Something Old Something New Something Borrowed Somethimg Blue
by Molly Phillips and Fracine Phillips

Whisper the word, “wedding,” and every woman conjures up her own individual vision of the perfect event, including gorgeous gowns, stately halls, an abundance of flowers, anda fantasy honeymoon. Luxury and pageantry mix on this day, making every bride as treasured as the legendary ones we all remember — from princesses like Grace Kelly and Lady Diana to silver screen icons such as a hopeful Marilyn Monroe draped on the arm of the slugger Joe DiMaggio or a sultry Elizabeth Taylor cutting cake with Nicky Hilton.

Whatever your bridal vision, an elegant cathedral ceremony or a barefoot, beach nature union, there is one tradition that is almost universally followed by every bride. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” repeats the adage that commits a couple to good luck at the wedding. In fact, the saying is a shortened version, which originally ended, “and a sixpence in your shoe.” A sixpence was a silver British coin first minted in 1551, but many feel the expression was made popular in the Victorian era. Today, this part of the saying can be followed by putting any silver coin in the shoe, and many keepsake versions of a sixpence are available to buy as a good luck token.

Like Sleeping Beauty’s gifts bestowed by fairies, each element of the adage is meant to bestow an important characteristic on the marriage. Something old symbolizes continuity with the past — recognition of the family roots that brought the couple to this new union. Something new represents optimism and hope for the new life ahead, and an understanding that this love, this couple, this marriage will be an entirely new entity in this world, with all the possibilities of new beginnings. Something borrowed is traditionally a token from another happily married couple or family member, whose happiness will be carried over to the new couple.

Something blue comes from the very ancient tradition of blue representing purity — for the bridal couple, a touch of blue indicates fidelity and devotion.

Keep in mind that keeping with tradition doesn’t have to mean the same old, same old. Take it to the next level of luxury and give your own new meaning to the lucky tokens to ensure a lifetime of warm memories and best wishes for your wedding day and beyond.

Something Old
Traditional Dances

If something old means continuity, it might be especially meaningful to strengthen ties to your family traditions through dance. San Diego has a varied and active dance community, often associated with the San Diego International Dance Association. Everything from Cajun Zydeco to Irish to Israeli dance classes are available for the bride and groom to learn in time to surprise family members who will appreciate the value placed on heritage. What could be a better mixer than for your reception guests to join hands in a rousing Hora or Debka? Many of these dance traditions can be learned quickly and a fun part of an active reception might even be a lesson from an experienced instructor. If your tradition is straight from the U.S., give a nod to the past with the West Coast swing made popular in World War II and now the official California State Dance. While you are thinking of it, make a reservation with your groom for a brush-up class in the classic waltz so there will be no toe-stepping for the traditional first dance at the reception.

Vintage Florals

Another way to include something old in the wedding is the use of vintage roses and older floral lines in the bouquets and arrangements adorning the event. Vintage roses can be requested from the wholesaler with about a month’s notice.

Leanne Michael, owner of Bella Fiore in Rancho Santa Fe, recommends creating a Tussie Mussie for a vintage look. This is a hand-held bouquet that includes paperwhites, English garden roses, Lilies of the Valley, and African violets. Peonies are also pale, beautiful, and old fashioned. Often these days the bridal bouquet is pastel and traditional, while the bridesmaids carry more vibrant and unusual flowers such as anemones and rananculus.

Antique Patterns

Bring a bit of history to the marriage by selecting pieces of china or silver from a family pattern. Connie McNally of the McNally Company Antiques in Rancho Santa Fe has a directory of patterns that includes many traditional favorites like Crown Derby, Wedgewood, and Royal Worcester. Pieces can be ordered to complete sets handed down from cherished relatives.

Even more important than traditional china, says McNally, who is also the editor of Silver Magazine, is the selection of old silver patterns. “Old silver is heavier and hand-chased, creating more elaborate and detailed designs than those manufactured today,” she notes. “Although some specialized crafters can still create silver pieces by hand, most today are not made in the United States and the patterns are stamped, not handmade. When you buy antique sets, you are actually buying much better quality pieces.”

Something New
Monogrammed Linens

With marriage usually comes a new name as well as new initials. A new monogram embroidered on your linens celebrates this something new — everything from sheets and towels to bathrobes and rugs can be personalized, according to Imelda Rickards, from the custom linens boutique, Between the Sheets in Fashion Valley. If you opt to skip the name change, dual monograms are a modern solution.

