Old, new, borrowed and blue but why?

There are plenty of myths and traditions surrounding weddings from weird and wacky to romantic and cute. Brides often want something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue to wear or carry on their big day as it is thought to bring good luck to the marriage. 

Are you staying true to tradition or making up your own rules? Whichever way you're planning your wedding, here's some fun facts and myths from around the world! 

Like spiders? The English believe if a spider is found in a wedding dress, it means good luck...eek!  

No-one wants rain to appear on their wedding day, but according to Hindu tradition, it's good luck. 

Everyone knows that the Groom traditionally carries his new bride over the threshold, right? But do you know why...to protect her from evil spirits lurking below. 

It was once thought that a vein in your fourth finger on the left hand leads directly to the heart. That is why engagement and wedding rings are placed on that finger. 

Forget influencers today, Queen Victoria was the queen of setting trends back in her day. Before her wedding day in 1840, brides wore their best dress to be wed. Queen Victoria started the trend to wear a white wedding dress in the Western world. 

At Queen Victoria's wedding in 1858, she started the tradition of playing Wagner's now famous 'Bridal Chorus' during her wedding procession. 

Although Queen Victoria set the trend for brides to wear a white dress, in Japan, white was always the bridal colour of choice.  

Brides wearing or carrying something old on their wedding day is to symbolize continuity with the past. Bringing the best parts of their non-married life into their new life together. Something new is the new life they will share. Often the something new can be anything with lots of new things bought for the wedding but can also be a gift from the groom's family to the bride. Something borrowed is usually something from a happily married woman in hope that the good luck will transfer to the new bride's marriage. Something blue represents purity, fidelity, and love.  

Contact the team at Great Yarmouth Town Hall today for more information and prices on affordable weddings at our stunning Grade II listed venue. 

• Email us on events@great-yarmouth.gov.uk (opens new window)
• Phone us on 01493 846154 (opens new window)