How to Find Something Borrowed and Something Blue

Many brides choose to wear "something borrowed, something blue" on their wedding day. The borrowed item signifies the transfer of happiness from a happily married woman to a new bride, while the blue item symbolizes purity and fidelity. Here are some thoughts on finding meaningful objects to fulfill this tradition.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garters
• Handkerchiefs

1. Decide what you would like to borrow. This could be an item of jewelry, a hair ornament, a lacy handkerchief or some other suitable accessory. By tradition, a bride borrows an item from a happily married friend or relative - ideally, something that the lender wore at her own wedding.

2. Ask someone you love if they have something suitable for you to borrow. You might ask to borrow a string of pearls or a cameo from your mother or grandmother, a pair of beautiful earrings from your sister, or a prettily embroidered handkerchief from one of your fiancé's close relations.

3. Ask as tactfully as possible. Make it clear that you aren't expecting to keep the item, that you will take good care of it, and that it would mean a lot to you to be able to wear something connected with the lender on your wedding day.

4. Consider your wedding dress and color choices when looking for something blue. If your dress is made from light or sheer fabric, blue lingerie is out of the question! If your wedding colors clash with blue, choose a small blue item and wear it tucked or pinned inside your dress.

5. Get creative when it comes to something blue. Many brides choose to wear a blue-trimmed garter; you could also consider sapphire jewelry, or paint your toenails blue. Or go for efficiency, and borrow something blue.

6. Store the borrowed and blue items in a safe place until your wedding day - especially if you have borrowed valuable jewelry or family heirlooms.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have placed a borrowed item in your family's safe deposit box, double-check your bank's opening hours so you can be sure to retrieve the item in time for your wedding.
• Be specific when you ask someone if you can borrow something; if you have your eye on a sapphire ring, let them know - otherwise they may come up with something on their own, such as a blue garter belt.

on 11/22/2005 My maid of honor ordered me custom ivory panties with "Mrs. Shepard" embroidered in royal blue on the front for a special surprise for my groom!

on 11/22/2005 My aunt hand-embroidered her initials and the date of her wedding in blue on the inside of her dress. It was on the lining, at the hem. No one could see it, but she had a special "something blue."

on 11/22/2005 My wedding dress is a sheath style and a garter won't look right under it. So I am wearing a piece of blue ribbon from a very special gift my fianc gave me.