‘Something blue’ ideas with sentimental value

Every bride knows the old saying: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Here are something blue ideas to incorporate subtly into your wedding.

Where did “something blue” originate? The rhyme dates back to the Victorian era. The meaning behind “something blue” still holds strong today though: it symbolises love, fidelity, and good fortune in marriage.

Traditionally, blue represented purity and faithfulness: qualities believed to protect the couple and bring harmony to their new life together. But like many rhymes and stories passed down through the generations, it has taken on a life of its own, and now it has become more superstition.

Whether you love subtle, sentimental details or are looking for bold, modern statements, here are some beautiful ways that you can honour the tradition.

A subtle touch

For some couples, the tiny details can mean the world. We look at delicate ways to incorporate this tradition into your wedding without being big and bold.

• Hidden embroidery: A stitch of initials and wedding date, a small heart, a sentimental word. Stitched in blue thread in your veil or cuffs is a private token that’s just between you two.
• Sentimental jewellery: Earrings with a blue gem can double as your “something blue” and become a family heirloom.
• Bouquet ribbons: Involve your entire bridal party in the “something blue” and do pops of blue in the florals themselves and add a soft blue ribbon to keep all the bouquets together.

It’s quiet, it’s meaningful, it’s just between you and your partner – very romantic if you ask us!

Bring blue into your jewellery, start by browsing our suppliers who can custom make something for you. Browse here.

Big and bold

Not-so-subtle ways to bring blue into your wedding could be done with bold statements and showstopping elements.

• Blue heels. Like Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic Manolo Blahniks from her courthouse wedding, if it’s good enough for Ms. Bradshaw, it’s good enough for us!
• Blue eyeliner or eye shadow. It might feel a little 80s, but everything old is new again with this homage to disco through bold blue eyeshadow. (While you’re here, why not look at the next wave of bridal makeup trends! Read more.)
• Fashion moments. A soft blue veil, a blue buttonhole, or a fabulous blue suit does not shy away from the colour so steeped in tradition.
• Cake design: Retro cakes are all the rage at the moment, so incorporate blue icing to your cake.

Wedding cake business The Mess will make your blue cake to suit your style!

Modern and magic

Just because something is “tradition” doesn’t mean it has to be “old-fashioned”. Your wedding is a time to really express yourself and your love story. If blue doesn’t fit your ‘fit, bring in the other elements: decor and stationery!

• Table styling: Blue glassware or pastel blue napkins make for beautiful centrepieces.
• Stationery: Table maps, name cards, party favours, whatever font and writing you use could be in a soft blue as a nod to the tradition.

Why blue?

Love, loyalty, and an everlasting promise. Whether it’s a hidden detail or something big and bold, the tradition of it being that it’s for everlasting sometimes outweighs the want to buck all traditions.

So if you forgot about a little ‘something blue’ to incorporate, these something blue ideas can be as big or small as you like. Because long after the confetti has settled, that touch of blue will remind you of where it all began.

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