Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in your shoe

The rhyme comes from Victorian times although some of customs referred in it are far older.

The “something old” represents the couples friends who will hopefully remain close during the marriage. Traditionally this was old garter which given to the bride by a happily married woman in the hope that her happiness in marriage would be passed on to the new bride.

“Something new” symbolises the newly-weds’ happy and prosperous future.

The “something borrowed” is often lent by the bride’s family and is an item much valued by the family. The bride must return the item to ensure good luck.

The custom of the bride wearing “something blue” originated in ancient Israel where the bride wore a blue ribbon in her hair to represent fidelity and constancy.