls. Little dresses in blue make for an adorable and delicate option for these important guests. If you are wearing a blue dress, or have your bridesmaids in blue, you can opt to get matching dresses or add playful accessories like floral crowns or sashes to match the bridal party for added cohesiveness.
Treat your bridal party to a little pre-wedding pampering with cozy blue slippers. Not only are they practical for getting ready on the big day, but they also make for a thoughtful gift that your bridesmaids can use long after the wedding. Choose slippers in a snug blue fabric or personalize them with each bridesmaid's name for an extra special touch.
The groom's accessories can be just as important as the bride's. From cufflinks to pocket squares, ties to boutonnieres, these small details can make a big impact on the groom's overall look. Consider personalized accessories in blue, such as engraved cufflinks with your initials, or a monogrammed tie clip, to add a touch of individuality to his ensemble.
Let's give some extra love to our grooms and groomsmen with floral boutonnières that match a beautiful blue color scheme. These can be worn on their lapels for a modern twist.
Hide a splash of blue in your wedding attire or décor as a fun, but not-so-obvious nod to the tradition. Whether it's a small blue ribbon sewn into your dress, a blue streak here and there in your décor, or blue accents in the floral arrangements, this subtle detail can add a personal and meaningful touch to your wedding. A sneaky touch of blue fed into your general color scheme is all you need to bring the luck of the old English rhyme to your special day.
A blue floral ceremonial arch is a stunning accent to the pinnacle location of your wedding ceremony - and it can be anything but simple, and it can be subtle and simple or bold and beautiful. Decorate the arch with blue flowers, greenery, or fabric that matches your wedding theme. If you choose the floral route, opt for blue-hued flowers such as hydrangeas, thistles, cornflowers, carnations, hyacinths, irises or lupines. The well-arranged archway will frame your vows beautifully and make for breathtaking photos.
If your wedding venue has a pool, you may have hit the jackpot for a great wedding photoshoot. Reflections in the water can create a dreamy, romantic atmosphere, especially during sunset or under twinkling lights. Or a bright summer wedding would benefit from the vibe of a poolside shoot. Whether you take a dip or simply pose by the pool, these photos are sure to be a unique and memorable part of your wedding photo album.
End your wedding on a sweet note with a dessert table filled with treats that reflect your tastes. A gorgeous shade of blue can be utilized in gradient tiered wedding cakes, or even iced onto a selection of mini desserts like macarons, cupcakes, and truffles. There is no end to creativity with the use of blue icing or edible glitter.
Including "something blue" in your wedding is a beautiful way to honor an old tradition of good luck while adding a personal touch to your wedding milestone. From bold blue dresses to subtle blue accents, the ideas we've shared offer endless possibilities for bringing this classic rhyme to life. Whether you choose a statement piece or a small hidden detail, the color blue can be a meaningful and stylish addition to your wedding. Let these ideas inspire you to create a celebration that’s uniquely yours - and can be perfectly captured in a matching blue photo book, album or wedding magazine you can look back on for generations.
