Something Old

Not sure about all of you, but I love a good beach read.  After a busy day of work my favorite thing to do is get on the elliptical or take a bath and read.  I recently finished Emily Giffin's new book, Where We Belong, and I was just so sad when I finished it.  I love all her books and now I know I have to wait a while until another one comes out.  If you are not familiar with Emily Giffin, she is also the author of Something Borrowed and Something Blue among others.  This inspired me to start a small mini series I have labeled "The Something Series."

Much of what takes place during weddings stems from tradition. There are religious traditions, family traditions as well as historical traditions. As a bridesmaid and also a bride, I always think to myself how can I make a moment more special.  One of the greatest traditions is abiding by the old English rhyme "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in your shoe." If the bride carries each one of these somethings on her the day of the wedding, it will lead to a happy marriage.   This series is going to focus on how a bride can fill these traditions, as well as how as a bridesmaid you can help.  Today, I start with "something old."

 

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The "something old" symbolizes a connection to the bride's past moving to the future.   Below are some ideas the bride could use, the beginning ones are more common and some of the latter ones are my own personal creations:

 

 

• Father or grandfathers ring: Many brides use their father's or grandfather's ring to place on the grooms hand during the ceremony and then replace it with their new wedding band for the reception.
• Handkerchief: Entwine a family members old handkerchief into the brides bouquet
• Mother or grandmothers dress: Find a way to incorporate an important women's wedding dress by sewing a piece of it into the inside of the bride's dress
• Wedding photos: Place family members wedding photos on display at the reception
• Childhood pillowcase: Use a childhood pillowcase for the ring bearer
• Incorporate an important hobby/sport: Any child that is dedicated to a hobby or sport growing up knows how much time and love their family put in to make that possible.  For me it was ice skating.  I think it would be so special to incorporate a skating outfit by sewing it on the inside of my dress or putting a ribbon around bouquet as a way of tying my past to my future.
• Baby blanket: OK, so Ill admit it I still have sleep with my baby blankets.  I am contemplating cutting a piece of one and having it sewn into my dress
• Sweet sixteen wine glass: Not sure if this happened when you turned sixteen, but at sweet sixteens in Chicago it was a ritual to have all guests write a wish for the young women that she would not read until it was her wedding day.  Wax would then be dripped on top to seal these messages.  Only on the day of her wedding should she open this glass and read the messages.  I cannot wait to do this!

These are just a few ideas, I would love to hear any creative ideas or traditions your family follows for the "something old."