11 Unique Ways To Get Your Something Blue At Your Wedding
In the world of weddings, there are constant changes and new trends each year and season. Color is in; all white is out. Bridal parties are a thing of the past; we're doing wedding parties now. You get the picture. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with the multibillion-dollar industry.
All that said, there are some wedding traditions we can't seem to shake. One centuries-old tradition that brides continue to honor to is wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on the big day. The cute rhyme came to be in the 19th century and has stood the test of time.
You may have an idea of how you want to incorporate something old, new, and borrowed, but what about something blue? Sure, you can wear a blue-hued pair of earrings— there's nothing wrong with that — but what about brides looking for something a little more unique? Need some ideas? From bold accessories to subtle details, there are plenty of unique ways to carry on bridal traditions and wear something blue on your big day, and we're here to give you some inspo.
Wear a blue dress and have your Cinderella moment
Honoring bridal traditions doesn't mean you have to wear white on your wedding day. If you're looking for a unique way to wear something blue, what better way than to wear a dreamy blue dress when you walk down the aisle? When we were kids, many of us dreamed of looking like a princess on our big day. This is the chance to live your Cinderella moment — minus the family drama, we hope!
For brides who want a trendy look, this is the way to go. According to The Knot, color is one way to serve and slay as a bride in 2023. We've seen plenty of color in recent bridal collections, and there are some gorgeous powdery blue gowns to give you the fairy tale look you've always dreamed of. While you're at it, consider adding some opera gloves to really seal the deal. Refinery29 says opera gloves are also on trend.
Sew an embroidered patch on your dress
For some brides, a blue dress might be way out of their comfort zone. We get it — a blue dress is certainly a bold choice. Some brides want their something blue to be subtler, and some may even want their blue memento out of sight completely. For these brides, an embroidered patch is the perfect option.
An embroidered patch can be sewn on a part of your wedding dress. Often, brides choose to have it sewn on the underside of their dresses. This way, no one will see it unless they catch a glimpse when their spouse removes their garter. Patches also look cute on the outside of the dress or even a veil where it's more visible.
Another reason these patches are a unique way to get your something blue is that they are usually customizable, making them much more personal and one of a kind. You can have your and your partner's initials sewn on with a sweet message and the date of your ceremony.
Rock a bridal cape
While bridal veils are beautiful and traditional, they aren't for everyone — especially those brides looking for a little extra je ne sais quoi. If you aren't sold on wearing a veil, consider rocking a bridal cape. This edgy upgrade on a veil is sure to leave you feeling like a goddess on your wedding day.
Brides refers to the cape as the modern alternative to a veil. It can may add a touch of contemporary flair to your wedding day glam, but many bridal capes also feature traditional elements such as lace and floral appliques. Plenty of capes also feature blue floral elements or pearls for that subtle hint of something blue. If you're really feeling bold, you can wear an entirely blue cape.
Etsy is a hotspot for bridal capes, and what's even better is that many sellers allow for customized orders, allowing you a little more creativity and choice over how you want your cape to look.
Wear a backdrop necklace
Whether you are looking for modern or traditional accessories for your big day, know that there is something out there for every bride. Jewelry, such as earrings, bracelets, and of course, necklaces, are staples in the bridal lookbook. For brides who are looking for a more unique piece of jewelry to wear on their wedding day, a backdrop necklace may just be the perfect choice — it's definitely a statement piece!
Like any other piece of jewelry, backdrop necklaces can run the gamut from dainty to bold. According to Brides, a backdrop necklace is definitely a unique style that looks great with low-back and backless wedding gowns. If you're looking for a bold backdrop necklace that incorporates something blue, try a design with a large sapphire. If you want something more subtle, opt for a delicate chain with a paler blue stone, like labradorite, fluorite, or aquamarine.
Wipe your tears with an embroidered handkerchief
We all know weddings are joyous occasions filled with lots of joy, laughter, and of course, plenty of happy tears. Wedding guests are crying, parents are crying, you and your partner are crying — it's a tear fest! If you're a crier, you don't want to go into your wedding day without some reinforcements, because who would want to ruin the masterpiece their makeup artist spent hours creating? Instead of using tissues, wipe your wedding tears away with a special embroidered handkerchief with blue stitching.
This is another perfect option for brides who want their something blue to be extremely subtle. An embroidered handkerchief can be customized with your own special message stitched in blue, making it a unique, one-of-a-kind wedding day memento that you can keep forever. Designs range from the bride's initials to sweet messages to even cheeky messages like "No ugly crying."
