15 Something Borrowed Ideas for Your Wedding Day

TLDR:

• There are several ways you can include something borrowed ideas into your wedding look, such as cufflinks, fabric pieces, or a gown.
• Fill your reception with borrowed items for decor and cake accessories.
• Something borrowed doesn't have to be an actual item, as it can be a recipe, song, or reading.

Let Zola help you decide on your something borrowed

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” This old saying originated as a British wedding tradition and has continued on through many couples and weddings. Each element of the phrase represents a sort of good luck charm for the couple to carry on their new journey together.

If you’re starting to think about your ‘something borrowed,’ you’re in luck! There are a variety of extra-special something borrowed ideas to incorporate into your wedding day. From wearing a veil that was passed down to donning a family member’s piece of jewelry, here are a few thoughtful ideas to kick off your search for inspiration.

6 Creative something borrowed ideas for you to wear

1. Borrow your main wedding attire.

Perhaps the most popular way to incorporate something borrowed tradition into your wedding is through attire. This could include wearing the dress or veil that your mother or grandmother wore, tucking the pocket square of your father or grandfather into your suit, or wearing the shoes of your best friend down the aisle. Nothing is more touching to a beloved friend or family member than reusing a part of their special day in your very own wedding.

2. Sew meaningful fabric into your outfit.

One of our absolute favorite ideas for something borrowed is to take a piece of an heirloom tablecloth, a vintage dress, or any meaningful fabric and sew it into the lining of your wedding dress or suit. You could also use the same material to create a fresh and modern new accessory like a clutch if that’s more your style. This method allows you to incorporate pieces of that fabric into your big day while allowing you to have your own unique attire.

3. Make jewelry into a hair accessory.

If you have a stash of jewelry from your grandmother that is broken or missing pieces, rework it into a lovely hair accessory. A lone clip earring can look lovely when it's beautifully placed in your updo. Even a perfect string of pearls can be set into the hair with bobby pins as a headband filled with heirloom memories.

4. Wear keepsake jewelry on your special day.

One of the most traditional something borrowed ideas is to wear jewelry from a friend or family member. The conventional approach is to simply wear earrings, bracelets, necklaces, cufflinks, or other similar items. However, there are many modern twists on this idea that take the concept a step further.

For example, you can gather brooches from a person who continually inspires you, and use them to create a one-of-a-kind brooch wedding bouquet. Similarly, you could wrap a string of pearls around the bottom of your bouquet for a more subtle approach. If the groom needs ideas, you could always borrow a watch or wear a pair of cufflinks to finish off your look.

5. Carry heirloom lace as you walk down the aisle.

Similarly, incorporating a relative’s or friend’s lace into your ceremony can be a beautiful way to pay tribute to that individual. This can be an especially gorgeous way to use something borrowed if the lace is vintage or antique. You may find lace as part of an old garment or veil, a decorative doily, or a handkerchief.

Wrapping a piece of lace around your bouquet is a sweet addition to your wedding florist's work. Plus, it includes your family in a unique way that will be so meaningful to them. Similarly, have a tailor add the lace added to pocket square or simply wrap it around a boutonniere yourself. However, if you don't want to wear or carry the lace, it can also be incorporated into your decor. For example, if you have a large lace table runner, you may choose to use it on a display table or as part of the decor for your head table.

6. Hold the rings of your parents or grandparents.

Using the rings of another couple you admire is a beautifully symbolic way to carry their love with you throughout the ceremony. Borrowing the rings during the ceremony, you can tie them to your bouquet, wear them on a silk ribbon around your neck, or sew them into your suit jacket pocket.

However, if the rings belong to family or friends who have passed, you may choose to use them as your own during the exchange of rings as part of your ceremony. Regardless of what you decide, borrowing the rings of a couple who inspires you lets you quite literally borrow the symbol of their love.

4 Reception ideas for something borrowed

7. Include family tableware on your big day.

Do you have fond memories of sitting down at your grandmother's table for holiday dinners where she pulled out her favorite china set? Those sweet moments can be easily included in your wedding day by using your family's vintage dishes in your wedding decor. Chances are that you won’t have enough place settings to use them for your entire reception. However, using them at your head table or just for you as the couple will allow you to incorporate these special dishes into your celebration.

Alternatively, you could use large platters, bowls, or a cake stand at a dessert station or for your cake display. However you choose to utilize heirloom tableware, you'll have a beautiful and memorable something borrowed at your once-in-a-lifetime event.

