Ah, yes. The old wedding custom.

This is what I learned each item means: something old represents continuity with the bride's family and past, something new means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead, something borrowed is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride, and something blue symbolizes love, modesty and fidelity - apparently the color has been connected to weddings for centuries.

Uh. Okay?

Now it's my turn to carry on the custom. Gulp.

My "something old" is Grandma's pair of diamond earrings. They're beautiful, and I'm more than happy that she's offered to let me wear them. They were a gift to her from Grandpa, which makes them all the more special.

My "something new" is, well, everything else that will be on my body that day, starting with the wedding dress. And veil. And shoes. And, well, the wedding, itself. If I'm lucky enough to have something else new on that day, then, well, so be it. But for now, I'll take everything else.

"Something borrowed." My happily married, BFF and soon-to-be-mama, Lori, has loaned me her headpiece from her own wedding. It's beeeautiful. So, although she'll be standing up for me as my bridesmaid, she'll, uh, also be with me in my hair.

My "something blue" is actually very old, and very special. Grandma handed it to me on Christmas Eve. It's one of the original (blue) garter belts she wore on her wedding day, over 60 years ago. It's small, delicate and I'll pin it inside the ruffle of my own wedding gown, so a piece of her and Grandpa will be with me, since he can only be there in spirit.

I think that about completes my list. I'm pretty pumped about the situation. What did any of you Marrieds carry with you?

krittabug