Portrait

Nothing can represent something new for the happy couple more than a portrait to capture the new union. Whether you choose to create an engagement portrait, wedding portrait, or more formal portrait after the honeymoon, it is the perfect time to record forever the excitement of new love and new life.

Leigh Timmons, of the Timmons Galleries, commissions portrait artist Martjie Carter to create original portraits in oils, watercolor, or charcoal. “Martjie is extremely talented,” says Timmons, “and is gifted in capturing the individual spirit of her subjects on canvas. Some people approach portraiture with apprehension, but the results are always incredible.”

Pictured here is a portrait of Alexis and Ron Fowler done by Carter.

Something Borrowed
Air Charter

Why fly commercial when you can borrow a plane and travel in style and comfort? Scherie Juul, administrator for Schubach Aviation says that many couples charter their nine-passenger planes for honeymoon trips to Napa, Mexico, or the Caribbean. “We recently had a young man charter a plane to make a wedding proposal,” says Juul. “We stocked the plane with her favorite wine and scattered rose petals up the stairs and throughout the plane.”

Planes can also used for bachelor parties or bringing family members to the wedding. JetSource in Carlsbbad not only makes available their own planes, but can broker charters for larger passenger capacity.

Money For A Home

Take something borrowed to heart and go house hunting with a pre-approved home loan. Buying a new home brings a sense of unity and purpose to the marriage and eliminates the uncomfortable issues that can arise in blending décor.

Norma Nelson-Wiberg of Private Mortgage Bank, a division of Wells Fargo, notes that first home purchasing is on the rise. “Rents are high and mortgage rates have never been lower, so it makes sense to get into the real estate market as soon as you possibly can,” she says. “This year rates will stay low through the fourth quarter, we’re told.” Borrowing to buy a home at the right time will bring dividends to your marriage far beyond the wedding day.

Something Blue
Anything in a Tiffany's Box

Something blue brings to mind the most famous of little blue accents, a Tiffany’s box. Cathryn Ramirez, vice president of Tiffany’s southwest, underscored the romance of the signature blue box. “We are happy to be identified with so many special occasions and joyous family memories,” she says. “The Tiffany box has come to mean that someone wanted your gift to be exactly right and very special.”

Jewels to wear with the bridal gown are always a memorable purchase for the bride, while diamond cuff links for the groom symbolize purity and fidelity. Choose the popular blue topaz for your attendants or a special sapphire ring for your mother, as a thank you for their part in making your wedding day a glorious one. A gift from Tiffany will be remembered for generations.

Bentley Arnage

Something blue has been associated with rarity since ancient times. In those days, anything blue had to come from Lapus Lazuli, the expensive and precious stone of the Egyptians. If you want to capture the spirit of the ancients, surprise your spouse with a 2004 Bentley Arnage in Peacock Blue — the ultimate display of loyalty and devotion.

In the 2002 Jubilee Year for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother acquired a Bentley as the new state limousine. Last year, Team Bentley achieved the First and Second Place slots at the 24-hour Le Mans race — proving the engine has the same endurance as it did when it stocked World War II airplanes. Ed Gonzalez at Symbolic Motors notes that Bentley interiors still feature hand-built and hand-finished woodwork. The leather on the steering wheels is hand-sewn, which alone takes 18 hours to complete. They are seeing a resurgence of first time Bentley purchasers. “Our buyers are interested in treating themselves to the very best, and Bentley motor cars represent the very best the industry has to offer,” he says.

Ocean Cruise

Something blue on a spectacular scale includes the wide open sea stretching calmly under a colorful sky. Perhaps the bride and groom send their parents on a thank you cruise after the wedding. Once the gifts are stashed and the newlyweds are off on their honeymoon, parents sail away for a week of rest, relaxation, and pampering.

Or sail the ocean blue for the honeymoon. “The best part of cruising for a honeymoon,” says Andrea Gilbert, owner of World View Travel, “is that you only unpack once, but you have a variety of destinations to explore and enjoy.” Tahiti is a new hot cruise spot, she notes, and is only an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles. It’s French and still very unspoiled. New resorts near Puerto Vallarta are attracting honeymooners who want to enjoy the ocean in a unique, private, and secluded setting. But be sure to do your research before you book, she cautions. “Picking the right cruise for you is important,” says Gilbert, “and depends on features such as activity level and accommodations. Some lines have very active water sports, such as jet skis and sailing off the deck.”