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Blue has been connected to weddings for centuries, thanks to the Old English tradition of the bride having "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue," to bring her good luck on the big day. But there's no need to stick to the old standbys when searching for your "something blue." Instead, take inspiration from these real brides, who found ways to incorporate the prettiest blue touches, both big and small, into their celebrations.
We love how these real-life brides found ways to feature the color in everything from bridesmaids' dresses and tabletop decor to flowers and jewelry. You might not think you like the color blue much, but there's bound to be an example below that makes you reconsider including it.
Of course, anyone familiar with color theory knows blue has a calming effect, which is exactly what brides need on their big day. Plus the right blue hue looks great next to a variety of shades from olive green to light pink. So whether you're celebrating your nuptials in the fall or spring, there's no way to mess this up.
Shades of Blue
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Welcome guests to your reception with a freestanding escort display in varying shades of blue. Individual cards tied with dark teal ribbons coordinate with the ombre backdrop.
Walk On
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A crisp navy monogram complemented this venue's manicured lawn, while a blue canopy over the altar space surrounded the couple with the lucky shade as they said "I do."
Charmed, I'm Sure
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This bride's bouquet was decorated with heirloom broaches passed down from the women in the couple's family. Turquoise and sapphire accents on the charms allowed them to serve as items old, borrowed, and blue.
Ice Blue Cocktail
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An icy, aqua-colored signature cocktail in a vintage glass coupe lends an antique touch to your cocktail hour.
Pretty Pumps
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Don classic Stuart Weitzman pumps in a lovely shade of French blue for the ceremony. Choose a similar blue-hued heel for your own dose of good luck—and style!
Getting Ready
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Surround yourself with luck by finding blue getting-ready sets for your bridal party. This bride distinguished herself in a white-and-blue patterned version of the same style.
Blue Blooms
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Here's an easy "something blue" wedding idea: Line the aisle with loads of colorful flowers and accents of rich blue for an easy, impactful way to bring a little luck to your big day.
True Blue Sashes
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Get your flower girls in on the "something blue" fun! These adorable attendants each wore a dress with a light blue sash.
Unique Cake Topper
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Perfectly paired blue-and-white bride and groom penguins make for unique and whimsical cake toppers.
Blue Bouquet
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Butterfly ranunculus, Juliet and Tiffany garden roses, and delicate blue accents filled this bride's big-day arrangement, which was created by Elena Holland of Breathe Visual Creations.
Low-Heeled Shoes
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Want your shoes to be your "something blue?" Point-toe slingbacks are a great option for an outdoor celebration.
Blue Accented Confection
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Blue ribbon and loose greenery decorated this five-tier cake from Sugar Bee Sweets.
Blue Invitations
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A muted blue invitation makes for the perfect pre-nuptial "something blue."
Blue Tablecloths
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Deep blue tablecloths in an eye-catching print are a bold addition to this outdoor reception.
In the Navy
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Your bridesmaids will be happy to provide a bolt of blue when you ask them to wear something as chic as this group's navy gowns from Something Peridot.
Statement Dress
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This bride wore a one-of-a-kind wedding dress from Natalie Taylor Humphrey, who painted a floral motif onto her Kate McDonald Bridal gown.
A Cute Clutch
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A bold blue clutch—like this one by Saint Laurent—is a sapphire-toned heirloom you can use again after the big day.
Head to Toe
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While many brides choose to wear a white wedding dress and matching shoes, there's no rule against wearing color. This bride donned a Leanne Marshall gown and matching suede Valentino lace-ups.
A Handful of Blue
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Putnam & Putnam tucked just a few tweedia blooms into this mostly white and yellow bridal bouquet. Consider other blue blooms, like delphinium, muscari, and nigella, if you're looking to make a similar statement.
Stack It Up
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This three-tier wedding cake with a subtle dotted texture from Melissa's Fine Pastries was finished in the prettiest shade of sky blue, and it's such a sweet "something blue" wedding idea.
