Sustainability and the reuse of garments is not new thing. It’s just something we had forgotten over time. The Royals had been doing this for centuries. But when Kate Middleton joined the Royal family back in April 2011 she had rekindled this custom and bought it to the forefront of the media. This has supported the quest for sustainability. It’s retaught us that reusing is not just liberating but sensible and pretty damn smart.
So where did the phrase ‘something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe’ come from. Its rhyme originated in England during the Victorian Era and symbolized luck for a bride on her wedding day.
SOMETHING OLD
This item represents the tie between the bride’s past and her family. It can be anything that has ties to the bride’s past, such as a locket with a picture of a loved one inside or a small article of clothing belonging to a loved one or relative cut into the shape of a heart and sewn into the dress.
SOMETHING NEW
This represents the new chapter in the bride’s life and the future she will spend with her spouse. It is used as a token of hope for the happy couple’s long future together. Something new can be an exchange of rings between the husband and bride, or it can be the bride’s dress itself.
SOMETHING BORROWED
This item usually comes from a family member or a friend of the bride who is happily married. The reason for this is that the sense of happiness will transfer over to the bride and stay with the happy couple for years to come and that the bride can always seek support from her family and friends. Common items include jewelry, a garter, or even the dress.
SOMETHING BLUE
Blue is the color of love, purity, faithfulness, and modesty. To keep with tradition, the bride can wear a blue piece of jewelry. But for a modern take, you can write a little note or another small message in blue on the bottom of her shoes.
AND A SIXPENCE IN HER SHOE
Lastly, a sixpence was a coin in Victorian England. Nowadays, it symbolizes lasting wealth for the couple which, if we’re being honest, everyone can use. Sixpence coins can often be found in wedding shops
What better way to celebrate and bring luck to a new couple then to rewear a wedding gown handed down by the mother of the bride or groom that have been happily married for many years. Over the years we have had the pleasure of not only restoring wedding gowns but also restyling them for new brides to wear. Some brides choose to use the veil again and some choose to wear the jewellery on their wedding day.
Most recently we were honoured to restore the colour and mend the antique lace on the wedding dress worn by Carole Middleton. After the wedding day, we re-cleaned and boxed the delicate gown with acid-free tissue to help preserve it. We chose a William Morris Design to compliment the love that Alizee has for nature and life. 🍃🍃🍃
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