Wedding Traditions Archives - Infinity Hospitality Design | Event Planning | Production Thu, 15 Feb 2024 20:05:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://infinityhospitalitygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-IH_Logo_512x512-1-32x32.png Wedding Traditions Archives - Infinity Hospitality 32 32 The Fascinating Origins Behind ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue’ https://infinityhospitalitygroup.com/origin-of-something-old-new-borrowed-and-blue/ Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:40:07 +0000 https://infinityhospitalitygroup.com/?p=32478 The history of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

The post The Fascinating Origins Behind ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue’ appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.

]]>

WEDDING TRADITIONS

Something Old Something New Something Borrowed and Something Blue

For centuries, brides and grooms alike have included age-old traditions into their wedding day, and we love diving a little deeper into some of the most popular wedding traditions. This month, we’re looking into the history of having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on your wedding day. 

We’ve explored the history of the bridal bouquet and the flower girl, but what was the meaning behind these four “lucky” items? Let’s find out!

Where it All Began

The tradition comes from an Old English rhyme that originated in 19th century England.The rhyme describes the items a bride should wear on her wedding day for good luck. The earliest recorded reference is in the 1871 short story “Marriage Superstitions, and the Miseries of a Bride Elect” in St James’ Magazine

It reads: “On the wedding day I must wear something; new, something; borrowed, something; blue.”

The next recorded version was in an 1876 edition of the Staffordshire Advertiser. It reported a bride “wore, according to ancient custom, something old and something new, something borrowed and blue.”

It later became “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe.” 

However, “a sixpence in your shoe” is often dropped today because this British sterling coin is no longer produced. But if you’re into the meaning of prosperity linked to it, I’m sure you could hunt one down!

Meaning Behind It

So now that we know where the saying originated, but what does it all mean? 

As with many wedding traditions, like the flower girl and their bouquets of herbs, the items were originally worn to promote fertility and ward off evil. According to William Crooke’s “The Wooing of Penelope” published in an 1898 volume of Folk-lore, “something old” and “something blue” were worn to confuse the evil eye and prevent the bride from being cursed and barren. Similarly, “something borrowed” was supposed to be an undergarment from a woman who had already been blessed with children to encourage fertility.

Over the centuries the meaning behind the rhyme has evolved. “Something old” is a representation of ties to the past, and “something new” is for a hopeful future. It is also thought “something borrowed” should come from a happily married friend or relative to bring good luck for the union. And “something blue” is to, of course, ward off evil, but the color blue also serves as a symbol of purity, calmness, and commitment. 

Traditionally, all items are to be given by family and friends of the bride and groom so that each item is given with love and pure intentions. However, “something new” can be given by the groom!

Wedding Bouquet Detail
Kate's Something Blue
Jenny in Vintage Wedding Dress

How to Incorporate the Tradition

Looking for ways to incorporate this tradition into your own wedding? We’ve got you.

If you’re looking for something old, there are a variety of options, so get creative with this throwback piece. You can do anything from wearing a piece of vintage jewelry, incorporating old fabrics into your dress, wearing your grandmother's original dress like Jenny, or paying tribute to a loved one by placing an old photo in your bouquet. 

As for something new, this one is easy! You can justify your dress, florals, rings, or any new item holding importance on your wedding day as your “something new,” but this could also be the wedding gift from your groom or bridal party like a bracelet, your shoes, or even a handkerchief. 

Your “something borrowed” usually correlates to your “old” item but ranges anywhere from your friend's wedding veil, a piece of jewelry from your mom or grandmother, a first dance song (in theory), or even a cake topper! 

Now for “something blue,” this is where you can add your preferred personal touch. If you want this item to walk the aisle with you, consider jewelry, florals, shoes, or ribbons on your bouquet. But you could also consider a clutch, a getting ready robe, slippers, your bridesmaids dresses, wedding decor, blue embroidery... you name it. 

Most of these items can even be combined! For example, borrowing a blue garter from an older relative or receiving an antique blue topaz ring from your groom. The list could go on but we’ll leave room for your imagination!

Something Old, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue

Photo by Frame Visuals

The post The Fascinating Origins Behind ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue’ appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.

