Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue... and a Sixpence in Her Shoe

The bride knew exactly what she needed.

Or at least she thought she did.

Something old.

Something new.

Something borrowed.

Something blue.

Check.

She had spent weeks making sure every piece of the famous wedding day rhyme was covered.

Her grandmother's pearl earrings.

A new pair of wedding shoes.

A borrowed bracelet from her sister.

A tiny blue ribbon sewn into her dress.

Done.

Then Grandma asked a question.

"Did you get your sixpence yet?"

The bride blinked.

"My what?"

And just like that, she discovered what countless brides discover every year.

The wedding rhyme wasn't finished.

Because the version most people know today is actually missing a line.

A very important line.

A sixpence in her shoe.

For generations, brides carried a sixpence on their wedding day as a symbol of prosperity, blessing, and good fortune.

Then somewhere along the way, the tradition quietly faded from view.

Today, however, more brides are rediscovering the forgotten fifth item—and falling in love with the meaning behind it.

Why This Moment Matters

Wedding traditions are funny.

Some survive for centuries.

Others disappear almost entirely.

Yet the traditions that last usually have one thing in common.

They're about people.

Not things.

Nobody carries "something old" because old objects are magical.

They carry them because they belonged to someone they love.

Nobody borrows an item because borrowing itself is important.

They borrow something because it connects them to a relationship.

The wedding sixpence works the same way.

The coin isn't the star of the story.

The people behind it are.

A grandmother giving a blessing.

A father sharing a family tradition.

A mother passing along a meaningful wedding custom.

That's why brides continue embracing the tradition today.

What Does "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" Mean?

The famous wedding rhyme originated in Victorian England and was intended to bring blessings and positive symbolism into a marriage.

Each item represented something different.

Something Old

Represents continuity, family history, and the life that came before the wedding day.

Something New

Represents optimism, hope, and the beginning of a new chapter.

Something Borrowed

Represents borrowed happiness, often from a happily married friend or family member.

Something Blue

Represents love, purity, faithfulness, and devotion.

A Sixpence in Her Shoe

Represents prosperity, blessing, good fortune, and a wish for a happy future together.

While the first four parts of the rhyme remain widely known, the sixpence is often left out.

That's unfortunate.

Because in many ways, it may be the most meaningful part of all.

Why Was a Sixpence Placed in the Bride's Shoe?

The sixpence was traditionally placed inside the bride's left shoe before she walked down the aisle.

The custom originated in Britain and became a beloved wedding tradition passed from one generation to the next.

The sixpence wasn't intended as a payment.

It wasn't a decoration.

It was a blessing.

Family members often gave the bride the coin as a way of expressing hopes for prosperity, happiness, and success in marriage.

Today some brides still tuck the coin inside their shoe.

Others carry it inside a bouquet wrap, keepsake pouch, or wedding memory box.

The symbolism remains the same.

Why Modern Brides Love the Forgotten Fifth Item

There are plenty of ways to satisfy the first four parts of the wedding rhyme.

Pinterest is full of ideas.

But the sixpence feels different.

It's less about checking a box.

It's more about creating a moment.

Maybe Grandma gifts it during dress shopping.

Maybe Dad presents it on the wedding morning.

Maybe a best friend includes it in a bridal shower gift.

The sixpence naturally creates an opportunity for a story.

And stories are often what brides remember most.

In a wedding filled with beautiful details, the sixpence often becomes one of the most personal.

Why Choosing a Specific Year Makes the Tradition Even More Meaningful

One reason modern brides are embracing the wedding sixpence tradition is the ability to choose a meaningful year.

Authentic British sixpence coins were minted between 1953 and 1967.

That means a bride might choose:

Grandma's wedding year
Mom and Dad's anniversary year
A beloved grandparent's birth year
Another significant family milestone

Suddenly the sixpence becomes more than a wedding tradition.

It becomes a connection to family history.

A conversation starter.

A reminder that many generations helped shape the person standing at the altar.

You can read more in Why Choosing a Wedding Sixpence by Year Makes the Tradition Even More Meaningful.

Who Traditionally Gives the Bride a Sixpence?

One of the beautiful things about the tradition is its flexibility.

A wedding sixpence has traditionally been given by:

Fathers
Mothers
Grandparents
Godparents
Bridesmaids
Best friends
Future mothers-in-law

The gift giver changes.

The blessing remains the same.

For a deeper look at the tradition, see Who Traditionally Gives the Bride a Sixpence?

Listen While You Read

If you enjoy stories about wedding traditions and family connections, listen to Sixpence for My Shoe, a song inspired by grandmothers, fathers, best friends, and the meaningful moments that surround the wedding sixpence tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the forgotten fifth item in the wedding rhyme?

The forgotten fifth item is a sixpence placed in the bride's shoe.

What does a sixpence symbolize?

A wedding sixpence symbolizes prosperity, blessing, good fortune, and happiness in marriage.

Does the bride have to wear the sixpence in her shoe?

No. Many brides carry the coin elsewhere, including bouquet wraps, purses, keepsake pouches, or memory boxes.

Is the sixpence part of the original wedding rhyme?

Yes. The complete rhyme ends with the words "and a sixpence in her shoe."

Is the wedding sixpence tradition making a comeback?

Yes. Many modern brides are rediscovering the tradition as they look for meaningful wedding customs and family-centered ways to honor the wedding rhyme.

A Closing Reflection

Most brides remember the first four parts of the wedding rhyme.

Something old.

Something new.

Something borrowed.

Something blue.

But maybe the most meaningful part isn't the one everyone remembers.

Maybe it's the one that almost disappeared.

The tiny coin tucked into a shoe.

The blessing from someone who loves you.

The reminder that marriage isn't just about where you're going.

It's also about the people who helped you get there.

And that's why the forgotten fifth item deserves to be remembered.

If you're searching for a wedding gift that won't end up in the back of a closet, consider a tradition that's been passed between brides for generations. A Gutsy Goodness Bridal Sixpence is small enough to fit inside a shoe, but meaningful enough to become part of a family's story for years to come.

Lisa Copen is the co-owner of Gutsy Goodness, where she helps brides, parents, grandparents, and gift-givers celebrate life's most meaningful moments through heartfelt keepsakes, wedding traditions, and family stories. She is the author of A Bride's Guide to Wedding Day Memorials and Emotional Survival and creator of Build a Bouquet Charm.

After helping thousands of brides navigate both the joyful and bittersweet sides of wedding planning, Lisa developed a passion for preserving meaningful wedding traditions—including the beloved "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe" rhyme. Through her articles, keepsakes, and wedding resources, she helps families create moments that become treasured memories for generations.

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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue... and the Forgotten Fifth Item