Tying the Knot
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Trade in safe white napkins for blue ones, which serve as an gentle nod to tradition. These powder blue napkins from Party Crush Studio popped against classic white plates.
Blue Velvet
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Let the groom join in this tradition with a gray-blue bow tie, pocket square, and ribbon-wrapped bouttonniére.
A Getaway Car
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A vintage Chevy—or any blue ride as sweet as this one—means you'll drive off into the sunset in your "something old" and "something blue."
Sweet Signs
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Unify your littles bridal party members with soft blue velvet capes and jackets, just like this crew. Finish the look withcustom calligraphed signs in the same shade.
Bridesmaids in Blue
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This bridal party started their day in "something blue" rompers from Tobi. Once they changed into their dresses, they kept the blue theme going thanks to their dip-dyed tassel earrings.
A Pale Bouquet
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A barely blue bundle of hydrangeas, like this bouquet by Fishers Flowers, checks the "something blue" box in a very subtle way.
With This Ring
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This bride's engagement ring was an oval-shaped aquamarine, but a right-hand ring in the light blue stone would be equally dazzling.
For Happy Tears
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Whether vintage or new, an embroidered hankie with blue thread is a pretty—and practical—way to incorporate "something blue" into your wedding.
Hidden Wedding Date
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The elegantly calligraphed wedding date, penned by Bernard Maisner, not only appeared on the wedding's invitation, but it was also embroidered in a soft blue thread and sewn into the bride's wedding dress.
"Something Blue" Sisters
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Let your sisters or maids of honor serve as your "something blue" in pale halter-necked dresses, like these by Hayley Paige.
Fancy Footwear
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Ice blue Marchesa sandals with intricate detailing and cut-outs will keep you on your toes.
A Preppy Touch
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Wrap a preppy monogramed swath of gingham (or seersucker) around your bouquet. (If your style is more modern, a blue ikat print or polka dots would work, too.)
Flower Power
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Flower girls don't just have to carry the flowers—they can wear them, too. These light blue dresses with floral details (plus the attendant's fresh flower crowns) were a winning combination.
A Blue Wedding Dress
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The barely-there hue of this bride's wedding dress was an understated background for beading and embellishments in deeper shades.
Bundles of Blue
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Tie the Knot in Santorini dressed up this beachy ceremony structure with clusters of hydrangeas in range of soft blues.
Rings and Things
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If you're lucky enough to wear a sapphire engagement ring every day—like this one by Lauren B— invest in a matching The Mrs Box holder.
Blue and Meaningful
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Lux Events and Design asked this bride's family and husband-to-be to suggest one word that describes her, and then had each of them embroidered on silk ribbons that wrapped her bouquet.
An Azure Accent
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A single nigella bloom adds a vivid pop of color and a contemporary shape and texture to a classic black tuxedo.
Start With a Sapphire
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This bride's groom designed a sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring with the help of The Diamond Source in San Diego.
Show Off Your Groom
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This groom wore custom attire, opting for striking blue pants and a matching bow tie instead of the go-to black-and-white ensemble.
Lace Up His Kicks
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The sky-colored laces on these Hugo Boss shoes were fit to be tied into relaxed bows.
Appoint Your Pooch
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Dressed in blue bow ties from Charlie Be Good, the couple's two bulldogs served as the sweetest good luck charms.
Arrive in Style
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The groom's father escorted the bridesmaids to the service in a vintage baby blue Morris Minor Traveller. The back of the car was adorned with a floral garland made up of roses, peonies, ranunculus, and other greenery.
Keep Your Mom Close
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You'll be dressed head-to-toe in white, so let your mom wear the blue. No doubt you'll both be wearing smiles.
A Blue Ring Box
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One bride incorporated a lucky flea-market find: a golden bee-topped box in a deep slate. "I didn't plan it that way, but I guess it was our something old and our something blue!"