Foregoing tradition was avant garde. Now, brides become more fond of classicism with every passing year.

Reinventing heritage standards within one’s own wedding planning has replaced sidestepping them, in an era where originality is most chic. Expression of self in a way yet-to-be-seen embodies modern bridal ideals, as authenticity is desired above all. Where, before, taking on tradition boxed brides in, forcing time-honored staples that felt insincere and limiting opportunities for personal vision, it now affords the chance to craft conventions to fit the couple.

‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,’ an old English adage, is intended to inspire luck when tying the knot, but also opens new avenues for bridal and event styling, with heart. The sentiment was first said in a rhyme originating in Lancashire, England’s victorian era. What possibly could have more class?

Subtle touches to cascading gowns, blue is being implemented and woven within a myriad of modern weddings. Worn by the bride, nestled within florals, trimming centerpieces, and laid across ceremony landscapes, ‘something blue’ is easily added, and lends an effortlessly intentional air to design, something guests will admiringly notice, and brides will see as a reminder of self.

We love a well-chosen shoe, carefully selected accessories, and even edible takes - opportunities abound.

Here’s where we’d place our blue.

Something Small

Elegance from the mind of By Charlotte, earrings add the finishing touch, the final layer, to any bridal look - from bachelorette styling, to ceremony accessories. Jeweled additions are hardly seen by guests, but give brides the chance to linger on meaning while fastening their gems pre-event.

*(Image Credit: Rachel Santos, Beth Helmstetter, Kiley Vinik)*

A Good Gown

Carrie Goldberg and CLG Creative’s pull of a grey-wave-blue gown, with a reinvented bodice, carefully crinkled fabric, and perfect tailoring lent a new shade of ‘something blue’ to this bride. Borrowing from high-fashion, the gown embodied a mixture of the old and new, being a classic length and silhouette paired with a newly-toned shade. We want more of this.

Original Accents

New South Wales wedding planner, Chloe McPherson of Your Day By Chloe, interlaid jaw-dropping ice within this Australian reception, a nod to the sea that shaped its location, and an originally-lux touch. ‘Something blue’, but unexpected.

An Accessory

More By Charlotte creations, adorning all aspects of the bridal look. A delicately-blue bracelet, layered onto a post-wedding-day recovery look, or even into ceremony accessory pulls, adds taste and tradition. Choosing blue for anything from sarongs to lounge, and other bridal-weekend needs, allows for clever additions without interrupting an all-white ceremony and reception look, for those brides seeking only the ivories.

*(Image Credit: Lucy Blake Photography)*

A Blue Shoe

An obvious choice. Bridal heels and flats are rarely seen, but playful accents to a ceremony look, or when paired with a reception-mini. Styles from Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Dolce Vita offer a wide range of everything from barely-blue to boldly cobalt.

Layering in Looks

We love blue bows, a blue bag, and any shade of azure in accessorizing. Adding a little glimpse of the hue within a beige, ivory, or white look allows for broader creative strokes and unique combinations. For a daring stylist and a brave bride, these pops of blue are a bold take on time-honored tradition.

‘Something blue’ is back