The bride stared at the coin for a solid thirty seconds.
Then she asked the question almost every bride asks.
"Wait... where exactly am I supposed to put this?"
Her mother laughed.
Her grandmother laughed.
Even her maid of honor laughed.
Because apparently everyone else knew.
The bride looked down at her wedding shoes.
"Seriously. Are we talking under my foot? In the toe? Taped to the bottom? Is there a tutorial somewhere?"
If you've recently received a wedding sixpence, welcome to the club.
The tradition is beautiful.
The logistics are slightly less obvious.
So let's answer the practical questions brides ask most often.
First Things First: Where Does a Bride Put a Wedding Sixpence?
Traditionally, the sixpence is placed inside the bride's left shoe before she walks down the aisle.
That's where the phrase comes from:
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.
The key thing to understand is that the sixpence is symbolic.
You don't need to spend twelve hours standing on it.
Most brides simply carry it during the ceremony and formal photos.
Afterward, many brides hand it to:
- Their maid of honor
- Their mother
- Their father
- Another trusted family member
for safekeeping.
The blessing comes from carrying it into the marriage.
Not from enduring an entire reception with a coin under your foot.
Will a Wedding Sixpence Damage My Shoes?
This is one of the most common concerns.
Especially if you've spent more on your wedding shoes than your first car payment.
The good news?
It shouldn't.
Many wedding sixpence products use removable adhesive dots or sticky materials.
Some brides love that option.
Others worry about residue.
At Gutsy Goodness, the sixpence is not permanently attached to anything and does not require sticky adhesive that could leave residue behind on delicate bridal shoes.
The coin can simply be placed inside the shoe for the ceremony and removed afterward.
Simple.
Clean.
No panic.
No sticky surprises.
Is a Wedding Sixpence Uncomfortable?
Usually not.
A British sixpence is small—roughly similar in size to a U.S. dime, although slightly different in shape and thickness.
Most brides carry it for a relatively short period of time.
Many say they barely notice it.
And if you're concerned, remember:
You don't have to wear it all day.
Many brides remove it after the ceremony and formal portraits.
Does the Sixpence Have to Go Inside the Shoe?
Not at all.
Traditional?
Yes.
Required?
No.
Many brides choose to carry the sixpence in:
- A bouquet wrap
- A keepsake pouch
- A wedding purse
- A pocket sewn into the dress
- A memory box
The symbolism stays exactly the same.
Can I Buy a Wedding Sixpence for Myself?
Absolutely.
And yes—the luck still counts.
In fact, many brides purchase their own sixpence because:
- They discovered the tradition themselves
- Family members weren't familiar with it
- They wanted a specific year
- They fell in love with the symbolism
The tradition has always been about blessing and intention.
Not about who swiped the credit card.
What Size Is a Wedding Sixpence?
Most authentic British wedding sixpence coins are approximately the size of a dime.
Small enough to fit comfortably inside a bridal shoe.
Large enough to feel substantial when held in your hand.
Tiny coin.
Big story.
Is a Wedding Sixpence Shiny and Polished?
Usually not.
And that's actually part of the charm.
Most authentic wedding sixpences have been carefully cleaned but still retain some of their original character and patina.
Brides often love seeing the age and history in the coin.
After all, that's part of what makes it feel authentic.
You're holding a piece of history.
Not a brand-new replica.
Can I Choose a Specific Year?
Yes.
And for many brides, this becomes the most meaningful part of the tradition.
Authentic sixpence coins were minted between 1953 and 1967.
Many brides choose:
- Grandma's wedding year
- Mom and Dad's wedding year
- A grandparent's birth year
- Another meaningful family milestone
Learn more in Why Choosing a Wedding Sixpence by Year Makes the Tradition Even More Meaningful.
How Should I Store My Wedding Sixpence After the Wedding?
This question makes me smile because it means you're already thinking beyond the wedding day.
Many brides keep their sixpence in:
- A jewelry box
- A keepsake drawer
- A memory chest
- A wedding shadow box
At Gutsy Goodness, each sixpence includes a coin-safe envelope designed to help protect the coin after the wedding so it can remain part of your keepsake collection for years to come.
Because honestly?
The wedding may only last one day.
The memory lasts much longer.
What If I Lose It During the Reception?
Another surprisingly common concern.
Which is why many brides remove the sixpence after the ceremony and formal photos.
Once the dancing starts, your priorities shift dramatically.
Nobody wants to spend the reception searching for a lucky coin beneath a DJ booth.
Listen While You Read
Sixpence for My Shoe celebrates the grandmothers, fathers, friends, and family stories that continue this tradition today.
Quick Wedding Sixpence FAQ
Which shoe does the sixpence go in?
Traditionally, the left shoe.
Can I buy my own wedding sixpence?
Yes. Many brides do.
Does the sixpence have to stay in my shoe all day?
No. Most brides carry it during the ceremony and remove it afterward.
Will it ruin my wedding shoes?
No. A sixpence can simply be placed inside the shoe without adhesive or sticky residue.
How big is a wedding sixpence?
Approximately the size of a dime.
Can I choose a specific year?
Yes. Many brides select a meaningful year between 1953 and 1967.
What happens after the wedding?
Most brides keep their sixpence as a wedding keepsake.
Related Reading
-
What Is a Wedding Sixpence? Everything Brides Need to Know
-
Why Brides Put Coins in Their Shoes
-
Why Choosing a Wedding Sixpence by Year Makes the Tradition Even More Meaningful
-
The Wedding Gift She'll Still Have on Her 50th Anniversary
A Closing Reflection
Every wedding tradition sounds simple until you're the bride.
Then suddenly there are questions.
Lots of questions.
Fortunately, the wedding sixpence isn't complicated.
It's a small coin.
A meaningful blessing.
A family story.
And maybe one of the easiest wedding traditions you'll carry into your marriage.
Sometimes the most meaningful wedding gifts aren't the biggest or the most expensive. They're the ones attached to a story. A Gutsy Goodness Bridal Sixpence has been tucked into brides' shoes for generations as a wish for happiness, prosperity, and lasting love. If you're looking for a gift that feels personal, thoughtful, and a little bit magical, a bridal sixpence might be the tradition worth bringing back.
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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