Add some blue to your hairdo
The wedding day hairstyle is a key component of every bridal look. The best part is there are so many options, and the possibilities are essentially endless, including hair accessories. Hair accessories also provide the perfect way for brides to incorporate something blue into their ensemble.
When choosing your hair accessories, you should consider your chosen hairstyle, bridal look, and overall wedding theme, advised The Knot. Do you dream of looking like you've walked straight out of a fairytale on your big day? What better way to live your dream than by sporting a tiara? Or maybe you want something a little less flashy — small, dainty hairpins are a perfect choice. If you're a boho bride, a flower crown is always a great look. Perhaps you like a more vintage look, in which case you can opt for a vintage updo with a hair comb. You can find almost any kind of headpiece or accessory with blue details to add to your bridal do.
Place shoe decals under your heels
If there's one important part of bridal fashion beyond wedding dresses, it's most certainly the shoes. Brides rock all sorts of footwear on their wedding day — heels, flats, cowboy boots, and sneakers. Really, it all comes down to comfort and your personal style. "If that means rocking out a stiletto, booties, or sandals, then do it," Kirsten Johnson, manager of Emma and Grace Bridal Studio, told Martha Stewart. "You should love your shoes and feel good in them!"
Thankfully, there's also a way brides can add in something blue to their shoes. And no, we're not talking about wearing blue suede shoes. One creative and unique way to add something blue to your bridal look is by adding decals to the outsoles of your shoes. Your something blue is mostly out of sight, but you'll know it's there, and you can show them off in your wedding photos. Brides looking to incorporate something blue in a super subtle way will certainly enjoy this totally customizable option.
Add a dainty charm to your shoes
If shoe decals aren't for you, there's another way to add a little something blue to your shoes — shoe charms! Shoe charms are a great, unique option for brides who love subtle details and don't want to go all out with blue shoes.
If you plan to wear some strappy shoes or heels down the aisle, you can easily attach a small, dainty blue gem to the strap of one or both of your shoes. For those who want to wear a closed-toed shoe or shoes without straps, charms can be clipped to the back of your heel or even on the toe box. Shoe charms are also a great way to carry passed loved ones with you down the aisle. Sentimental jewelry or photo charms can be attached.
You can even buy ready-made shoes that feature something blue. Jessica Simpson's line of bridal footwear, for example, features shoes with a faux sapphire stone attached to the outsole. "Sapphire is a symbol of power, abundance and serenity (it is also Eric's birthstone)," she told The Knot. "I thought it was the perfect 'something blue' as a little blessing to give brides on their wedding day."
Pin a charm to your bridal bouquet
No bridal look is complete without a beautiful bouquet. Now, you can opt for blue flowers to incorporate your something blue if that's what you like or if that goes with your overall theme. If not, you can opt to embellish your bouquet with a blue charm. This is one of the easiest ways to add something blue to your bridal look, and it's a great choice for brides looking for something subtle. Just pin a charm with some blue gems or pearls to your hand-tied bouquet, and you're good to go!
According to Brides, bouquet charms can also include small photos, necklaces, wedding dress fabric, and even a pet tribute. Often, brides wrap charms with small photos of family members on them. This is a sweet way to honor passed family members who can't physically be with you as you walk down the aisle on your big day.
Opt for a blue garter
Some bridal traditions stand the test of time and some are on their way out the door. The tradition of the garter falls somewhere in the middle. While brides wear them less and less these days, some still choose to honor the tradition. If you want to partake in a centuries-old wedding tradition and wear a garter on your wedding day, this is the perfect chance to include your something blue.
The garter is a great choice for brides who want their something blue out of sight. There are also tons of options to choose from in all shades of blue. Whether you want something lacy, blingy, or even customized, there's one out there for you.
If you're not a fan of the traditional garter removal during your reception, The Knot suggests including it in a non-traditional way, like wearing it around your arm or carrying it in a purse.
Paint your nails and toes
A bridal look isn't complete without a cute mani and pedi, and this provides brides an opportunity add a unique touch of something blue to their look. Allure points out that tradition steers brides towards certain styles, such as French manicures and nudes, but more and more brides are choosing other styles. Whether you're a stiletto nail gal or prefer short and sweet, you have endless options for your wedding day nails.
If you decide to feature blue in your manicure, you want to choose a style you love since you'll take lots of photos of your hands, particularly your left hand. If you want a bold look, you can go for a brighter blue. Lighter shades of blues, on the other hand, are great for a softer look. You can go with a solid color or implement your something blue with design elements such as blue rhinestones. Whether you're wearing open or closed-toed shoes, a blue pedicure will carry you right down the aisle.