Blue has been connected to weddings for centuries, thanks to the Old English tradition of the bride having "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue," to bring her good luck on the big day. But there's no need to stick to the old standbys when searching for your "something blue." Instead, take inspiration from these real brides, who found ways to incorporate the prettiest blue touches, both big and small, into their celebrations.
15 Wedding Traditions and Superstitions, Explained
01of 45
Shades of Blue
Welcome guests to your reception with a freestanding escort display in varying shades of blue. Individual cards tied with dark teal ribbons coordinate with the ombre backdrop.
Insanely Creative Escort Cards and Seating Displays
02of 45
Walk On
A crisp navy monogram complements this venue's thick green grass, while a blue canopy over the altar space surrounded the couple with the lucky shade as they said "I do."
03of 45
Charmed, I'm Sure
This bride's bouquet was decorated with heirloom broaches passed down from the women in her family and the groom's family. Turquoise and sapphire accents on the charms allowed them to serve as items old, borrowed, and blue.
04of 45
Ice Blue co*cktail
An icy, aqua-colored signature co*cktail in a vintage glass coupe lends an antique touch to your co*cktail hour.
35 Signature Drinks to Personalize Your co*cktail Hour
05of 45
Pretty Pumps
Don classic Stuart Weitzman pumps in a lovely shade of French blue for the ceremony. Choose a similar blue-hued heel for your own dose of good luck—and style!
06of 45
Getting Ready
Surround yourself with luck by finding blue getting-ready sets for your bridal party. This bride distinguished herself in a white-and-blue patterned version of the same style.
07of 45
Blue Blooms
Here's an easy "something blue" wedding idea: Line the aisle with loads of colorful flowers and accents of rich blue for an easy, impactful way to bring a little luck to your big day.
08of 45
True Blue Sashes
Get your flower girls in on the "something blue" fun! These adorable attendants each wore a dress with a light blue sash.
09of 45
Unique Cake Topper
Perfectly paired blue-and-white bride and groom penguins are unique and whimsical cake toppers.
10of 45
Blue Bouquet
Butterfly ranunculus, Juliet and Tiffany garden roses, delicate blue accents filled this bride's big-day arrangement, which was created by Elena Holland of Breathe Visual Creations.
11of 45
Low-Heeled Shoes
Want your shoes to be your "something blue?" Point-toe slingbacks are a great option for an outdoor celebration.
12of 45
Blue Accented Confection
Blue ribbon and loose greenery decorated this five-tier cake from Sugar Bee Sweets.
13of 45
Blue Invitations
A muted blue invitation makes for the perfect pre-nuptial "something blue."
14of 45
Blue Tablecloths
Deep blue tablecloths in an eye-catching print are a bold addition to this outdoor reception.
15of 45
In the Navy
Your bridesmaids will be happy to provide a bolt of blue when you ask them to wear something as chic as this group's navy gowns from Something Peridot.
16of 45
Statement Dress
This bride wore a one-of-a-kind wedding dress from Natalie Taylor Humphrey, who painted a floral motif onto her Kate McDonald Bridal gown.
17of 45
A Cute Clutch
A bold blue clutch—like this one by Saint Laurent—is a sapphire-toned heirloom you can use again after the big day.
18of 45
Head to Toe
While many brides choose to wear a white wedding dress and matching shoes, there's no rule against wearing color. This bride donned a Leanne Marshall gown and matching suede Valentino lace-ups.
19of 45
A Handful of Blue
Putnam & Putnam tucked just a few tweedia blooms into this mostly white and yellow bridal bouquet. Consider other blue blooms, like delphinium, muscari, and nigella, if you're looking to make a similar statement.
20of 45
Stack It Up
This three-tier wedding cake with a subtle dotted texture from Melissa's Fine Pastries was finished in the prettiest shade of sky blue—it's such a sweet "something blue" wedding idea.
50 Beautiful Wedding Cakes That Are (Almost!) Too Pretty to Eat
21of 45
Tying the Knot
Trade in traditional white napkins for blue ones, which serve as an gentle nod to tradition. These powder blue napkins from Party Crush Studio popped against traditional white plates.
