From why bridesmaids wear matching dresses to why brides throw bouquets, there are a lot of weird and wonderful wedding traditions – some more popular than others. Engagement ring specialists at Steven Stone have spent some time investigating the reasoning and myth behind why you have to wear something blue on your wedding day.
What does blue symbolise?
A favourite colour of many people, blue is the most universally appealing colour on the spectrum because of its non-polarising traits.
Blue initiates feelings of calmness and serenity, which is why most people associate it with the sky and sea – it’s frequently described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly.
Due to it being seen as a sign of stability and reliability, businesses often utilise blue in their advertising and marketing efforts.
Positive effects of blue
Blue is often thought of as a relaxing colour and there’s a good reason why – it actually has a tendency to lower our heart rates, blood pressure, and even our body temperature.
Did you know, it can also have an impact on our brains? Not only can it affect our sleeping patterns, but research has shown that people are more productive in blue rooms, which is why it’s a prominent colour in offices.
Negative effects of blue
Unfortunately, blue also has its negative traits and can be responsible for creating feelings of sadness or aloofness. A great example is Picasso’s work during his “blue period” – heavily featuring the colour, the pieces seem lonely, sad and even forlorn. Another example is how blue is used in language – blue Monday, the blues, etc.
Interestingly, despite being one of the most popular colours, blue is also the least appetising. Think about it – what was the last blue coloured food that you ate? There’s a high chance that you can’t remember because it rarely occurs naturally in food!
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The origin of “something blue”
Blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In Ancient Rome, Brides wore blue to symbolise love, modesty and fidelity. Long associated with the Virgin Mary, Christians believe it to represent purity.
In Victorian times, each item that the Bride was supposed to wear was said to provide the couple with a different form of protection and good fortune. When paired with the chosen “something old”, “something blue” supposedly protected the bride against the Evil Eye – a curse passed through a malicious glare that could make the bride infertile.
READ MORE: These are the most bizarre wedding traditions from around the world
Unique “something blue” ideas
Though it’s dated, “something blue” is one of the traditions that people tend to abide by, which is why there are an abundance of modern takes on it – Carrie Bradshaw turned to a pair of now-iconic royal blue satin Manalo Blahnik pumps and if it’s good enough for Carrie, it’s good enough for us!
Other ideas include incorporating blue jewellery into the Bride’s outfit, adding blue to the bouquet, going down the blue make up route or what we think is the most romantic – the Bride having a little note or other small message written in blue on the bottom of her shoes.
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If you’re thinking of getting married, take a look at our stunning selection of engagement rings and wedding rings. We also offer diamond earrings, eternity rings.
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