Your Grandma's Wedding Tradition

Intermountain Catholic

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Lucille Elias and Eddie Parsons, Jessica Blake's grandparents. IC photo courtesy of Jessica Blake

by Jessica Blake

Intermountain Catholic intern

SALT LAKE CITY — "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in your shoe"

Who knew that your grandparents’ most coveted traditions could still be alive and well today? Although modern traditions seem enticing, traditions that have stories behind them usually dominate. For all couples planning a wedding, look no further for an ideal meaningful tradition.

This ancient practice was actually introduced in the Victorian times. Traditionally, a garter passed-down from a happily married woman would be something old to symbolize happiness being transferred to the new bride. Also, the couple’s friends should stay close throughout the marriage to ensure the tradition’s solidity. Something new should demonstrate the newlyweds’ happy and prosperous future. Something borrowed should be an item valued by the bride’s family and should be returned to her family for good luck. Something blue originates from Israel where brides would wear blue ribbons in their hair to represent fidelity.

The Virgin Mary might also tie into this peculiar section of the tradition since Christians generally dress Mary in blue. As an old proverb states, "marry in blue, lover be true."

Finally, since a real silver sixpence is hard to come by these days, brides often replace it with a dime or penny in their shoes to ensure a wealthy future.

Most modern brides substitute a blue garter for the blue ribbon and something old is often a piece of family heirloom jewelry.

Having a wedding in June has become a tradition for the good weather. However, Sean and Meagan Garrett of Salt Lake City decided to be wed September 30, 2006. When asked about traditions, Meagan said she believes they are extremely important. "People have been doing it so long, and tradition is a huge thing in my family."

Meagan tried to implement as many traditions as she could into her wedding, even the famous quote "something old, something new..." Meagan’s grandma’s bracelet was something old. Her wedding dress was something new. She wore a blue garter, and as she almost forgot to wear something borrowed, a friend’s bobby pin saved her.

The Garretts also decided to do the less practiced tradition of presenting a bouquet of flowers to a Virgin Mary statue.

For another couple, the tradition is desired just as much. Michael Shackelford and Carol Borella will be married this August. They didn’t need to look into this tradition to be aware of its presence. The only new tradition they will be using is changing the father walking the bride down the aisle to Carol’s grandfather.

Old traditions may be taking the back-seat to new, improved, unique, and personal traditions.

Although new traditions seem to prevail over family customs, many couples are still using ancient traditions whether it’s prominent in their family’s weddings or not. Having a sense of flowing with the world’s natural rituals can be exhilarating, because being a part of something bigger is always phenomenal.