22of 45
Blue Velvet
Let the groom join in this tradition with a gray-blue bow tie, pocket square, and ribbon-wrapped bouttonniére.
26 Nontraditional Looks for the Fashion-Forward Groom
23of 45
A Getaway Car
A vintage Chevy—or any blue ride as sweet as this one—means you'll drive off into the sunset in your "something old" and "something blue."
24of 45
Sweet Signs
Unify your littles bridal party memers with soft blue velvet capes and jackets, just like this crew—then add custom calligraphed signs in the same shade.
25of 45
Bridesmaids in Blue
This bridal party started their day in "something blue" rompers from Tobi. Once they changed into their dresses, they kept the blue theme going thanks to their dip-dyed tassel earrings.
26of 45
A Pale Bouquet
A barely blue bundle of hydrangeas, like this bouquet by Fishers Flowers, checks the "something blue" box in a very subtle way.
22 Beautiful Bouquets That Can Double as Your Something Blue
27of 45
With This Ring
This bride's engagement ring was an oval-shaped aquamarine, but a right-hand ring in the light blue stone would be equally dazzling.
28of 45
For Happy Tears
Whether vintage or new, an embroidered hankie with blue thread is a pretty—and practical—way to incorporate "something blue" into your wedding.
29of 45
Hidden Wedding Date
The elegantly calligraphed wedding date, penned by Bernard Maisner, not only appeared on the wedding's invitation, but it was also embroidered in a soft blue thread and sewn into the bride's wedding dress.
30of 45
"Something Blue" Sisters
Let your sisters or maids of honor serve as your "something blue" in pale halter-necked dresses, like these by Hayley Paige.
31of 45
Fancy Footwear
Ice blue Marchesa sandals with intricate detailing and cut-outs will keep you on your toes.
32of 45
A Preppy Touch
Wrap a preppy monogramed swath of gingham (or seersucker) around your bouquet. (If your style is more modern, a blue ikat print or polka dots would work, too.)
33of 45
Flower Power
Flower girls don't just have to carry the flowers—they can wear them, too. These light blue dresses with floral details (plus the attendant's fresh flower crowns) were a winning combination.
34of 45
A Blue Wedding Dress
The barely-there hue of this bride's wedding dress was an understated background for beading and embellishments in deeper shades.
35of 45
Bundles of Blue
Tie the Knot in Santorini dressed up this beachy ceremony structure with clusters of hydrangeas in range of soft blues.
36of 45
Rings and Things
If you're lucky enough to wear a sapphire engagement ring—like this one by Lauren B—every day, invest in a matching The Mrs Box holder.
37of 45
Blue and Meaningful
Lux Events and Design asked this bride's family and husband-to-be to suggest one word that describes her, and then had each of them embroidered on silk ribbons that wrapped her bouquet.
38of 45
An Azure Accent
A single nigella bloom adds a vivid pop of color and a contemporary shape and texture to a classic black tuxedo.
64 Boutonnières You Both Will Love
39of 45
Start With a Sapphire
This bride's groom designed a sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring with the help of The Diamond Source in San Diego.
40of 45
Show Off Your Groom
This groom wore custom attire, opting for striking blue pants and a matching bow tie instead of the go-to black-and-white ensemble.
41of 45
Lace Up His Kicks
The sky-colored laces on these Hugo Boss shoes were fit to be tied into relaxed bows.
42of 45
Appoint Your Pooch
Dressed in blue bow ties from Charlie Be Good, the couple's two bulldogs served as the sweetest good luck charms.
43of 45
Arrive in Style
The groom's father escorted the bridesmaids to the service in a vintage baby blue Morris Minor Traveller. The back of the car was adorned with a floral garland made up of roses, peonies, ranunculus, and other greenery.
44of 45
Keep Your Mom Close
You'll be in head-to-toe white, and your mom can wear the blue; you'll both be wearing smiles, no doubt.
45of 45
A Blue Ring Box
One bride incorporated a lucky flea-market find: a golden bee-topped box in a deep slate. "I didn't plan it that way, but I guess it was our something old and our something blue!"
Ring Boxes to Have and to Hold Your Wedding Bands