8. Accessorize with a wedding cake topper or cake knife.

Consider borrowing a friend or relative’s cake knife. Traditionally, many couples have kept the cake knives from their weddings, sometimes even having them engraved. So using the utensil at your own celebration is a simple yet meaningful way to borrow from a happy couple. Want another idea? How about borrowing a relative's wedding cake topper? Imagine how adorable your cake would look with your grandparents' vintage topper.

9. Decorate your reception tables with candlesticks.

Do several people in your family have collection of glass, silver, or brass candle holders? Buy taper candles, and place them in the holders to add light to your wedding reception. If you borrow from several people, have a way to nonpermanently mark them so that you can return them to their rightful owners.

In search of new decorations to compliment the antiques? Shop wedding decor on Zola.

10. Ride away in a getaway car.

Does your future brother-in-law have an ultra-cool ride? Save money and have your something borrowed ideas taken care of by asking him to drive you or let you use the car as you leave your reception. Or you could just ask to use it for a few great pictures in between your ceremony and cocktail hour.

5 Nontangible something borrowed wedding ideas

11. Have the band or DJ play significant songs.

Something borrowed and something blue don't always have to be a tangible object. We adore the idea of borrowing the first dance song of a couple you admire. Not only is it a fabulous way for you to show them how much their marriage has inspired you, but it's also a special opportunity to remind the lovebirds of their very own wedding day. We foresee no dry eyes in the house.

Alternatively, if you’d like to have your own first dance song, you could choose to incorporate the song of another couple into your ceremony. Find an instrumental version or have your instrumentalist(s) play their song as you walk down the aisle. This lets you walk into your life as a married couple with that reminder, and it’s a fun way to add even more personality to your big day.

12. Incorporate favorite flowers.

Flowers are such a large part of wedding tradition, so why not deck your wedding venue out in your mom's favorite blooms? Whether it's peonies, roses, or lilies, you can go all out, or simply have a few specific flowers woven throughout your bouquets and centerpieces. What a sweet, creative way to pay homage to someone.

13. Get happily married at a borrowed wedding venue.

Borrowing the yard of your close friends may seem like a big task, but if you they have the space—and you have the relationship—that may be the ultimate form of borrowing. You could also say, "I do," at a family farm, grandparent's home, or even in the exact place where your parents got married.

14. Borrow something spoken, such as vows or a reading.

During the ceremony, read a beloved passage of someone near and dear to you. It could be a verse of scripture, a poem, or even a page from a meaningful book. Another spoken word could be you and your partner reciting the same wedding vows as someone in your family, or you can just borrow a few lines from their vows.

15. Serve family favorite cake flavors.

Another unique way to incorporate something borrowed on your wedding day is with your cake. You could choose to use a favorite family recipe of a classic cake your grandmother used to bake or even use the same recipe or flavors your parents had at their own wedding. Serving favorite cake flavors or styles can also be a sweet way to honor relatives who have passed on.

For more wedding traditions, check out 42 Unique Wedding Traditions Around the World.

FAQ about something borrowed

What does something borrowed mean?

Something borrowed comes from the traditional English rhyme, Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe. “Something borrowed” refers to when a couple receives a sentimental item from a married couple they admire. This is to represent “borrowed happiness” from another happy couple to guide their own union.

What is a good idea for something borrowed?

Some popular ideas for something borrowed include a piece of attire, such as a dress, veil, tie, or handkerchief from a loved one. You can also wear jewelry that has been passed down, like a wedding ring wrapped around a bouquet or cufflinks. Other ideas include incorporating your family’s vintage tableware into your decor or opting for non-tangible “something borrowed,” like replaying your parents’ first dance songs.

Whatever you choose for your borrowed item, make the most of the tradition by ensuring that your choice is really special and meaningful to you, your story, and your journey.

Who gives the couple something borrowed?

Traditionally, your borrowed item comes from a family member or a friend of the couple who are happily married. The item—which can be clothing, an accessory, or a decorative item—can be loaned by your grandparents, parents, or any loved one whose relationship you admire.

Ready to start planning even more of your big day? Why not dive deeper into wedding shower traditions or traditional wedding gifts? Couples have been getting married for centuries, and learning about the past is fascinating. However, you have one advantage couples of yore didn’t have— Zola!