How To Select Your Something Old For Your Wedding
You’ve heard the saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe.” This old rhyme dates back to Victorian England, where brides would incorporate each of the items above into their weddings as a wish for a long and successful marriage. And all of these items (except, maybe, the sixpence) are still popular to include in your wedding today! As a wedding and fashion illustrator, I have a lot of thoughts on how to do this. So today’s blog is all about creative ways to select your “something old!”
Heirloom Jewelry
The first and easiest way to incorporate something old into your wedding day is through heirloom jewelry. Maybe there’s a piece that has been in your family for a long time! You can wear it as is, or you can have it redesigned! I’ve seen jewelry turned into a brooch, hair piece, or incorporated into a sash, belt, or attached to a bouquet! Heirloom jewelry is a great way to honor your ancestors and fulfill this part of the rhyme.
Heirloom Place Settings
Maybe jewelry wasn’t your family’s thing, but I know many families save special china to hand down to the next generation. Consider incorporating pieces of heirloom dinnerware into your place settings. Or, an even more popular option, you could thrift them! Thrifting your dishes and glasses is not only fun, unique, and creative, but it is also sustainable. I had an expert thrifter write about different ways to thrift for your wedding. You can read the blog here!
Include Important Fabric in Your Outfit
Have you ever seen someone wear their mother’s (or other family members’) veil? I love that idea, and I even design and create custom veils for those who are looking for something special and unique. Incorporating a family member’s veil, or a swatch of fabric from an important article, is a beautiful and meaningful way to include something old in your wedding.
Redesign an Old Wedding Gown
My favorite way to incorporate something old into a wedding is by redesigning an old wedding gown! Whether you have a mother's or grandmother’s dress sitting in a closet, or found something perfect at a vintage store, there are so many ways to redesign an old gown into something new! You can use it as your main wedding look, or wear it to your rehearsal dinner or reception. My friend Bre at Bremelia restores and redesigns vintage wedding gowns. Read what she has to say about it here!
Other Ways to Include Something Old in Your Wedding
There are truly so many ways to creatively include something old in your wedding day. You can add vintage glassware to your sweetheart table. Sew a piece of a parent’s shirt to the back of a tie. Create a pocket square from an old handkerchief. Rent a vintage car for your grand exit.
Whatever your style is, I promise you can find a special way to honor your history by choosing a unique “something old!” And if you want to think ahead for the next generation… You can include live illustrations at your wedding so your guests will have “something old” to pass on to their children! Fill out this form to inquire about live illustration, or contact me to learn more about custom veil designs!
