Every bride knows the first four.
At least most of us think we do.
Something old.
Something new.
Something borrowed.
Something blue.
You've probably heard it your entire life.
You may have even started checking those items off your wedding planning list months ago.
Maybe Grandma already offered earrings for your something old.
Maybe you've picked out blue shoes.
Maybe your best friend is lending you a bracelet.
Case closed, right?
Not exactly.
Because the famous wedding rhyme doesn't actually end there.
And once brides discover the final line, it often becomes their favorite part.
The Wedding Rhyme Most Brides Know
For generations, brides have followed the wedding rhyme:
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
Simple.
Memorable.
Easy enough.
Except that's only part of the rhyme.
The complete version is:
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.
Some versions even include:
"A silver sixpence in her shoe."
And suddenly the wedding tradition gets much more interesting.
Why This Moment Matters
Wedding traditions have survived because they help us tell stories.
Not just wedding stories.
Family stories.
The wedding rhyme wasn't designed as a scavenger hunt.
It was designed as a collection of blessings.
Each item represented a wish for the bride's future.
And when you look at it that way, the rhyme becomes much more meaningful.
What Does Something Old Mean?
Something old symbolizes continuity.
It represents the life, memories, and relationships that brought the bride to this moment.
Popular choices include:
- Grandmother's jewelry
- Family heirlooms
- Vintage handkerchiefs
- Wedding sixpence coins
- Family photographs
The goal isn't age.
It's connection.
What Does Something New Mean?
Something new symbolizes optimism and hope for the future.
It's a reminder that marriage is the beginning of a new chapter.
For many brides, this might be:
- Their wedding dress
- Wedding shoes
- A new piece of jewelry
- A meaningful wedding gift
Or simply the future they're building together.
What Does Something Borrowed Mean?
Something borrowed traditionally came from someone in a happy marriage.
The idea was that some of their good fortune would accompany the bride into her own marriage.
Popular borrowed items include:
- Jewelry
- Veils
- Hairpieces
- Handkerchiefs
It's one of the sweetest traditions because it connects generations.
What Does Something Blue Mean?
Blue has symbolized fidelity, loyalty, and love for centuries.
It's why blue became part of the rhyme in the first place.
Today brides incorporate blue through:
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Embroidery
- Bouquet ribbons
Or sometimes just a tiny hidden detail only they know about.
The Forgotten Fifth Item: A Sixpence in Her Shoe
This is where things get fun.
The sixpence wasn't added as an afterthought.
It was an important part of the original tradition.
The sixpence symbolized:
- Prosperity
- Blessing
- Happiness
- Good fortune
- A hopeful future
Traditionally, the bride carried the coin in her left shoe as she walked down the aisle.
Today many brides still carry a sixpence, often choosing a year connected to their family history.
A grandmother's wedding year.
A parent's anniversary year.
A beloved grandparent's birth year.
The tradition becomes deeply personal.
Why Modern Brides Are Falling in Love With the Sixpence
Many wedding traditions feel decorative.
The sixpence feels meaningful.
It usually comes with a story.
A grandmother explaining a family custom.
A father giving a wedding blessing.
A best friend sharing a thoughtful gift.
The coin becomes part of the memory.
And that's why so many brides save theirs long after the wedding day.
Do You Need All Five?
No.
Wedding traditions are meant to add meaning, not stress.
Nobody is grading your wedding.
There isn't a wedding tradition police department hiding behind the floral arrangements.
But understanding the full rhyme allows brides to choose the traditions that resonate most.
And for many brides, discovering the sixpence feels like finding the missing piece of the story.
Listen While You Read
Sixpence for My Shoe was inspired by the brides, grandmothers, fathers, and families keeping this beautiful tradition alive today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full wedding rhyme?
The full rhyme is:
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.
What does the sixpence symbolize?
Traditionally, prosperity, blessing, happiness, and good fortune in marriage.
Do brides still carry a sixpence?
Yes. Many modern brides are rediscovering the tradition.
Can a wedding sixpence count as something old?
Absolutely. Many brides use it as both a meaningful keepsake and their something old.
Continue Reading
The wedding rhyme is one of the most beloved bridal traditions, but its story doesn't end with something blue. Explore the history, symbolism, and modern-day meaning behind each part of the rhyme.
- Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue... and the Forgotten Fifth Item
- Why Brides Put Coins in Their Shoes: The Real Story Behind the Wedding Sixpence Tradition
- Can a Wedding Sixpence Be Your Something Old?
- How to Hack Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue With One Meaningful Gift
- Wedding Good Luck Traditions From Around the World: 21 Ways Brides Have Celebrated Love, Luck, and Happiness
A Closing Reflection
The best wedding traditions aren't about following rules.
They're about carrying meaning.
A story.
A blessing.
A connection.
And maybe that's why the sixpence is quietly making a comeback.
Because once brides discover the fifth item in the rhyme, it's hard not to wonder why anyone stopped talking about it in the first place.
Every wedding has a few moments people never forget. A father handing his daughter a gift before she walks down the aisle. A grandmother sharing a family tradition. A best friend promising, "When it's my turn, I'm borrowing this back." The Gutsy Goodness Bridal Sixpence isn't really about a coin. It's about creating one of those moments.
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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