#Borrowed #Blue #Vintage #Wedding #List #WorthPoint
As winter winds down, we are approaching wedding season, which means flowers, parties, and finding just the right look for that special day. One of the many traditions for brides is to have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue at their weddings. Finding meaningful items and other wedding accessories can be difficult because so much is out there. Can vintage items fit the bill, even when looking for something new?
After examining several wedding trends, WorthPoint has compiled some vintage suggestions for couples who want their celebration to have some vintage flair or include some pieces of the past. Also, if you like to go vintage, there are many ways this tradition can allow the wedding party, family members, and guests to be a part of it, too.
SOMETHING OLD
This older item doesn’t have to be for the bride or groom. Couples who choose to have a ring bearer and flower girl at their wedding can include several vintage pieces as part of the mix. For example, a vintage pillow (or a new one made with antique textiles) can be the perfect showpiece for wedding rings. A florist or tailor could add other lace textiles to a flower girl’s dress or headband.
If the wedding venue is in a warm climate or not air-conditioned, a good way to bring guests into the tradition is by handing out vintage fans, usually found in thrift stores or antique shops. Churchgoers used them on hot days, and while they sometimes included advertisements or photos of inspirational leaders of the time, many were woven palm or seagrass. They can add a rustic touch to even the most modern wedding venue.
SOMETHING NEW
OK, can you have something vintage and still count it as a “new” item? Sure, why not? For many brides, the wedding gown is new and purchased from a bridal shop or dressmaker, but vintage gowns are an option for some brides. The trend of “nup-cycling,” where a vintage gown is re-done in a more modern style, allows a bride to have a “new to her” dress that could include pieces of a family member’s gown or veil.
Additionally, rings for the happy couple could be antique yet also something new. A jeweler can make family pieces into wedding bands or re-styled engagement rings. Using precious stones and metals from older pieces can also avoid the complications around conflict diamonds and environmental concerns.
Wedding bouquets of fresh flowers and boutonnieres for the bride, groom, and wedding party members count as something new, but they can still have a vintage touch. A vintage tie tack or stick pin can hold a flower on a lapel and give the wedding attire a unique look.
Carrying a handkerchief is less common, but adding bits of lace hankies and repurposed ribbons ensures that the wedding flowers stand out as something a little more special than the typical shop arrangements.
SOMETHING BORROWED
Most couples will have no trouble finding something to borrow for their special day. A prayer book, a piece of jewelry, or a veil are popular choices for this part of the wedding tradition. However, have you considered adding a vintage twist to the reception tables? For example, family members or friends can lend framed photos for the tables.
Asking guests to lend vintage tableware like vases or bowls is an excellent way to create custom centerpieces. Linens could also give a wedding venue a look beyond the basic white tablecloth with coordinating napkins. Maximalist décor is starting to trend, and with a bit of coordination, a couple could ask friends and family for any vintage items they might collect.
Each table could have an assortment of placemats, figurines, or candlesticks from the homes of their loved ones. It’s a great way to make a reception stand out and spark conversation among guests about collectibles. It might be a bit of extra work sourcing treasures from friends who are vintage enthusiasts, but it adds a very personal touch.
I attended a wedding where the bride’s father had worked for LEGO and was also an avid collector of the bricks and sets. He loaned the bridal party hundreds of pieces out of his collection, and they created centerpieces, complete with minifigs of the happy couple.
SOMETHING BLUE
This part of the wedding tradition seems like it would be the easiest—it could be anything, from a small pin or pair of earrings worn by the bride to floral arrangements with blue hydrangeas. Small porcelain flowers around the wedding cake could be an option for the couple wanting to have their blue item as a keepsake of the day. Another idea is to find old blue and white tiles that could serve as coasters, place card holders, or wedding favors.
cards to be displayed.
DON’T FORGET THE SIXPENCE
The last line of the rhyme is one that sometimes gets left out. A “sixpence in your shoe” is for luck, and while it likely applied to the bride, there’s no reason any member of a wedding couldn’t put a lucky coin in their shoe.
A sixpence is a British coin discontinued in 1980, but some companies sell personalized wedding coins. Traditions evolve, and this one is no exception—many couples choose to have a different coin, such as a lucky penny or a coin that reflects their heritage. There was no way my Irish mother would let me walk down the aisle with a British coin, so she found an Irish sixpence with a harp on it from the year I was born. She was an early adopter of changing up a tradition to make it more individual and meaningful.
Whether old, new, borrowed, or blue, adding something different to the mix makes the day even more special, and vintage items are a good way for a couple to take parts of the past into their future.
Still looking to incorporate vintage items into your special day? Check out our Blog article on vintage wedding cake toppers.
Brenda Kelley Kim lives in the Boston area. She is the author of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep End of Everywhere and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly News/Essex Media Group. When not writing or walking her snorty pug, Penny, she enjoys yard sales, flea markets, and badminton.
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