]]>
OUR TOP 5 WEDDING DAY FIRST LOOKS https://infinityhospitalitygroup.com/our-favorite-wedding-day-first-looks/ Mon, 23 Apr 2018 18:37:18 +0000 http://blog.infinityeventsandcatering.com/?p=6394 The origin of the first look & our top five favorite moments.

The post OUR TOP 5 WEDDING DAY FIRST LOOKS appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.

]]>

TISSUES AT THE READY

OUR FAVORITE FIRST LOOK MOMENTS

Over the years, the first look has become increasingly popular. Many first look moments feature excited brides and weepy grooms seeing each other all done up for the first time, and they are guaranteed to give you all the feels.

Although couples are continuing to break tradition with this trend, many couples still choose to hold out on seeing their almost-spouse until they head down the aisle.

As romantic as weddings are, the tradition of waiting has origins that are, shall we say, less-than-romantic. Up until the 18th century, marriages were arranged and served primarily as a business deal between families. It was preferred, even expected, that the bride and groom not be introduced before they met at the altar.

The bride's father often kept his daughter hidden out of fear that her new husband would not find her attractive; and yes that's right, run. If the wedding was called off, the bride and her family would be shamed for all eternity. Thus all hopes for everlasting comfort and financial security were lost.

As a little extra wedding day insurance, a bridal veil was worn to ward off evil spirits and to hide the bride's face just in case the groom found her less than desirable. Yikes! Needless to say, it wasn't always "first comes love, then comes marriage."

We digress, here in the modern world, couples have slowly started to set this tradition aside. Whether it be to streamline their photography timeline or simply to get some beautiful keepsake photos filled with raw emotion and romance. First look photos are adorably sweet and sometimes heartwarmingly hilarious. Some include beloved pets, family members or fun props, and it's definitely safe to say that as couples get more creative, the tearier we get.

So, without further ado, here are a few of our favorite first look moments featuring some of our stunning couples. Fire up your Pinterest, grab your bestie, and get inspired by these sweet moments.

Amanda-Hunter_Bell-Tower-Wedding_33
Amanda and Hunter's Wedding Day First Look
Amanda and Hunter Hugging
Allison and Ben's First Look
Ben's Reaction to Allison
Allison and Ben's First Look

Photography: John Myers Venue: The Bell Tower

Maddie and Jordan's First Look
Maddie and Jordan's First Look
Drew's Brother Pranking Him Before First Look
Drew Reacting to Brother
Blake's Reaction to Seeing Liz for the First Time as His Bride

The post OUR TOP 5 WEDDING DAY FIRST LOOKS appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.

]]>
THE HISTORY OF THE FLOWER GIRL https://infinityhospitalitygroup.com/history-of-the-flower-girl/ Fri, 17 Feb 2017 21:04:45 +0000 http://blog.infinityeventsandcatering.com/?p=727 Ever wondered where the flower girl tradition came from? We did!

The post THE HISTORY OF THE FLOWER GIRL appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.

]]>

We just love these sweet flower girl photos, and that got us thinking. Where did the flower girl tradition come from?

There were many different variations of flower girls from the Victorian Era to the Elizabethan Era, but the flower girl dates all the way back to the Roman Empire.

In ancient Rome, flower girls carried sheaves of wheat and bouquets of herbs to bless the couple with fertility and prosperity. Later, in the 14th century, they often carried strands of garlic to ward off evil and jealous spirits.

It wasn't until nearly the 16th century that we began to see flowers incorporated with the traditional herb bouquets carried by the little ones. From symbols of fertility, happiness and love to symbols of fidelity and luck, flowers and herbs played a significant role in wishing the wedding couple well. Among the most common were roses, orange blossoms, rosemary, and baby's breath.

Today, the flower girl might not necessarily represent fertility or carry strands of garlic down the aisle to ward off spirits, but they remain an important part of many ceremonies.

So what do you think? Will you incorporate flower girls into your wedding? Let us know what the traditions means to you.

Flower Girl Hair
Koral + Servando's Flower Girls
Servando and His Daughter
Drew and Flower Girls
Chloe's Flower Girls Looking at Her Wedding Dress
Flower Girls Walking Down the Aisle
Flower Girls in Modern Classic Wedding

The post THE HISTORY OF THE FLOWER GIRL appeared first on Infinity Hospitality.

]]>